Willamette River fishing guide

Public access & launches

Extensive public bank access along the Willamette River, computed from public land ownership and hydrography.

Explore public access points and the exact bank on the interactive map in the app.

Regulations

• All game and non-game fish (except sturgeon)

  Season

  Effective August 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

  Gear

  Two-Rod Extended: anglers with a valid 2026 Two-Rod Validation may use up to two fishing rods except when angling for sturgeon

  Applies to all game and non-game fish (except sturgeon).

• Willamette Zone

  Open all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead, and wild steelhead greater than 24 inches in length. Open for Coho Oct 1 - Dec 31. 2 wild trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Use of bait allowed Apr 22 - Oct 31. See Row River and Tributaries. Closed to Chinook salmon and steelhead angling on tributaries.

• Willamette Zone

  Open all year for hatchery salmon and hatchery steelhead. Catch-and-release for sturgeon. Sturgeon angling is prohibited from the Lake Oswego-Oak Grove RR bridge up to Willamette Falls May 1 - Aug 31. Use of bait allowed. See Gilbert River. Closed : Oregon City Wall Bank Closure Area; see picture/diagram for closure area. Closed : Willamette Falls Closure Area; see picture/diagram for closure area. Willamette Falls to Hwy 20 bridge in Albany Open all year for hatchery Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and hatchery steelhead. Open for white sturgeon 1 per day and 2 per year, 38 inch minimum and 54 inch maximum fork length. Use of bait allowed. Hwy 20 bridge to Hwy 99 bridge Open all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon and hatchery steelhead. Open for Coho Oct 1 - Dec 31. 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. Open for white sturgeon 1 per day and 2 per year, 38 inch minimum and 54 inch maximum fork length. Use of bait allowed. Hwy 99 bridge at Harrisburg to McKenzie River mouth and tributaries Open all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, and hatchery steelhead. Open for Coho Oct 1 - Dec 31. Artificial flies and lures only. Open for white sturgeon 1 per day and 2 per year, 38 inch minimum and 54 inch maximum fork length. Mouth of McKenzie River to Coast Fork and tributaries not listed Open all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead, and wild steelhead greater than 24 inches in length. Open for Coho Oct 1 - Dec 31. 2 wild trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Open for white sturgeon 1 per day and 2 per year, 38 inch minimum and 54 inch maximum fork length. Use of bait allowed.

• Willamette Zone

  Open all year for trout, hatchery Chinook salmon, hatchery steelhead, and wild steelhead greater than 24 inches in length. Open for Coho Oct 1 - Dec 31. 2 wild trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Use of bait allowed. Angling gear may be cast within 200 ft of fish ladder at base of Dexter Dam. Gear Restriction: Dexter Dam downstream approx. 700 ft to markers: Only one single point hook with 5/8 inch gap or smaller may be used. No angling from the north shore, from a floating device, or while wading. Gear Restriction: From Dexter Dam downstream to power lines (approx. 1/2 Mi): any attached weight may be no more than 6 ft above lower most hook, in addition to statewide Hook and Weight Regulations . Above Lookout Point Reservoir (including above Hills Creek Reservoir) Open all year for trout. 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Wild trout must be released, including brook trout. See Hills Creek and Hills Creek Tributaries, Salmon Creek and Tributaries, Salt Creek and Tributaries.

• Willamette Zone

  Open all year. 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. Fly fishing only, barbless hooks required.

• BassWillamette Zone

  Season

  Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons, except mainstem Willamette River and sloughs and tidewater areas of Columbia River tributaries downstream from Bonneville Dam are open all year.

  Bag

  Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions . Streams: No limit.

  Gear

  Angling restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams

  No more than 3 over 15 inches in length in lakes. No minimum length in streams. Angling restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams. See Exceptions where use of bait is allowed.

As of 2026-09-01.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.Official Oregon regulations

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Forest Park Is 5,200 Acres and the Gorge Is 40 Minutes. Here's How to Use Both.

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South Sister Without a Rope: Oregon's Easiest Big Summit Is Still a Long Day

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Willamette River fishing — FAQ