Gear & Tackle

Rivers & Streams

Spin, Cast & Bait

Lower Willamette River Fishing Guide

Oregon

The Willamette River through Portland below Willamette Falls, with bank access for spring Chinook, steelhead, walleye, and bass.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lower Willamette River for steelhead, chinook salmon, smallmouth bass and walleye. In October, steelhead, chinook salmon, smallmouth bass and walleye are in season, and Ned Rig, Suspending Jerkbait and Paddle-Tail Swimbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops nearby (3 fly, 9 bait and tackle); the closest is The Portland Fly Shop in Portland. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Tillamook Bay is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Steelhead
Chinook Salmon
Smallmouth Bass
Walleye
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Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map

What You'll Catch

Lower Willamette River Species

Steelhead

Steelhead

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Oct to Apr

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Oct

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Oct

Walleye

Walleye

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Images: USFWS; Michael Humling, USFWS; Duane Raver, USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · After dark.

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  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead

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  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

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  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

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  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Chinook Salmon

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  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

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  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Chinook Salmon, Steelhead · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lower Willamette River

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

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Rigs

Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness

Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Nearby

Shops Near Lower Willamette River

Nearby

Guides and Charters Near Lower Willamette River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Oregon · About 60 mi

Tillamook Bay

A 13-square-mile bay at Tillamook and Garibaldi with spring Chinook from April through July, fall Chinook from late August, coho, and sea-run cutthroat.

Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon · Cutthroat Trout