Where to smallmouth fish in Western oregon?

sam_m · Post by **sam_m** » Wed Mar 28, 2018 11:20 pm

Hi guys,
New to the forum. I'm getting ready to move to Portland/Salem area from the midwest...been wanting to make the move for years. I love the West in general and really want to be where I can fish clear rivers year round that hold good smallies and other game fish, but 99% basshead lol. Where I am you have to fish lakes to get good bass fishing, the rivers are shallow and muddy here. That's at least a big part of why I'm moving to be honest. I've heard a lot about the obvious stuff in the Eastern part of the state, but I'm looking for stuff near Portland, and hopefully some good tributaries or estuary waters off of the Columbia that are fishable by wading. I really love the idea of walking out my backdoor and being able to jump in the Jeep and go fish a clear river no boat needed. So any good ideas of creeks/rivers to try?

bustout · Post by **bustout** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:42 am

lots of smallmouth in the Willamete river

benarsenault · Post by **benarsenault** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 8:03 am

I love PDX and may end up there myself someday. The Columbia River was in the 2017 Bassmaster Top 100 list. Between the Columbia and Willamette you should have all the brown fish you can handle. Keep us posted!

ttb31183 · Post by **ttb31183** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 12:35 pm

There are tons of great fisheries in Oregon and Washington. The Columbia is the biggest and most well known. The Hood River area has giants. The Willamette and John Day are also very good. For lakes, I'd look into Henry Hagg or Tenmile for largemouth. Good luck!

Rattle · Post by **Rattle** » Thu Mar 29, 2018 7:25 pm

Umpqua river around roseburg

sam_m · Post by **sam_m** » Fri Mar 30, 2018 1:06 pm

Rattle wrote:Umpqua river around roseburg

Interesting. I was looking at the umpqua on a map... Do you know if it's good further North on the river, closer to Portland?

Rattle · Post by **Rattle** » Fri Mar 30, 2018 1:53 pm

sam_m wrote:
Rattle wrote:Umpqua river around roseburg
Interesting. I was looking at the umpqua on a map... Do you know if it's good further North on the river, closer to Portland?

Not sure about that. My only experience is around Roseburg. Sorry

milehi · Post by **milehi** » Fri Mar 30, 2018 2:53 pm

nowhere near portland

sam_m · Post by **sam_m** » Sun Apr 01, 2018 11:10 am

milehi wrote:nowhere near portland

ok...

benarsenault · Post by **benarsenault** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:11 am

sam_m wrote:ok...

Don't get discouraged. Henry Hagg lake is 35 miles from Portland and it produced the state record smallmouth (8 lbs. in 2005). Even if the rivers around Portland are just okay, it seems like there's a really great fishery within an hour drive.

steve black · Post by **steve black** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 7:34 pm

Yes don't get discouraged, My son lives in Winston near Roseburg, and last summer we fished Ten Mile lake, for largies and I was impressed. Since then every time I visit I check out the near surrounding lakes up as far as Eugene, I think you wont be disappointed, just about every lake has smallies. We plan too move hopefully soon.

Steve.

sam_m · Post by **sam_m** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:01 pm

steve black wrote:Yes don't get discouraged, My son lives in Winston near Roseburg, and last summer we fished Ten Mile lake, for largies and I was impressed. Since then every time I visit I check out the near surrounding lakes up as far as Eugene, I think you wont be disappointed, just about every lake has smallies. We plan too move hopefully soon.
Steve.

Thanks!!