The Best Fishing Spots in Oregon
Oregon offers excellent recreational fishing across its coast, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, with highlights including Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout and other trout, kokanee, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and big white sturgeon, while the Pacific coast supports lingcod, rockfish, Pacific halibut and offshore albacore tuna. Popular places to fish are the Columbia River and coastal rivers for salmon and steelhead, high mountain streams and alpine lakes for trout and kokanee, reservoirs for bass, and the ocean for shore, boat, and offshore trips. Techniques range from fly fishing and spin casting in freshwater to trolling and bottom fishing in saltwater, with strong seasonal runs in spring and fall and year‑round options depending on water and species.
Top Cities For Fishing
Sea Fishing
Agate Beach
(1 km to coast)
Astoria
(0 km to coast)
Brookings
(1 km to coast)
Coos Bay
(1 km to coast)
Florence
(3 km to coast)
Lincoln City
(0 km to coast)
Newport
(1 km to coast)
North Bend
(1 km to coast)
Seaside
(1 km to coast)
River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Upper Klamath Lake
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Diamond Lake
North of Crater Lake , Diamond Lake fishes great for chunky Rainbow Trout and seasonal Tiger Trout; boaters troll flies and spinners over weedlines, and shore anglers still-fish from camp areas, with ice-fishing possible in colder winters.
Clackamas River
Close to Oregon City and Clackamas , the Clackamas offers winter/summer Steelhead, spring Chinook, and fall Coho; boaters side-drift and pull plugs through travel lanes, and bank anglers swing spoons and drift presentations at well-marked parks and pullouts.
Deschutes River
A premier wild-trout stream, the Deschutes delivers prolific Redband Trout hatches and late-summer Steelhead below the mouth near Maupin ; anglers swing flies and cast nymphs from the bank-only water in the lower river while boaters float to access remote riffles and ledges.
Detroit Lake
A large reservoir east of Salem , Detroit Lake provides prolific Rainbow Trout plants, strong Kokanee schools, and summertime Smallmouth Bass; trolling dodgers and hoochies targets kokanee, while bank anglers soak bait near campgrounds and marinas.
Henry Hagg Lake
Near Forest Grove , Henry Hagg Lake is a favorite for stocked Rainbow Trout, slab Crappie, and quality Smallmouth Bass; boaters troll wedding rings or throw finesse plastics to points, and shore anglers find steady action from numerous parks and piers.
Lake Billy Chinook
Set near Cove Palisades and Madras , Lake Billy Chinook holds unique Bull Trout (special rules), abundant Kokanee, and strong Smallmouth Bass; anglers troll deep for kokanee, jig for bulls, and work rocky structure for bass by boat or accessible shorelines.
Odell Lake
High in the Cascades near Willamette Pass , Odell Lake is renowned for large Mackinaw (Lake Trout), plentiful Kokanee, and spring-stocked Rainbows; deep trolling and jigging target macks and kokanee, while shore anglers score near resorts and creek mouths.
Rogue River
The Rogue River is renowned for Spring and Fall Chinook, ocean-bright Coho, and dependable Steelhead runs; drift boats ply classic runs from Grants Pass to Gold Beach , while bank anglers side-drift and float-fish prime gravels throughout the canyon.
Wickiup Reservoir
Near Bend , Wickiup Reservoir is famous for trophy Brown Trout, quality Kokanee, and seasonal Rainbow Trout; anglers troll large plugs for browns at first light, run dodger/hoochie rigs for kokanee, and bank-fish inlets when flows are up.
Willamette River
Flowing through the heart of Portland and Salem , the Willamette offers spring Chinook, winter/summer Steelhead, catch-and-release Sturgeon in lower reaches, and strong Smallmouth Bass action upstream; boat trolling with spinners and prawn rigs pairs well with productive bank spots below falls and at urban parks.
Top Saltwater & Freshwater Spots
Alsea Bay
At Waldport , Alsea Bay shines for Fall Chinook, late-summer Coho, and dependable crabbing; anglers run herring and spinners along channels on the flood, while jetty and shore spots give easy access for casting and pots during softer currents.
Chetco River
Flowing to Brookings , the Chetco is known for bright Fall Chinook and excellent Winter Steelhead; drift boats work the mid-river glides, while tidewater trolling and jetty casting shine when fish stage in the estuary on incoming tides.
Columbia River
The Columbia River’s lower reaches draw anglers for Spring and Fall Chinook, Coho, epic White Sturgeon catch-and-release, summer Steelhead, and massive runs of Shad, with prime access near Astoria and Portland ; trolling herring/anchovies, spinner rigs, and wobblers from boats is common, while popular shore plunking bars deliver steady action during the peak tides.
Coos Bay
Coos Bay near North Bend features excellent Dungeness crab, seasonal Chinook and Coho, jetty Rockfish, and bay Lingcod opportunities; trolling herring on the flood and jigging structure around the jetties are top tactics, with ample bank and pier access.
Nehalem Bay
Nehalem Bay produces strong Fall Chinook, summer Coho, and reliable crabbing; anglers troll spinners and herring along channel edges and tide flats near Wheeler and Nehalem , with jetty and shore options around the state park providing versatile access.
Nestucca River
Known for robust Winter Steelhead and Fall Chinook, the Nestucca also sees summer Steelhead; anglers drift eggs and beads from boats between Beaver and Cloverdale , with tidewater trolling near Pacific City productive on big tides.
Siletz River
The Siletz River is a coastal favorite for Winter Steelhead, summer Steelhead, and returning Fall Chinook; drift boats run classic slots from Logsden downstream, while bank anglers target deep green pools and tidewater near Lincoln City .
Tillamook Bay
Tillamook Bay is famed for monster Fall Chinook, returning Coho, year-round Dungeness crab, and inshore Rockfish; boaters work the Ghost Hole and channels on tide swings while shore casters and crabbers use the jetties and piers around Garibaldi and Tillamook .
Umpqua River
From the tidewater at Winchester Bay to the mainstem, the Umpqua offers Spring/Fall Chinook, Coho, famous catch-and-release Sturgeon, acrobatic Smallmouth Bass, and winter Steelhead; boats side-drift and back-bounce while shore anglers score at access points near Reedsport and Elkton .
Yaquina Bay
Centered around Newport , Yaquina Bay offers year-round Dungeness crab, seasonal Coho and Chinook pushes, and dependable Rockfish near the jetties; boat trolling and jigging excel on tide changes while piers and jetties provide easy shore access.