Fishing in Oregon
Your complete guide to 90+ fishing spots across Oregon: lakes, rivers, reservoirs and more.
Interactive Map
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Top Venues
Top Fishing Spots in Oregon
The best-rated fishing venues across Oregon.
- 1
Deschutes River
Oregon's most famous steelhead river with wild summer-run fish and stunning canyon scenery
- 2
Rogue River
Iconic Southern Oregon river with spring and fall chinook, steelhead, and half-pounders
- 3
Columbia River (Astoria)
World-class salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon fishing on the Pacific Northwest's mightiest river
- 4
Metolius River
Spring-fed Central Oregon gem with wild rainbow and bull trout in crystal-clear water
- 5
John Day River
Remote canyon river offering Oregon's best smallmouth bass fishing on multi-day float trips
- 6
Willamette River
Urban Portland fishing for spring chinook, steelhead, bass, and sturgeon
- 7
Crooked River
Year-round tailwater trout fishery below Bowman Dam with excellent dry fly opportunities
- 8
Umpqua River (North Fork)
Premier summer steelhead stream with classic fly fishing water and wild fish
- 9
Tillamook Bay
Coastal estuary with outstanding fall chinook, chum salmon, and crabbing
- 10
Diamond Lake
High Cascade lake with outstanding rainbow trout fishing and mountain scenery
Species Guide
Species You Can Catch in Oregon
Learn about the fish you’ll find across Oregon.
Getting Started
Fishing License & Tips for Oregon
License Information
An Oregon sport fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older. Resident annual licenses cost about $44, while non-resident annual licenses are approximately $98. Combined angling tags for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon cost an additional $27-41. Licenses are issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and can be purchased online or at sporting goods stores.
Read the full fishing license guideQuick Tips
- The Deschutes River is Oregon's premier steelhead destination. Swing flies or drift fish with plugs through classic runs from August through November for wild summer steelhead.
- For trout, explore the Metolius River, Crooked River, and Fall River in Central Oregon where dry fly fishing is incredible from June through October.
- Oregon's John Day River offers the state's best smallmouth bass fishing in a remote canyon setting. Float trips in summer produce outstanding topwater action for 3-4 lb fish.
- Track your Oregon steelhead and salmon catches on the GilledIt app to identify run timing patterns and productive water conditions year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fishing in Oregon
Oregon has both summer and winter steelhead runs. Summer steelhead return to rivers like the Deschutes, North Umpqua, and Rogue from June through November. Winter steelhead hit coastal rivers from December through March, with peak action in January-February on rivers like the Wilson, Sandy, and Clackamas. The Deschutes River summer run is the most popular and accessible fishery in the state.
Oregon is a world-class fly fishing destination. The Deschutes, Metolius, Crooked, and Fall Rivers in Central Oregon are top trout and steelhead waters. The Rogue and North Umpqua offer classic steelhead fly fishing. The Williamson and Wood Rivers in Southern Oregon provide outstanding trophy trout fishing. Use the GilledIt app to discover public access points and floating stretches.
Resident annual licenses cost about $44, and non-resident annual licenses are approximately $98. A combined angling tag covering salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and halibut is required for those species and costs $27 for residents or $41 for non-residents. Daily licenses are also available for visitors. Purchase through ODFW's website or at licensed retailers.
Yes, white sturgeon fishing is available on the Columbia River, Willamette River, and select coastal estuaries. The lower Columbia and Willamette have the best catch rates. Sturgeon must be within a specific slot size for retention, and many sections are catch-and-release only. These prehistoric fish can exceed 10 feet and several hundred pounds, making them one of Oregon's most exciting targets.
Oregon offers chinook (king) salmon fishing on the Columbia, Rogue, Umpqua, and numerous coastal rivers. Spring chinook (April-June) and fall chinook (August-October) are the primary seasons. Coho (silver) salmon return to coastal rivers in fall. The Columbia River near Astoria and Buoy 10 fishery is legendary for salmon. Ocean salmon fishing out of ports like Depoe Bay and Newport is also popular.
The John Day River is Oregon's premier smallmouth bass fishery, best accessed by multi-day float trips through remote canyons. The Umpqua River mainstem, Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River, and the Willamette River also offer excellent smallmouth fishing. For largemouth bass, try Henry Hagg Lake, Siltcoos Lake, and Tenmile Lakes on the coast. Summer months (June-September) are prime time.
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