With the arrival of the Summer Solstice on June 20 and the long, warm days that follow, Oregon offers a wealth of fishing opportunities characteristic of its extended summer days.
According to the National Weather Service, “Oregon experienced near or above-average precipitation last winter, with most of the state receiving 90% to 100% of normal” during the winter of 2024/2025.
As a result, lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams across the state are generally in “good to excellent” condition.
Suppose your favorite reservoir in the Willamette Valley is not currently full to the brim. In that case, it may have been affected by court-ordered drawdowns aimed at helping wild steelhead and salmon reach their natural spawning grounds above the dams.
Generally speaking, most reservoirs in the Willamette Valley reached “full pool” this spring. Although it has been a relatively dry season and some of the valley’s artificial lakes are starting to recede, we are still well within the normal range for years with average rainfall.
Additionally, most Willamette Valley reservoirs are regularly stocked with trout, and some also feature Kokanee salmon, and bass are becoming increasingly common in all of the valley’s reservoirs.
The solstice also marks the start of the spring salmon run, and the tailwater fisheries below most reservoir dams from Portland upriver to Eugene have become lively. This includes the Clackamas River at the north end of the valley, the North and South Forks of the Santiam, and in our backyard, the Middle and Coast Forks of the Willamette.
Finally, the crown jewel of the Willamette Basin, the McKenzie River, is where the peak of the spring salmon run has reached the base of Leaburg Dam.
As of now, the passage of spring salmon over Willamette Falls has surpassed 20,000 fish, with about 450 salmon per day leaping past the falls—several thousand more than the same time last year.
Approximately 3,000 steelhead have also made their way to the upper reaches of the Willamette’s tributaries, providing a few intense moments for some lucky fishermen. The falls passage in May was “poor” at best, averaging only about 75 steelhead per day, and slowing to a dismal 45 per day in June.
In comparison, the 2024 season saw 15,000 steelhead pass above the falls by the end of June, at a pace averaging about 350 steelhead per day.
While discussing summer steelhead, it’s important to note that steelhead of any seasonal run are not native to the McKenzie River. Therefore, by regulation, the McKenzie is open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped (salmon and) steelhead and non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead greater than 24 inches long.
Suppose you are fishing for salmon or steelhead in any tributary of the Columbia River, including both the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers. In that case, you will need to carry a “Columbia River Endorsement” in addition to your fishing license and salmon/steelhead tag at myodfw.com.
A closer look at Southern Valley fisheries reveals plenty of nearby locations that benefited from trout stocking leading up to the free fishing weekend. Some small ponds still have fish, but due to diminishing quality, they were stocked for the last time this season (trout stocking will return to these smaller ponds in spring 2026).
Alton Baker Canal, a popular urban fishery, is the local exception, where 1,000 trout will be planted each week through the end of June. Other recently stocked waterways in our vicinity include the Coast Fork of the Willamette, the McKenzie River below Leaburg Dam, Leaburg Lake, the McKenzie River above Leaburg Dam, Blue River, and Clear Lake.
As we reach the warmest times of the year, it’s essential to invest the same effort into caring for any fish you plan to retain and later consume as you did to catch them. The last thing you want to do is hang a still-alive fish from a rope or chain stringer. This practice can slowly kill the fish, causing its body enzymes to taint the flesh, which results in soft and mushy meat. Always plan to place any fish you intend to eat on ice as soon as possible.
