From dune lakes in the west to the mountain lakes and rivers to the east, Lane County is an angler’s paradise.
The Willamette and McKenzie Rivers run right through the Eugene and Springfield metro area, making them standout locations for fishing enthusiasts. Both rivers are highly regarded throughout the state for their trout, steelhead, and salmon opportunities.
Moving to western Lane County, there are about 25 freshwater lakes, many of which offer trout fishing in the spring and fall, while most have year-round largemouth bass fishing. This area is also home to the Siuslaw River, known for its fall salmon and winter steelhead runs.
Among those 25 lakes, my favorites are Siltcoos and Mercer Lakes. I typically fish from my 20-foot boat and spend a lot of time on Siltcoos, the largest lake along the coast and home to diverse habitats. The afternoon summer winds can be intense, sometimes making the southern part of the lake resemble a choppy ocean, so I always try to fish early in the day. On the other hand, Mercer Lake is nestled in a protected valley just a few miles west of Highway 101. It’s a sizable lake that’s great for family boating, and I’ve noticed that the temperature can be about 10 degrees warmer than on the coast. Plus, there’s a boat landing on the east end of Mercer Lake, making access easy.
From their synopsis, “65 Places to Fish in Lane County,” myodfw.com/articles, below are a few local favorites.
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TOP FISHING SITES
SPRINGFIELD & EUGENE
- Alton Baker Park and the Alton Baker Canoe Canal, stocked with rainbow trout, provide access via a trail.
- Beltline Landing serves as a take-out for summer steelhead floats and offers some bank access.
- Island Park provides good bank access to miles of river and a boat ramp.
- The Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System offers a unique opportunity to target summer steelhead from bike paths on both sides of the river.
- Clearwater Landing on the Middle Fork Willamette River is ideal for floating on to the main stem. It’s also the head of a trail system that follows the Middle Fork Willamette all the way to Island Park.
- Armitage Park on the McKenzie River offers full amenities, including camping and about a mile of bank access. It is also a popular take-out for river boaters.
- Hayden Bridge has easy access to less technical waters for wild trout fishing. *Hendricks Bridge was recently upgraded. Now has full amenities and a popular boat ramp with some bank access.
- Deerhorn Park offers a ½-mile stretch of bank access and a boat launch.
- The Delta Ponds, near Valley River Center, provide easy access and fishing for warm water fish species.
CRESWELL & COTTAGE GROVE
Both communities offer multiple fishing opportunities along the Coast Fork Willamette River and its tributaries. Access points include:
- Riverside Park provides a “technical” float access with restrooms and picnic areas.
- Cloverdale Rd. at Sears Rd. has unimproved bank access and an inflatable boat launch. – Lynx Hollow is a scenic walk-in spot with picnic sites.
- Mosby Creek, southeast of Cottage Grove, has multiple access points for trout and occasional fall steelhead fishing, with restrooms, picnic, and disabled access.
- Row River at Schwarz Park, near Dorena Dam, provides recreational activities and a small watercraft launch, with restrooms, picnic, and campgrounds.
- Row River Nature Park features a stocked pond for “family-friendly fishing” and wildlife viewing. With picnic sites and disabled access. *Cottage Grove Reservoir is popular for bass fishing, swimming, and boating, with facilities including day-use parks, campgrounds, and boat ramps. However, caution is advised due to mercury levels and potential algae blooms in the summer.
- Baker Bay County Park at Dorena Reservoir, a popular destination for boaters. It offers fishing for planted trout and is managed as a trophy bass fishery. It has restrooms, picnic areas, and campgrounds, but also has a mercury health advisory for consuming resident fish.
