There are tons on fish species along the coast of Oregon and in its many lakes. The most popular fish to go after is trout, but you will also have a great time exploring the salmon and steelhead runs. The state has fisheries that produce world class smallmouth bass. With the Pacific Ocean on its west coast, and mountains and lakes throughout the rest of the state, you have plenty of opportunities to try salt and freshwater fishing when you head to Oregon for a fishing trip.
Because fishing is such a popular activity to do for both locals and tourists, you won’t have a hard time find places to rent the gear necessary to be successful out on the water. And you certainly don’t have to be on a boat to reel in a big one either. Mo matter where you head out from while in Oregon, you will be meet with fishing success and dinner being brought home!
What Kind of Fish are in Oregon
Trout is the most number one game fish in the state of Oregon. All over the state, anglers will go for the native rainbow or cutthroat species, as well as other less popular trout species that you can find in these waters. While there is a native population that can hold its own, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lakes with more than 5 million trout every year as a way to avoid overfishing and to make sure everyone who wants an opportunity to bring home a trout can. You are able to go trout fishing every day of the year. The largest species of rainbow trout is known as the steelhead. They are infamously known for their tough runs once they are hooked and for jumping in and out of the water as they try to find you reeling them in.
You will also be able to go for salmon in Oregon. There are five species of salmon in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest, with the three most common to the state being the chinook/king, the coho/silver, and the chum/dog salmon species. The chinook can be found in the waters near the coast and in the Pacific from April to December. Chum salmon are poor jumpers but string swimmers, so they will not be in rivers or streams with many jumps or falls. They can also grow to be over 40 pounds! And finally, coho lives most of their lives in the Pacific, but will come inland to spawn in freshwater. These fish tend to stay smaller, rarely weighing more than 15 pounds.
And don’t forget bass fishing! Oregon has plenty of bass fishing opportunities across the state. From smallmouth to largemouth, and every hybrid in between, you will have plenty of opportunities to catch a bass to bring home for dinner. You will find bass in more urban waters, near places like Willamette Valley or Columbia River and where there is warmer water (which also deters trout from getting in the way). You can of course find bass all around the state and can try for them year round.
Out towards the coastline, you will be able to go fishing for different species. You can try your luck at catching an albacore tuna. These tunas migrate up the Pacific Ocean, covering more than 50 miles a day. You will love how they taste whether you decide to barbecue, can, or smoke this fish meat. A non-native species, there is also the American shed in these lakes and in the ocean, after they were introduced to Oregon’s waterways more than 150 years ago. If you want a salty, small fish, you will be able to test your luck catching anchovies out on the ocean. And there are plenty of flatfish out in the Pacific Ocean you can hook onto, from the large halibut, to flounders and fluke. All great for dinner, with sweet, mild white flaky meat.
Of course, there are tons of other fish species that you can go for in the exciting Oregon waters. While fishing is a year round activity in Oregon, and some species can be fished year round, always double check that what you are going for is in season and what size and catch limits you have to be aware of before you get out on the water. This is just a snapshot of the fun and delicious fish you will be able to go after on your fishing trip to Oregon!
What Type of Fishing Can You do in Oregon
There are plenty of fishing opportunities in Oregon, whether you want to head out to the coast and fish in the Pacific or visit one of the state’s lakes. And you don’t need a boat to be successful, shore fishing is just as popular and fruitful as being directly above the fish below.
One of the benefits of going fishing in lakes is that many of them are filled and stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Lakes are a good place to go trout and bass fishing no matter if you are a completely new beginner or a seasoned angler.
No matter if you are fishing from a large party boat or a smaller charter boat, you will have tons of opportunities to go saltwater fishing in the Pacific Ocean while you fish for tuna, salmon, halibut, and flatfish. And if you can’t find a boat that works with your schedule, you will have just as many opportunities to go fishing from the shore. You are able to go fishing for rock and ground fish near the rocky jetties, or surfperch near the sandy beaches.
Where are the Best Places to Fish in Oregon
Whether you are going to head to a lake or the ocean, there are tons of great fishing spots across the state of Oregon that will be calling your name for your next fishing trip:
Crane Prairie Reservoir
This body of water is stocked with rainbow trout, and the insect-heavy waters mean that they grow very large! You will see a lot of fly fishing in these waters in the shallower portions. You will also be able to go fishing for other trout species, like brown, brook, or lake trout.
Detroit Lake
East of Salem, on the North Santiam River, this lake is known for having the largest trout in Oregon and is stocked well. In addition to trout, there is also kokanee from fisheries and landlocked salmon. You can fish in these waters year round but be sure to check that the roads aren’t be blocked by snow and that what you are going for isn’t out of season. The only downside is that this is a very popular camping spot, which means it may be crowded and you will have to contend with jet skis all day during the summer. You will want to head here early anyways, to avoid the heat of the day.
Wallowa Lake
This is known amongst Oregonians as the crown jewel location for fishing in northeastern Oregon. A very popular camping destination, this lake is stocked with trout in the winter that grow rather large by the time the warmer months come. If you want to go fishing in the winter, this is an excellent spot to go for steelhead. You can fish from a boat or from the shore in these waters, the trout below are excited to bit at your line no matter what. And if they happen to not be biting that day, that’s okay—take a drive through the Wallowa Mountains and take in the stunning views.
Newport
Halibut has its seasons set by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Typically, they are the months of May and August. Your charter boat will have to go about 30 miles offshore and many charters are all day, so plan on being out there for about 12 hours. You will be in 600 feet of water, where the 100 pound monster halibut live!
Astoria
This a place just known for the Goonies! Astoria is one of the most iconic fishing towns in Oregon. From here you can access both the beautiful waters of the Columbia River and the deep Pacific Ocean. Because of this waterway access, people come here to go fishing for tuna, halibut, and lingcod. This is a very popular spot for anglers who want to get a taste of all the different types of Oregon fishing.
Coos Bay
At the southern part of the Oregon coastline is Coos Bay, known as Tuna Central. This is a great spot to go fishing for albacore tuna in the late summer. The waters here also have halibut, lingcod, and a lot of crabs that you can go fishing for. Not as popular and iconic as Astoria, this is a great place to head out from if you want a more relaxed fishing weekend.
Oregon is a unique and naturally beautiful state, full of lakes and a pristine coastline beaming with fish. No matter where you decide to go fishing, or what you decide to go fishing for, you will have a great time while in Oregon!
