Middle Fork Willamette Fish Report

Middle Fork Willamette Fishing Report

Middle Fork Willamette - Springfield, OR

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
1-31-2024
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The Middle Fork Willamette River is open to bait below Dexter Dam only. Reminder: Restrictions from Dexter Dam to approximately 700 feet downstream to the markers: No angling from the north shore, from a floating device, or while wading (page 44 in regulations). This river reach is open to retention of adipose fin-clipped salmon and steelhead and non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead greater than 24 inches long.‌

There may be more fishing opportunity below Dexter Dam for warmwater game fish (walleye, bass) following the drawdown of Lookout Point Reservoir in winter of 2023 as fish passed downstream through Lookout Point Reservoir and Dexter dams. ‌

A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead in the Middle Fork Willamette below Dexter Dam. ‌

The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs is open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout.

More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports

for Wednesday, January 31st

Willamette River: ODFW sets minimum Willamette forecast for allowing two rods at 34,000 adult hatchery spring Chinook
Kilchis River: The Kilchis is dropping into shape
Necanicum River: The Necanicum River should be dropping into shape and will probably fish through the week
Nehalem River: The Nehalem remains big and brown and will likely be high and off color for the week
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem is just coming into shape today
Nestucca River: The Nestucca remains high and probably will be through the weekend
Trask River: The Trask River is on the drop and should fish by the weekend
Wilson River: The Wilson River is on the drop and may be in prime condition by the weekend
Applegate River: Reservoir outflow should stabilize around this number and begin to decrease next week
Diamond Lake: Diamond is starting to freeze over and likely is not fishable
Galesville Reservoir: Trout fishing has been good from the shore
Garrison Lake: The lake is pretty high, but conditions are good for finding some trout cruising the weed lines
Illinois River: The Illinois is dropping into great shape but rain in the forecast will likely blow it out again
Lake Marie: Holdover trout should be of good sizee
Rogue River- Lower: Lower Rogue River Report
Rogue River - Middle: The Rogue is currently a little off color but expect it to start clearing and dropping after the rain
Umpqua River: Should still be good winter steelhead fishing towards the upper end of the mainstem
North Umpqua River: Anglers have reported good success on the North over the last week
South Umpqua River : Anglers have reported good success on the South over the last week
Blue River: Will be stocked again in spring of 2024
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked again the week of March 11
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter Reservoir Report
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout from February through May
Gold Lake: Gold Lake fishing will open around May 22, 2024
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir Report
McKenzie River: Will be stocked later this spring

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1-25-2024
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