Oregon Rivers Above Willamette Falls Open For Coho Salmon Fishing

In the mainstem Willamette River above Willamette Falls upstream to the Hwy 20 Bridge in Albany, fishing for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon is open year round. The use of bait is allowed.

Santiam River Photo courtesy: USGS

(CLACKAMAS) - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials announced Tuesday a fishing rule change that will let anglers fish for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin clipped coho and jack coho salmon in several rivers above Willamette Falls.

The emergency rule goes into effect immediately and will remain in effect though Dec. 31st.

Several rivers are open for fishing opportunities.

They include:

* Gales Creek (Tualatin River tributary in Washington County), from the mouth upstream to Northwest Clapshaw Hill Road in Gales Creek. Angling in these waters is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Fishing is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing now through Oct. 31st.

* The Mollala River upstream to Horse Creek Bridge in Clackamas County. Fishing is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing the entire year.

* The main stem of the Santiam River in Marion County is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing from Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st. The use of bait is allowed.

* The North Fork of the Santiam River up to Big Cliff Dam in Marion County is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing from Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st. The use of bait is allowed. All closed waters near dams, fish ways, etc., remain in effect as noted in the 2006 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation.

* The South Fork of the Santiam River to Foster Dam in Marion County is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing from Nov. 1st through Dec. 31st. The use of bait is allowed. All closed waters near dams, fish ways, etc., remain in effect as in the 2006 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.

* Until Oct 31st, the Tualatin River (Clackamas and Washington Counties) is open to fish for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing from the mouth upstream to Hwy 210 Bridge in Scholls, The use of bait allowed.

* Until Oct 31st, the Tualatin River (Clackamas and Washington Counties) is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing from Hwy 210 Bridge in Scholls upstream to the Hwy 47 Bridge at Gaston. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only.

* Until Oct 31st, the Yamhill River in Yamhill County, from mouth upstream to the confluence of North and South forks is open to for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing. The use of bait allowed.

* Until Oct 31st, the South Yamhill River from the confluence with North Yamhill River upstream to Steel Bridge road in Williamina is open for adipose fin-clipped and non-adipose fin-clipped coho and jack coho salmon fishing. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only.

The daily bag limit is two adult salmon or steelhead and five jack salmon per day.

“Because of the large number of coho and jack coho salmon passing over the Willamette Falls this year -- over 6,500 coho and an additional 1,500 jack coho -- the decision was made to give anglers an unprecedented opportunity to catch these fish,” said Todd Alsbury, North Willamette Watershed District Fish Biologist. “This unique opportunity is possible because these fish are offspring of hatchery fish and are not subject to the typical restrictions placed on native coho salmon elsewhere in the State.”

The typical size of the coho salmon in this run is approximately 6 to 14 pounds; the jack coho range from 2 to 4 pounds. Coho salmon are also referred to as silver salmon.

“For the best success, anglers should concentrate efforts at the mouths of tributaries in the river systems they are fishing,” said Alsbury.

Anglers fishing for other fish species, where legal to do so, are required to follow current fishing regulations.