Every Boat Ramp on Willamette River

About Willamette River

The Willamette River flows 187 miles through the heart of Oregon's most populated region, winding through eight counties from Eugene northward through Salem and Corvallis before joining the Columbia River at Portland. This vital waterway reaches depths of 40 feet and serves as the lifeline of the fertile Willamette Valley, supporting both a thriving urban fishing scene and quiet rural stretches where anglers can fish in relative solitude. The river's remarkable restoration over the past several decades has transformed it into one of the best urban fisheries on the West Coast.

Spring Chinook Salmon are the premier target on the Willamette, with anglers trolling and back-bouncing from Oregon City upstream to the forks near Eugene each spring. Steelhead provide exciting winter fishing in the upper reaches and tributaries, while Sturgeon lurk in the deeper holes below Willamette Falls. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass have exploded in population throughout the river, offering outstanding warm-water fishing from late spring through fall, and Walleye continue to expand their range from the lower river upstream.

Boat ramps are well distributed along the entire Willamette corridor, with excellent public facilities in Portland, Oregon City, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene making it easy to access any section of the river. The Willamette's gentle current and relatively mild conditions make it ideal for drift boats, jet boats, and even kayak fishing. Whether you are anchoring up for spring Chinook below the falls at Oregon City or floating a summer stretch for Smallmouth Bass, the Willamette River offers accessible year-round fishing through the scenic valleys and cities of western Oregon.

Nearest towns: Eugene, Salem, Corvallis, Portland, Oregon City