Quick Casts: Portland, Oregon: The Top Fishing Spots Within an Hour’s Drive of the City

Whether you're interested in trolling for salmon or fly-fishing for steelhead, dredging the Columbia for sturgeon or casting a spinner for bass, it may be surprising to learn that some of the best fishing inthe Northwest is only a lure's toss away from the commotion of downtown Portland. Combining a master angler's encyclopedic knowledge of fish behavior with an Oregonian's love for the place, author Jim Yuskavitch shows us more than twenty locations all around the City of Roses, presenting each one with a set of concise driving directions, a quick look at the species to be caught at the location, and an indispensable, thumbnail description of the best techniques to use in order to bring that lunker to hand. Inside you'll find:¿ Descriptions of the area's game fish ¿ Tips on lures, flies, bait, tackle, and techniques¿ Information on access and regulations¿ Maps and photos

I. IntroductionII. Tips and Advice Basic information on fishing in the greater Portland area, overview of available fish species and habitat preferences along with a discussion of anadromous fish run timing and some general fishing advice relating to the fishing locations highlighted in the book. Also reviewed would be angling license and tag requirements, and some important regulations such as those dealing with wild versus hatchery fish. III. Northwest of Portland1. Multnomah Channel, Willamette River Opportunities for salmon, steelhead, shad, sturgeon, bass, walleye, catfish and perch about 40 minutes from Portland. 2. Gilbert River, Sauvie Island Walleye, catfish, sturgeon and bass 50 minutes from Portland. 3. Smith and Bybee Lakes Located about 15 minutes from downtown Portland, crappie, bullhead, bass, bluegill and perch. 4. Willamette and Columbia Rivers, Kelly Point Park Good angling opportunities for sturgeon, salmon and steelhead at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, 25 minutes from Portland. IV. Southwest of Portland5. St. Louis Ponds Rainbow trout and a variety of warmwater fish 50 minutes from Portland. 6. Henry Hagg Lake Trout, bass, crappie and perch. A 60-minute drive from Portland. 7. Pudding River Cutthroat trout, with small stream fishing opportunities in its tributaries. 45 minutes from Portland. 8. Gales Creek A first-rate and accessible winter steelhead and trout stream 45 minutes from Portland. 9. Tualatin River at Cook Park Good opportunities to use a float tube or pontoon boat to catch bass. About 20 minutes from Portland. 10. Willamette River at George Rogers Park Catch a variety of Willamette River warmwater species where Oswego Creek flows into the main river. 20 minutes from Portland. 11. North Fork Yamhill River Nice, small stream angling for native, wild cutthroat trout 45 minutes from Portland. V. Southeast of Portland12. Clackamas River at Carver Park A 30-minute drive from Portland. Fish available, depending upon the time of year, includes Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead, along with rainbow trout. 13. Clackamas River at Milo McIver Park Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout. It is a 55-minute drive from Portland. 14. Sandy River at Oxbow Park Excellent bank and wading access 50 minutes from Portland to fish for Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead. 15. Sandy River at Sandy Hatchery A 50-minute drive and 30-minute hike to the Sandy River to catch steelhead and Chinook and coho salmon. 16. Eagle Creek at Bonnie Lure Park Another top, easily accessible Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead stream 45 minutes from Portland. 17. Molalla River A spring Chinook and winter steelhead stream 50 minutes from Portland. 18. Clackamette Park, Willamette River Fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and warmwater species at the junction of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers 25 minutes from Portland. 19. Estacada Lake A reservoir on the Clackamas River 50 minutes from Portland offers fishing for steelhead, trout, and coho and Chinook salmon. 20. Sandy River at Lewis and Clark State Park Fishing for salmon and steelhead where the Clackamas River enters the Columbia River, 25 minutes from Portland. VI. Northeast of Portland Nearby Fishing in Washington State A brief overview of nearby fishing opportunities across the state line including licensing and tag requirements, and other considerations of note to non-resident anglers.