willfishforfood

I have been curious about any bass spots on the Willamette in Eugene. I know they are in there, but a lot of the water seems pretty fast and fairly shallow. Bank access is another issue, as I don't have a boat. Are there any spots you would be willing to share.

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Catching fish or just fishing?

18406ej

It's been a while, but I know there used to be some good fishing on the Willamette in the area of the I-5 overpass. There is good access to the river (via the bike paths) on either side. Just make sure that you stay clear of the low-head dam that is East of the bridge. They don't call those abutments "drowning machines" for nothing. Hope this helps.

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E.J.

"I am going where streams of whiskey are flowing"

chris61182

I'm not familiar with the area you're describing, but a dam that could be described as a "drowning machine" sounds like prime catfish habitat. Do you have a Google maps link, so I could take a look? Don't worry I'll play it safe if I venture out.

18406ej

try this

Eugene, OR, USA - Google Maps

Zoom in on the area where I-5 crosses the river, and Franklin Blvd goes under I-5. The green area under the I-5 bridge on the East side is where the low-head dams are. The water behind this dam is fairly slack, and I know people used to catch Bass there, accessing the river via bike paths on the Alton-Baker Greenway and working their way up to the West D Boat Landing.

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E.J.

"I am going where streams of whiskey are flowing"

Basslips

along the bike path downriver from skinners butte there is a very small inlet type area where lm bass have been caught. mt pisga area is good for smallies a little later in the year, but you might check soon. all the slough type areas have concentration of bass too. good luck! it can be fun in the summer even in fast water near current breaks. if there is current, ALWAYS fish the breaks.

willfishforfood

Thanks for the help, I'll let it warm up a little and give it a try.

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Catching fish or just fishing?

Basslips

i see your name is "willfishforfood". i generally don't give out much information to people i don't know as there is alot of abuse of fisheries. i support catch and realease for most species of fish that i fish for in Oregon and elsewhere. i'm not saying that you have to release all of the fish that you catch but i would suggest that you release most of them. one of the reasons we all go fishing is to enjoy the outdoors and to actually CATCH fish. if i kept a limit every time i went fishing i guarantee you that it would hurt these lakes and rivers. i've cuaght the same 5 lb. bass several times in one season. was she just dumb, or thankful? the thrill for me was there every time. i know, i'm preaching again. but we all have to have some sense of responsibility so we can all enjoy what we love to do. keep a few now and then, realease ALL the big ones (BASS), but let the majority go for another angler to enjoy. feel free to keep limits of dinks on the umpqua. it's over populated with small fish and some need to be harvested.

willfishforfood

The name is mostly a joke, I generally do practice catch and release and very rarely take home my limit. To me, C + R fishing creates a greater challenge because many fish are not likely to be caught more than once on the same lure or bait. While I will happily eat my catch, I rarely get to because my wife doesn't like to eat it. I have never kept or for that matter eaten a LM or SM bass. Overfishing is a major problem in many areas, so we are very fortunate to live in an area with heavy trout stocking and quality fishery management. I appreciate your concern.

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Catching fish or just fishing?

Nelson

I knew there were some locals that could tell you that the willy in EUGene had some bass.

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He'll fish anywhere!

Hawk

Well................i've loved Bass fishin' since i was a..............................little tadpole........................