Where to go for the free fishing weekend near Portland

I have just arrived in Portland and realised that this is the free fishing weekend! Since I only have Sunday, and a trout/bass rod with 6lb line, where would you recommend I go where I will have a halfway chance of a decent fish?

Current location: NE Portland

Edit: Currently thinking Blue Lake Park, as that gives the wife something to do as well, and I can check out the Columbia River as well.

Clackamas or Sandy rivers for summer steel?

I have mainly bass plastic baits with me, along with a couple of silver rapalas, and some small mepps style lures. Some steelhead sounds awesome, and I assume that the rapalas would be fine for them (but probably not in a fast flowing river). Would Cross Memorial Park be suitable?

Not familiar with that park, but if you got some pink bass worms, they'll fish all up and down those rivers!

Best,

spg said:

I have mainly bass plastic baits with me, along with a couple of silver rapalas, and some small mepps style lures. Some steelhead sounds awesome, and I assume that the rapalas would be fine for them (but probably not in a fast flowing river). Would Cross Memorial Park be suitable?

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You can also go up to Bonneville and fish for shad.
I may be wrong, but you may still need a tag for salmon even if you don't need a license.

spg said:

I have mainly bass plastic baits with me, along with a couple of silver rapalas, and some small mepps style lures. Some steelhead sounds awesome, and I assume that the rapalas would be fine for them (but probably not in a fast flowing river). Would Cross Memorial Park be suitable?

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Cross park on the Clack? Yes, there are fish there. Spinners or spoons would be a good investmnet. Drop $6.00 on two cleo spoons. Go at sunset or rise.

scarekrow said:

I may be wrong, but you may still need a tag for salmon even if you don't need a license.

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He's all good. Folks with tags are just 'encouraged' to use them.

Thanks! Previously I have used a zebra toby (black/brass) lure for trout and a silver Zed spinner for salmon, in the 28g/1oz(?) range. Is that the sort of thing to get?

I figure I could start at Blue Lake, then the Columbia/Sandy near Troutdale, then maybe the Clackamas in the evening.

Was told today, by a fish checker, that I didn't have to tag my steelhead during free fishing weekend. Of course after I already had.

PM sent

Thanks all!

Well, no fish caught but it was a great day to be out!

Hopefully next time!

Best,