AnglingJohnson

Hello there,

I recently transferred to Oregon State University. I got an 8 ft pole and im looking for someplace relatively close to cast. However, I kind of want a place in the wild but I've been so fustrated trying to find an exact place to go. I checked out EE Wilson Pond but I was looking for something more natural... It was too crowded and just wasn't the kind of nature experience i was looking for.

I'm looking for a place 1-3 hours drive that I could possibly hike in or drive up on a dirt road secluded and just fish with my buddies.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated. I looked all over the forums and found a lot of suggestions, but I didn't want to waste a 3 hour drive to go someplace like EE Wilson. Afterall, I came to Oregon for the wilderness!

Thanks in advance

cavdad45

Go to the coast lakes if you are willing to drive. Siltcoos, Tenmile, etc. All great multi-species lakes.

AnglingJohnson

I was looking at the Siltcoos but it looked like that was really commercial. Is it not?

Thanks for the quick reply.

cavdad45

Yeah, the accesses are mostly private, but the fishing is very good.

AnglingJohnson

Access refers to boat ramps? Would I be able to hike into the forest and cast a line without another human in sight?

cavdad45

There is a county park IDA PARK is it's name that you can fish at.

On Hwy 101, at Tahkenitch there is a pull over boat ramp that is good for shore fishing. Later it loads up with lily pads that make for exciting bass fishing with Spinnerbaits and plastics.

Look for Elbow Lake just north of Gardiner for shoreline fishing, too. That's where my Gramps used to take me and my brother when I was little. Mostly trout and perch with bass for the cartopper.

AnglingJohnson

This IDA Park, is that connected to siltcoos lake? Thanks I will look into those.. much appreciated

cavdad45

Yes.

GraphiteZen

Hit the rivers. Out past Lebanon the Santiam is gorgeous. Check out the Alsea there are tons of little dirt roads to get to it in various places. During steelhead and salmon runs the place is a zoo but off season there aren't many people around. There are endless ways to find spots on the Willamette. At the most an hour and a half drive. Get on google, hit maps, hit satellite and start plotting. It's also a good way to find those hidden spots.

__________________
When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

chris61182

Actually the Willamette is a bit of a hidden gem. While it's not a full blown wilderness experience if you hit either the two parks south of town and do some walking you can find yourself a long stretch of shoreline with no one in sight and the only sound of civilization being the gravel trucks on the far shore.