kayakkid,
Walter Wirth Lake at Cascade Gateway Park has big channel cats in it. The Statesman-Journal ran a story with pic about 8 to 10 years ago, about a guy who caught a 38 pound channel cat out of there. ODFW plants channel cats in Walter Wirth since, according to ODFW warmwater fish biologist Gary Galovich, the channel cats won't spawn unless they have sustained 70 degree water, which doesn't happen often or at all in Northwest Oregon. According to the SJ, this guy caught the cat, had it weighed at, I think, Roth's on Lancaster in Salem. When he found out it was 38 pounds plus a few ounces, he was saddened, 'cause he thought the state record for a channel cat was 42 pounds. He had it wrong. The state record for a FLATHEAD catfish was 42 pounds, while for a channel cat it is 36 pounds 8 ounces. He had a NEW state record but didn't know it. He did find out after the fish was eaten. Sad but true. The state fish records are at:
Resources: Fishing - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
The park gate is closed at dusk, but I think you can park outside and walk in to fish at night.
BFF