Walleye fishing in the Willamette River south of St Johns bridge to mouth.

[Hankb]

I want to try fishing for Walleye in the Willamette River from the St Johns bridge to the mouth.

Rigs: Paddle tail jigs? Worn harness with bottom walker while drifting? Plugs? Night Crawlers? Leaches?

Best place to launch?

Retired and weekday is better for me, 16' smoker craft, I live in Sweet Home and would like a good motel in the area for an overnight trip.

 

[bass]

I want to try fishing for Walleye in the Willamette River from the St Johns bridge to the mouth.

Rigs: Paddle tail jigs? Worn harness with bottom walker while drifting? Plugs? Night Crawlers? Leaches?

Best place to launch?

Retired and weekday is better for me, 16' smoker craft, I live in Sweet Home and would like a good motel in the area for an overnight trip.

I think Multnomah channel would be a better bet for walleye. There is a lot walleye fishing done in the channel. I believe folks mostly troll bottom walkers and jig harnesses or pull plugs. There are 2 ramps on Sauvies island to launch from.

 

[FelixMarvin]

I’ve been curious about this stretch of the Willamette as well. From what I’ve read, walleye tend to be more active around dusk and after dark, especially along drop-offs and deeper structure. I’d probably start by working the deeper edges with a slow-trolled worm harness or a small minnow-style plug, then adjust based on the depth and current.

The lower Willamette does hold walleye, although it sounds like they can be pretty scattered. Has anyone had recent success south of the St. Johns Bridge specifically? I’d be interested to hear what depth and presentation worked best for you.

 

[Hankb]

I have heard that the launch at st johns is not a very safe place to leave your trailer and pickup. I have been told the fish are not safe to eat because of the pollution in the main channel.
I was hopping closer to the Columbia River would give me a larger area to fish.