Rivers Willamette Catfish Report

[paidmn]

This week I went to the Willamette river in search of catfish. Any species, doesn’t matter, just wanted to catch some cats. Had some surprising results !(to me at least)
I went three nights in a row, here are the results
Night one: Caught three bullheads, one of them surprisingly large. Figured this would be the only species I’d catch.
Day two: To my surprise, I pulled in two channel catfish! I was more than pleased and did not expect them to fight like that. They were both around 5 pounds and two feet. I also caught a pikeminnow on accident. Didn’t know they like hot dogs.
Day three: After having my line in the water for five hours with minimal activity, I was about ready to call it quits when my drag started peeling something nasty. I reeled in and caught my new PB, a 6.6 pound channel. (Pictured)
Needless to say I’m very pleased, considering I did not expect to hook into a channel, let alone 3. Very hopeful, yes, but really didn’t think it was gonna happen. This experience as well as the recent Catfish stocking is making me very excited and hopeful for future catfish adventures

 

[plumbertom]

This week I went to the Willamette river in search of catfish. Any species, doesn’t matter, just wanted to catch some cats. Had some surprising results !(to me at least)
I went three nights in a row, here are the results
Night one: Caught three bullheads, one of them surprisingly large. Figured this would be the only species I’d catch.
Day two: To my surprise, I pulled in two channel catfish! I was more than pleased and did not expect them to fight like that. They were both around 5 pounds and two feet. I also caught a pikeminnow on accident. Didn’t know they like hot dogs.
Day three: After having my line in the water for five hours with minimal activity, I was about ready to call it quits when my drag started peeling something nasty. I reeled in and caught my new PB, a 6.6 pound channel. (Pictured)
Needless to say I’m very pleased, considering I did not expect to hook into a channel, let alone 3. Very hopeful, yes, but really didn’t think it was gonna happen. This experience as well as the recent Catfish stocking is making me very excited and hopeful for future catfish adventures

My curiosity is aroused. I'm wondering what stretch of the Willie you were fishing?
I have been told that Channel Catfish are rare to the point of being almost nonexistent in the Willamette above the Falls but are common below there.

 

[troutdude]

Hmm...next to a train trestle eh? Now to guess where...LOL

But seriously, that's a great report. Thanks for sharing.

For far too long many peeps have sworn, that there are no actual cats (only bull heads) in the Willy. But, I've got a pic at home of a 50 pounder caught there (albeit some 3 or 4 decades ago).

I wouldn't want to eat any of them, for fear of too many chemicals in the drink. But, they are fun to catch!

 

[Snopro]

For far too long many peeps have sworn, that there are no actual cats (only bull heads) in the Willy. But, I've got a pic at home of a 50 pounder caught there (albeit some 3 or 4 decades ago).

Probably a flathead. 50lb is rare for a channel. I'd like to see the pic if you find it.

 

[plumbertom]

Probably a flathead. 50lb is rare for a channel. I'd like to see the pic if you find it.

Or possibly a Blue. They aren't even uncommon in that size, and are often mistaken for channel cats by those unfamilier with catfish.

 

[Snopro]

Or possibly a Blue. They aren't even uncommon in that size, and are often mistaken for channel cats by those unfamilier with catfish.

Don't think we have blues in Oregon.

 

[plumbertom]

Don't think we have blues in Oregon.

I don't know. There are Blue cats in Idaho waters.
And I'm almost certain that Idaho is responsible for Channel cats and Flathead cats being in Oregon waters.
Reports of 50 lb channels always makes me think it just might have been a Blue.

 

[Snopro]

All the big cat pics I've looked at from Oregon came from the Snake and were Flathead. If you haven't been yet, Brownlee is a blast. I'm sure it's possible for a Blue to be here but haven't seen one so far.

 

[paidmn]

My curiosity is aroused. I'm wondering what stretch of the Willie you were fishing?
I have been told that Channel Catfish are rare to the point of being almost nonexistent in the Willamette above the Falls but are common below there.

Below the falls, Portland area

 

[paidmn]

Thanks for all the responses! I look forward to sharing more here

 

[paidmn]

Hmm...next to a train trestle eh? Now to guess where...LOL

But seriously, that's a great report. Thanks for sharing.

For far too long many peeps have sworn, that there are no actual cats (only bull heads) in the Willy. But, I've got a pic at home of a 50 pounder caught there (albeit some 3 or 4 decades ago).

I wouldn't want to eat any of them, for fear of too many chemicals in the drink. But, they are fun to catch!

Those people are the reason I didn’t expect to catch a channel. I poured over the forums and found relatively conflicting answers, with many saying that there’s only bullheads. Happy to report that’s not the case

 

[troutdude]

Those people are the reason I didn’t expect to catch a channel. I poured over the forums and found relatively conflicting answers, with many saying that there’s only bullheads. Happy to report that’s not the case

Right on. Apparently the skeptics were at least partially incorrect.

Keep the reports coming!