Greetings from Portland

Hello! Just got my first kayak. Got me a Tarpon 140. I've taken it out a couple times with the first fishing happening this weekend. Wondering if you all could answer a couple questions for me as the fishing regulations book is quite long and I didn't see the answer right away.

Is there a quick resource for catch limits online?

Do i need any permits for my kayak? If yes, where do i get them?

Any lakes near portland you guys like to fish? I've been out to smith bybee and sturgeon. neither seem that good for fishing.

Welcome. Don't know a particularly quick reference other then the regs online. Each area can have different catch limits so best to research an area before you fish it.

You need an invasive species permit that can be purchased at the same place you get your licenses.

Don't know that area for fishing advice but there are  a bunch of guys that will know some good spots, you have access to alot of good water from there i do know that.

Regulations:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/docs/2014/Oregon_Sport_Fishing_Regs_v12-31-13.pdf

You'll need an invasive species permit - $7. You can get one wherever you can buy a fishing license. (REI won't charge you the $2 dealer fee.)

Try Hagg Lake for fishing - a lot of different species to be had there.

We caught a fair number of smallmouth a few hundred yards upstream from the Willamette Park ramp yesterday and I bet it will be better as the skies clear and the weather warms up.

Yeah, Smith and Bybee and Sturgeon Lake haven't had decent fishing since they went back to "natural" seasonal flows.   I guess the beavers and ducks like it though.

As for other local, introductory level, kayak fishing opportunities this time of year in the Portland area..

Willamette River :  smallmouth bass
Hagg lake : perch, trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass
North Fork Reservoir : trout
Estacada Lake : trout

I wouldn't eat the bass in the Willamette, but if you're just looking to do a bit of catch and release it's probably the easiest / closest option for you.   Trolling a deep diving crankbait in either natural crayfish or red in about 10-15 ft of water works well for me.

If you want to bring home dinner then the stocked trout are a good option.  The Hagg lake was stocked earlier in the year, but the North Fork Res. and Estacada Lake were stocked more recently (in preparation for this weekend free fishing).   Slowly trolling with a small lure tipped with a bit of worm or side drifting with power bait or worms are my go to techniques.

Heading up to some of the small lakes near mouth hood for trout is another quieter option.

Brian

Do not buy it from a vendor or ODFW.  Buy it direct from the Oregon State Marine Board. It is cheaper, you can print out an electronic copy to use while you wait for them to mail you a Tyvek one (No $2 vendor fee or mailing fee like ODFW charges).
Or, as sherm says, buy it from REI.  They sell the tyvek marine board version for $5.  They do not always have them though.

https://apps.oregon.gov/ecommerce/osmb/Index.aspx

When your ready to start trying salt water and have the gear for it I'm in garibaldi and if I'm free I will take you out in the bay, good for a start at the ocean. Shoot me a PM if you want to discuss it more

Try Hagg Lake for fishing - a lot of different species to be had there.

+1 on Hagg Lake.  Not that I've been out there since opening weekend, but I've heard/seen folks are having good success with bass and panfish right now.

-Sam