Willamette River - Salem Area

I've been thinking about fishing the Willamette in downtown Salem for steelhead and salmon and don't know if there's even fish there. Anybody ever fished around there?

Hey there, I grew up in the area and fished the Willamette all the time.  However, I was not into Salmon/Steelhead like some of my buddies and didn't bother.  Sorry, but if you want to nail the bass later...let me know.  Look around Browns Slough at the mouth and the mouth of Mill Cr where it flows into the Willamette just up from the Sternwheeler moored.  I know alot of people put in at Buena Vista ferry landing.  Wish I knew more about the Salmonids, sorry.
-Scott

Having grown up there as well, I don't recall too many folks fishing for much more than bass. The path from Salem to sea is long and colorful, so I wouldn't be surprised if said area was devoid of żour target species. PM surfanor, my long lost NWKA muse, for he seems to have the Salem area dialed in. Come to think of it, he hasn't been posting much. You alright, little buddy?

I'd be all in for ANYTHING but carp in the Willamette in the Salem area. I've poked around for smallies, but it might of been the wrong time of year, or I was using the wrong stuff or something. I am familiar with the area you're referring to, right were Mill Creek empties. I was actually planning on paddling over to the sloughs a week or so ago, but couldn't find time. Since the river is up I figured it'd be a good time to go check out the backwater areas for some bass. Scott, let me know if you have any more info on the area, I'm looking for a place close to home I can fish.

This picture sure looks like it's close to where Mill Creek comes in, right? The only thing that makes me doubt it is that hill in the background. Since I don't have any drywear I would probably just wade over to that area from the trail at River Front Park. Don't know if I wanna chance kayaking with just waders and a life jacket in the river, even though it is calm water.

I don't think that is where Mill Creek empties. Getting to the area is pretty easy actually if I understand correctly of where we're talking about. I've just put in at the boat ramp under the 22 and paddle across the river and that's it. It's actually pretty calm water when I've been there. Right next to River Front Park it's just one big eddy and really nice and flat. I've tried to work that area for LMB in the summer but all for nothing. I'll post some pics in a bit...

Sarge, Is that you in that picture?  Cause that looks like where the Deschutes dumps into the Columbia to me?

doesn't look much like the river in Salem to me either.

That said the willy in the Salem area holds lots of smallmouth in the main river, and some largemouth/panfish in the sloughs.  Salmon and Steelhead push though this stretch fairly quickly so finding a spot where you could consistently catch them would take some effort. 

No, that's not me in the picture. I found it on while roaming the internet. Thanks for your help everybody!

Yeah, that is definitely not Salem and really looks like the mouth of the Deschutes.  Nice fish though.

I would really suggest putting your kayaks in at Browns Slough off River Rd. South.  Drive toward Independence and the pullout is a small (two or three trucks) one on your right.  There is a short (100ft.) trail to the waters edge.  This is right at the mouth of the slough and directly out is the main stem of the Willamette.  The current seam has a great rocky bottom at the tip of the "Island" and downstream and downriver side of the shore, deep and pig smallies.

The slough is really very picturesque going up to the headwater.  There is a TON of structure to pitch to on your paddle up and down.  Mostly smallies, crappie and occasional LGM's!  Really fun and take a lunch.  It's a great spot with very little pressure.
-Scott

this sounds interesting...and close.

Awesome Scott, thanks for the tip!

Seriously, what happened to surfanor? 

Seriously, what happened to surfanor?  

Missing in action since October

Name:  surfanor
Last Active:  2009-10-26, 15:29:46

Maybe you should e-mail him.