The Best Fishing Spots in Oregon This Summer

Quick Take

• Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, but serious anglers know to avoid it and fish somewhere else nearby instead. Fish near Crater Lake →
• The Columbia River's best walleye fishing comes down to a specific window most anglers completely miss. Find the walleye window →
• One Oregon lake holds multiple state fishing records and sits less than an hour from a major city, but few locals fish it. See the record-holding lake →
• Oregon has a beginner-friendly spot where expensive gear and fishing experience are completely unnecessary, and anglers are even welcome to cook their catch on-site. Explore the beginner-friendly spot →

Recreational fishing is a major, multi-million-dollar industry in Oregon, creating thousands of local jobs and boosting rural economies through tourism and equipment sales. Oregon offers both cold-water and warm-water fisheries. Cold-water species such as salmon and trout are found mainly in mountain streams and coastal rivers, while introduced warm-water species like bass, crappie, and catfish thrive in lower-elevation lakes, reservoirs, and valleys during the summer. Additionally, as a coastal state, Oregon provides opportunities for saltwater fishing. Continue reading to discover some world-class fishing spots in Oregon this summer.

Columbia River

The Columbia River is a 1,243-mile waterway originating in the Canadian Rockies and flowing south and west to form the natural border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.

Renowned for its abundance of fish, the Columbia River is a popular recreational river. Access the water from the beach, boat launches, or one of many parks. There are excellent fishing opportunities year-round, but the warmer weather makes it perfect for catching walleye. Since walleye are mainly nocturnal feeders, dusk is an exceptional time for inshore fishing. Look for the fish around drop-offs, and focus on the edges.

Rogue River

Another must-see river in Oregon is the Rogue River. The Rogue River flows from near Crater Lake for 215 miles west before emptying into the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. Renowned for its salmon runs, the Rogue River is a steelhead haven.

The Rogue River is one of the original eight rivers protected by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, preserving its outstanding scenery, fish, and wildlife.

Alsea River

Another one of the best fishing spots in Oregon this summer is the Alsea River. The river flows for 48.5 miles, originating in Marys Peak, the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range, winding its way through farmlands and forests before emptying into the Pacific Ocean at Waldport.

The Alsea River is named after Native Americans who originally inhabited the land. While there are a few rapids, the river is generally calm and shallow. There are limited trolling opportunities, but it’s the perfect place for drift boat fishing.

During the summer, the Alsea River transitions to lower, clearer water levels. Anglers primarily cast for cutthroat trout, sea-run cutthroat trout, and early-returning fall Chinook salmon.

Henry Hagg Lake

Henry Hagg Lake is widely recognized as an excellent warm-water fishery in Western Oregon. Located about 30 miles southwest of Portland in Scoggins Valley Park, this 1,113-acre reservoir holds state records for smallmouth bass and brown bullhead catfish.

The lake is also regularly stocked with trophy-sized rainbow trout by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) during spring and summer. Henry Hagg Lake is open year-round with multiple boat ramps, fishing docks, and extensive shoreline access.

Agency Lake

Agency Lake covers 9,000 acres in Chiloquin, Oregon, 30 miles south of Crater Lake. Anglers will enjoy over 25 miles of beautiful shoreline. It’s an easy spot to navigate and provides access to easy-to-catch panfish species, including sunfish and bluegill.

The term ‘panfish’ refers to small fish that are typically the right size to fit in a frying pan. Oregon has an abundance of these tasty, pan-sized fish due to its many freshwater habitats.

Panfishing is perfect for beginners, as it doesn’t require expensive fishing gear or extensive angling knowledge. Once you catch a few, fry them up over an open flame with a bit of oil and salt.

You can fish from the shore, go out on a canoe, or paddle a kayak. When the lake’s full, there are multiple spots to access the water. There are also campsites nearby as well as cabins. This is a spot where the whole family can enjoy relaxing, while still catching a mess of fish.

Diamond Lake

Diamond Lake, located in Southern Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, offers prime trout fishing. Anglers in boats can troll or anchor in the deep northern waters or near the southern outlet of Silent Creek, while shore anglers can cast a line from much of Diamond Lake’s 11-mile shoreline.

Diamond Lake is separated from Crater Lake by approximately five miles of forested land. However, Crater Lake is a massive, collapsed caldera that is nearly 2,000 feet deep, whereas Diamond Lake is a shallow, glacially carved basin. Although Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, it is highly regulated and not considered a prime fishing spot.

Newport

Summer in Newport offers incredible angling at the Yaquina River’s mouth where it meets the Pacific. Saltwater anglers can cast a line for Coho and Chinook salmon, albacore tuna, and rockfish. Nearby freshwater spots provide stocked rainbow trout and bass.

Newport offers a variety of charter boat options, ranging from large party boats to intimate private charters. Anglers without a boat have excellent access to both saltwater and freshwater species from beaches, rock walls, and public docks.

Depoe Bay

Summer in Depoe Bay is peak fishing season. Anglers can book offshore boat excursions for Chinook and coho salmon, halibut, and rockfish with added crabbing. Meanwhile, shore-based fishers cast from local rocky outcroppings and jetties for perch and bass.

Although Depoe Bay is famous for its ocean-bound saltwater charters, you can find excellent freshwater fishing spots just a short drive from town.

Coos Bay

Coos Bay, on the southwest Oregon Coast, offers the ultimate fishing experience, with offshore boat excursions targeting rockfish, lingcod, halibut, and late-summer albacore tuna, while shore-bound anglers can cast a line for perch from the jetties and rocky coves.