Best Smallmouth Bass Fishing Near Portland

Great Angling for Bronzebacks is Close to the Big City in Oregon

Aug 21, 2009

Catch big urban bass living beneath skyscrapers in the Willamette River and near the suburbs at Henry Hagg Lake with these tips and techniques from a local expert.

If Bob Judkins were trying to beat Oregon’s smallmouth bass record, he’d likely head up to Henry Hagg Lake near Forest Grove, which has produced the state’s last several records.

But if he wanted to catch lots of bass – and some pretty good-sized ones at that – he’d almost certainly stay closer to his Portland home and ply the waters flowing around rocky shores, islands and shoals in the Willamette and Columbia rivers. While they may not always produce as many bass as the distant Umpqua River, John Day River or Brownlee Reservoir, at times they can offer swift action for hard-fighting smallmouth bass.

“Those are probably the best ones within an easy driving distance,” said Judkins, a longtime member of the Oregon Bass & Panfish Club. “You can catch some nice fish (at Hagg Lake), but for somebody who’s just starting out, that’s a tough place to fish.”

Judkins, who coincidentally holds the state record for brown bullhead catfish for one he caught on accident while fishing for crappie at Hagg Lake, is a warmwater specialist who spends much of his time targeting smallmouth bass close to home.

He shared some insight about his three favorite spots for smallies a short trip from Portland.

Willamette River is Chock Full of Smallmouth Bass

The Willamette River may be a highway for salmon and steelhead heading upstream to clear-running tributaries, but it’s also the year-round home to a variety of introduced warmwater species. One of those is the smallmouth bass, which virtually have taken over bass haunts from the largemouths that once ruled here.

In the spring, focus on shallow, quiet waters in backwater areas, such as the Swan Island and Cedar Oak Island lagoons, Judkins advised. These and similar waters are where spawning smallmouths will hold during spawning season.

In summer, smallmouth bass disperse and often run deeper. Look for rocky structures such as islands, points, riprap and boulders that break the current and provide ambush opportunities for voracious bass.

For boaters, the Newberg area above Willamette Falls and the Ross Island area in the lower river offer plenty of smallmouth habitat. Shore angling for Willamette River smallmouth is tougher after fish move to summer haunts, but Cedar Oak Island is a good place to try on foot.

(Note: Follow consumption advisories listed in the annual Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for bass and other fish caught in the Willamette River, due to mercury and other contaminants.)

Columbia River Offers Plentiful Smallies in Some Big Water

As with the Willamette, smallmouth have taken over many of the old largemouth habitats.

The Columbia is big water, where currents and especially wind can be tough on boating anglers.

Early in the year, bank fishing can be good for spawning smallmouths just about anywhere you can pull over and walk down to backwater areas with 4 or 5 feet of water. Later, try fishing deeper areas from the bank at Rooster Rock State Park or hike the trails to the mouth of the Sandy River.

Boaters should concentrate on rocky areas, wing dams, underwater humps and other structure. There are plenty of bass in the Camas and Washougal area off the Washington side, out from Chinook Landing on the Oregon side, Judkins said.

Hagg Lake may have Fewer Bass but they Grow Large

There are plenty of places across Oregon to catch more smallmouth bass than Hagg Lake, southwest of Forest Grove. But after Hagg produced the last several smallmouth records back-to-back, it would be tough to say anywhere in the state produces bigger bronzebacks. (The current state record is an 8 pound, 1.76 ounce smallmouth caught at Hagg in 2005.)

Hagg is most easily fished in the spring, when the water supply reservoir is at full pool and bass move into the coves and other shallows to spawn.

As the water warms and falls, Hagg Lake offers bass fewer structures. If you find them, you’ll find bass.

The most obvious structure is the rock-face dam, although anglers should get there early because power boats soon take over that end of the reservoir. Boat ramp and fishing docks, points, underwater humps and the deep ends of downed timber are other places to try in the summer heat.

Favorite Lures for Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Judkins fishes a variety of artificial lures for smallmouth, and he often keeps both dark and light colors of each in his tackle box. For the crankbaits, especially, he likes enough lip to make them bounce along the bottom, which often inspires strikes.

Save Gas and Fish Near Home

Sometimes sticking close to home to fish means missing out on the best fishing. At times in the Willamette and Columbia rivers and Hagg Lake, sticking close to home for smallmouth bass not only saves gas but brings a great day on the water.

The copyright of the article Best Smallmouth Bass Fishing Near Portland in Freshwater Fishing is owned by Eric Apalategui. Permission to republish Best Smallmouth Bass Fishing Near Portland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.