2nd Rod Allowed On Willamette Below Falls Starting March 1

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

Anglers with the validation will be able to use two rods in the Willamette River this year for hatchery spring Chinook and all other fish except sturgeon, beginning March 1 downstream of Willamette Falls and April 16 upstream of Willamette Falls.

Details of the temporary rule follow:

• Area: Lower Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including Multnomah Channel), and that portion of the Clackamas River downstream of the Highway 99 Bridge (just upstream of the confluence with the Willamette)
• Species: Applies to all game and non-game fish (except sturgeon) when angling is open to hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, trout, or warmwater game fish
• Dates: March 1-Aug. 15, 2023

• Area: Willamette River above Willamette Falls, including tributaries
• Species: Applies to all game and non-game fish (except sturgeon) when angling is open to hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, trout, or warmwater game fish
• Dates: April 16-Aug. 15, 2023

Two-rod validations cost $28 for both residents and non-residents. Licensed anglers who purchase the validation can use two rods wherever regulations allow them, which is primarily in ponds and lakes. When possible, ODFW extends the validations to specific streams like it did under this temporary rule.

Kids under the age of 12 do not need a validation to use a second rod in areas where two rods are authorized.

Anglers should always check for any in-season changes to permanent regulations by visiting the Recreation Report / Fishing Report for their zone and clicking the Regulation Updates tab https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/willamette-zone