Sturgeon spots from the bank?

oregonoutdoors · 05-21-2005, 08:41 PM

I am from Eugene but my girlfriend lives in portland so I end up spending quite a few weekends up there. I saw a TV show on bank fishing for sturgeon on the Willamette today and wanted to give it a try. Any tips on specific locations and gear would be greatly appreciated.

SandyRiverFisher · 05-21-2005, 09:12 PM

Ive fished the Willamette a few times years ago in the O.C. area from the bank. Not what I consider a real good fishing experience though. A buddy of mine caught a 59.5" off the rocks below the Smurfit plant on a crawdad. You also used to be able to acess the catwalk on the West Linn side as well. Another guy I knew in high school fished in front of his parents resturaunt on the waterfront downtown and said he caught a lot of sub-legals. When we used to fish it we always used 4-5oz. weights on a slider with about 18" of leader. Crawdads, shrimp, and rol-mop were the typical baits, wrapped on with elastic thread. Like I said though, that was years ago.

The Stallion · 05-22-2005, 11:17 AM

Maybe Rico Suavie Island?

pescado mucho · 05-22-2005, 07:13 PM

OC side, Go to new dock under the 205 bridge. Then climb down the bank to just above the new dock, downstream from the boat ramp.

Use 8-10 oz pyramid weight from bank (so you line doesn't tumble downstream). We use cannonballs, but we fish from the boat. Cast as far out into the river as you can. Wait for you weight to hit bottom, and then reel in the slack to the lead. Put you rod in a holder, or prop it up and wait. We do well on herring. usually catch 4-5 in an hour or less. And.. no rain under the bridge!

uhmw · 05-23-2005, 08:39 AM

for a nice spot hike down from mary s young park in west linn about 1/4 walk through a wooded park. there you will find spits of rocks that you can cast to deep holes. Very nice spot very quiet lots of room and fishing can be good. also you can climb down under the old oregon city brige on the west linn side by the cop shop and get a good shot at a deep hole this would be the most productive of the two spots if you dont mind stareing at a paper mill the whloe time.