Hey All~

I'm relatively new to the Salem area and am a avid bass fisherman. What are some good lakes near here? I don't have a boat so will be fishing off the bank for the most part. Also, have hit the Willamette a couple times with no prevail, where are some good spots? I'd appreciate some info!

                      Thanks

Hey Loon, Welcome!

Although I havent fished it in 5 years from a boat, Hagg lake is good, but I dont know how accessable it is from the bank!  

At Hagg, you can fish anywhere along the dam. You will see other folks bank fishing for trout in the area. Stories abound of big bass eating the trout of their lines befor they can be landed. In Salem, you can also fish from the bridges downstream. If you can find the trail, there's also a slough at the downstream end of Wallace Marine Park.

Thanks Guys! I have fished hagg and all over Wallace Marine Park, but didn't find a slough. I am in a bass club in Wa, so I have fished a lot of places, just not down here in Salem. I've also fished the St.Louis Ponds too, only caught 2 small largemouths though. I was hopin for some good spots on the Willamette....any ideas?

Try Minto Brown Island Park out River Road. There are several lakes and sloughs along the Willamette. If you have a boat, Buena Vista or Wheatland Ferry have good launches with smallmouth water nearby, better when the river level drops to 7' or less, it's 9' now.

Thanks for the help, im gonna give it a shot. Is the place you are referring to the wildlife refuge near the train tressels on river road?

The Umpqua River is a couple hours drive from Salem but it has a fantastic smallie fishery.

In response to the slough near wallace marine park, where exactly is it?

As for the umpqua river, I used to live on it and think it is the best smallmouth fishing in the northwest! Smallies fight harder than anywhere I have fished. I just wish it wasn't that long of a drive.

In response to the slough near wallace marine park, where exactly is it?

As for the umpqua river, I used to live on it and think it is the best smallmouth fishing in the northwest! Smallies fight harder than anywhere I have fished. I just wish it wasn't that long of a drive.

The John Day is really good too. The Columbia is as well but it's just about as big as the Mississippi River and is so huge and powerful it's intimidating and can be hard to locate bass.

Stopped at Foster lake on my way to the mckenzie and fished from the bank for a bit. Caught 3 smallies in about an hour. As for fishing in Salem, I don't know much, I'm new to the area, but I'v heard of people who catch largemouths in the slough at riverfront park across from wallace marine park.

This is an old post but Foster used to be amazing....especially in spring when I lived out there

Fosters bass population is permanently stunted from overpopulation of smallmouth bass.  Smallmouth  were illegally introduced several years back. Before they were introduced Foster had the potential of being a trophy largemouth bass lake.  I know as I fished it back then.  Largemouth caught up to seven plus pounds. It was sad to see that fishery ruined.