Catfish

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Oregon

Catfish On The Rivers in Oregon have one or more species, and have a large abundance of catfish. Many ponds and small lakes also have a big population of catfish. The major lakes with many catfish include Brownlee Reservoir, Crump Lake, Detroit Lake, Drews Reservoir, Fern Ridge Reservoir, Hart Lake, Lake Owyhee, Prineville Reservoir, Siltcoos Lake, Tenmile Lake and Warm Springs Reservoir. All these lakes have some great catfish and are great for fishing. McKay Reservoir produced the Oregon State record channel catfish and the state record flathead catfish came out of the Snake River. While the Tualatin River gave up the Oregon state record for the largest white catfish.

Most Catfish are considered bottom feeders for the most part. They will generally eat anything that can get in their mouth. Their strongest sense is smell which they use to locate potential food sources. Capitalizing on this sense is the primary weapon in your search for these creatures. Aggressive catfish have been caught on most types of fast moving bass lures so don’t under estimate their ability to catch live bait.

Catfish are normally a warm-water fish that inhabit the tepid rivers, ponds and lakes in the Willamette River Zone in Oregon. This area is full of fishing holes as water runs to the lower elevations, and is warmed in the spring and summer months. Spots favored by anglers include the Columbia River, Henry Hagg Lake and Fern Ridge Reservoir. Anyone fishing in the Willamette Zone must have an Oregon fishing license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The only exceptions to this rule are during the annual free fishing weekend or when anglers are under 14 years old. In Willamette Valley, catfish can only be fished during daylight hours. Fisherman can catch them by fishing only and are not allowed to use any snagging or trapping methods. Walking catfish can not be fished for, not even with the catch and release.