Now is the time to fish the Middle Fork for summer steelhead. Water turbidity will likely continue to increase as we get closer to November due to the deep drawdown of Lookout Point Reservoir. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refurbished the boat ramp on the south side of the Middle Fork Willamette just below Dexter Dam allowing drift boat and raft access.

Fishing for summer steelhead remains productive while spring Chinook is winding down. ODFW has instated a temporary rule to open the Middle Fork Willamette to coho fishing from Oct 1 – Dec 31. You can harvest clipped or unclipped coho. Limit of a combination of 2 coho or steelhead per person per day.

There may be more fishing opportunity below Dexter Dam for warmwater species (walleye, bass) following the drawdown of Lookout Point Reservoir in winter of 2023 as fish passed downstream through Lookout Point Reservoir and Dexter dams.

A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead in the Middle Fork Willamette below Dexter Dam.

The Middle Fork Willamette above Lookout Point and Hills Creek reservoirs is open to fishing using lures and artificial flies. All wild trout must be released upstream of Lookout Point Reservoir. The Middle Fork Willamette River is not stocked with hatchery trout.