Local Waters
McKenzie River (Paradise / Blue River)
Blue River / McKenzie Bridge, OR · about 75 min from Eugene (typical, off-peak)
The upper McKenzie you actually wade.
Salt River / stream Lake / pond Shop (desk) Guide only Parking Stay State access Private — ask first
Around now
Most likely in this drive this week. Not a guarantee — confirm the official rule.
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Salmon
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Trout
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Smallmouth bass
Also worth a thought: Largemouth bass, Sunfish and crappie.
- Season
- Typical opener Apr 25 through October. Wild fish, flies, and C&R stretches are common. Confirm ODFW. Official rule
- License
- Oregon angling license (ODFW)
- Park
- Paradise Campground, McKenzie Bridge, and USFS lots.
- Walk in
- Short walk from the public lot.
- Wading
- Confirm flow before you step in.
- Usual window
- Confirm ODFW for this week.
- Tuesday conditions
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SSW 3 mph around dawn. Fine to go.
- Sky
- 🌧️ 73° rain
- Sun and moon
- Rise 9:30 · 🌖 Waning gibbous · Set 10:47
- Wind at dawn
- SSW 3 mph · Partly Cloudy · 54°F
- Wind later
-
- dawn: SSW 3 mph
- 10am: SSW 2 mph
- 2pm: SW 2 mph
- dusk: W 6 mph
- Flow
- 1740 cfs · 0.92 ft · 54°F water · 9:15 am · McKenzie at McKenzie Bridge · USGS gauge
- A setup that belongs here
- 5- or 6-wt unless the water is bigger.
- Notes
- Public USFS. We already list Walterville; this is the mountain reach. Confirm ODFW.
Log this trip
Private. On this phone, and in your test book if you signed in on Journal.
Shops
Guides
Shop desks, plus a few independents who fish public water. We do not take a cut. Call them.
The Caddis Fly — book a day
Eugene, OR · wade / drift · Half or full day
Good for: McKenzie and Willamette Valley public water
Shop desk. Ask who they send west of the Cascades.