Largemouth Bass

If you're chasing largemouth bass near Milwaukie, Oregon, the Willamette River and its sloughs offer some surprisingly good opportunities. While not known as a bass mecca, the backwaters and slow-moving sections hold decent populations, particularly around structure like submerged logs, docks, and weed beds. Spring and early summer are prime times, as the bass move into shallower water to spawn. Focus your efforts in areas with warmer water and plenty of cover. Another good time is fall as the bass feed heavily before winter. Try targeting the areas around the mouth of the Clackamas River where it meets the Willamette. A local tip: pay attention to the tide, as the Willamette is tidally influenced this far upstream. Bass often become more active during periods of changing water levels. Access is relatively easy from several public parks and boat ramps along the river, though be prepared for moderate boat traffic, especially on weekends. The largemouth here tend to be on the smaller side, but persistence can pay off with some quality fish.