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Fishing McKenzie River: what the data says
The clear, fast McKenzie east of Eugene. home of the McKenzie drift boat, with redside rainbow and cutthroat trout and spring chinook. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at McKenzie River
Spring rainbow trout on McKenzie River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Current seam (mile 2.5) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Cutthroat Trout fishing at McKenzie River
In spring, cutthroat trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a trolled spoon (small) or a inline spinner gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Chinook Salmon fishing at McKenzie River
Spring chinook salmon on McKenzie River hold shallow, usually 1 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Saddle Dam tailrace: a dam tailrace around 7 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a flasher + fly (green/white) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Trolled spoon (orange/gold), Stickbait off planer boards |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Flasher + fly (green/white), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | J-plug (glow), Flasher + fly |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small spoon on a slow troll, Stickbait deep |
Notable structure
- Saddle Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Trail Bridge Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.9): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 24.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 26.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 33.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
Common questions
How deep is McKenzie River?
McKenzie River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in McKenzie River?
Anglers target rainbow trout, chinook salmon, cutthroat trout on McKenzie River.
Where is the best fishing spot on McKenzie River?
Current seam (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish McKenzie River?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Cougar Reservoir · Clear Lake · Big Lake · Charlton Lake · Hosmer Lake · Crane Prairie Reservoir
See how McKenzie River stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Oregon
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