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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 19 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Geological Survey / NOAA Office for Coastal Management bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Drawn out, this is 2,581 acres of water rimmed by 93.4 miles of bank. That shoreline is heavily fingered (development index 13.1) — bays, points and pockets everywhere, which multiplies the fishable edge. All of it is shallow-zone water — under ~15 ft across the entire basin, so the food chain has the run of the place. The basin spans about 34 mi end to end and 6.8 mi across at its widest. You'll find it in Lane County. For a second option, Cougar Reservoir lies 9 mi southeast.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 19 ft. Summer keeps them at 5 to 19 ft, and they winter in 4 to 19 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 33.6) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for summer rainbow trout. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (2 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 33.6) (7 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 5 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 13.1) (5 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (2 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
When the water first warms, cutthroat trout slide up into 3 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 19 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 19 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 2 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Keep a trolled spoon (small) or an inline spinner rigged through the warm months.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (2 ft) | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 13.1) (5 ft) | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 4 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 2.5) (2 ft) | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 5 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 40 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 2.5) (2 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Spring puts chinook salmon in skinny water — 2 to 19 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 6 to 19 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 19 ft. Trail Bridge Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 2 ft, rated prime for spring chinook salmon. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A flasher + fly (green/white) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Trail Bridge Dam tailrace (2 ft) | Trolled spoon (orange/gold), Stickbait off planer boards |
| Summer | 6 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn & dusk | Dam tailrace (3 ft) | Flasher + fly (green/white), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 4 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 50 ft | dawn & dusk | Dam tailrace (3 ft) | J-plug (glow), Flasher + fly |
| Winter | 6 to 19 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 90 ft | midday | Dam tailrace (3 ft) | Small spoon on a slow troll, Stickbait deep |
McKenzie River carries 37 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Outside-bend hole (mile 33.6), about 7 ft down.
Access data: Oregon State Marine Board — Boating Access. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Oregon waters are set by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to McKenzie River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Oregon fishing regulations →
McKenzie River is about 19 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Geological Survey / NOAA Office for Coastal Management bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, chinook salmon on McKenzie River.
Outside-bend hole (mile 33.6) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
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.
Fishing on McKenzie River is regulated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Check the official Oregon regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Cougar Reservoir 9 mi · Clear Lake 22 mi · Big Lake 28 mi · Torrey Lake 32 mi · Hosmer Lake 33 mi · Sparks Lake 33 mi · Deer Lake 34 mi · Waldo Lake 36 mi · Charlton Lake 36 mi · Crane Prairie Reservoir 40 mi · South Twin Lake 44 mi · Metolius River 49 mi
See how McKenzie River stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Oregon
Browse all Oregon fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: U.S. Geological Survey / NOAA Office for Coastal Management. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.