Fishing in Portland Parks

Fishing connects people to their local rivers and streams. Through this connection, their appreciation and stewardship of natural resources is built and maintained. The Willamette River Recreation Strategy (2012) identifies shoreline fishing as an emerging and important use along the Willamette River. One of the Strategy’s recommendations is to “Improve opportunities for shoreline fishing access in areas that are not environmentally vulnerable.” The Strategy maps indicate six fishing locations in Portland parks – Kelley Point, Cathedral, Willamette, Powers Marine, and Sellwood Riverfront. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) lists seven parks on the Willamette in its publication "50 places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Portland".

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) supports angling in areas that are designed for such uses along select shorelines and dock spaces. Portland City Code Title 20 allows PP&R to designate such areas.  

Anglers must comply with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. In addition, please help us ensure a safe visit for everyone by minding your fishing line, not leaving bait or fish parts in parks, and removing all trash.

Policy Statement

PP&R has designated riverbank fishing as allowed in four parks along the Willamette River. Further, to maintain compliance with the Oregon State Marine Board grants which funded dock construction and/or maintenance, fishing is only permitted at select docks.

Fishing is permitted at the following locations:

Structures:

1. Cathedral Park fishing and light watercraft pier (at the upstream end of the park)
2. Eastbank Esplanade floating (cantilever) walkway (between the Steel and Morrison bridges)
3. Duckworth Dock, in the designated area as marked by sign (south end)

Riverbank fishing:

1. Kelley Point Park – Columbia Slough, Willamette and Columbia rivers
2. Cathedral Park
3. Sellwood Riverfront Park
4. Powers Marine Park

Definitions

• Structures: Any built asset like a dock, floating walkway or pier.
• Riverbank: Any point where the river meets the shore.
• Ordinary High Water (OHW): 20 feet NAVD 88 or 18 feet City of Portland datum (see maps).
• OSMB: Oregon State Marine Board.

Guiding Principles

The guiding principles for this policy are two-fold: 

1. To provide a safe park experience for all park users, and;
2. To provide access to and clarity around where park users may fish in Portland parks.