Northwest Zone – Six Great Places to Take the Family
Jai Colvin
The Northwest zone part of Oregon is legendary for its fishing, but what a lot of people don’t realize is just how easy some of that fishing is. Family time is the name of the game during the holidays 
the family for some fall fishing in the Northwest zone. So it would be a great idea to get out of the house and do some fishing. There are a dozen great rivers to fish out of the Coast Range Mountains, and a number of lakes to hit as well. Here are six great places to take the family in the Northwest Zone.
Coffenbury Lake
Coffenbury Lake is located in Fort Stevens State Park, and is stocked with legal and larger-size trout in spring and fall. There are resident largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead to hook here. As extra incentive there many also be excess adult hatchery steelhead released in winter. Locals suggest using larger spoons and spinners and heavier (10 pound) line when targeting steelhead. In order to reach Coffenbury from Highway 101 north of Seaside, follow signs to Fort Stevens State Park. Turn onto Ridge Road, entering the park at the southernmost gate. There will be a sign for Coffenbury Lake and the campground.
Lost Lake
Lost Lake may be a small lake, but good bank access around the entire lake makes it worthwhile for those who don’t own boats or prefer not use them. This lake is stocked with rainbow trout from March to mid-September making it a great place to hit in the fall months. Surplus adult hatchery winter steelhead are stocked from December to February. Fishing sand shrimp beneath a bobber can be productive for the surplus steelhead. Lost Lake is accessible via forest roads west of Highway 26. Take Highway 26 to Nehalem River Road. Follow Nehalem River Road south about 8 miles to Spruce Run Park. From Highway 101, take Miami River-Foley Creek Road to Foss Road. Take Foss Road (becomes Nehalem River Road) northeast about 15 miles to Spruce Run Park. Turn east on Lost Lake Road and proceed about 5 miles to the lake.
Vernonica Pond
Vernonica Pond is a truly fisher-friendly area in the Vernonia City Park. The path encircling the pond provides lots of bank access and even some wheelchair access. There is stocked trout as well as bluegill, crappie, perch and largemouth bass. Surplus adult hatchery steelhead are released in the winter. The Pond is located on the south edge of Vernonia on Highway 47. Take Highway 26 west toward Seaside and follow the signs to Vernonia (about 43 miles from Portland).
Hebo Lake
Hebo is a popular lake for locals. This 3-acre lake has good fishing access, including several fishing platforms. Stocked with rainbow trout and occasionally larger trout in the fall, the kids will enjoy catching “the big one”. In order to reach Hebo Lake take Highway 101 to Highway 22 at Hebo. Travel 1/4 mile east on Highway 22 to Forest Service Road 14. Travel east 4.5 miles on Forest Service Road 14 to the entrance of the Hebo Lake Campground.
Wilson River
Let’s talk about one of Oregon’s coolest rivers, The Wilson River. This fishing mecca is only 70 miles from the Portland area. There is lots of bank access along Highway 6, and this is a popular river for beginning drift boat operators because there are few hazards in the lower river. Steelhead are available throughout the year. Resident cutthroat trout can be caught in the fall, and larger sea-run cutthroat in July and August. Fall chinook are also to be found. Try targeting steelhead in deeper holes with a spinner or spoon, or bait (eggs or shrimp) drifted below a bobber. Fly fishing for steelhead also is popular. Cutthroat trout can be found in riffles, pools and near undercut banks. In order to reach the river take Highway 26 from Portland. Exit onto Highway 6 to Tillamook. There are pullouts and good bank access at several locations including fall Creek, Herd Hole, Kansas Creek Bridge, Mills Bridge, Ming Creek, Siskeyville and Zig Zag Creek.
Cullaby Lake
Finally we can talk about some coastal fishing. Cullaby Lake, nestled between Astoria and Seaside, is a great place to take the family to fish for stocked trout and panfish. Rainbow trout are stocked in early spring but largemouth bass, perch, bluegill and crappie can be part of your fall catch. Standard lake-fishing techniques for trout and warm water fish will work here according to the locals. In order to reach Cullaby Lake it is an incredible drive from Astoria by taking Highway 101 south for 12 miles. The park is just east of Highway 101