Dec 2, 2022
Photo by Kathryn Archibald

If you’re a lover of the outdoors but also a lover of convenience, then you’ll love these drive-to fishing spots near Albany. These are great places to take your family and friends for a no-fuss day filled with fresh air and fish. Here’s what you need to know about these great fishing places near Albany, OR.

3 Great Fishing Spots You Can Drive to Near Albany, OR

Freeway Lakes

The Freeway Lakes area is a great place to go fishing. There’s plenty of water and many different types of fish in the area. The lakes are just off Interstate 5, so it’s easy to get to. The best way to fish at the Freeway Lakes is by boat. You can rent a boat at one of several marinas in Albany, or if you have your own boat, you can launch it at one of the many ramps around the lakes.

If you don’t have a boat, there are plenty of places where you can rent one on-site. If you want to try fly-fishing in this area, there are plenty of guides available who will take you out for lessons and guided trips around the lake.

Timber-Linn Lake

Timber-Linn Lake is a small reservoir located just outside of Albany. This lake is stocked regularly with rainbow trout and also has some brown trout. The lake has a boat launch, picnic tables, restrooms, and a fishing pier that is accessible from the road. Timber-Linn Lake is stocked every other week with rainbow trout ranging from 8 inches to 12 inches long.

You can catch these fish by casting or trolling using spinners, spoons, and flies. There are also some brown trout in the lake that you can catch on fly fishing gear or spinning lures. This lake is best fished during the winter months when temperatures are cooler, and the water levels are lower, making it easier to find fish near shorelines where they feed on aquatic insects.

Waverly Lake

Waverly Lake is an artificial reservoir located near the town of Waverly, which is about 50 miles northeast of Albany. The lake was created by damming the South Santiam River in 1955 and has become a popular fishing spot for anglers from all over central Oregon. Waverly Lake offers year-round fishing opportunities for several different species, including largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, and crappie.

Anglers use spinners and crankbaits to catch bass while trolling around the outside of the lake; rainbow trout are caught using live bait such as nightcrawlers or salmon eggs; bluegills are caught using small lures or nightcrawlers, and crappie are caught using live minnows or jigs.

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