E.E. Wilson Pond Fishing (2024 Stocking)

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This pond located within the larger E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge offers seasonal fishing for stocked rainbow trout and some summertime fun for catching warmwater fish such as sunfish.

The main entrance to the 1,700-acre refuge is located just north of Corvallis in the heart of the Willamette Valley.

The 8-acre E.E. Wilson Pond is most often stocked with trout in the winter and spring. Often starting in January or February through May have been good bets for fresh fish deliveries in recent years.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife often pumps in up to 1,500 fish at a time, making for fairly easy catches. This is a good time and place to take the kids fishing.

Some of the fish planted here are larger “trophy” trout, while the bulk are pan-sized legals.

Still fishing with bait on the bottom or beneath a bobber is a timeless way to catch stocked trout, which simply can’t resist an easy meal.

PowerBait is always effective for stockers, but the usual lineup of nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, scented marshmallows and the like should also get the job done.

We like fishing with spinners and spoons when we plan to release fish, because artificial lures are more likely to result in lip-hooked fish that can be quickly and harmlessly released without touching the fish.

Bait-fishing methods tend to result in more deeply-hooked fish that often don’t survive the ordeal. But it’s easy for beginners and experts alike, and it’s a great way to fish if you want to bring trout home for dinner.

If you need some additional hints about how to catch stocked trout, read our article: Trout Fishing: Basic How-To Techniques and Tips.

E.E. Wilson tends to get too warm for trout by the Fourth of July, and likely earlier, plus eager anglers usually catch out the planted fish quickly, so it’s best to fish soon after the scheduled plantings.

We’ve created an easy-to-read stocking schedule below, based on the ODFW’s annual stocking plan. We also suggest you check ODFW’s weekly recreation report link for more timely updates on trout stocking here and elsewhere.

Red-ear sunfish and possibly other resident fish will start biting well in the spring and will continue through summer and into early fall.

Note that while the pond has wonderful bank access, it takes an easy half-mile walk to reach it from a parking area.

Access is much easier anglers of all abilities these days those, with recent installation of a barrier-free trail to the pond and great trails and fishing docks at the pond itself.

The pond has had a history of getting overrun with aquatic vegetation when the water is warm, making access to open water a little bit challenging, especially in the shallower areas.

Enhancements such as anti-weed mats placed in the pond were made to try to help reduce the weed problem, and it seems to have helped in recent seasons.

Also know that a parking permit is required at this refuge. It can be purchased online or at any ODFW office.

The main E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge entrance is reached from Highway 99W between Corvallis and Monmouth – about 20 minutes from either city. Once inside the wildlife refuge, head north from the offices and follow the signs.

2024 E.E. Wilson Pond Trout Stocking

Find more fishing spots in Benton County

Oregon Resources

ODFW Weekly Fishing Report
ODFW Trout Stocking Schedule
Oregon Fishing Regulations
National Weather Service