Sturgeon retention closes on the John Day Pool after Jan 9

The last day to retain a white sturgeon in the John Day Pool (mainstem Columbia River from John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam and adjacent tributaries) is Friday, Jan. 9.

2026 Winter Steelhead validation starting 2025

2026 Rogue South Coast Winter Steelhead Validation is required to target steelhead starting December 1.

Update: Dangerous algae bloom in Barnes Unit

ODFW is urging waterfowl hunters to use extreme caution with their dogs after laboratory results revealed high levels of microcystin in a water sample collected from

Mussel harvest open coastwide

Mussel harvesting open coastwide. 

Spencer creek closes to fishing Sept. 30 to protect salmon

Sept. 30 will be the last day to fish on Spencer Creek this year, as this tributary of the Klamath River will be closed as of Oct. 1 to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon.

Recreation Report

Snake Zone

Recreation Report Regulation Updates

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Snake River channel catfish
"A great afternoon of catfishing!" Snake River channel catfish -Photo by Mike Miles-

SNAKE FISHING

January 8, 2026

Best bets for weekend fishing

  • Steelhead and trout can be caught downstream of Hells Canyon Dam.
  • Trout fishing will be best throughout the winter in the Hells Canyon Reservoirs

Announcements

Updates by section

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Crappie, bass, perch, catfish, carp

Trout fishing will be best throughout the winter months especially in the Powder River arm where rainbows will be moving in before heading up Eagle Creek. Other cool water fish like perch can be caught throughout the winter. Fishing for bass and catfish will probably be very slow until the reservoir starts to warm up in early spring.

Brownlee Reservoir levels can fluctuate greatly affecting which boat ramps are usable. Follow the links below to get up-to-date information on access along Brownlee Reservoir. Last updated 1/6/26.

Call the Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or see the following link for Reservoir level information.

OXBOW AND HELLS CANYON RESERVOIRS: Trout, perch, crappie, bass, catfish, sturgeon

Trout fishing can be good in Oxbow and Hells Canyon Reservoirs throughout the winter months. Trolling can be an effective way to target large trout in these reservoirs.

Almost 300 surplus hatchery steelhead were released into Hells Canyon Reservoir. In Hells Canyon Reservoir, those steelhead are considered trout after they are released. Three hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested daily and they do not need to be recorded on a combined angling tag. See page 70 of the 2025 fishing regulations for more information. Last updated 12/16/25.

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: Trout, bass, sturgeon, steelhead

Bass will likely be difficult to catch throughout the winter, but trout will be available to anglers. Steelhead fishing has been slow, but steelhead are distributed throughout hells canyon up to the dam.

Sturgeon fishing can be good in the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water. Last updated 1/6/26.

Hells Canyon River flows can be found at this link.

SNAKE RIVER (above Brownlee Reservoir): Channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass

There is a camera at Farewell Bend State Park to check the water level at the dock at this link