Northeast Zone

Jan. 15, 2025‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

Submit your fishing photo  to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.

Best bets for weekend fishing

• Steelhead are moving into the Wallowa River, and trout fishing can be good year-round.
• The Umatilla River remains a good bet for steelhead.

Trout stocking

Stocking is scheduled to resume in March 2025

The 2025 stocking schedule will be finalized in the next few weeks.

Trout stocking maps

Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.

Announcements‌

Ice fishing safety

Locally, mild winter conditions have persisted. Many waterbodies may not be suitable for ice fishing.

With several water bodies beginning to ice over, anglers need to be cautious during first-ice conditions. Take the following precautions: use the "buddy system," wear a PFD in case of thin ice, carry a throw-rope, and use a heavy metal staff to check for thin-ice. The Minnesota DNR has developed guidelines for ice thickness and other safety tips. Remember that any hole cut in the ice for fishing can't be larger than 12 inches in diameter.

If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed

It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improves.

Sign up for the latest information on boater access

Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.

Updates by waterbody

ALDRICH PONDS (Roosevelt and Stewart Lakes): trout (2 fish limit)

Access to the ponds has reopened after being closed due to the Rail Ridge fire. Access will end on Dec. 1 for the annual mule deer and elk winter range closure. Last updated 11/6/24.

GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish, steelhead

Steelhead fishing may begin to slow as the winter progresses and fish move upstream. Recent rains have turned the river off color. When flows drop and clarity improves some steelhead will be available into early spring. Last updated 1/8/25.

HAT ROCK POND: trout

Hat Rock Pond was stocked on May 31. Anglers should find success using PowerBait, worms or spinners and focusing their efforts in the mornings or evenings. Last updated 6/5/24.

IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish, steelhead

Steelhead are present throughout the lower Imnaha River. However, fishing can be slow when water temperatures drop. Trout and whitefish can be caught using a variety of techniques and can provide some fun fishing on the Imnaha.

Bull trout and Chinook salmon cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 1/8/25.

JOHN DAY RIVER: steelhead, bass

Flows are on the rise and steelhead have slowly begun moving upstream, fishing should improve as flows rise in the coming weeks with several forecasted storms approaching. Mid-October through mid-December is often a great time to target steelhead in the John Day. This year's steelhead run will be above the past few seasons but remains slightly below long-term averages.

The John Day is largely comprised of wild fish that must be released unharmed. Fall is often one of the better opportunities to harvest a hatchery stray. Please be cognizant of minimizing stress to wild fish by always keeping them in the water and handling them as little as possible before release. The John Day arm below Tumwater Falls to the mainline railroad bridge is now open for fishing. Last updated 11/6/24.

JUBILEE LAKE: rainbow trout

Jubilee Lake was stocked the first week of July. Anglers have found success fishing in the morning and evening. While bank fishing on Jubilee is effective, anglers who fish from a watercraft seem to do better. Last updated 7/10/24.

MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

The rainbow trout fishing has been good this year, and Magone is a great place to target trout during the early fall season. Snow is beginning to stick around in the high country, making access more challenging in the coming weeks. Last updated on 11/6/24.

McNARY PONDS: walleye, bass and trout.

Trout are likely to be the most active in the morning and late evening hours. Anglers should find success using PowerBait, worms or spinning lures. Last updated 6/5/24.

McKAY RESERVOIR: bass, perch, rainbow trout.

McKay Reservoir closed to fishing on Sept. 30 and will reopen on March 1. Last updated 10/23/24.

MORGAN LAKE: rainbow trout and bass

Morgan Lake closed on Oct. 31 and will reopen in late April 2025. Last updated 11/20/24.

UMATILLA RIVER: fall Chinook, coho, summer steelhead, trout, bass, walleye

High flows over the last few weeks have caused a decent number of steelhead to push past Three Mile Falls Dam. In between rain events, fishing has been good near Pendleton. With little rain in the forecast, the river should drop into shape and provide good opportunity.

There is now a new regulation in place with a hook gap size that may not exceed 3/8 inch in the section of the Umatilla River above the CTUIR reservation. This new regulation is to protect bull trout and decrease the chance of hooking mortality. As a reminder, if you catch a bull trout, recognized by its white spots, please keep it in the water and release it as quickly as possible. No targeting of bull trout is allowed in the Umatilla River. Last updated 1/6/25

WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: rainbow trout

Marr Pond, Kinney Lake, and many local forest ponds were recently stocked with rainbow trout. Many different techniques will be effective, and these ponds can be great family fishing locations. With mild winter conditions, anglers should use extreme caution around any waterbodies with ice cover as it may not be stable enough to support the weight of a person. Last updated 1/8/25.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

The cooler months can be a great time of year to fish Wallowa Lake. The crowds are very light with opportunities for anglers to have the lake to themselves. Kokanee can be caught jigging in about 80-100 ft. of water with fish as large as 20 inches being caught this winter. Rainbow trout frequent the area near the mouth of the Wallowa River at the south end of the lake and can be caught on nymphs slowly retrieved and spinners cast near shore. Last updated 1/8/25.

WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout, steelhead

Steelhead have started moving into the Wallowa River and will be available to anglers through the winter and into spring. In addition to steelhead, rainbow trout and whitefish can be caught. Jigs fished under bobbers can be a great way to catch steelhead while trout and whitefish will readily take flies of spinners. Last updated 1/8/25.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass

Fishing for trout on Willow Creek Reservoir is fair, with limits of legals being caught along with a trophy-size fish here and there. Last updated 5/15/24.