Northeast Zone

Dec. 18, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Best bets for weekend fishing

• Flows are on the rise in the John Day, prompting steelhead to begin moving upstream.
• Many Wallowa County ponds have been stocked with trout.
• Steelhead are being caught in both the Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers.
• Trout fishing can be good year-round in the Wallowa River.
• The Umatilla River remains a good bet for steelhead.

Trout stocking

Stocking is scheduled to resume in March 2025

Check the 2024 trout stocking schedule.

Trout stocking maps

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

Announcements‌

Recreation Report holiday break

Due to the upcoming holidays, we'll be taking a break from the Recreation Report the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30. The Rec Report will resume publication the week of Jan. 6, 2025.

Ice fishing safety

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, coho salmon

Steelhead fishing has been variable in the Grande Ronde lately. Fishing can get tough when winter storms increase flows. When flows are moderated though, a good number of steelhead should be available to anglers. A variety of gear types have worked well this year, but small jigs have been especially effective.

Coho salmon are migrating through the Grande Ronde, but few have been encountered by anglers. Nov. 30 is the last day of coho season on the Grande Ronde. Trout and whitefish are available throughout the Grande Ronde River and can be caught on a variety of gear types including flies and lures.

Anglers can encounter both fall Chinook salmon and bull trout in the Grande Ronde River. Neither species may be harvested, and any bull trout or Chinook salmon caught while fishing for other fish must be released. Anglers should carefully identify any coho salmon they plan to harvest, as Chinook salmon and coho salmon can easily be confused. Last updated 11/20/24.

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 11/20/24.

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

Steelhead can be found throughout the Umatilla River, although fishing on the lower section near the 730 Br has been the best. Anglers have reported that their catch has been predominately composed of unclipped fish, with most fish being caught on jigs under a float.

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 12/11/24.

WALLA WALLA RIVER:

The Walla Walla River is open for trout, and there is good fishing to be had on the south fork. Anglers can find success using a variety of techniques, including fly-fishing with dry flies. Many trout can be found holding in the soft water behind boulders within rapids.

As a reminder, there is now a new regulation in place with a hook gap size that may not exceed 3/8 inch in the Walla Walla River. This new regulation is to protect bull trout and decrease the chance of hooking mortality.

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 Walla Walla River. Last updated 7/31/24.

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. Last updated 11/20/24.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

Late fall is not traditionally one of the preferred months for fishing for kokanee, but some kokanee will still be available for anglers. Lake trout probably can be caught sporadically but may be difficult to target. Fishing for rainbow trout should continue to remain good, especially at the south end of the lake. If targeting trout, fly fishing with nymphs near the surface may provide some good evening fishing. Last updated 11/20/24.

WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout, steelhead

Fall fishing for trout and whitefish can provide opportunities to catch some really nice fish. Trout and whitefish are commonly 12 – 14 inches in the Wallowa River with some fish up to 20 inches. Fly-fishing with nymphs or streamers can be a great way to target fish, and spinners can be very effective for catching rainbow trout.

Steelhead fishing will probably be slow throughout the fall as most fish will remain further downstream in the Grande Ronde. Some salmon, especially coho salmon, may be encountered in the Wallowa River, but they cannot be harvested and must be released if caught. Last updated 11/20/24.

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.