
Northeast Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report

ALERT: New look for Regulation Updates!
For in-season regulations changes, click the Regulation Updates button which is now a separate page. If you have trouble accessing the page, clear your cache and refresh your browser.
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
- Willow Creek Reservoir continues to promise good fishing for trout, bass and crappie.
- Trout fishing has been very good in the Wallowa County Ponds.
- Fly-fishing for trout and whitefish can be good on the Wallowa River and on the Grande Ronde River between the Wallowa River and Troy.
- There have been reports of some excellent bass fishing on the lower John Day.
- Magone Lake has been recently stocked and fishing should be excellent.
- Lookingglass Creek is open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon.
Recently stocked
Scheduled to be stocked this week:
Walla Walla Forest Ponds (north), McNary Channel Ponds.
Recently stocked:
Honeymoon Pond, Wallowa Lake, Walla Walla Forest Ponds south, Twin Ponds, Teepee Pond, Umatilla Forest Ponds north and south, Luger Pond.
Check the 2022 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
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.
Chinook seasons on Wallowa and Imnaha rivers, Lookingglass Creek
The 2022 spring Chinook run has been strong enough to open Chinook fishing season on these three rivers.
Lookingglass Creek – open June 10 to June 24.
Imnaha River – open from June 25 to July 10.
Wallowa River – open from June 25 to July 24.
For open areas, bag limits and other season details, check out the regulation updates page.
Updates by waterbody
ALDRICH PONDS (Roosevelt and Stewart Lakes): trout (2 fish limit)
Access to the ponds is open and fishing for holdover trout should be good. Stocking will take place in mid-June depending on access road conditions. Last updated 6/8/22.
CAVENDER POND (Monument, OR): trout, largemouth bass
A significant fish kill occurred at this site during the summer of 2021. Stocking has occurred for the 2022 season, so fishing for trout should be very good. Assessments will be made later in the summer to see how the largemouth bass fared after the fish kill event. Last updated 6/8/22.
GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass
Flows on the Grande Ronde River have been dropping and fishing may improve with more moderated flow conditions. Anglers have had success fly-fishing for trout in the Grande Ronde River between the Wallowa River and Troy. As the water warms, bass fishing will become better in the lower Grande Ronde River. Anglers are reminded that bull trout and Chinook salmon may be encountered in the Grande Ronde River and must be released unharmed. Last updated 6/22/22.
HAT ROCK POND: trout
The Hat Rock pond was stocked the week of April 15. With water temperatures starting to warm up and the forecast looking good all week, get out and enjoy some early trout fishing. Trout are likely to be the most active in the early morning and late evening hours. Anglers should catch fish using PowerBait, worms, or spinning lures. Last updated 4/20/22.
IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass
Trout fishing may be good during periods of moderated flows. When the water temperature increases, bass fishing may be good in the lower portions of the river.
The Imnaha River will open for angling for hatchery spring Chinook salmon on June 25 from the confluence with the Snake River upstream to the Summit Creek bridge. The daily limit will be two adult hatchery Chinook salmon and five jack hatchery Chinook salmon. The fishery will be open through July 10th. However, the fishery may close early so anglers are encouraged to regularly check for regulation updates. For full details of the 2022 spring Chinook fishing season on the Imnaha River visit the myodfw website or call the Enterprise field office at (541) 426-3279.
Anglers are reminded that bull trout may be encountered in the Imnaha River and must be released unharmed. Last updated 6/22/22.
JOHN DAY RIVER:
Conditions for bass and catfish fishing are hit and miss thus far. We’ve had a very wet and cold spring, with flows currently high for this time of year, but predicted to start dropping rapidly over the coming weeks. Even with less than perfect water conditions, we have had recent reports of excellent bass fishing in the lower sections of the John Day. Last updated 6/8/22.
LOOKINGGLASS CREEK: trout, Chinook salmon
Lookingglass Creek opened to angling for hatchery spring Chinook salmon on June 10th from the mouth upstream to Jarboe Creek. The daily limit is two adult hatchery Chinook salmon and five jack hatchery Chinook salmon. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures only when fishing Lookingglass Creek. The fishery will be open through June 24th. However, the fishery may close early so anglers are encouraged to regularly check for regulation updates. For full details of the 2022 spring Chinook fishing season on Lookingglass Creek visit the myodfw website or call the La Grande ODFW office at (541) 963-2138.
Anglers are reminded that bull trout may be encountered in the Imnaha River and must be released unharmed. Last updated 6/15/22.
MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout
Magone Lake is accessible, and fishing should be excellent after recent stockings. Last updated on 6/8/22.
McNARY PONDS: walleye, bass and trout.
The McNary Ponds were stocked the week of June 13. With water temperatures starting to warm up and the forecast looking good all week, get out and enjoy some early trout fishing. Trout are likely to be the most active in the early morning and late evening hours. Anglers should find success using power bait, worms or spinning lures. All ponds were stocked evenly so there should be fish to catch in each. Last updated 6/22/22.
MORGAN LAKE: rainbow trout and bass
Morgan Lake opened for fishing on April 22, 2022. Follow this link for more information about recreation at Morgan Lake. Last updated 5/4/22.
UMATILLA RIVER: spring Chinook, bass and walleye, trout
Summer steelhead fishing on the Umatilla River is now closed and will reopen Sept. 1.
The Umatilla River is considered from the Hwy 730 bridge and upstream, the section below that is considered the Columbia River and is currently closed. The spring Chinook season from Hwy 730 bridge to Three Mile Falls Dam is closed, and from TMFD to the Umatilla Indian Reservation Boundary is open until June 30. A total of 3,577 spring Chinook have been counted at TMFD so far this run year, with the run really winding down over the past week. Fishing has been slow this year due to high water, but lots of fish have returned.
The flows in the Umatilla come down significantly in the past week. Fish are still returning to the system and all fish are still being passed at TMFD. Most anglers use egg set up with a slinky weigh bounced off the bottom or a some have found success with spinners with water temperatures being relatively cold. Fish are being caught throughout the system, however due to clarity the fishing has been better near Pendleton.
Trout fishing on the Umatilla River, and its tributaries, is currently open and will remain open until Oct. 31. Trout fishing can be good in the upper headwaters of the Umatilla, bull trout are not to be targeted and if caught released unharmed. Bass and other warmwater species remain open all year. Last updated 6/22/22.
WALLA WALLA RIVER:
Trout fishing on the Walla Walla, and its tributaries, is open through until Oct. 31. Fishing on the Walla Walla has been poor in the past week due to the increased in flows from recent rains. Anglers should start to see flows drop and fishing improve. Last updated 6/1/22.
WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: rainbow trout
Fishing for trout has been very good recently. Several local ponds have been stocked with rainbow trout including some larger fish over 16 inches. Casting spinners or flies can be effective for catching fish at Marr Pond. Using bait can also be a productive method for fishing for trout at the local Wallowa County ponds. Last updated 6/22/22.
WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout
Fishing can be good for rainbow trout near the south end of the lake. Anglers may have good success from shore casting lures, flies, or bait. Boat anglers will have better access to more of the lake and may find fish near areas where the depth drops off.
There are some nice kokanee available this year with some fish around 16 – 18 inches. Jigging and trolling for kokanee can both be productive ways of fishing for them in Wallowa Lake. Last updated 6/8/22.
Here are some tips on how and where to fish for kokanee: Kokanee fishing in Oregon: 9 tips for catching kokanee.
The Wallowa Lake Dam Restoration Project is a cooperative effort among ODFW, local tribes and irrigators. Funded by the Oregon Legislature in 2019, the project will provide water for irrigation, flows for fish and in the first step in restoring sockeye salmon to Wallow Lake. Watch this short video or visit this ODFW webpage to learn more.
WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout
Flows on the Wallowa River probably will be somewhat elevated over the next couple weeks with melting snow and recent rain events. However, fishing for trout may be good when flows are moderated. Good hatches of stoneflies and mayflies have occurred including recent hatches of golden stoneflies. Anglers are reminded that bull trout may be encountered in the Wallowa River and must be released unharmed.
The Wallowa River will open for hatchery spring Chinook fishing on June 25 from the lower fence of Minam State Park upstream to the confluence with the Lostine River. The daily limit will be two adult hatchery Chinook salmon and five jack hatchery Chinook salmon. The fishery will be open through July 24. However, the fishery may close early so anglers are encouraged to regularly check for regulation updates. For full details of the 2022 spring Chinook fishing season on the Wallowa River visit the myodfw website or call the Enterprise field office at (541) 426-3279. Last updated 6/22/22.
WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass
Willow Creek provides a great opportunity for anglers and the boat ramp is accessible. With the recent warming trend this is great place for anglers looking to get out and catch trout, bass and crappie this time of year. There is lots of bank access and also a fishing dock. Anglers should concentrate on the areas where there is structure early morning and late afternoon. Fish will start to become more active cruising for food as the water temperature warms. Last updated 6/22/22.
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of June 24, 2022
These in-season regulation changes are adopted on a temporary or emergency basis. Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
Imnaha River:
From the mouth upstream to Summit Creek Bridge
Effective June 25 – July 10: Open to angling for hatchery Chinook.
- The daily bag limit is two adult and five hatchery jack Chinook.
- It is illegal to continue fishing for jack salmon once the adult bag limit is met.
- The hook gap size may not exceed 3/4 inch.
- Use of bait is allowed
Lookingglass Creek:
From the mouth upstream to the confluence with Jarboe Creek
Effective June 10 – June 24: Open to angling for hatchery Chinook.
- The daily bag limit is two adult and five hatchery jack Chinook.
- It is illegal to continue fishing for jack salmon once the adult bag limit is met.
- Angling restricted to artificial flies and lures only.
Only allowing artificial flies and lures while fishing for Chinook is meant to protect bull trout, which are also in this area. Bull trout may not survive release after swallowing a baited hook because they tend to swallow them deeply making them very difficult to remove.
Wallowa River:
From the lower end of Minam State Park upstream to the confluence with the Lostine River
Effective June 25 – July 24: Open to angling for hatchery Chinook.
- The daily bag limit is two adult and five hatchery jack Chinook.
- It is illegal to continue fishing for jack salmon once the adult bag limit is met.