Northeast Zone

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Best bets for weekend fishing

• Anglers report very good trout fishing on the Wallowa River, with some landing fish up to 14 inches.
• With cooler temperatures, trout fishing also should be picking up on the Grande Ronde, Umatilla and Walla Walla rivers.
• Anglers are catching steelhead and coho salmon on the Grande Ronde River.
• Fishing high lakes can be good in the late summer. Here are some tips for fishing these hike-in lakes and a link to lakes that have been stocked.
• Jubilee Lake was recently stocked, and fishing should be good at this higher elevation lake.
• Kokanee are spawning in the Wallowa River at the head of the lake -- a great opportunity to see large numbers of kokanee in full spawning colors.

Recently stocked

Scheduled to be stocked this week:

Wallowa Lake.

Recently stocked:

Jubilee Lake.

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

Northeast wildfires affect fishing access

There are several large wildfires burning in Northeast Oregon. Various area closures and evacuation notices in effect for areas near the Imnaha River, Lostine River, Bear Creek and the Minam River as well as substantial portions of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area, Hells Canyon Wilderness Area, and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

Anglers and recreationalists should not travel on any closed areas near fires. Consult the fire information website for the Sturgill Fire, Goat Mountain 2 Fire, Nebo Fire, and Double Creek Fire for more information about forest closures and evacuation notices in the area.

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 is open and fishing has slowed but is still a good bet for those willing to hike in. Stocking for this year occurred in late June, and while aquatic weeds may hamper some fishing areas in the ponds, it remains a good spot for those looking for a chance at some very nice size rainbows. Last updated 8/31/22.

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, steelheadcoho

Bass fishing may be good on the lower Grande Ronde River downstream to the state boundary, and trout fishing should get better when water temperatures begin to cool.

Anglers are catching steelhead and coho salmon on the Grande Ronde River. Fishing for both species will probably just get better over the next month. For steelhead, anglers can try using flies or casting jigs under bobbers. Coho can be caught with spinners, and plugs may be a good option as well. Anglers are reminded that wild steelhead, Chinook salmon, and bull trout cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 9/28/22.

HAT ROCK POND: trout

No recent reports. The pond was stocked in April. Last updated 4/20/22.

IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass, steelhead

Two large fires are currently burning in the Inmaha River watershed. Nearly all of the Imnaha River watershed is currently under forest closure or evacuation notices.

Anglers should not travel into closed areas near any wildfires. Consult the fire information websites for the Nebo Fire and Double Creek Fire for more information about the fires, forest closures and evacuation notices.

Bass have been caught in the lower river, and bass fishing will be an option for anglers on the lower Imnaha throughout the rest of the summer.

Fishing for Chinook salmon is closed on the Imnaha River. Any Chinook salmon or bull trout encountered must be released unharmed.

Steelhead fishing opened on the Imnaha River and Big Sheep Creek (Imnaha River tributary near the town of Imnaha) on Sept. 1. Steelhead fishing on the Imnaha probably will be slow to start and improve later in the fall. Anglers are reminded that wild steelhead cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 9/28/22.

JOHN DAY RIVER:

Conditions for bass and catfish fishing are good, although the river is now too low for floating. There are a number of bank fishing areas accessible to anglers between Kimberly and Spray, as well as a few areas along the lower North Fork near Kimberly. Last updated 8/31/22.

LOOKINGGLASS CREEK: trout

Lookingglass Creek is closed to fishing for hatchery spring Chinook salmon.

Anglers are reminded that bull trout may be encountered in Lookingglass Creek and must be released unharmed. Last updated 6/28/22.

MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing for rainbow trout remains good, with early mornings and late evenings being the best time to fish this time of year. Last updated on 8/31/22.

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

No recent reports. Follow this link for more information about recreation at Morgan Lake. Last updated 5/4/22.

UMATILLA RIVER: spring Chinook, coho, trout, bass, walleye

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 7/13/22.

The fall Chinook and coho fishery on the Umatilla River will be open this year from Sept. 1 until Nov. 30 with a 3 adult, in aggregate, and 5 jack per day limit. The steelhead fishery will be closed from the Hwy 730 bridge to Three Mile Falls Dam (TMFD), but from TMFD to the CTUIR reservation boundary will remain open. Last updated 8/24/22. 

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 good in the past week or more with the flows being consistent. Anglers have found success in the smaller pools using both dry flies, nymph flies and small spoons. It is illegal to target bull trout in this stream and anglers so immediately release a bull trout if caught.

Due to very low predicated returns in 2022-23 and low returns for the past five years to the Walla Walla River, steelhead fishing will not be open on the river during the 2022-23 season. Last updated 8/22/22.  

WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: rainbow trout

Several local ponds have been stocked this year 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.

Kinney Lake is low and will probably remain so throughout the rest of the summer and into fall. Last updated 8/17/22.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

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. Throughout the lake, many fish are 30 – 60 feet below the surface where the water is cooler. Anglers interested in fishing for rainbow trout may find good numbers of fish near the mouth of the Wallowa River at the south end of the lake.

Kokanee are spawning in the Wallowa River at the head of the lake. This is a great opportunity to see large numbers of kokanee in full spawning colors. There is good access from the day use area at Wallowa Lake State Park to view spawning kokanee. Please view them from a distance to avoid disturbing them and avoid walking in the river especially in areas where they are building redds. A good set of polarized sunglasses will help with viewing spawning kokanee or taking photos of them. Last updated 9/28/22.

Here are some tips on how and where to fish for kokanee:  Kokanee fishing in Oregon: 9 tips for catching kokanee.

WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout

Recently, trout fishing has been very good on the Wallowa River wish some fish longer than 14 inches being caught. Locally, October caddis will begin hatching creating a fun fishing opportunity. Casting spinners also may be a good way to catch trout in the Wallowa River.

Steelhead fishing will open on the Wallowa River on Sept. 1. Steelhead fishing will probably be slow to start but should improve later in the year. Anglers are reminded that wild steelhead, Chinook salmon, and bull trout cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 9/21/22.

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.

Fishing has been good for both crappie and bass now that the water temperatures have warmed. Small jigs for crappie and swim baits for bass have been the ticket. Last updated 7/11/22.