Recreation Report
Northeast Zone
Recreation Report
Sept. 27, 2023
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
- Trout fishing in the headwaters of the Umatilla River would be a good bet for early fall.
- Fishing for resident fish on the Grande Ronde can provide a mixed bag of species. Anglers can expect to catch a mix of trout, whitefish and bass during early fall.
- Magone and Olive lakes are good options for some early fall trout fishing.
- October caddis are starting to emerge on local rivers.
Recently stocked
Scheduled to be stocked this week:
No stocking scheduled this week. Stocking will resume as some locations in mid-September.
Check the 2023 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
E-tagging tips for anglers
It's important for anglers to tag their salmon and steelhead immediately, which means you'll need to know how to navigate the MyODFW app outside of cell phone range. Here are some tips for e-tagging in the field.
Pitch in to keep water banks clean
We wish it didn’t have to be this way. But as more anglers hit the water, more trash piles up on shore. We know it’s not your job to pick up discarded beer cans, slurpee cups, fishing line, hamburger wrappers and other trash that aren't yours. But if everyone pitched in and picked up what they saw, wouldn’t it be a nicer place to fish?
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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)
The access road to the ponds is open. These ponds require a 1.5 mile hike from the parking area.The ponds have been stocked for the year and fishing should be great over the next few months. Please remember that there is a two fish daily limit. Last updated 6/14/23.
GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish, coho, steelhead
Coho fishing on the river opened Sept. 1, although anglers shouldn't expect to see many fish until the end of the month. The bag limit is two adults and five jacks per day.
Steelhead fishing also opened on Sept.1. However, like Coho, it will be several weeks before good numbers of steelhead are present in the Oregon section of the Grande Ronde River.
Fishing for resident fish can provide a mixed bag of species. Anglers can expect to catch a mix of trout, whitefish, and bass during early fall.
Anglers are reminded that Chinook salmon and bull trout cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 9/13/23.
HAT ROCK POND: trout
Hat Rock Pond will be stocked during the week of May 1. Anglers should find success using PowerBait, worms or spinners and focusing their efforts in the mornings or evenings. Last updated 5/3/23.
IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass, steelhead
Trout and whitefish can be caught throughout the river, and bass can be caught in the lower river. Periods of rain can bring mud and debris from areas affected by last year's Double Creek fire resulting in periodic muddy water conditions.
Steelhead fishing opened on Sept. 1. However, steelhead fishing will probably be slow until later in the fall.
Anglers should remember that Chinook salmon and bull trout may be encountered in the Imnaha River. They cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 9/27/23.
JOHN DAY RIVER:
Steelhead fishing will be open for this year as we've reached our minimum target of returning wild adults over Bonneville Dam. Steelhead tend to move up the John Day in October, so keep an on the river gages and try to plan your trip a few days after a pulse in flow.
Bass fishing is still a great option, and the bass fishing remains good, although flows will preclude the use of most watercraft.
For those looking to fish trout, Magone and Olive lakes are always great options in the early fall. Last updated 8/30/23.
MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout
Fishing remains good, and recent cooler temperatures in the region should make for some excellent early fall fishing. . Last updated on 8/30/23.
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 5/3/23.
MORGAN LAKE: rainbow trout and bass
Earlier this year, fishing at Morgan Lake was variable, and it had been murky. However, we have not received any fishing reports from the last couple months. Follow this link for more information about recreation at Morgan Lake. Last updated 9/13/23.
UMATILLA RIVER: fall Chinook, coho, summer steelhead, trout, bass, walleye
With flows still low and water temperatures starting to finally cool, anglers should head to upper headwaters this Labor Day weekend in search of trout. Anglers should focus on deeper holes. If you catch a bull trout, recognized by its white spots, please keep it in the water and release it as quickly as possible.
The fall Chinook, coho and summer steelhead fishery on the Umatilla River opens Sept. 1, 2023. The bag limit is 3 adult fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon or hatchery summer steelhead in aggregate per day and jack salmon.
The fall fisheries will be monitored very closely by fisheries managers to make sure that enough fish are returning for the Umatilla broodstock programs, but returns should provide angling opportunities to harvest fall Chinook, coho and steelhead this year. Last updated 8/30/23.
WALLA WALLA RIVER:
Trout fishing on the Walla Walla, and its tributaries, opened May 22. Anglers can walk into the South Fork and motorized vehicle travel is currently restricted at the gate above Harris Park.
It is illegal to target bull trout in this stream and anglers must immediately release a bull trout if caught.
Steelhead fishing is now closed and due to the very low returns over the past number of years the fishery will remain closed to protect the small number of wild fish that are still returning. Last updated 5/22/23.
WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: rainbow trout
Trout have been stocked this year in Kinney Lake, Marr Pond and other local ponds including many of the forest ponds. Fish should continue to be available to anglers throughout the fall. Kinney Lake will be stocked in the coming weeks for fall and winter fishing. Last updated 9/13/23.
WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout
Wallowa Lake has been stocked with trout this year, and anglers may find good success fishing for trout near the mouth of the Wallowa River on the south end of the lake.
Kokanee fishing may get more difficult throughout the fall as the larger, mature fish move into the river to spawn. However, the groups of bright red, spawning kokanee make for a great fall wildlife viewing opportunity. Last updated 9/13/23.
WALLOWA HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKES: brook trout, rainbow trout
High elevation lakes will continue to provide fishing opportunities throughout early fall until snow arrives in the high country. Many of these lakes are very remote so anglers should plan accordingly. Flies and spinners can both be effective methods of fishing in high mountain lakes. Last updated 9/13/23.
WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout, steelhead
With recent rains, the flow of the Wallowa River has increased, and water temperatures have begun to fall. There are some nice rainbows and large whitefish available. October caddis have started emerging and can provide some good opportunities to catch fish on dry flies.
Steelhead fishing opened on Sept. 1. Generally, few steelhead will be available to anglers on the Wallowa River until late fall and early winter though.
Remember, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and bull trout encountered while fishing for other species cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 9/27/23.
WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass
As summer advances and the water warms, anglers should turn their attention to bass and panfish. Last updated 7/12/23.