Northeast Zone

NE Fishing

August 6, 2026

Best bets for weekend fishing:

• Kokanee fishing has been good on Wallowa Lake.
• Try Willow Creek Reservoir for trout, bass, and crappie.
• Penland Lake is producing limits of rainbow trout.

Trout stocking

Stocking schedules have been impacted by lower-than-normal water levels and higher temperatures.

August 3- 7:

Wallowa Lake

Check out the 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

Fishing in drought and wildfire season - actions you can take to protect wildlife and yourself.

For the most current fire closures and restrictions--KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.  

Fishing during blue-green algae (cyanobacterial) blooms

As temperatures heat up this summer, be on the watch for harmful algae blooms when recreating in Oregon lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Before you go fishing, check water quality conditions at the Oregon Health Authority website.

If your favorite fishing spot is closed or 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 is now open and both ponds have been stocked for 2026. There are some excellent quality holdover fish in both ponds with recent reports suggesting fishing is good.

GRANDE RONDE RIVER: Trout, whitefish, smallmouth bass

Flows on the Grande Ronde River have dropped to summertime base levels. Trout fishing will likely slow during this time of year when water temperatures are elevated. However, bass can be caught using a variety of techniques. Last updated 7/22/26.

Links to the following river gauges:

Grande Ronde River Below Clear Creek, Near Starkey

Grande Ronde River, Near Perry

Grande Ronde River at Troy

HAT ROCK POND: Trout

Anglers should find success throughout the summer using PowerBait, worms or spinners, and focus their efforts in the mornings or evenings. Last updated 8/4/26.

IMNAHA RIVER: Trout, whitefish, bass

Fishing for trout and whitefish can be good throughout the middle and upper Imnaha River. Trout can be caught on a variety of flies and lures. Anglers targeting whitefish should drift weighted nymphs through deeper holes. Bass can be caught by anglers in the lower portion of the river, especially downstream of Cow Creek. Note that angling for salmon is prohibited throughout the Imnaha River including catch and release. Last updated 7/27/26.

JOHN DAY RIVER: Bass, trout

Due to multiple large wildfires in the John Day Basin, access to the river is closed in much of the region. The Prineville BLM has closed access to all their lands within the John Day Basin, including boat launches. The Twickenham boat launch, which is managed by ODFW on private lands, is also closed in addition to all other boat launches on BLM lands from Dale, OR to McDonald Ferry. Current river flows are extremely low, and unhealthy levels of wildfire smoke persist throughout the basin. The upper North Fork John Day area is also under various levels of closures due to active wildfires west of Granite and Sumpter. No new reports. Last updated 8/4/26.

JUBILEE LAKE: Rainbow trout

Access to Jubilee Lake is currently open and fishing should be good. Try PowerBait or spinners. Last updated 8/4/26.

LOOKINGGLASS CREEK: Rainbow trout, mountain whitefish

Fishing for Chinook Salmon closed on June 14. Regulations for fishing Lookingglass Creek reverted to permanent regulations available in the 2026 regulation booklet. Throughout the summer, trout and whitefish will be available to anglers fishing Lookingglass Creek. Last updated 7/22/26.

MAGONE LAKE: Rainbow and brook trout

Fishing is often good year-round, and the lake has been stocked for 2026.

McNARY PONDS: Walleye, bass and trout

Trout will likely be most active in the morning and late evening hours. Bass fishing can also be good during the summer months. Last updated 8/4/26

McKAY RESERVOIR: Bass, perch, rainbow trout

Be advised that McKay Reservoir is currently being used as a source of water for fire suppression. Refuge gates are currently locked and boating is prohibited. Bank angling is still allowed. Fishing for bass and panfish has been good on McKay Reservoir. The Oregon Health Authority has issued a precaution for harmful algae blooms. The reservoir is currently 38% full. Last updated 8/4/26

MORGAN LAKE: Rainbow trout and bass

Morgan Lake opened for fishing on April 22. It is stocked with rainbow trout. Anglers have recently reported catching some nice largemouth bass. Fishing may become more difficult as the lake warms during the summer months. No new reports. Last updated 7/22/26

PENLAND LAKE: Rainbow trout

Fishing for rainbow trout is currently very good on Penland Lake. Shore anglers have been having good success near the boat launch with power bait. Last updated 8/4/26

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

Fishing for salmon and steelhead is currently closed on the Umatilla River. 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. Targeting bull trout is NOT allowed in the Umatilla River. Last updated 8/4/2026

WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: Rainbow trout

Kinney Lake has recently been stocked. Other ponds including Victor, Weaver, and Marr Pond have also been stocked this year. These ponds should provide good fishing throughout the summer unless individual ponds drop too low. Anglers can be successful using a variety of lures, flies, and baits. As summer progresses these ponds will likely become less productive due to high temperatures and stagnant conditions. No new reports. Last updated 6/27/26.

WALLOWA LAKE: Rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

Wallowa Lake has been stocked with rainbow trout that readily take lures, flies, and dough baits. Fishing for trout will be best near shore especially on the South end of the lake near the inlet of the Wallowa River. Anglers are still catching some very nice kokanee. Most kokanee are now at depths > 45 feet. Both trolling and jigging can be effective ways of catching kokanee during this time of year. Using a fish finder and a downrigger can help anglers find the depths where kokanee are holding and present lures to them. Last updated 7/22/26.

WALLOWA RIVER: Whitefish, trout

Trout and whitefish can be caught on a variety of baits, lures, and flies. Casting flies like wooly buggers and nymphs to pockets of slower moving water near shore can be good ways to catch fish on the Wallowa River. Fishing dry flies or nymphs under a bobber can be very productive. Recently, flows have dropped and fishing may be slower, especially on warmer days. Note that due to low water and warm temperatures extra care should be taken when handling fish. Follow best catch and release ethics to give the fish the best chance at survival and consider giving fish a break in late afternoon. Last updated 7/27/26.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: Trout, crappie, bass

Recent sampling on Willow Creek Reservoir resulted in a good number of nice sized largemouth bass being collected. Anglers have been catching some nice trout from the shore near the boat launch as well as bass and crappie from boats. As a reminder, there is a 25 fish limit for crappie on Willow Creek Reservoir.

This spring, district staff installed 12 artificial habitat structures bringing the total number of structures on the reservoir to 22. These structures were put in place to provide fish habitat when the reservoir is drawn down. Last updated 8/4/26