Northeast Zone

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.

Send us your fishing report

We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports―the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the weekly Recreation Report.

LAKES, PONDS, RESERVOIRS

As trout fishing slows with warming summer temperatures at mid to low elevation lakes, ponds and reservoirs, fishing opportunities are just opening up at higher elevations. Over the next few weeks access will open up to high lakes in the Wallowa Mountains (Eagle Cap Wilderness Area) only accessible by trail. For the adventurous angler, these lakes provide a great opportunity for some solitude, spectacular scenery, and good fishing for scrappy brook and rainbow trout. Learn more about this fishery.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

River conditions in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha basins are near base flows and warmer water temperatures can be expected. Fishing in the early morning and late evening will be best. Remember to minimize handling of trout when catch-and-release fishing during warmer temps. Bass fishing has begun to pick up in the lower elevation reaches of the Snake River Tributaries.

River levels in the John Day are at summer lows, making boating and rafting very difficult.

RECENTLY STOCKED

We have taken down the online trout stocking schedule in order to prevent public crowding at waterbodies when we deliver hatchery fish. We will continue stocking trout but we will deliver on a slightly different schedule and at some different locations to avoid a rush of anglers showing up along with the hatchery truck.

NOTE: Local ODFW offices do not have access to the trout stocking schedule either.

TROUT STOCKING MAPS: Find your place to fish

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS: closures, special events, etc.

2020 wildfire effects on fishing: Check before you go

ODFW can’t tell you whether to go fishing or not. We will try to steer you to information about fire closures, access issues and air quality considerations so you can make an informed decision about whether to go.

You’ll now find all wildfire information related to hunting, fishing and recreating, on both public and private land, in one central location on MyODFW.com. This page will be updated frequently, so be sure to check again before you go.

Widespread closures include:

• Mt. Hood, Willamette, Siuslaw and some districts within the Siskiyou national forests.
• Clatsop, Tillamook and Santiam state forests.
• Most privately-owned timber lands.
• Many county and regional parks and boat ramps.

Tips to recreate responsibly

We continue to urge anglers and others recreating outside to stay close to home, keep your social distance, and travel safely. Here’s more information about how to recreate responsibly.

UPDATES BY WATERBODY

ALDRICH PONDS (Roosevelt and Stewart Lakes): trout (2 fish limit)

No recent fishing reports. Warm water temperatures and aquatic weed growth may make fishing challenging. Last updated 8/26/20.

GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass, steelhead

Fishing for trout and whitefish will begin to improve as water temperatures decrease. Steelhead season opened on Sept. 1 but fish aren’t generally available until later in the month. Steelhead season opened with a reduced bag limit of 2 fish per day. Last updated 9/02/20.

IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass, steelhead

Fishing for whitefish in the upper reaches of the Imnaha can be good during the summer as water temperatures will remain cool. Trout fishing will begin to improve in as water temperatures decrease.

Fall Chinook will be very visible in the lower reaches through November. It is not legal to fish for fall Chinook in the Imnaha River and anglers should avoid these fish and allow them to spawn. Remember, if you catch a bull trout it must be released unharmed.

Steelhead season opens on Sept. 1 but fish aren’t generally available until later in the month. Steelhead season will open with a reduced bag limit of 2 fish per day. Last updated 9/02/20.

JOHN DAY RIVER: steelhead, bass

No recent fishing reports. River flows are dropping rapidly. Single person float tubes are still useful, but larger drift boats and rafts are not recommended at current flows. Anglers should be targeting smallmouth bass, and fishing remains good with the warmer river temperatures.

Please note the BLM has a new boater permit system for the John Day, and there are limited numbers of overnight trips available. Last updated 7/29/20.

MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

No recent fishing reports. Water temperatures are warming in the lake, which will slow the trout fishing. Early morning and late evening will be best times to fish, with a focus on deeper areas. Last updated 7/29/20.

McNARY PONDS: walleye

No recent report.

The ponds have a surprisingly good population of walleye, highest numbers are in the Social Security Pond, which also provides good bank access. Look for the deepest areas and use worms fished near the bottom and plastic grubs. The ponds are also open to non-motorized boats.

UMATILLA RIVER: steelhead

Fish began returning to the Threemile Dam facility on the Umatilla River in small numbers last week. Both fall Chinook and steelhead are returning with coho soon to begin. Last updated 9/16/20.

WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: rainbow trout

No recent reports.These Wallowa County ponds are stocked in spring/early summer: Honeymoon Pond, Kinney Lake, Marr Pond, Mcgraw Pond, Salt Creek Summit Pond, Teepee Pond, Victor Pond, Weaver Pond. Look for fishing to pick up in the fall when a few ponds will receive limited stockings once water temperatures drop. Last updated 8/26/20.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

Fishing for rainbow trout in Wallowa Lake continues to be good. Boats are helpful but fishing from the east shore can be productive. With no recent stocking events, look for fish to have transitioned in diet to natural foods. Fish with artificial flies and lures that mimic natural organisms in the lake. Use baits such as night crawlers, maggots and eggs.

Kokanee fishing has dropped off with and we’ve received reports that fish are staging to spawn. This presents a good viewing opportunity in the Wallowa River above the lake over the next two months. Last updated 8/26/20.

WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout, steelhead

The Wallowa River will continue to be good for trout and whitefish. The best time to fish will be in the late evenings in runs that are shaded by the canyon walls. Grasshopper patterns can be effective into September, as well as caddis and mayflies if trout are being picky.

Steelhead season opened on Sept. 1 but fish aren’t generally available until later in the fall/early winter. Steelhead season will opened with a reduced bag limit of 2 fish per day. Last updated 9/02/20

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

No recent report.