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.

FISHING UPDATES

LAKES, PONDS, RESERVOIRS

As lower elevation ponds begin to warm and aquatic weed growth accelerates, trout anglers should consider high elevation locations, where water stays cooler longer.

Trout stocking is underway in this zone.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

River levels have been relatively good in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Basins. Trout fishing can be good this time of year where streams are open to fishing. Anglers should be aware spring Chinook and bull trout may be encountered and should be released immediately and unharmed.

River levels in the John Day are dropping rapidly, with recent levels at Service Creek below 800 CFS. Conditions should be shaping up nicely for those looking to target smallmouth bass. Note that flows below 1,500 CFS make boating more challenging. Current low flows make for challenging conditions for drift boats and larger rafts. Single person inflatables remain a good option for those looking to float prime sections for bass.

RECENTLY STOCKED

Scheduled to be stocked this week (week of June 14): Honeymoon Pond, Grande Ronde Lake, Teepee Pond, Umatilla Forest Ponds – North and South.

Stocked last week (week of June 7): Weston Highway Pond, Wallowa Lake, Penland Lake, Victor Pond, Cutsforth Pond, Willow Creek Reservoir, Bull Prairie Reservoir, Wallowa Wildlife Pond (Weavers Pond), McNary Channel Ponds, Hat Rock Pond.

Check the 2021 trout stocking schedule.

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.

ODFW braces for drought
What anglers can expect

March and April of 2021 were among the driest spring months since the 1890s, and ODFW is bracing for a serious drought as summer arrives. Currently, 72 percent of the state is in severe or extreme drought status.

As the summer progresses, anglers should continue to expect changes to fish stocking, and possible emergency regulations. See more details here. The weekly Recreation Report will be your best source of information on conditions and any emergency regulations.

Finding garbage at your favorite spot?
Consider packing some out

During the past year, more people have been fishing and getting outdoors. And the garbage they’ve left behind proves it. Next time you head to the water, put a garbage bag in your pocket and fill it with any garbage you find. After you’re done fishing, of course.

New map shows wildfire impacts on recreation

Hunters, anglers and wildlife viewers will be living with the impacts of the 2020 wildfire season for a long time. To help you navigate the status of popular recreation sites, natural resource management agencies in Oregon have released an interagency status map that shows open, closed and reduced service areas on a single map, regardless of reason for closure.

The map now also includes an updated boat ramp status map. The Marine Board plans to update boat ramp status every month at a minimum.

UPDATES BY WATERBODY

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

Recent reports have been positive, with many anglers reporting success catching larger fish. The fishing should be excellent over the next few weeks. Last updated 5/19/21.

GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass

The flows on the Grande Ronde have been good for boating but the fishing has been slow. Look for fish in areas where flows are very slow like back eddies and river margins below structure. Bass fishing should pick up in the next few weeks as flows drop and the water temperatures begin to rise. Last updated 6/2/21.

HAT ROCK POND: trout

About 1,000 legal and 100 trophy trout were stocked in Hat Rock Pond last week. Fish should be active, and fishing pressure will start to pick up since the weather has been warm Look for fish in the deeper part of the pond as water temperatures start to warm. Last updated 5/26/21.

IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass

Currently the flows on the Imnaha River are moderate and conducive to fishing. The Imnaha will begin to see large hatches of salmonflies and golden stoneflies, which can make for some good trout fishing.

Anglers should be aware that some construction/utility work is occurring on the lower Imnaha, and trucks will be on the road hauling equipment and materials. Anglers should use caution when traveling in the area.

Spring Chinook and Bull Trout will be present in the system and must be released unharmed.  Last updated 6/1/21.

JOHN DAY RIVER: steelhead, smallmouth bass

Flows on the John Day River are currently unusually low for this time of year, but will allow for good conditions for those targeting smallmouth bass.

June is often the prime month to target bass, and current conditions should make for excellent fishing. Note that river levels have dropped below 800 CFS at the Service Creek gage, making for challenging conditions to boaters using anything larger than single person inflatables. Multi-person rafts are still useable, but shallow riffle sections will present challenges. Last updated 6/16/21.

MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing has been excellent the last few weeks, and should stay that way over the next month. Last updated 5/19/21.

McNARY PONDS: walleye, bass and trout.

About 2,000 legal and 100 trophy trout will be stocked at the McNary Ponds this week, distributed evenly throughout all the ponds within McNary Pond network. Fishing should be good as the water temperature warms. The fish have been active, taking both lures and flies, with luck being had by all methods. Get out both early and late, before or after the sun is high on the water, these are the most productive times. Last updated 6/9/21.

UMATILLA RIVER: trout

Steelhead fishing on the Umatilla River is closed and will not open until Sept. 1.

Trout fishing on the Umatilla River opened on May 22 and will remain open until Oct. 31. Trout fishing on the Umatilla has slowed due to warmer water temperatures, but fish can be found in the headwater section. Bait is not allowed above Ryan Creek. Concentrate on the faster pocket water as the water temperature rises.

The spring Chinook fishery opened on May 25, 2021 on the Umatilla River. The section from Hwy 730 bridge to Threemile Dam is now closed; the section between Threemile dam to the CTUIR reservation will remain open until June 30th. Last updated 6/16/21.

WALLOWA COUNTY PONDS: rainbow trout

The early trout stocking for Marr Pond has been canceled through late June to accommodate improvements to accessibility. With the exception of Marr Pond, all stocked waterbodies have received at least the they’re first stocking and fishing should be good.

Forest ponds are mostly accessible and some have been recently stocked. Last updated 6/2/21.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

Wallowa Lake is open, and anglers are starting to catch a few early kokanee. Wallowa Lake has been stocked and fishing for trout is good.  

Spring is a good time to fish for lake trout as they’re active and can sometimes be found in the shallow areas. Methods typically involve good electronics, downriggers and sometimes jigging. Last updated 6/2/21.

WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout

The Wallowa River can fish well for trout throughout the spring as long as conditions allow. With lower expected flows this year the river should fish well throughout the spring. The Wallowa has very good caddis and golden stone hatches that last through June and can spur some very good fishing. Look for fish to pull up close to the banks to escape faster flowing water. Last updated 5/26/21.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass

There will be 750 trophy trout stocked in Willow Creek Reservoir this week. This time of year, fishing tends to pick up for both trout and warmwater species as the water warms. Look for trout, crappie and bass to cruising along the bank in the shallower water in the early morning and then fish will move out to the deeper sections of the reservoir. You can also access a significant proportion of the via boat, so bring your boat and troll the depths for the larger trout that are hold over from last year. The warmwater fishery should really start to pick up for both crappie and bass.

Fish have been taken on both lures and flies. A spinner, damsel fly nymph, or small jig should be productive this time of the year and as the water warms. Last updated 6/9/21.