Northeast Zone

May 24, 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

• Boat anglers have been out recently on Wallowa Lake and report catching both kokanee and lake trout.
• Thief Valley Reservoir has been stocked recently.
• Aldrich Ponds and Magone Lake have been stocked and fishing should be very good.

Recently stocked

Stocked this week: Seventh St Pond, Magone Lake, Wildcat Pond, Penland Lake, Hog Creek Pond, Holliday Park Pond, Umatilla Forest Ponds, Trout Farm Pond, Bull Prairie Reservoir, Anson Wright Pond, Brandon’s Pond, Aldrich Ponds

Recently stocked: 

Magone Reservoir, Teepee Pond, Holliday Park Pond, Kinney Lake, Bull Prairie Reservoir, Umatilla Forest Pond, Honeymoon Pond, Brandon’s Pond, Wallowa Lake, Wildcat Pond, Hog Creek Pond

There will be no trophy trout stocking in the Umatilla/Walla Walla, La Grande and John Day districts due to fish health concerns. Legal-size trout will be stocked as scheduled.

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

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?

Chinook fishing remains closed in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha River watersheds for 2023

Fishing for spring Chinook salmon remains closed in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha river watersheds including Lookingglass Creek, the Wallowa River and the Imnaha River. We are monitoring counts of Chinook salmon as they migrate up the Columbia and Snake Rivers. However, no fishing for Chinook salmon will be allowed in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha River watersheds unless sufficient numbers of spring Chinook are observed at downstream river locations.

Anglers wanting to fish for spring Chinook can fish the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. See the regulation updates for the Snake River zone for more about fishing for spring Chinook on the Snake River this year.

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)

The access road to the ponds is now open to motor vehicles. 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 5/24/23.

GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish

Trout and whitefish can also be caught when the flows are not too high. However, fishing will be difficult when flows are high. The last day of steelhead fishing was April 30. Anglers are reminded that steelhead, Chinook salmon and bull trout cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 5/3/23.

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 fishing is closed on the Imnaha River, and fishing for Chinook salmon will not be allowed unless sufficient numbers of fish are observed at downstream locations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers.

Trout and whitefish can be caught throughout the river, and as the weather warms bass can be caught in the lower river. Fishing can be difficult during higher flows though.

The best public access is downstream of Horse Creek. Anglers fishing upstream of Horse Creek to the town of Imnaha need to make sure they are aware of land ownership boundaries and always ask for permission before fishing on private lands.

Anglers should remember that steelhead, Chinook salmon and bull trout may be encountered in the Imnaha River. They cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 5/3/23.

JOHN DAY RIVER:

Steelhead fishing is closed in the John Day River. Bass, catfish, and warmwater fishing is open. The river is flowing high, muddy, and cold right now so it may be several weeks before warmwater fishing conditions improve. Last updated 5/3/23.

LOOKINGGLASS CREEK: trout

Lookingglass Creek closed to fishing on Oct. 31. It will reopen to trout fishing on May 22, 2023. Fishing for Chinook salmon will not be allowed unless sufficient numbers of fish are observed at downstream locations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers.  Last updated 5/3/23.

MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

Access to Magone is open from the 395/Beech Creek Rd. Spring fishing is usually very good this time of year, and the lake has been stocked. Last updated on 5/24/23.

McNARY PONDS: walleye, bass and trout.

The McNary Ponds will be stocked this week and a kids’ fishing derby is planned from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 6. 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 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

Morgan Lake closed to fishing on Oct. 31, 2022. It will reopen for fishing on April 22, 2023. Follow this link for more information about recreation at Morgan Lake. Last updated 3/15/22.

UMATILLA RIVER: spring Chinook, trout, bass, walleye

Rains and increased temperatures have significantly increased flows on the Umatilla River and fishing conditions are poor for the moment. The predicated flows don’t look to be very fishable for the next week or more unfortunately. The steelhead fishery on the Umatilla closed April 30 and trout fishing does not open until May 22.  

The spring Chinook fishery on the Umatilla River opened on April 16. The bag limit is 2 adult and 5 jack hatchery spring Chinook per day. There are an estimated 5,854 spring Chinook predicted to return to the Umatilla River this year, so the Umatilla River a great opportunity for anglers to harvest a spring Chinook.

Most spring Chinook start entering the Umatilla in May, however with the cold temps and higher run off this year the fish could be delayed from normal run timing. The fishing picked up last week with lower flows and less turbid waters.

Not a lot of fish have been caught yet in the season with an average of 4 fish per day in the past two days, but quite a few anglers have been trying. As of this update, there have been 900 spring Chinook counted at TMFD for the season as of 5/19/23. Last updated 5/24/23.

WALLA WALLA RIVER:

Trout fishing on the Walla Walla, and its tributaries, opened May 22. With high snow loads in the Walla Walla basin trout fishing on opening weekend could prove challenging, however the fishery will be open. 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

Fishing at Kinney Lake and Marr Pond can be good throughout the spring. Surplus steelhead have recently been stocked in local ponds and releases will continue throughout the spring as extra steelhead are available. Steelhead caught in ponds where they have been stocked count toward the angler’s trout limit and do not need to be recorded on a combined angling tag. Last updated 5/3/23.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

Wallowa Lake was stocked with rainbow trout throughout 2022. Some of these fish should continue to be available into 2023. New trout will be stocked into Wallowa Lake later in May. Anglers may find good success fishing for trout near the mouth of the Wallowa River on the south end of the lake.

Boat anglers have been out recently and have reported catching both kokanee and lake trout. The kokanee have generally been small (< 14 inches) but some boats have caught about a dozen in a day of fishing. The boat ramps are now accessible, and the docks on the North end of the lake have been installed. Last updated 4/19/23.

WALLOWA RIVER: whitefish, trout

Fishing may be variable as flows react to rain and melting snow, but when conditions allow, fishing for trout and mountain whitefish can be good. Drifting flies or casting spinners are effective ways to catch trout in this river.

The last day of steelhead fishing on the Wallowa River was April 30, and fishing for Chinook salmon will not be allowed unless sufficient numbers of fish are observed at downstream locations on the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Anglers are reminded that steelhead, Chinook salmon and bull trout cannot be harvested and must be released. Last updated 5/3/23.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass

Willow Creek Reservoir is a great option for early season trout fishing. There is lots of bank access and also a fishing dock. Once the water warms it can also be a great opportunity for panfish and bass later in the spring. Last updated 4/19/22.