Snake Zone

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Baker County fishing reports

Keep your eye out for QR code signs posted at various fishing locations throughout Baker County! Anglers with smartphones can provide fishing reports and feedback on-site by scanning the QR code, which directs anglers to our ODFW Fishing Report survey. Directions on how to use the QR codes are provided right on the signs.

Best best for weekend fishing

• Bass fishing has been good in the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon dam with jigs, lures, or flies.
• Catfish fishing has been really good on Brownlee Reservoir.
• Sturgeon fishing has been good in the Snake River and in Hells Canyon Reservoir below Oxbow Dam.
• For those with boat access, angers are starting to catch fall Chinook salmon in the Oregon section of the Snake River downstream of the Salmon River.

Announcements

Active wildfire in Hells Canyon limits access

A large wildfire is burning on both sides of the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Various area closures are in effect including access to Dug Bar. Consult the fire information websites for the Double Creek Fire and Jones Creek Fire for more information about forest closures and evacuation notices in the area.

Fishing for steelhead opens Sept. 1

Fishing for steelhead will open on Sept. 1 the Snake River from the Washington state line to Hells Canyon Dam.

Updates by section

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: crappie, bass, perch, catfish, bluegill, trout

Brownlee Reservoir is 34 ft below full pool. All boat ramps are useable except for Spring Recreation and Steck Park Boat Ramps. Follow the links below to get up-to-date information on access along Brownlee Reservoir.

Call the Idaho Power Company’s recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites. | Reservoir level information

Catfish fishing has been very good lately on Brownlee Reservoir including some flathead catfish between 20 and 40 lbs. Bass fishing has been good as well. Anglers fishing deeper water can find perch and crappie, but the crappie are down around 40 ft. deep. Last updated 9/21/22.

OXBOW AND HELLS CANYON RESERVOIRS: trout, crappie, bass, catfish, sturgeon

Bass anglers have been successful, and a few perch are available in deeper water. Catfish fishing has started to slow. Last updated 9/21/22.

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, bass, sturgeon, Chinook salmon, steelhead

There are large wildfires burning on both sides of the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Large portions of the national forest on both sides of the river are closed and evacuation notices are in effect in some areas near the fire. Consult the fire information web pages for the Double Creek Fire and Jones Creek Fire for more information.

Bass can be caught on small jigs fished near the bottom, and they also can be caught on flies. Sturgeon fishing was good in the Snake River this summer with fish being caught throughout the river downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. Anglers are reminded that they must use barbless hooks to fish for sturgeon, and sturgeon may not be retained in the Snake River. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water.

Fishing for fall Chinook salmon has started to improve and anglers are starting to catch fall Chinook in the Snake River especially downstream of the Salmon River confluence. See Snake River zone regulations for more information about fishing for fall Chinook salmon in the Snake River.

Steelhead fishing opened on the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam on Sept. 1. The daily limit is three hatchery adult steelhead, and steelhead anglers must use barbless hooks. See Snake Zone permanent regulations for more details. Last updated 9/28/22.

SNAKE RIVER (above Brownlee Reservoir): channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass

Fishing should be good for flathead and channel catfish. Both species can be found throughout the river and can be accessed from shore or by boat. Bass are currently more concentrated in backwater areas.

No recent fishing reports. Last updated 5/25/22.