Recreation Report
Snake Zone
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of Nov. 14, 2018
These are in-season regulation changes adopted on a temporary or emergency basis. Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
SNAKE RIVER BELOW HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR
The Snake River from the Washington state line upstream to the deadline below Hell’s Canyon Dam is open for fall Chinook salmon seven days week, beginning Saturday, Aug. 18 until Nov. 18, 2018 or until further notice. The reach from Cliff Mountain Rapid to the deadline below the dam will remain open through Nov. 18.
- The daily bag limit is six adipose fin-clipped adult fall Chinook salmon per day.
- There are no mark restrictions and no daily, possession, or season limits for jack fall Chinook salmon.
- Barbless hooks and a Columbia Basin Endorsement are required.
- Beginning Saturday, Sept. 1 until Dec. 31, 2018 the daily bag limit is one (1) adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
Recreation Report
BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: crappie, bass, perch, catfish, bluegill, trout
Fishing has been good for both catfish and bass. Good numbers of large bass are being caught. Fishing for crappie is slow, but the fish are large. Trolling Rapala’s deep is a way to pick up some of the large crappie available.
Call the Idaho Power Company’s recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites. | Reservoir level information
OXBOW RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish
Anglers have recently reported good fishing for smallmouth bass (up to 2.5 pounds) with a lot of topwater action on lures and flies. Catch rates for crappie have been moderate but are making up for it in size with many fish reaching the 12-inch mark. Anglers are having best success for crappie while angling away from the shore.
Trout fishing is good at tributary inlets.
HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish
Fishing is starting to pick up for bass, catfish and crappie. Good fishing for trout can be had at tributary inlets.
SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, steelhead, bass
The Snake River from the Washington state line upstream to Cliff Mt. Rapid below Hells Canyon Dam closed for fall Chinook salmon last week. Fall Chinook angling remains open from the deadline below the Dam to Cliff Mt. Rapid but will close on Sunday Nov. 18.
The one fish daily bag limit for steelhead has been extended through Dec. 31. Bag limits were reduced to protect limited numbers of wild fish returning to the Snake River Basin and to ensure hatchery programs meet production goals. As the run progresses managers will reevaluate these rules.
Bass fishing should be good and remain good throughout the summer. Look for bass near steep banks and structure.
Updated information on flow levels
SNAKE RIVER (above Brownlee Reservoir): channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass
Fall fishing can be great for catfish and other warmwater species. Access is limited for bank anglers in this portion of the Snake River. Ontario State Recreation Site (Or. State Parks), River Park (Nyssa) and the east side of the bridge over the Snake River near Adrian provide some public access. The Outdoorsman in Ontario (NE 2nd St and E Idaho Ave.) may have local knowledge of other access points for bank anglers.