Clatsop beach razor clam closure begins July 15

Clatsop beaches (beaches north of Tillamook Head) will close to razor clam harvest for the annual conservation closure from July 15 through Sept. 30.

Recreation Report

Snake Zone

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Snake River channel catfish
"A great afternoon of catfishing!" Snake River channel catfish -Photo by Mike Miles-

ALERT: New look for Regulation Updates!

For in-season regulations changes, click the Regulation Updates button which is now a separate page. If you have trouble accessing the page, clear your cache and refresh your browser.

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.

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 are being caught throughout Hells Canyon and Oxbow Reservoirs.
  • Sturgeon fishing has been good in the Snake River and in Hells Canyon Reservoir below Oxbow Dam.

Announcements

Fishing in hot water

With extreme temperatures in the forecast, fish will start feeling the heat. Give them a break by remembering these five tips for fishing when water temperatures are high.

Fishing for Chinook salmon is closed on the Snake River

As of Aug. 1, fishing for Chinook salmon is closed on the Snake River until Aug. 18 when it will open for fall Chinook.

Updates by section

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

Brownlee Reservoir is nearly full, and all boat ramps are currently usable. 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

Crappie fishing has been slow on Brownlee Reservoir, but some fish are being caught especially at night. Bass anglers continue to be successful. Perch fishing is slow but look for schools of perch this time of year. Fishing for catfish has been good on the reservoir. Many catfish are in shallow water and can be caught with bait suspended under a bobber. Last updated 8/1/22.

OXBOW RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

Catfish are available throughout the reservoir, and bass fishing has been good. Many bass are small, but there are some larger bass being caught. Bass anglers can do well with lures or jigs that imitate crawdads which are a favorite prey item for bass. Near the creek mouths, trout fishing has continued to be good. Trout anglers can do best in the early morning. Last updated 7/27/22.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish, sturgeon

Bass anglers have been successful on Hells Canyon Reservoir, but many of the fish have been small. Catfish are being caught throughout the reservoir. Fishing cut bait can be an effective way of catching catfish in the Snake River and its impoundments. Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to fish with live fish in freshwater.

Sturgeon fishing has been good recently. Sturgeon anglers will probably be most successful fishing the upper reservoir below Oxbow dam. Anglers are reminded that they must use barbless hooks to fish for sturgeon, and sturgeon may not be retained. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water. Last updated 7/27/22.

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

Bass fishing the Snake River can be great during the summer. Bass will readily take small jigs fished near the bottom, and they also can be caught on flies. Sturgeon fishing has been 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 hatchery spring Chinook is closed on the Snake River. Any Chinook salmon caught must be released unharmed. Fishing for fall Chinook salmon will open under permanent regulations on August 18th. See Snake River zone regulations for more information about fishing for fall Chinook salmon in the Snake River.

Steelhead fishing has closed on the Snake River and will re-open Sept. 1, 2022. Last updated 8/3/22.

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.