Snake 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.

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.

UPDATES BY WATERBODY

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

Brownlee Reservoir now 37 ft. below full pool and the Spring Recreation and Steck Park boats launches appear unusable, while Hewitt & Holcomb park is approaching minimum water elevation required to launch a boat. One recent fishing report said fishing was good for channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Both were hitting nightcrawlers. The Powder Arm fishing has been slow of late, but producing bass in deeper water. Follow the links below to get up-to-date information on access along Brownlee Reservoir. Last updated10/13/21.

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

Smallmouth bass fishing has been quite good in Oxbow Reservoir recently, with anglers reporting several fish in the 13- to 15-inch range, and some greater than 16 inches. Smallmouth are transitioning from spawning to post-spawn behavior. Using soft plastics will work for a few more weeks, and transitioning to faster action lures such as crankbaits will become more effective once water temperatures are consistently above 70*. Last updated 6/16/20.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

Water temperatures at Oxbow Dam are fairly consistent in the 60*-70* range, and is ripe for smallmouth bass fishing. Focus on targeting shallower water with soft plastics. Last updated 6/16/21.

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

Bass fishing will be good throughout the Oregon section of the Snake River. Look for bass is slow backwaters with good structure. Fish seem to be holding deep and getting lures and baits down is essential after the early morning.

Fall Chinook season opened on Aug. 26 and fishing should improve in the next couple weeks. The daily bag limit is three adult Chinook with no mark requirements. There is no bag limit nor mark restrictions on jack Chinook. Barbless hooks are required and a combined angling tag and Columbia Basin endorsement are required.

Steelhead season opened on Sept. 1, though fish aren’t expected to be available in catchable numbers until later in the month. Across the Columbia Basin, the steelhead run is very poor, and fishing may be difficult this year. Bag limits for steelhead have been reduced to ensure broodstock escapement to the hatchery hatcheries. Anglers are advised to check the ODFW website regularly for updates to fisheries. Last updated 9/22/21.

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

No recent fishing reports.

There has recently been a catfish die off in Brownlee Reservoir near Huntington likely due to a bacterial infection. Last updated 7/7/21.