John Day Pool closes to sturgeon Jan. 30

Sunday, Jan. 29, is the last scheduled day to retain sturgeon in the John Day Pool.

The Dalles Pool closes to sturgeon Jan. 26

 Wednesday, Jan. 25, is the last scheduled day to retain sturgeon in The Dalles Pool.

Report your 2022 hunt by Jan. 31

If you bought a tag you must report, even if you weren't successful or didn't hunt.

South coast opens to crabbing

Recreational crabbing is now open coastwide.

Rogue-South Coast steelhead validation starts Jan. 1

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, anglers in Rogue and South Coast rivers will need the new steelhead validation and harvest tag to fish for and harvest wild winter steelhead.

Razor clamming closed from Columbia River to CA border.

Due to high levels of domoic acid, razor clamming is closed along the entire Oregon coast.

Recreation Report

Snake Zone

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Channel Catfish, Snake Rive
"Late night catfishin!" Channel Catfish, Snake River -Photo by Adam Tolman-

Feb. 1, 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.

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

  • Steelhead are being caught throughout Hells Canyon especially downstream of the Salmon River.
  • Trout fishing has been very good on the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam.
  • Perch fishing can be good in Brownlee Reservoir if anglers can locate schools of fish.

Announcements

John Day, Walla Walla close to steelhead Jan. 1

Both retention of and fishing for steelhead will be closed from Jan. 1 through April 30.

Updates by section

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

Brownlee Reservoir is 17 ft below full pool, and all boat ramps are currently useable. 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

Fishing for crappie has been slow recently. However, some anglers have had good catches of perch when they have found a school of fish. Last updated 12/7/22.

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

During the cooler months, fishing will likely be slower for warmwater fish. However, there will be some opportunity to catch trout. Surplus steelhead were released into Hells Canyon Reservoir, and more will likely be released into the reservoir in the coming weeks. See the Snake River Zone regulations for specific rules about fishing Hells Canyon and Oxbow Reservoirs. Last updated 11/16/22.

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

Sturgeon fishing can be good in the Snake 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.

In addition to sturgeon, steelhead have been caught throughout Hells Canyon. Trout fishing has been good in the Snake River, and some fish have been a nice size.

Fishing for Chinook salmon closed on Oct. 31. Any Chinook caught while fishing for other species must be released. Last updated 12/7/22.

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.