Recreation Report
Southeast Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Roger Smith-
April 10, 2025
Best bets for weekend fishing
- The Running Y Pond was stocked with legal rainbow trout during spring break.
- Redband trout fishing from bank and boat is slow on Upper Klamath and Agency lakes.
- The ice has continued to melt on Chickahominy and Malheur reservoirs, and fishing for holdover trout could be good in the open water along the shores.
- The ice should be off Pole Creek Reservoir and fishing for holdover trout should be good.
- Thief Valley Reservoir was recently stocked and has fish available that were stocked last fall.
- Peach and North Powder Ponds near La Grande were recently stocked.
- Thompson Valley Reservoir will not be stocked until road is accessible.
Trout stocking
Stocked the week of March 31- April 4:
Thompson Valley Res.
Scheduled to be stocked the week of April 7-11:
Highway 203 Pond, Burns Gravel Pond.
Check out the 2025 stocking schedule.
Trout stocking maps
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
Announcements
Ice fishing safety
With ice covering many waterbodies, anglers need to be cautious. Take the following precautions: use the "buddy system," wear a PFD in case of thin ice, carry a throw-rope, and use a heavy metal staff to check for thin-ice. The Minnesota DNR has developed guidelines for ice thickness and other safety tips. Remember that any hole cut in the ice for fishing can't be larger than 12 inches in diameter.
If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed
It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improves.
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Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.
Got a good fish story?
If you have been out fishing and have a recent fishing report you would like to share, we would love to hear it! Please send your fishing updates to: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov.
Updates by waterbody
AGENCY LAKE (including Straits): Redband trout, yellow perch, brown trout
Open year-round. Henzel and Petric boat ramps are accessible. The docks have been placed. Redband trout are moving around with most returning to the main lake after spawning.
Catch rates remain low due to record setting drought in 2020 through 2022, resulting in poor survival of juvenile redband trout and subsequent recruitment into the adult population. Best fishing is from a boat and covering lots of water.
Agency Lake regulations are catch-and-release for redband/rainbow trout with no bait allowed (artificial flies and lures only). The boundary of Agency Lake is the south end of the Straits. This change is due to record low spawning escapement for trophy redband trout throughout the Klamath Basin in 2020. ODFW also encourages the use of single barbless hooks in this fishery, not removing the fish from the water, and using catch-and-release rubber nets. Last updated 4/10/25.
ANA RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, hybrid bass
The reservoir has been dropped 17 feet for the winter. The irrigation district is currently filling the reservoir. Boats can be launched by April 21st.
There have been some rainbow trout caught this winter with bait on the bottom, but fishing has been slow recently. Popular fishing places in the winter are near the dam and the northwest portion of the lake. If fishing from ODFW property on the south side of the reservoir you might need a wildlife area parking permit. Please place the permit on your dash.
Hybrid bass are being caught, but it will take some time to land a fish. Bait fishing is a proven method for catching hybrid bass but fly-fishing and casting Rapalas are also effective when these fish are feeding. Rapalas that imitate tui chub and rainbow trout, favorite food sources for hybrid bass, are good bets for catching these fish. On sunny days you will need to fish deeper than cloudy days. Last updated 2/12/25.
Read 12 tips for catching wipers in Ana Reservoir.
ANA RIVER: Rainbow trout
This river is spring fed and does not freeze in the winter. Ana River is a great match-the-hatch fly-fishing river with good hatches throughout the year. Hatches typically occur during the afternoon from 12-3 p.m. Small blue-winged olive mayfly hatches are typically best on overcast days with light rain. You do need an ODFW wildlife area parking permit to park along the river.
Beadheads under a bobber work as well as stripping minnow patterns in low light conditions. Tui chub are abundant in the river therefore casting large flies or lures can be effective for catching larger fish.
Patience is key when fishing this river. Seeing fish rising throughout the day is one thing, but to match the hatch and become efficient at fooling these wary trout is another. Keep at it and you never know when you will set the hook on a 25-inch trout! Bait fishing is allowed, and anglers can keep 5 trout. Last updated 4/3/25.
ANNIE CREEK: Brook trout, brown trout, bull trout and redband trout
Fishing remains slow due to cold water temperatures and snow around the creek. Open year round with bait allowed.
Most of the creek is dominated by small brook trout up to 10 inches. Brown trout are rare and redband trout are highly unlikely in the catch. Please report any bull trout or redband/rainbow trout caught in the creek to ODFW at 541-883-5732.
Access is available year-round off Hwy. 62 at the USFS snow park. Access is also available south of the Snow Park off Sun Pass State Forest. There is plenty of public property on USFS, State Forest and Crater Lake National Park. Fishing is regulated by the National Park (541-594-3000).
Several waterfalls occur on the creek inside Crater Lake National Park offering exceptional views. Last updated 4/10/25.
BECK KIWANIS POND, Ontario: Trout, bluegill, largemouth bass
Beck Kiwanis was stocked last Fall with 1,300 rainbow trout. No recent reports on fishing success. Please use caution on the ice. Last updated 4/3/25/25.
BEULAH RESERVOIR: Redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout
Beulah is about nearly full. Fishing for holdover trout should be good right now and we expect the reservoir to fill to full capacity this spring.
There are bull trout in the reservoir, if you catch a bull trout you must release it unharmed. Last updated 4/425.
BLITZEN RIVER: redband trout, carp
The Blitzen River is currently flowing between 300 and 500 cfs. Expect flows to change daily depending on the weather this time of year. Fishing has been good lately as some larger redband are making a move to spawning locations in the upper river basin.Fly anglers have been having success using streamer patterns this winter and with higher water streamers will likely be a good bet this spring. Spinners and other artificial lures should also work well when the water is high and off color. Last updated 4/3/2025
BURNS POND: trout
The pond is ice-free and hold over trout are available for anglers to catch. Burns pond is scheduled to be stocked late this week with legal rainbow trout. Last updated 4/3/2025
BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, catfish, crappie, rainbow trout
The reservoir is nearly full and the boat ramp is usable. No recent reports but fishing will be slow for warmwater fish. Last updated 4/3/2025
CAMPBELL LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last update 4/4/2025.
CAMPBELL RESERVOIR: Redband trout, largemouth bass, white and black crappie, bluegill
Campbell Reservoir is open water and filling. Water temperatures will be warming for warmwater fish. BLM, ODFW and BOR stocked a total of 431 crappie in April 2024 ranging in size from 8-14 inches. ODFW and BLM plan on stocking more crappie this spring.
The reservoir was dry in summer of 2022. All fish perished. ODFW and BLM have stocked many size classes of largemouth bass and a few crappie in 2023. Catch-and-release is encouraged to allow for establishment of fish populations. There might also be a few redband trout around. The reservoir is likely full. Last updated 4/10/25.
CHERRY CREEK: Brook trout and redband trout
Open all year. Fishing not recommended as snow is very deep. Water temperature remains very cold. You will hit lots of snow immediately off Westside Rd. Flows are high.
This creek is very small; well-suited to fly-fishing. Brook trout are more abundant higher in the system. A very big fish in the creek is 10 inches.
The Cherry Creek trail parallels the creek and leads to many productive wilderness lakes. One of the best waterfalls in the basin is just off the trail.
ODFW encourages unlimited harvest of brook trout Recent sampling showed high densities of brook trout and redband trout lower on the creek. The redband trout in this creek are some of the prettiest around. Last updated 4/10/25.
CHEWAUCAN RIVER: Redband trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Fishing will be slow due to the cold-water. There is plenty of snowpack this year, which will be great for summer fishing. Last updated 4/3/25.
CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: Trout
There are some nice holdover trout in Chickahominy up to 20 inches and fishing has been good since ice out. The reservoir is ice free, and the boat ramp is usable. Water temperatures are in the 40s and anglers should target shallow areas where water temperatures warm a few degrees more than deeper areas of the reservoir. Last updated 4/3/2025
CORRAL CREEK (SF Sprague): Brook trout and brown trout
Access remains blocked by snow. Open year-round. Bait is allowed. No limit on brook and brown trout.
Catch is typically dominated by brook trout with brown trout making up about 5 percent of catch. Please release adipose clipped brook trout. Last updated 4/3/25.
COTTONWOOD MEADOW LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last update 4/4/2025.
CROOKED CREEK (Klamath Co): Redband trout, brook trout and brown trout
Will open to fishing May 22. Currently, Crooked Creek closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 1/8/25.
CRYSTAL CREEK Redband trout and yellow perch
Will open to fishing May 22. Currently, Crystal Creek closed to fishing to protect spawning redband trout on Nov. 1. Last updated 1/8/25.
DEADHORSE LAKE: Rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 4/1/2025.
DEEP CREEK: Redband trout
Fishing will be fairly slow with cold temperatures and high water along highway 140. Last updated 4/4/24.
DELINTMENT LAKE: Rainbow trout
Access to Delintment will require a tracked vehicle. The Lake is currently frozen and fishing may be slow due to low oxygen concentrations that typically occur after ice up at this waterbody. Last updated 1/15/25.
DOG LAKE: Largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead, redband trout
Access is available and ice cover should be at a minimum. This lake will start producing fish as the water temperature rises. Targeting crappie and yellow perch this April with plastics and bait is a good tactic in early spring. Bass fishing will also start heating up towards the end of April. Last updated 3/26/25.
FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): Rainbow trout, brook trout
The Steens Loop Road is now closed for the winter. For access to Fish Lake you must get a key and winter recreation permit from the Burns BLM office. Ice fishing at Fish Lake can be productive but vehicle access is limited by snowpack. Last updated 4/3/25.
FORT CREEK: Brown trout, redband trout, brook trout, bull trout
Fort Creek is currently closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing on May 22. Last updated 1/8/25.
FOURMILE CREEK (CANAL) (tributary to Agency Lake): Brook, brown, redband trout, yellow perch
Fourmile Creek is open year-round, and bait is allowed. You can park off the road at the headwater springs at Fourmile Springs and launch kayaks or small boats. Fishing should be slow.
Most of Fourmile Canal is ice free. Fishing will be slow for redband trout and yellow perch. Perch are spawning. Therefore, if you can find them they will be densely schooled. Last updated 4/3/25.
Check Fourmile Canal Flow.
FOURMILE LAKE: Hatchery rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout
The lake is inaccessible except by snow machines. The lake is currently 41 percent full.
Check Fourmile Lake Levels.
Please report any kokanee caught from the lake. You can also call Lake of the Woods Resort for updates. Last updated 4/10/25.
GERBER RESERVOIR: White and black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass
Gerber Reservoir is ice free. Fish sampling by Bureau of Reclamation last year showed incredible densities of yellow perch and some larger crappie. Use small hooks and bait for the perch as most are small with small mouths.
Best place to fish for perch is at the north boat ramp. Crappie are suspended in the main part of the reservoir or near deeper water. The crappie should be moving soon to near shore for spawning.
The reservoir is 87 percent full and should fill this year creating excellent opportunities for crappie. Call the Klamath Falls BLM office for updated information.
Gerber Reservoir is a large turbid reservoir with good bank access. Most of the reservoir is on BLM property. Open all year. Last updated 4/10/25.
HEART LAKE: Hatchery rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 4/4/2025.
HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: Hatchery rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 4/4/2025.
UPPER KLAMATH LAKE: Native redband trout, yellow perch, kokanee, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, tui chub and blue chub
Fishing has been slow. The lake is open to fishing all year. Anglers are catching redband trout from bank and boat.
Please remember that nets or traps of any type cannot be used to catch any species of fish. This includes minnows to use for bait. See page 20 of the Sport Fishing Regulations for legal harvest methods for minnows and chubs.
ODFW encourages catch-and-release on this fishery due to record low spawning numbers in 2020 and very low numbers in 2019 and the record setting drought from 2020 through 2022 which reduced survival. Please fight your fish quickly and then release your fish immediately without removing it from the water. Releasing fish is easier with barbless hooks.
The lake is 0.2 feet below full pool and 97 percent full.
Please remember that once you retain your one redband/rainbow trout limit you must stop fishing for redband/rainbow trout. Also, all radio tagged redband trout must be released unharmed. Redband trout will have what looks to be fishing line coming from the abdomen. Last updated 4/10/25.
KLAMATH RIVER: Native redband trout, rainbow trout, brown trout
Keno Dam to Highway 66
Fishing not recommended due to difficult access, high flows, and cold-water temperatures. Closed to fishing for salmon. The river from Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 is open to fishing. Fishing remains very slow. Please remember that the bag limit has changed to one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. No bait is allowed. Also, the area on the river near the Klamath Sportsman Park downstream to Hwy 66 is closed to public access to restore that area.
Flows are a very high for fishing at 4,400 cfs. Catch-and-release is highly encouraged. Most redband/rainbow are small. Last updated 4/10/25.
Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Springs
Fishing not recommended due to difficult access, high flows and extremely cold-water temperatures. Closed to salmon fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Access is currently prohibited by KRRC from Hwy 66 to below the old dam site. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed until April 15, 2025. Access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris. The Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes and be very muddy. This section of the river will require a significant hike to the river on the east side.
Regulations changed Jan. 1, 2025 to a bag limit of one redband rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook, coho and steelhead smolts and Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead adults. Last updated 3/12/25.
Springs to state line with California
Flows are very high and fishing very slow. Closed to salmon fishing. Water temperatures are warmer this time of year down here due to the springs entering just upriver. Turbidity has increased slightly. Take the road through Dorris to access. This section of river is open year-round. Turbidity can be tracked by visiting the USGS Real Time Klamath River Gage.
Fishing recommended only when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed until April 15, 2025. Access to the Klamath River will be available from the Topsy Grade Road or traveling through Dorris. The Topsy Grade Road can have large potholes and will be very muddy.
Patterns and lures that mimic crayfish, golden stoneflies, salmonfly nymphs, and leeches should work well. Blue winged olive mayflies are hatching well. Panther Martin spinners can work well down there.
Click here for Klamath River flow and turbidity.
Regulations changed on Jan. 1, 2024 to a bag limit of one redband-rainbow trout per day in the 12- to 15-inch size class. This is to protect large redband trout spawners, chinook, coho and steelhead smolts, and Chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead adults. Last updated 4/3/25.
KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout, bass
Krumbo Reservoir is currently a little murky. The reservoir was stocked last week with 13,000 legal rainbow trout. Some very fat holdover trout in the 14-20 inch range are still being caught after it was stocked. We anticipate fishing will improve as the water clears and warms up this spring. Last updated 4/3/2025
LAKE EWAUNA-KLAMATH RIVER (Above Keno Dam to Link River): Redband trout, largemouth bass, Sacramento perch, yellow perch, crappie, brown bullhead, goldfish, tui and blue chub
Limited sampling with a drift boat electro fisher three weeks ago found three age classes (4-12 inches) of largemouth bass around the eastern shore near the Miller Island Boat ramp. This was surprising and if representative of the river, there should be good numbers of bass in the river.
Largemouth were found at large wood and the dock along the shoreline. Yellow perch and pumpkinseed were also captured. This is a very large area, and anglers might be able to find largemouth bass and yellow perch. Look for areas of water return from wetlands or pumps. The area near Lake Ewauna and below the Tule Smoke Hunt Club (Rat Club) are places to focus. The side channel area near the island below Hwy 140 bridge might also be worth some effort. Last updated 4/10/25.
LAKE OF THE WOODS: Yellow perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead catfish, crappie, kokanee, brown trout, hatchery rainbow trout, brook trout, tui chub
The lake is still frozen with the edges with open water.
For recent fishing updates call the Lake of the Woods resort at 1-866-201-4194 (option 4).
The lake is dominated by stunted yellow perch. Very small bait and hooks will catch these fish.
You can also visit Lake of the Wood's website to observe current conditions at the lake. Click on the front of this link. Once on the website scroll down and click on the right-side video link for a live video of current conditions on the lake at the Lodge. Last updated 4/10/25.
LINK RIVER: Redband/rainbow trout
Link River is slow fishing with a low population abundance of redband trout. Link River flows are very high. The fishery peaks in April and May. Check Link River Flows.
ODFW also encourages the use of single barbless hooks in this fishery, not removing fish from the water and catch-and-release rubber nets. Catch-and-release only for redband trout. No bait allowed. Last updated 4/10/25.
LOFTON RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 11/27/24.
LONG CREEK: brook trout, redband trout, bull trout
Fishing not recommended. Snow will block access unless logging operations are occurring. Open to fishing all year. Water temperatures are very cold. Last updated 2/12/24.
LOST RIVER: Largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, tui and blue chub, goldfish
Lost River is open year-round with bait allowed. Good access points are at Big Springs Park in Bonanza and at Crystal Springs bridge and boat ramp. Fishing for yellow perch is your best bet. Fishing bait off the bottom for brown bullhead is also an option at Crystal Springs. Fishing for largemouth bass should be good around the Big Springs Park area. Last updated 4/10/25.
MALHEUR RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout
There are some very nice trout in Malheur Reservoir right now. Anglers were consistently catching trout using a variety of methods. Recent sampling showed there are plenty of trout in the 17 to 20-inch range weighing around two pounds with good numbers of smaller trout as well.
The reservoir is now ice free and boat launch is usable. Try contacting The Outdoorsman (541-889-3135), a local sporting goods store in Ontario for the latest information. Anglers should look forward to some great fishing this month as the reservoir warms up this spring. Last updated 4/2/2025
MANN LAKE:
Mann Lake has filled up enough to support a fishery but still has not been stocked. We plan to stock fingerling cutthroat this coming fall (2025). If you are in the area Juniper Lake was stocked last spring with fingerling rainbow and would be worth a try. Last updated 4/2/2025
MILLER LAKE: Brown, rainbow, brook trout and kokanee
Snow is blocking access except for snowmobiles. The lake is likely frozen. Ice thickness is unknown.
Call the USFS in Chiloquin for more information, 541-783-4001. Last updated 2/19/25.
MOON RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Moon Reservoir was stocked last spring with 5,000 rainbow trout and 580 largemouth bass. The reservoir is ice free and holdover trout are available. This reservoir will be stocked again this spring when the spill rate declines. Last updated 4/3/2025.
OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout, hatchery rainbow trout
The Owyhee River is currently very high and flooding. Flows are about 2500 cfs below the dam, but that has been variable day to day. Anglers can check current here.
Be sure to scroll down and change it from the default gauge height to cfs.
Dry fly fishing may be a little tough right now. Anglers may have better luck fishing streamer patterns or larger nymphs under stonefly patterns.
The best fishing will be in the upper six miles of the Lower Owyhee below the dam. Crankbaits, spoons and spinners can also be productive. Last updated 4/2/2025
OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): Brown trout, hatchery rainbow trout
The Owyhee River is currently flowing at about 960 cfs below the dam, but that has been variable day to day. Anglers can check current here.
Be sure to scroll down and change it from the default gauge height to cfs.
Dry fly fishing may be a little tough right now. Anglers may have better luck fishing streamer patterns or larger nymphs under stonefly patterns.
The best fishing will be in the upper six miles of the Lower Owyhee below the dam. Crankbaits, spoons and spinners can also be productive. Last updated 3/26/25.
PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, yellow perch
We haven't had any recent reports from Phillips Reservoir. It's about 40 percent full, and the boat ramp at Mason Dam should be useable as soon as any remaining ice melts off. There should be trout from last year available to anglers as well as perch.
Anglers may start catching tiger muskies that were released last year. Tiger muskies cannot be harvested and must be released when they are caught.
Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 4/3/25.
PILCHER AND WOLF CREEK RESERVOIRS: Trout, crappie
Ice will be melting off both reservoirs in the coming weeks after which anglers will be able to fish for both trout and crappie. The docks will not be installed until all ice has melted at both reservoirs and Wolf Creek Reservoir is full enough to get the dock in without issues.
As the water warms, crappie will move into the shallows, especially around submerged vegetation, and those locations may be good places for anglers to target. Last updated 4/3/25.
POISON CREEK RESERVOIR (Grant County): rainbow trout
One angler reported catching fish at the reservoir two weeks ago indicating that some fish survived through the winter. We will assess survival this spring and may modify the aerator to improve survival if possible. Last updated 4/3/25.
POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, crappie
Recent sampling showed black and now white crappie are quite abundant but most of them are less than six inches long. There are some nice holdover rainbow trout available up to 18 inches and some Lahontan cutthroat that were stocked last year that are now around 10 inches.
Ice is gone and fishing should be great for holdover trout. Last updated 4/3/25.
POWDER RIVER: Rainbow trout, bass, catfish
The Powder River should have trout and perch available to anglers below Mason Dam. Ample public access exists along the Forest Service lands downstream of Phillips Reservoir. Last updated 4/3/25.
PRIDAY RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout
This reservoir was recently stocked with 200 sub-trophy rainbow trout. There should also be plenty of holdover rainbows from the previous two years of stocking. Most folks use bait in this reservoir, but trout can also be caught using flies and lures.
Fish will be eating insects and shrimp close to the bank so remember the power cast might not be needed at this reservoir.
Priday Reservoir is on some BLM property, but most of the reservoir lies on private property. Please respect the area by staying on main roads and by cleaning up after yourselves and others to enjoy this fishery into the future. Last update 4/3/25.
SEVENMILE CREEK (CANAL): Brook trout, brown trout, redband trout, yellow perch
Open all year.
Catch-and-release for redband/rainbow trout with no bait allowed from Agency Lake to Nicholson Road. There is a ton of snow above Nicholson Road.
The mouth of Sevenmile Creek at Agency Lake is slow for yellow perch. Largemouth bass were caught in this area last summer. You can access this area by hiking two miles down the Wood River Wetland Trail. Last updated 4/10/25.
Check Sevenmile Creek Flows
SKY LAKES AND MOUNTAIN LAKE WILDERNESS: Brook trout and rainbow trout (Cranebow triploids)
Snow is still blocking access to all lakes. Access is available by snowmobile to some.
Best lakes to catch fish are Clover, Como, Harriette, Echo, Weston and South Pass in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness and Sonya, Margurette and Isherwood in the Sky Lakes Wilderness.
Best lakes for brook trout are Badger Lake (Sky Lakes Wilderness), which is a short hike from Fourmile Lake, and Clover Lake (Mountain Lakes Wilderness). Please report any Brook Trout caught in other lakes. Badger and Woodpecker Lakes are accessible from Fourmile Lake. Brook trout will be more accessible along the shorelines as they are spawning.
Best lures are typically dark Panther Martin spinners.
The biggest trout come from the bigger and deeper lakes of Harriette, Isherwood, Margurette, Sonya and Wizard Lakes.
Please report Brook Trout captured in Elizabeth, Little Heavenly, Big Heavenly or Isherwood Lakes. Last updated 4/10/24.
SPENCER CREEK: Redband trout and brook trout
Spencer Creek is currently closed to all fishing to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing May 22. Last updated 1/8/25.
SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed
Sprague River is currently closed to fishing to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing April 22. Last updated 1/8/25.
NORTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: redband trout, brook trout, brown trout, bull trout
Open year-round. The area upstream of the Elbow should be very slow for redband trout and brown trout. Water temperatures are cold with very high flows. Last updated 4/10/25.
SOUTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: brook trout, redband trout, brown trout, bull trout
Open year-round. Access will be challenging due to snow. Flows remain high. Fishing will be very slow for brook trout and redband trout down low in the system. Last updated 4/10/25.
Check SF Sprague River Flows.
SPRING CREEK: Redband trout, brook trout and brown trout
Spring Creek is currently closed to fishing to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing May 22. Last update 11/6/24.
SUN CREEK: Brook trout, bull trout, brown trout, redband trout
Access to Sun Creek is closed until the end of June. Last updated 11/6/24.
SYCAN RIVER: Brook, redband and brown trout (below marsh)
Open year-round. Access blocked by snow almost everywhere on the river. Fishing above the marsh would normally be the best.
Fishing has been very slow below the marsh but the redband trout population will receover after three years of good water.
Fishing below the Sycan Marsh is not recommended as most of the river has been dry most summers. Flows are high and water temperature cold. Last updated 4/10/25.
Check Sycan River Flows.
THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: Trout, perch
Thief Valley Reservoir is full and was recently stocked with trout. Trout that were stocked last November are now about 9 inches, and fish from the recent stocking were 12 inches or longer. The boat ramp is useable, but the dock may not be installed for several more weeks.
Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 4/3/25.
UNITY RESERVOIR: Trout, smallmouth bass, crappie
Ice cover will melt in the coming weeks, and once it does, fishing should be good for both bank and boat anglers. This reservoir is one of the most consistent trout fisheries in northeast Oregon, and anglers can do well near the boat ramp. Trout between 10 and 14 inches are common at Unity Reservoir with some larger fish likely available.
Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 4/3/25.
WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: Smallmouth bass, crappie, bullhead, perch, rainbow trout
Warm Springs Reservoir was stocked with 30,000 rainbow trout fingerlings in 2023 and another 60,000 in 2024.
Recent sampling showed one-year-old trout should be in the 12-inch range and fingerlings stocked in 2023 could be much larger. During sampling, our highest catch per unit effort for trout was north of the lower boat ramp. The reservoir is still recovering from extreme draw down in 2022 but sampling indicates there is a strong year class of age 1 bass that will provide a good fishery in a couple more years.
The road into the reservoir can be very treacherous during wet conditions. Last updated 4/3/25.
UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: Redband trout and brook trout
Upper Williamson River is currently closed to fishing to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing April 22. Last updated 1/8/25.
Check Upper Williamson River Flows.
LOWER WILLIAMSON RIVER: Redband trout, brown trout and yellow perch
Lower Williamson River is currently closed to fishing to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing May 22. Last updated 1/8/25.
WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: Largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, Sacramento perch.
The reservoir is likely still spilling. ODFW and BLM have restocked the reservoir with small numbers of bass and crappie, and hundreds of pumpkinseed sunfish in 2023.
This fishery seems to be slow due to turbid conditions.
Willow Valley is a very turbid, desert reservoir. The boat ramp is in good condition but there's no dock and launching might be difficult.
Bass and crappie can be found at the habitat structures placed by BLM and ODFW in the past. Yellow perch are prolific in the reservoir but stunted. Fishing for largemouth bass typically peaks earlier than other lakes and reservoirs. Last updated 4/10/25.
WOOD RIVER (including Petric Canal): Redband, brown, brook and bull trout
Wood River is currently closed to fishing to protect spawning fish. Will open to fishing on April 22. Last updated 1/8/25.
YELLOWJACKET RESERVOIR: Trout
Access to Yellowjacket Reservoir remains closed due to the Falls Fire, which recently burned through the area. Please check with Malheur National Forest for updates on the closure. Last updated 4/3/25.