Recreation Report
Southeast Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Roger Smith-
Dec. 18, 2024
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Best bets for weekend fishing
- The Klamath River provides some fishing opportunity from Keno Dam to State Line.
- Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes are mostly ice free.
Trout stocking
Stocking is scheduled to resume in March 2025.
Check out the 2025 trout 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
Recreation Report holiday break
Due to the upcoming holidays, we'll be taking a break from the Recreation Report the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30. The Rec Report will resume publication the week of Jan. 6, 2025.
Ice fishing safety
With several water bodies beginning to ice over, anglers need to be cautious during first-ice conditions. 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. Agency Lake is mostly open water. All boat ramps are frozen but expect the Henzel Boat ramp to thaw. The dock is taken out. Redband trout are moving around with some returning to the main lake and many are moving up the Wood River to spawn.
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.
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.
Keep on the lookout for radio tagged redband trout. These fish must be released unharmed. The long antenna looks like fishing line coming from the abdomen. Please report any radio tagged fish. Last updated 12/18/24.
ANA RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, hybrid bass
The reservoir has been dropped 77 feet for the winter. The boat launch is dry at this time and will not be useable again until March or April.
Fishermen have been catching some recently. Most people use bait along the bottom, but casting lures or trolling them from small pontoon boats and float tubes can be productive. If fishing from ODFW property on the south side of the reservoir you will need a wildlife area parking permit.
Fishing for hybrid bass has been slow this past week. Bait fishing is the 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 12/11/24.
ANNIE CREEK: brook trout, brown trout, bull trout and redband trout
Open year round with bait allowed. Fishing is very slow due to cold water temperatures and higher flows.
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 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 11/27/24.
BECK KIWANIS POND, Ontario: trout, bluegill, largemouth bass
Beck Kiwanis was stocked October 7 with 1,300 rainbow trout. Fishing should be good. Last updated 11/13/24.
BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout
Beulah Reservoir is around 19 percent full with the boat ramp is high and dry -- use caution launching boats. Trout fishing should be great this fall as water temperatures cool. There were some very nice rainbow trout in the reservoir this summer and fishing has been good this fall. Bull trout will be entering the reservoir as temperatures cool, if you catch a bull trout you must release it unharmed. Last updated 11/13/24.
BLITZEN RIVER: redband trout, carp
The Blitzen is flowing around 50 cfs with temperatures around 40 degrees in the afternoon. There were lots of trout from Bridge Creek upstream to Page Springs diversion dam this summer. Large redband can be found throughout the more remote sections of the Blitzen as well. With cooler water fishing should be good throughout the day. Last updated 11/13024.
BURNS POND: trout
Burns Pond was recently stocked with rainbow trout. Anglers were still catching trout stocked earlier this summer. With cooler water temperatures fishing will be great this fall. Last updated 11/32/24.
BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, catfish, crappie, rainbow trout
The reservoir is around 23 percent full and the boat ramp is close to being high and dry but still in the water. No recent reports but fishing should be good for crappie if you can find them. Bass fishing may also be productive this fall. Last updated 10/9/24.
CAMPBELL LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last update 11/27/24.
CAMPBELL RESERVOIR: redband trout, largemouth bass, white and black crappie, bluegill
The reservoir is likely frozen. Ice fishing not recommended. Water temperatures will be very cold for warmwater fish. BLM, ODFW, and BOR stocked a total of 431 crappie in April 2024 ranging in size from 8 to 14 inches.
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 about 30 percent full.
There is no boat ramp on the reservoir that occurs on public property. Most of the reservoir sits on private property. You can park close to the water and haul a small boat to water's edge on BLM property. Water is slightly turbid but better water clarity than most desert reservoirs. Best fishing near the deeper water near the willows at the dam. This can only be accessed by boat. No observations of fishing or fisherman on the lake suggesting very slow fishing. Last updated 12/4/24.
CHERRY CREEK: brook trout and redband trout
Open all year. Water temperature is near freezing. These fish are spooky, and water is crystal clear. You will hit snow immediately from Westside Road.
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 12/18/24.
CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Fishing will be very slow as temperatures drop and ice covers the majority of the river. Last updated 12/11/24.
CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout
Chickahominy is less than half full right now, and boat ramp and dock are in great shape. This reservoir was stocked last month with an additional 1,300 legal sized trout.
There are some nice holdover trout in Chickahominy up to 20 inches and fishing has been great so far this fall.
Fly-anglers have been having success with leach patterns, various nymphs, and streamers fished under an indicator or stripped in.
Fishing from shore using putty bait also has been effective. Artificial lures including spinners and crankbaits have also been effective. Last updated 11/13/2024.
CORRAL CREEK (SF Sprague): brook trout and brown trout
Access is blocked by snow. Open year-round. Bait is allowed. No limit on brook and brown trout. Water temperature will be very cold
Catch is typically dominated by brook trout with brown trout making up about 5 percent of catch. Please release adipose clipped brook trout. Brook trout are concentrated in pools for spawning. Last updated 12/18/24.
COTTONWOOD MEADOW LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last update 11/27/24.
CROOKED CREEK (Klamath Co): redband trout, brook trout and brown trout
Crooked Creek closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/13/24.
CRYSTAL CREEK redband trout and yellow perch
Crystal Creek closed to fishing to protect spawning redband trout on Nov. 1. Last updated 11/6/24.
DEADHORSE LAKE: rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 11/27/24.
DEEP CREEK: redband trout
Fishing will be very slow as temperatures drop and ice covers most of the river. Last updated 12/11/24.
DELINTMENT LAKE: rainbow trout
Delintment Lake was stocked with 5,000 legal trout this spring. There are also some holdover trout available from last year. Fishing should be great until ice up. Last updated 10/13/24.
DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead, redband trout
This lake is accessible, but frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 11/27/24.
FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): rainbow trout, brook trout
The Steens Loop Road is now open. Fish Lake was recently stocked with 400 trophy rainbow trout and 2,000 legal rainbows. There are still plenty of trout available and fishing continues to be fair. Casting a fly to rising trout may be the most effective way to catch fish. Last updated 10/9/24.
FORT CREEK: brown trout, redband trout, brook trout, bull trout
Fort Creek closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/6/24.
FOURMILE CREEK (CANAL) (tributary to Agency Lake): brook, brown, redband trout, yellow perch
Fourmile Creek is open year-round, and bait is allowed. A kayak can be launched at the headwaters at Fourmile Springs. The spring area is open water but freezes quickly downstream. Parking off the road at the headwater springs is difficult due to a large snowbank. Last updated 12/11/24.
Check Fourmile Canal Flow.
FOURMILE LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout
Access is blocked by snow. The lake is currently 10 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 12/4/24.
GERBER RESERVOIR: white and black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass
The reservoir is likely frozen. Ice conditions are unknown.
Fish sampling by Bureau of Reclamation this 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. Fishing for perch can fair in November.
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 reservoir is 6 percent full. Call the Klamath Falls BLM office for updated information. A higher lake level improves the crappie fishery.
Gerber Reservoir is a large turbid reservoir with good bank access. Most of the reservoir is on BLM property. Open all year. Last updated 12/4/24.
HEART LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 11/27/24.
HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
Access is restricted to snowmobiles and the lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Last updated 11/27/24.
UPPER KLAMATH LAKE: native redband trout, yellow perch, kokanee, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, tui chub and blue chub
Much of the lake has thawed except portions of the west side. Fishing has been very slow. The lake is open to fishing all year.
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 thru 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 3.3 feet below full pool and 49 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 12/18/24.
KLAMATH RIVER: native redband trout, rainbow trout, brown trout
Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 Bridge
Closed to fishing for salmon. The river from Keno Dam downstream to Hwy 66 is open. Fishing remains very slow due to very cold-water temperatures. 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.
Water temperatures are very cold, but flows are very good for fishing. Flows are 685 cfs. December is typically a good month to fish this area; however, due to extensive drought adult redband/rainbow trout numbers are very low. Catch-and-release is highly encouraged. Most redband/rainbow are small. Last updated 12/18/24.
Hwy 66 Bridge downstream to Springs
Closed to salmon fishing. This section of river is open year-round. Access is currently prohibited by KRRC from Hwy 66 to the dam. JC Boyle Dam has been removed. Fishing not recommended in this section due to difficult access. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed all year. 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, 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 11/27/24.
Springs to state line with California
Closed to salmon fishing. The Frain Ranch section is fishable. Water temperatures are warmer this time of year down here due to the springs entering just upriver. Turbidity has declined significantly. 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.
As of Dec. 17, turbidity is 8.9 FNU. Fishing recommended only when turbidity (FNU) is less than 40. The Powerhouse Road on the west side of the river will be closed all year. 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, salmon eggs and leeches should work 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 regulation is to protect large redband trout spawners, Chinook salmon smolts and adults, and steelhead smolts and adults. Last updated 12/18/24.
KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout, bass
Fishing for holdover trout should be great. Anglers were consistently catching trout in the 17-inch range using a variety of methods this summer. Fly-fishing with streamers from the bank can be productive, PowerBait has been working well, and trolling from a boat will also turn up a few fish.
Krumbo was stocked with 5,000 legal-size rainbow trout in June. We saw some nice bass during recent sampling, the most productive bass fishing will be near the reservoir inlet among the rushes. Last updated 11/13/24.
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
Closed to salmon fishing. This area is open water but extremely poor fishing in winter.
Recent sampling found good numbers of small, juvenile largemouth bass, Sacramento perch, yellow perch and even a few crappie. These findings are surprising. 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 Hwy140 bridge might also be worth some effort. Last updated 12/18/24.
LAKE OF THE WOODS: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee, hatchery brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, tui chub
The lake has partially thawed near the lodge. The lake does not look safe for ice fishing. For recent fishing updates, call the Lake of the Woods resort at 1-866-201-4194.
The lake is dominated by stunted yellow perch. Very small bait and hooks will catch these fish. Yellow perch fishing should be slow.
You can also visit Lake of the Wood's website to observe current conditions at the lake. 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 12/18/24.
LINK RIVER: redband/rainbow trout
Closed to salmon fishing. Catch-and-release for redband/rainbow trout and no bait allowed (artificial flies and lures only). Flows are at 840 cfs. Redband trout numbers in the Link River are very low. Fishing has been very slow.
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. Last updated 12/18/24.
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
Snow will limit access. Open to fishing all year. Water temperatures are very cold. Last updated 11/13/24.
LOST RIVER: largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, tui and blue chub, gold fish
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. Last updated 12/18/24.
MALHEUR RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
There are some very nice trout in Malheur Reservoir right now. Anglers are 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.
Fly-fishing has been effective from the bank or from a boat either stripping streamers or suspending scud patterns below an indicator. Bait anglers are having success fishing from shore with power bait. Trolling would likely be effective as well. The boat ramp is still usable. Last updated 11/13/24.
MANN LAKE:
Mann Lake has filled up enough to support a fishery but still has not been stocked. We are still working to re-stock with Lahontan cutthroat but the lake continues to be fishless. Last updated 10/9/24.
MILLER LAKE: brown, rainbow, brook trout and kokanee
Snow is blocking access except for snowmobiles. Brown trout are eating kokanee. Kokanee rarely exceed eight inches in the lake. Also, many large brown trout return to the boat ramp area thinking that is their natal spawning area due to being released there as small fish.
Call the USFS in Chiloquin for more information, 541-783-4001. Last updated 12/17/24.
MOON RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Moon Reservoir was stocked this spring with 5,000 rainbow trout and 580 largemouth bass. No recent reports on fishing. Fishing for trout should improve with cooler water temperatures this fall. Bass fishing may also be productive right now. Last updated 10/9/24.
OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, catfish
Owyhee Reservoir is 59 percent full, with Gordon Gulch, Indian Creek and Leslie Gulch boat ramps all open and usable. There are some older, larger crappie in the 12-inch range but they are elusive.
Trout fishing will improve as water temperatures cool this fall. Trolling or fishing streamer flies from the bank can be effective in the lower reservoir near the forebay.
Anglers targeting bass may catch some with tags near the dorsal fin. ODFW is studying bass movement, condition and angler harvest of bass. The tags have a four-digit number and can be reported by phone or on MyODFW.com. Last updated 11/13/24.
OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout, hatchery rainbow trout
The Owyhee River is currently flowing at about 32 cfs below the dam. Brown trout are now spawning throughout the Lower Owyhee River. Anglers should avoid wading in gravely areas to protect buried eggs.
Some good fishing can still be found away from spawning brown trout. Try fishing some of the deeper, slower water with streamers for pre- or post-spawn browns or egg patterns for larger rainbows.
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 11/13/24.
PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, yellow perch
Phillips Reservoir has drained substantially this summer and is only about 1/4 full. Rainbow trout were stocked earlier in the year, and perch are available. ODFW sampled Phillips Reservoir the week of the July 29. Perch and pikeminnow were numerous. Samplers found larger perch in deeper water. Few trout and smallmouth bass were sampled.
Lots of fish were caught over Labor Day weekend including many nice trout and even a tiger muskie that was stocked this year. As the reservoir has drained, a fair number have perch have passed through the dam, many of which don't survive through the outlet. Last updated 10/16/24.
PILCHER AND WOLF CREEK RESERVOIRS: trout, crappie
Both reservoirs are stocked annually with fingerling rainbow trout that grow to catchable sizes. Some nice trout, about 16 inches, are being caught in Pilcher Reservoir. Additionally, there are crappie in both reservoirs with some fair-size fish in Wolf Creek Reservoir. It does sound like people are harvesting crappie near the dam at Pilcher. Both reservoirs are low, but they will not completely dry up as the bottom of the reservoirs is below the outlet. Last updated 9/11/24.
POISON CREEK RESERVOIR (Grant County): rainbow trout
Fishing has been good at Poison Creek throughout the summer. This reservoir is weedy so you will need to keep your fly, bait or lure suspended above the weed beds. There are plenty of fish between 12 and 23 inches being caught right now. Fishing should really be great this fall with cooling water temperatures. Last updated 10/9/24.
POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
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. Last updated 11/13/24.
POWDER RIVER: rainbow trout, bass, catfish
Rainbow trout can be caught below Phillips Reservoir where they are stocked, and anglers may also encounter trout or perch that washed through the dam from the reservoir above. Recently some nice trout have been caught in the public land section below the reservoir.
There are few access points throughout the Baker Valley, but while water temperatures remain warm, bass and catfish can be caught in the lower Powder River near Richland. Most of the Powder River flows through private lands, so be sure to gain permission to fish on private lands before angling. Last updated 10/16/24.
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.
The mouth of Sevenmile Creek at Agency Lake is slow for yellow perch. You can access this area by hiking two miles down the Wood River Wetland Trail. Last updated 12/4/24.
Check Sevenmile Creek Flows
SKY LAKES AND MOUNTAIN LAKE WILDERNESS: brook trout and rainbow trout (Cranebow triploids)
Snow is blocking access to all lakes. Most, if not all lakes are frozen.
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 12/11/24.
SPENCER CREEK: redband trout and brook trout
Spencer Creek closed to all fishing Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/6/24.
SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed
Sprague River closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/6/24.
NORTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: redband trout, brook trout, brown trout, bull trout
Snow might limit access. Open year-round. The area upstream of the Elbow should be slow for redband trout and brown trout. Water temperatures are very cold, and flows are high. Last updated 12/18/24.
SOUTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: brook trout, redband trout, brown trout, bull trout
Open year-round. Access might be challenging due to snow. Fishing will be slow for brook trout and redband trout down low. Water temperatures are getting very cold. Last updated 12/11/24.
Check SF Sprague River Flows.
SPRING CREEK: redband trout, brook trout and brown trout
Spring Creek closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. 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. Fishing above the marsh is best
Fishing has been very slow below the marsh.
Fishing below the Sycan Marsh is not recommended as most of the river has been dry most summers. Last updated 12/18/24.
Check Sycan River Flows.
THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout
Thief Valley Reservoir has begun refilling and is now about 23 percent full. Few fish probably survived the summer draw down. However, the reservoir was recently stocked with 43,000 small rainbow trout. The average size of the fish stocked was 7 inches, and at the time they were released only 13 percent of the fish were larger than the legal harvest size of 8 inches. However, these fish should grow quickly and provide fishing opportunities throughout the winter and into next spring.
The reservoir level is still well below the bottom of the boat ramp so bank angling will be the best way to fish Thief Valley for a while yet.
Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 11/27/24.
UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass, crappie
This reservoir is stocked with fingerlings that grow quickly and catching 14- to 16- inch trout is not uncommon.
Anglers can use a variety of techniques to catch trout, and bank anglers can be successful fishing at the state park. In addition to trout, there also are some warmwater fishing opportunities available at Unity Reservoir.
ODFW sampled Unity Reservoir the week of July 29. Multiple large trout were sampled along with hundreds of 6-inch black crappie and some smaller smallmouth and largemouth bass. Additionally, there is a large population of crayfish in the reservoir with many in the rocks on the dam.
Unity Reservoir is only about 15 percent full but is slowly beginning to refill.
Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 10/16/24.
WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, crappie, bullhead, perch, rainbow trout
Warm springs is around 46 percent full right now, both boat launches are in good shape and usable. Warm Springs Reservoir was stocked with 30,000 rainbow trout fingerlings last spring and another 60,000 this spring.
Recent sampling showed trout stocked last year are now in the 14-inch range. 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. Last updated 10/9/24.
UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout and brook trout
Upper Williamson River closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/6/24.
Check Upper Williamson River Flows.
LOWER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout, brown trout and yellow perch
Lower Williamson River closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/6/24.
WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, Sacramento perch.
The reservoir is likely partially frozen and not a good ice fishing destination. 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 due to low reservoir levels. 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.. Last updated 12/18/24.
WOOD RIVER (including Petric Canal): redband, brown, brook and bull trout
Wood River closed to fishing on Nov. 1 to protect spawning fish. Last updated 11/6/24.
YELLOWJACKET RESERVOIR: trout
Access to Yellowjacket Reservoir is now 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 11/13/24.