Oregon Fly Fishing Report: Grande Ronde River, Wallowa River, Imnaha River, Umatilla River and Northeast Oregon

Steelhead Season opened September 1.
Trout Season is closed and will re-open on May 26, 2012.


The Grande Ronde River is on its way back down to fishable levels and the steelhead fishing should be excellent for the foreseeable future. The 10-day forecast is clear with 40's day time and 20's night time temps. The ice is gone, the water is perfectly off-color and the last few storm surges will put the fish in a mood to move and to bite. Swinging or high-stick nymphing: Your choice! 

Bright sunny days are in the long range forecast, so do your swinging with streamers early in the day or in the shaded portions of the canyon. In the sunny stretches you will have better luck working the deep slots with beaded nymphs or Conehead Wooly Buggers.

The Wallowa River in the canyon below Rock Creek is clearing and should run free of ice for several days after this warm storm surge. Steelhead will be moving farther up into the system and as long as the nights stay reasonably warm fishing should be great.

BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: trout

Open year-round but ice now covers the lake. The access road is unplowed and inaccessible for vehicles.  

HOLLIDAY PARK POND: trout

Fishing is fair for carryover trout and recently stocked rainbows. 

IMNAHA RIVER:  steelhead

 Probably the best conditions so far this year. Check it out!

Justin Botefuhr - steelhead caught on the lower John Day -Photo by Rick Hargrave-

JOHN DAY RIVER: steelhead, smallmouth bass and channel catfish

Fishing for steelhead is fair in the lower river unless ice or muddy water prevent it. Water temperatures are very cold.  Most fish being caught are wild and must be released back into the river unharmed. Steelhead fishing is also fair in the John Day arm below Tumwater Falls.   

Check John Day River flows.

LONG CREEK POND, CAVENDER POND: trout

Open year-round but ice now covers both ponds.

MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

Open year-round but ice now covers the lake. The access road is unplowed and inaccessible for vehicles.

MORGAN LAKE: trout, bullheads, bass

Closed Oct. 31 for the winter.   

OLIVE LAKE: rainbow and kokanee

Access to Olive Lake is now blocked by snow.

PEACH POND (Ladd Marsh): rainbow trout

Ice is not safe to be on. As of January 1, 2012 a parking permit is required to be on the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.  For more information.

ROULET POND: rainbow trout

Use caution on ice as conditions can change quickly. 

ROWE CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Open year-round but ice now covers the reservoir. Fishing is fair for stocked rainbow trout and small, but numerous, brown bullhead catfish. Rowe Creek reservoir is privately owned so please pick up your litter and follow all posted rules while fishing here.

TROUT FARM POND: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing for rainbow and brook trout is fair.  This pond is spring fed and remains ice-free but anglers must walk through snow for access.

UMATILLA RIVER: steelhead

Steelhead fishing has been fair to good, and challenging with the low water conditions. Most angling activity is taking place in the lower river below Threemile Dam, river conditions are low,clear and cold. Anglers are having best success with bobber and jig/bait combinations.

Updated Threemile Dam fish counts

Wallowa Lake in the Winter - Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW -

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout

Fishing has been fair for stocked rainbow trout for those willing to fish in cold weather.

WALLOWA RIVER:  steelhead

Steelhead fishing is fair in the Rondowa area and poor in the Minam area.

Check river flows

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

Trout Fishing should be fair though out the winter.

SOUTHEAST OREGON FLY FISHING REPORT

ANA RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Fishing for rainbow trout is available throughout the winter.

ANA RIVER: hatchery rainbow trout

Fishing for rainbow trout is available throughout the winter. On a nice day the river can be a great escape from the winter doldrums with a chance to enjoy the sunshine and blue sky. Winter storms can make for a challenging angling experience.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout

No recent angling reports. No recent report on ice coverage, the resevoir is probably ice covered.  Ice is variable and unsafe to walk on at this time anglers should use caution. Irrigation releases have been shut off for the winter. Inflows remain above normal for this time of the year, averaging 67 cfs (Jan. 2). Water level is slowly rising, with the current level at 47 percent of full (Jan. 2). The boat ramp currently is closed for use; the water level is nearthe bottom of the ramp. USBR sampled the fish populations in the reservoir. They tagged a few trout. If you catch a tagged trout report it to either the Ontario office at 541-889-6975 or the Hines office at 541-573-6582.

BLITZEN RIVER: trout

Flows are 55 cfs; ice has formed on many spots along the river (Jan. 3). Good fishing reports have been received from anglers taking advantage of the unseasonably mild weather patterns. Redband trout are being caught on larger flies and lures in darker patterns. The upper Basin is closed to harvest but remains open along with the Little Blitzen for catch-and-release.

Large-mouth Bass -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, white crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and trout.

No recent angling reports. No recent report on ice coverage, the reservoir is probably ice covered. Ice thickness is variable and unsafe to walk on at this time, anglers should use caution. The reservoir is 52 percent full (Jan. 2). The boat ramp is open for use.

BURNS POND: trout, bass

Legal-sized fish were stocked in the pond during the first week in October. Trout catch rates have improved. Ice fishing on the pond has been occurring, reports of ice depths up to 6 inches have been reported. Caution is recommended on ice, especially after the recent rains.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout, largemouth bass

Fishing for wild redband trout above Hwy 31 is open but challenging during the winter months. Snow depth can make access to the river difficult.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout

Fishing has been good for legal-sized trout stocked in the reservoir, especially ice fishing with bait. The reservoir has dropped below three quarters full. Ice depths between 6 to 9 inches have been reported, but ice thickness is variable so anglers should use caution. 

COTTONWOOD MEADOWS: rainbow trout, kokanee

Vehicle access to this reservoir has been blocked by recent snow fall. Cross country skis, dog sleds, or snowmobiles will allow access. No information on if the lake is ice free.

COW LAKES: largemouth bass, white crappie, brown bullheads, rainbow trout

No recent fishing report. Both lakes are probably ice covered. Ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. Access into Upper Cow Lake is open and the road is frozen during the morning and evening and could be soft in the afternoon.

DELINTMENT LAKE: trout

No recent angling report. The lake is covered with 6 inches ice in most locations. Ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution.

DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead

The reservoir is closed to the retention of trout to protect native redband trout. Fishing has been slow for largemouth bass and fair to good for panfish (bluegill and yellow perch).

Rainbow Trout - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

This reservoir has good access through most of the year. Fishing for rainbow trout has been slow. Be prepared for wind and rapid weather changes.

FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): rainbow trout

The gate is closed on Steens Mountain Loop. Ice fishing access is still available via snow mobile or snow cat. Contact Burns District BLM for information on the road access 541 573-4400.

FOURMILE LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout

Access to the lake is blocked by snow at Highway 140.

GERBER RESERVOIR: crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass

Access to lake is extremely difficult due to snow. Ice has not formed on lake.

HWY 203 POND: trout, bass, bluegill

The pond is iced over. Use caution when getting on ice.

JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout

The lake was stocked with legal-sized cutthroat trout in April. Angler access is available from the East Steens Loop Road.  A thin layer of ice covers the lake. Ice depth has not been measured, but does not appear over 4 inches (Dec 27). Cutthroat trout in the lake are up to 13-inches. The lake is privately owned on the west side; please be respectful of private property.

KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: redband trout and yellow perch

Fishing for wild redband trout has been slow. The lake is currently ice-free at spring areas. Be prepared for winter storms.

KLAMATH RIVER: native rainbow-redband trout

Winter storms have made access to the river difficult.  Be prepared for snow and muddy roads.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout and largemouth bass

The reservoir closed Oct. 31.

Lake of the Woods

LAKE OF THE WOODS: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee, hatchery brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie

Winter conditions exists and the lake being frozen. The ice is thin at this time.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

No recent angling reports. No recent report on ice coverage, the reservoir is probably ice covered. Ice thickness is variable and could be unsafe to walk on at this time, anglers should use caution. Recent inventory indicates overall numbers of trout are low. Inventory results indicate there are three sizes of trout available to the angler, the smallest between 8 and 12-inches, and the middle sized group from 12 to16-inches, with the largest sized group from 20 to 26-inches. The water level is about 12 to 15 feet below full pool and the boat ramp remains open.

MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout

Water releases from Warm Springs Reservoir have been shut off for the winter.  Fishing the Riverside area is expected to be slow. Ice is forming on the pools and anglers should use caution. 

MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout.

Water releases from both dams have been shut off for the winter. Fishing the river is expected to be slow. Ice is forming on the pools and anglers should use caution. 

MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: redband trout, whitefish, and bull trout

No recent angler reports. No recent road reports. Roads maybe blocked by snow limiting access. Streams flows are near normal. Bull trout redds have been dug by spawning fish, please avoid stream wading.

MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: redband trout, brook trout, and bull trout

No recent angler reports. No recent road reports. Roads maybe blocked by snow limiting access. Stream flows remain above normal. Bull trout redds have been dug by spawning fish, please avoid stream wading.

MANN LAKE: trout

No recent angling reports. A thin layer of ice covers the lake. Ice depth has not been measured, but does not appear over 4 inches (Dec 27). The ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. The lake was netted in February and no goldfish were captured. The lake was re-stocked with trout on April 4 and is open to fishing. The lake has a 16-inch minimum length requirement and a 2 trout per day bag limit. Fish are approaching the 16-inch minimum.

Rainbow Trout on a stringer - Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW-

MILLER LAKE: brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Access to the lake is blocked by snow at Highway 97.

MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout

No recent angling reports. Ice depth has not been measured, but appears to be 6” or greater (Jan. 2). The ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. Drill several holes from the shoreline while testing ice on the way to a fishing location.

MURRAY RESERVOIR: trout

The pond is iced over. Use caution when on ice.
  
NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout

Access to some of the north Malheur County ponds maybe limited by snow.  Open roads are frozen in the morning and evening and could be soft mid-day. No recent angler reports for the reservoirs in the area. Most of the ponds are probably ice covered.  Ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. 

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, catfish

Irrigation water releases have stopped for the year. The reservoir water level is 69 percent of full (Jan. 2). All boat ramps are open for use. Fishing for bass has slowed down as the fish move away from shore and into deeper water. Crappie fishing is slow. ODFW tagged about 300 crappies with reward tags. If you should catch a tagged crappie, record the tag number and approximate location fish was caught and report information to the phone number on the tag.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout and hatchery rainbow trout

Water releases below Owyhee Dam have been reduced to 30 cfs for the winter.  Many of the large pools are ice covered.  Ice thickness is variable. Fishing for rainbow and brown trout is slow. Anglers should use caution as brown trout continue to spawn. Anglers should avoid wading in areas with redds.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish

Flows in the Owyhee River remain above normal, they averaged 232 cfs (Jan. 2). Fishing for smallmouth and channel catfish is slow.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch

The reservoir has ice but there are varying thicknesses. Not recommended for ice fishing yet.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout, crappie

Closed Oct. 31 for the winter. 

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

No recent angling reports. Irrigation water releases have stopped for the year. No recent reports on ice conditions.  The reservoir is probably ice covered. Ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. 

Spring Chinook -Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

POWDER RIVER: trout, spring chinook

Catch-and-release for trout is allowed using flies and lures only from Hughes Lane Bridge in Baker City, upstream to Mason Dam. The remaining portions of the Powder River are closed.

SHERLOCK GULCH RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Fishing for rainbow trout has been slow. Anglers are advised to be prepared for weather conditions that change quickly this time of year. 

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout

Access to some of the sorth Malheur County ponds maybe limited by snow. Open roads are frozen in the morning and evening and could be soft mid-day. No recent angler reports for the reservoirs in the area. Most of the ponds are probably ice covered. Ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. 

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout

Trout fishing has been good with 9 to 19-inch fish being common. The reservoir is ice covered except for a few small pockets of open water on the South side of the reservoir near the dam. Some have been ice fishing near the campground and doing well. Use caution as conditions can change rapidly. 
 
UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie

Ice fishing for trout is very good. 

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, white crappie, catfish, perch, and hatchery rainbow trout

No recent angling reports. No recent reports on ice conditions. Ice thickness is variable and anglers should use caution. The reservoir is 61 percent full (Jan. 2). Inflows remain above normal; they averaged 78 cfs (Jan. 21).

WARNER POND: rainbow trout

Access in the winter can be challenging.

WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, Lahontan cutthroat

Access road is currently muddy with snow in the forecast.
 
WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout

The reservoir is ice covered except near the inlet but use caution as conditions can change. 

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout

Ice fishing has been slow for anglers. The lake is covered in 6 inches of ice (Dec. 27). The ice cover is variable and anglers should use caution.