Welcome to the 2012
Spring Fishing Guide

Northeast Zone

Northeast Zone (pdf)

Check this out:

• Peach Pond anglers:As of January 1, 2012 a parking permit is required to be on the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Go to the ODFW website for more information.

• 2012 Family Fishing and Free Fishing Weekend events.

• Take a friend fishing during Free Fishing Weekend June 9-10 – no license required!

Rainbow Trout - Photo by Roger Smith-

TROUT

Most rivers and streams open May 26. Rivers and streams are not stocked so anglers will be fishing primarily for native rainbow trout, with opportunities to harvest adipose fin-clipped residual steelhead smolts. Fishing for bull trout is prohibited except for the Wenaha and Imnaha rivers where it is catch-and-release only. Check the 2012 Sport Fishing Regulations for bag limits and gear restrictions.

Trout stocking of lakes, ponds and reservoirs begins in April and May and usually continues through June (see the full stocking schedule here), Warm water temperatures and weed growth often slows trout fishing by late July, especially in the smaller ponds. Trout fishing in these waters usually picks up again with the onset of cooler fall weather. The exceptions will be large lakes such as Wallowa Lake and higher elevation lakes in the Wallowa and Strawberry mountains, which can fish well throughout the hot summer months. High elevation lakes are not accessible until early to mid-July in most years.

SALMON AND STEELHEAD

Pre-season forecasts suggest a good run of spring chinook to northeast Oregon streams this year. If the runs materialize, there will likely be opportunities to harvest adipose fin-clipped spring chinook in the Imnaha and Wallowa Rivers in Wallowa County and Lookingglass and Catherine Creeks in Union County. Seasons, bag limits, and open areas will be announced in May or June and will be posted on the ODFW website.  Chinook begin showing up in northeast Oregon rivers in late May but angling success is usually best in June and early July, as river flows recede from snow melt runoff.

The summer steelhead season opens September 1 and peaks in October or November, depending on the river. Many of the best steelhead rivers in Northeast Oregon offer good access for both bank and boat anglers. Summer steelhead remain in the rivers until March or April and there’s often  good steelhead angling  through the  winter  and early spring. However, winter and spring fishing opportunities and success are very dependent on weather conditions and water levels – so consult the weekly Recreation Report and river flow web sites -- USGS or OWRD -- for the latest conditions before making a trip.

Black Crappie -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

WARMWATER

The Northeast Zone offers excellent warmwater fishing for bass, channel catfish and crappie. The Columbia and John Day rivers have world-class smallmouth bass fisheries and fishing usually “heats up” in May when water temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fishing for bass, panfish, and crappie is best during the spring when they are moving into shallow water to spawn, the timing of which is largely determined by water temperatures reaching 50oF.

Bass and crappie fishing generally slows down following spawning as the fish disperse to deeper water, although the schooling nature of crappie makes them easier to find and fish for during the summer (usually jigging for them in water up to 30-35 feet deep). Fishing for catfish during evenings and at night starts picking up about the time when bass and crappie have finished spawning, continues to improve as water temperatures warm and remains fairly consistent until the water begins to cool in the fall.

Alphabetical listing:

Aldrich Ponds:  Located 5 miles east of Dayville on the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area, these pond open for trout fishing May 26 with a two fish bag limit. Access is difficult, requiring a 4WD for 8 miles and a 2 mile hike.  Draining and deepening of the upper pond was performed last summer.  The upper pond has since re-filled and was re-stocked.  Fish up to 12-inches will be available this summer. The lower pond was not rehabilitated and will be producing rainbow trout up to 16-inches long.

Cold Springs Reservoir:  The reservoir is open to fishing from March 1 to Sept. 30. The reservoir contains white crappie and largemouth bass and brown bullhead. White crappie grow quite large with many fish in the 12 to 14-inch range. The best fishing is in spring and early summer, prior to irrigation draw down of the reservoir. The reservoir is approximately 4 mile east of Hermiston,

The Imnaha River -Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha basin streams:  Open for trout May 26.  Snow melt and resulting high flows generally make trout fishing a challenge early in the season. Best success occurs after early June in the lower reaches of the Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Imnaha rivers. The lower Wallowa and lower Imnaha rivers also have good trout fishing in September and October after water temperatures begin to cool. Late summer angling for smallmouth bass can also be good in the lower Grande Ronde River.

The lower Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers from Minam downstream offer good opportunities for floating and fishing trips in the late spring and early summer.  Information on floating the rivers can be obtained from U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Baker Field Office (541) 523-1295 or on line.  River flow information can be found here.

The lower Grande Ronde, Imnaha, and Wallowa Rivers are open for adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead from Sept. 1 through April 15.  Angling success is dependent on river flows and weather but is usually best in October and November in the lower Grande Ronde and the lowest reaches of the Imnaha River. The Wallowa River and the Imnaha River near the town of Imnaha are usually best in late February and March. Please check the angling regulations for details on steelhead fisheries.

Pre-season forecasts of spring chinook run strength suggest we will likely open sections of the Imnaha and Wallowa rivers for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook fishing in 2012.  If the runs materialize, a news release announcing the fisheries, open areas, and regulations will be published in late spring. 

Hat Rock, Tatone and Weston Ponds:  Hatrock Pond is located in Hatrock State park East of Hermiston, Tatone Pond is 5 miles west of Boardman and Weston Pond is just off Highway 204 10 miles east of Weston. These ponds are open year-round are stocked with catchable-sized trout during March, April, May and June. These ponds provide easy access for young anglers and families. Hat Rock and Tatone ponds are accessible year-round and Weston Pond was stocked in early April.

Holliday Park Pond:  This is a new fishery created by ODFW in April, 2009 between the towns of Mt. Vernon and John Day. The pond is located within Holliday State Park and is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout each spring and fall. The pond is open year-round, though fishing can slow during the hot summer months. Features include a handicap accessible fishing dock and nearby camping sites, but there is no boat ramp.

Steelhead - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

John Day Basin Streams:  Stream trout fishing opens May 26 and is best on the Middle and South Forks where public lands are abundant. Hooks larger than 1/4 inch gap and all lures are prohibited in the North and Middle Forks above Highway 395 to protect spring chinook salmon. All rainbow trout 20 inches and larger are classified as steelhead and must be released unharmed.

Steelhead fishing is open from Sept. 1 to April 15 in the upper John Day River.  Steelhead do not begin entering the river each fall until river flows rise above 300 cfs, which usually occurs by the end of October. They slowly advance up the river for the next 5 months providing a fishery in March around Kimberly and Monument.  Even though no hatchery steelhead are released in the John Day, several hundred enter it from upper Columbia hatcheries. This means most steelhead caught must be released unharmed but anglers are strongly encouraged to keep any adipose-clipped steelhead they catch to assure they don’t spawn with native fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing is best from Service Creek to Twickenham but access is by boat only. This year boater restrictions were imposed. You must pre-register at this Bureau of Land Management website to float between May 20 and July 10 from Service Creek to Cottonwood Bridge. Bank fishing for bass is best between Service Creek and Kimberly where Highway 19 follows the river. A slot limit is in effect for smallmouth bass in the John Day River from Service Creek Bridge downstream to Tumwater Falls. Bass between 12 and 16 inches must be released unharmed.  Channel catfish are also available from Spray downstream once water temperatures reach 60 degrees. They are found in the tailouts of deeper holes.

Jubilee Lake - Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW -

Jubilee Lake:  The lake is located 10 miles north of Tollgate near Highway 204. It is open year-round, but access can be limited due to snow until late June or early July. Fishing is expected to be good for stocked and carry over rainbow trout and stocking rates have been increased to provide increased angler opportunity. The lake is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout as soon as access allows, the lake is also stocked with fingerling rainbow trout. A 2.8 mile National Recreation Trail (foot and wheelchair accessible) circles the lake, providing outstanding angler access. Boats are allowed but the use of gas motors is prohibited.

Kinney Lake: Will not open until May 26 at the landowner's request. It will be stocked with legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout before opening. We expect good fishing for stocked and hold-over rainbow trout. Kinney Lake is located on private property, about seven miles east of Joseph, and the landowner allows public access for fishing. Please help maintain the privilege of fishing at Kinney Lake by respecting the property, cleaning up your trash and restricting vehicle travel to existing road. For safety reasons, no angling from a floating device is allowed at Kinney Lake.

Long Creek Pond:  This pond is located 5 miles east of the town of Long Creek on the Kimberly to Long Creek Highway.  It is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout each spring and is open year-round. Several illegal introductions of bullhead, goldfish and bass have occurred here over the years compromising the trout fishery.

Rowe Creek Reservoir:  Located 10 miles north of Twickenham this reservoir is stocked yearly with trout. Bullhead catfish were illegally introduced 10 years ago and have compromised the trout fishery. The pond and adjacent land are privately owned but fishing is allowed by cooperative agreement. Continued public access depends on angler conduct.

Anson Wright Pond:  This pond is located 45 miles south of Heppner on Highway 207 and is operated by Morrow County Parks. Access to the pond is gated until mid-May but it will be stocked with legal-sized trout by then and provide good fishing for kids.

Magone Lake:   Magone is located 20 miles northeast of Mt. Vernon on Highway 395 and Forest Road 32. It is open year-round, and has a boat launch, picnic area and Forest Service campground. It was stocked with fingerling rainbow last year which will have grown to 9 to 12-inches by this spring.  It will also be stocked with trophy trout this spring.

Bull Prairie Reservoir:   This reservoir is located 21 miles north of Spray on Highway 207 and Forest Road 2039. It is open year-round and is stocked with fingerling and trophy rainbow each spring. There is a boat launch, fishing docks, a hiking trail and a Forest Service campground at the reservoir.

Marr and Wallowa ponds:  Will be stocked with legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout before May. Fishing should be good. Marr pond is on the edge of Enterprise and offers a good opportunity for after work or after school fishing ventures. Wallowa Pond is adjacent to the Wallowa River three miles northwest of Wallowa.

McKay Reservoir:  Located 4 miles south of Pendleton, the reservoir is open from March 1 to Sept 30. There is good trout fishing in March and April and outstanding warmwater fishing for yellow perch and black crappie in spring and early summer. The lake also provides good fishing for large and smallmouth bass; anglers are reminded of the special regulation; 3 bass per day, 15 inch minimum length. The reservoir is on track to fill early this year and a full reservoir provides for a good fishery through out the summer months.

McNary Channel Ponds:  These ponds area near Hermiston and are open year-round. They are stocked with catchable-sized trout during April, May and June and also support bluegill, crappie, bullhead and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Fishing for trout is good in the spring and warmwater species provide fair fishing throughout the summer. There is a series of eight ponds connected by stream channels which are accessible by a series of hiking trails. There is good vehicle access to the ponds and hiking trails. There will be a Family Fishing event at the ponds on May 8; for additional details contact the Pendleton ODFW District office 541-276-2344.

Morgan Lake:  There should be good fishing for 8 to 12-inch rainbow trout when the lake opens on April 28. Brook trout, crappie and catfish are also available. The lake should be ice-free in time for an April 28 opening day event sponsored by the local Optimist Club and including a fishing derby for kids and stocking of legal-sized and trophy trout. The lake is on a high plateau 5 miles southwest of LaGrande.

Olive Lake:  A high mountain lake open year-round but not usually accessible until June. Olive is 22 miles east of Dale on Forest Service Road 10.  It is stocked with triploid legal-sized trout each year and provides fishing even during the hot summer months. There is a boat ramp, dock and Forest Service campground at the lake.

Peach Road Pond (Ladd Marsh):  Located on Peach road, approximately 7 miles southeast of La Grande. It will be stocked with legal-sized trout several times throughout the spring.

As of January 1, 2012 a parking permit is required to be on the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Go to the ODFW website for more information.

24" rainbow trout -Photo by Jessica Sall-

Penland Lake:  Located 25 miles SE of Heppner off Forest Service Road 53. Open year-round and fishing is expected to be good for rainbow trout. The lake is stocked with fingerling rainbow trout annually. The lake is very productive and trout grow quickly. Fly fishing is particularly good in this shallow weedy lake.

Roulette Pond:  This pond three miles east of Elgin on Highway 82 will be stocked with legal-sized trout several times throughout the spring.

Strawberry Lake:   Located 10 miles south of Prairie City in the Strawberry Mountain wilderness this lake can be reached only after a 1 1/2 mile hike. There is a Forest Service campground at the trailhead with water and toilets. Its high elevation allows fishing during the hot summer months. Strawberry is not stocked but natural reproduction keeps this lake full of 10 to 13-inch rainbow and brook trout each year. 

Tepee, Honeymoon, Salt Creek Summit and McGraw ponds:  Will be stocked with legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout in late May or early June depending on access.  These ponds are located on National Forest land and provide good opportunity for family day trips and camp outs.  Tepee and Honeymoon ponds are adjacent to USFS Road 46 about 35 miles northeast of Enterprise.  Salt Creek Summit and McGraw Ponds can be accessed by USFS Road 39 (Wallowa Mountain Loop Road) southeast of Joseph.  Salt Creek Summit is about 18 miles from Joseph and McGraw is about 40 miles from Joseph.

Umatilla Forest Ponds:  The ponds are scattered in the Umatilla National Forest in the Ukiah, and Meacham areas.  They will be stocked with legal-sized trout in May and June and fishing should be good. The ponds provide anglers the opportunity to get out, explore and fish a number of different ponds in one day. Some carry over larger fish each year. Maps are available from the Umatilla National Forest Service offices or the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office in Pendleton. Maps are also available online.

Umatilla River:  Open for trout May 26. The upper Umatilla River provides fair to good catch-and-release fishing for rainbow trout. An estimated return of 3,700 spring chinook are expected back to the Umatilla River this spring, and fishing should be good. The spring chinook season is open April 16 to June 30 (depending on area). Consult the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations as special regulations are in effect. Adult spring chinook return information can be found on the ODFW website. 

Victor Pond:  Will be stocked with legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout later in the season. Stocking time depends upon water conditions, but generally occurs in early May. Victor Pond is located at the intersection of Oregon Highway 82 and Promise Road, two miles northwest of Wallowa.

Walla Walla River and Tributaries:  Opens to trout fishing May 26. All streams within the Walla Walla basin are restricted to flies and lures only. A trail follows the river upstream of Harris Park providing anglers access to the upper Walla Walla River. Fishing for bull trout is prohibited.

Wallowa Lake - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Wallowa Lake:    Wallowa Lake did not freeze this year and anglers are catching rainbow trout and kokanee. Recent surveys of kokanee suggest that numbers of small fish are increasing and catch rates should increase as well. With increasing numbers of kokanee in the lake we are likely to see maximum size decrease although there could still be some large fish from previous years that have not yet spawned. Kokanee fishing usually is best from late April through late June when the fish are near the lake surface.  Legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout will be stocked in mid-May. Good numbers of holdover rainbow should be available as well. Good fishing is expected.

Wallowa Mountain High Lakes:  Snowpack and ice make high lakes inaccessible until mid-summer (early to mid-July). There are approximately 60 fish-bearing lakes in the Wallowa Mountains providing a variety of fishing opportunities for brook, rainbow, lake and golden trout. Lakes are located in the Eagle Cap Wilderness area and are accessible only by foot or horseback. Many of the lakes contain brook trout and some are stocked periodically with rainbow trout fingerlings. There is no limit on size or number of brook trout in Wallowa Mountain lakes. Maps and other information about the Eagle Cap Wilderness are available from Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offices in Baker City, La Grande, and Joseph.

Willow Creek Reservoir:  This reservoir just outside the town of Heppner is open year-round and fishing is expected to be good for trout 10 to 14-inches in spring and early summer. The lake is stocked with legal-sized trout in April and fingerlings in May. Good fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed and brown bullhead will also be available.

To increase the reservoir’s potential to produce large crappie an 8-inch minimum length and 25 fish bag limit has been implemented at Willow Creek beginning in 2011. Anglers are also reminded of the catch-and-release only regulation for largemouth bass.

Willow, Rhea and Butter creeks:  Open April 28. Willow Creek will be stocked with legal-sized trout in April and May where it flows through the cities of Heppner, Lexington and Ione. These streams run through mostly private land so anglers should request permission before fishing.

For more information about fishing opportunities in the Northeast Zone, contact the nearest ODFW office:

Grande Ronde Watershed District Office
LaGrande, OR 97850
541-963-2138

John Day Field Office
John Day, OR 97845
541-575-1167

John Day Watershed District Office
Pendleton, OR 97801
541-276-2344