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Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife | |
| last updated: 05/08/2013 |
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Access: Oregon |
Weekend fishing opportunities
Check out the new trout stocking map Send us your fishing report Aldrich ponds: rainbow trout These ponds will not open to fishing until May 25. BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: trout Access is open and fishing is available for both rainbow and eastern brook trout. Reservoir has not been stocked yet. GRANDE RONDE RIVER: trout, whitefish, bass Steelhead season closed April 15. The Grande Ronde River will re-open on May 25. HATROCK PONDS: trout The ponds have been stocked and the fishing should be good for rainbow trout. HOLLIDAY PARK POND: trout Pond was stocked on April 10 with jumbos and legal-sized trout. IMNAHA RIVER: trout, whitefish Steelhead season closed April 15. The Imnaha River will re-open on May 25. JOHN DAY RIVER: steelhead River flows have subsided to fishable levels but the steelhead season above Kimberly closed April 15. This river section will open again for trout on May 25. The river below Kimberly remains open and bass fishing should be taking off any day. LONG CREEK POND, CAVENDER POND: trout Fish in the 12 to 14-inch size range are being caught at Cavender and 8 to 10 inch in Long Creek pond. Ponds will be stocked with rainbow in May. LUGER POND: trout The pond will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout the week of April 29. Anglers are reminded this is a handicap accessible site in a beautiful forest setting.
MAGONE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout Access to the lake is now open and the ice has melted. Fishing for brook trout is good. The lake will be stocked with rainbows in May. MARR POND: surplus steelhead Surplus steelhead have been stocked in Marr Pond offering a great opportunity for young anglers to catch a large fish. No harvest card is needed as these fish are considered trout when placed in lakes and ponds however, an angling license is still required. Try fishing with a bobber and bait hung mid water column or casting large spinners. McKAY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, yellow perch Spring-like weather attracted lots of anglers over the weekend and fishing was fair for rainbow trout. Water levels are high enough to make both boat ramps usable. Anglers are reminded of the new bass regulation; 5 bass per day, with only 1 over 15 inches and only 1 may be a largemouth bass. McNARY PONDS: trout The ponds have been stocked and fishing should be good for rainbow trout. MORGAN LAKE: trout, bullheads, bass Opened for fishing April 27. OLIVE LAKE: rainbow and kokanee Access remains blocked by snow to passenger vehicles but may be accessed by snowmobile. Ice-fishing is not recommended. PEACH POND (Ladd Marsh): rainbow trout The pond has been stocked with both legal-sized and larger one-pound rainbow trout. Fishing should be good. ROULET POND: rainbow trout The pond has been stocked stocked with both legal-sized and larger one-pound rainbow trout. Fishing should be good. ROWE CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout The water level is low. No recent fishing report. Reservoir is scheduled to be stocked with catchable rainbow trout in May. Schneider Wildlife area ponds: rainbow trout Wiley pond is now open for those willing to walk the 2 miles. Twelve-inch rainbow are being caught. Aldrich Gulch Pond is also open and requires a 1 mile hike. TATONE POND: trout The pond has been stocked and fishing should be good for rainbow trout. TROUT FARM POND: rainbow and brook trout Fishing for rainbow and brook trout is fair. Access is now open to vehicles. TWIN PONDS: trout The pond has been stocked and fishing for rainbow trout should be good. UMATILLA FOREST PONDS: trout The following ponds have been stocked to date, Boundary, Owsley, Walk-in, Twin, Drift Fence, Pearson Ridge, OK and 5212. The North Umatilla ponds (Goldfish, 5412, Yellow Jacket, Granite Meadows, French Corral, Four Corners and Frog Heaven) are schedule to be stocked next week. All should provide good fishing. Spring chinook season is open. The river is in good condition with water temperatures increasing daily. Anglers should concentrate their effort in the morning and afternoon hours. Angling effort was fairly low last week as a result of the low return numbers to date, anglers averaged 18 hours/chinook caught. WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee, lake trout Some experienced anglers are beginning to catch early-season kokanee. Kokanee are ranging from 8 to 12-inches, and are being caught on a mix of trolling and jigging gear. Surface temperatures were recorded at 45°F (7°C), but quickly drop to below 40°F (4°C) in the upper 50 feet. Docks have been installed at both ends of the lake and the fishing cleaning station near the marina is operational. WALLOWA RIVER: trout, whitefish Steelhead season closed April 15. The Wallowa River will re-open on May 25. WESTON POND: trout The pond has been stocked and fishing for rainbow trout should be good. WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie Trout angling should be fair, crappie fish should improve as water temperatures warm. OPEN: COUGAR, COYOTE, SPRING BEAR, SPRING TURKEY Spring turkey hunting forecast Controlled hunt deadline is May 15: Apply online, at a license sales agent, at ODFW offices that sell licenses, or by mail or fax order using the application found here. Read about common controlled hunt misconceptions. Mandatory Reporting
Wolves in Northeast Oregon BAKER COUNTY Turkey- Hunters can expect to see turkey numbers in Baker County similar to last year. Birds are moving up off the winter range as the snow recedes. SPRING BEAR: Bear season continues thru May 31. See the hunting forecast for what to expect. Successful hunters, remember check-in of bear skull is mandatory; see the regulations for details. Biologists recommend propping the bear’s mouth open with a stick after harvest; it makes for easier tooth collection and measuring. Cougar - Cougars can be found throughout Baker County but hunters should target areas with high concentrations of deer and elk. Setting up on a fresh kill or using distress calls can all be productive techniques. Hunters are required to check in the hide of any cougar taken, with skull and proof of sex attached. Coyote - Coyote numbers are good throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. Bear - Spring bear season is now open. Hunters should look for bears in areas with early spring green up. Glassing burns or open areas can be a good way to locate bears. As the season progresses calf or fawn in distress calls may be productive. Early in the season snow could limit access to higher elevations. Last year the Desolation unit was the most productive for hunters. If successful check in of bear skulls is mandatory; see the regulations for details. Turkey – Turkey numbers in Grant County continue to climb. Hunters should be able to find birds widely distributed, and with the warm weather they should continue to move toward the forest leaving private lands. Cougar - Hunting remains open. Successful hunters should remember that check-in of the hide with skull and proof of sex attached is mandatory; see the regulations for details. Coyote - Numbers are good in most of the district. Coyotes may respond to distress calls. Try calling in the early morning and late evening. MORROW, GILLIAM and WHEELER COUNTIES Turkey – Turkey numbers in the District continue to rise, although turkey populations are still lower than they were 3 years ago. Most of the snow is gone in the forest with only the higher shaded areas covered. Turkeys can be found throughout the forest. Try the area north of Monument for a good place to start looking. Cougar - Hunting is open. Cougar are well distributed in our forested areas. Calling with distress calls or cougar vocalizations can be effective. Locating a fresh, naturally made kill has the best chance of success. Coyote - The coyote population is healthy with good numbers of coyotes available for those who wish to pursue them. Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful. UMATILLA COUNTY Coyote - Are numerous throughout the District and hunters should have good success calling. Remember to ask permission before hunting on private lands. UNION COUNTY Turkey – Turkey are moving into their summer range and will even be in areas where there is still residual snow. Look for tracks and especially an abundance of scat under large trees. This concentration of turkey droppings indicates those trees may be a roost sight. Bear – Access for the spring bear hunts is improving. Elevations over 4000 feet will still have some roads blocked by snow. Look for slopes with a southern exposure that have “greened up” as this is where the bears are likely to be found.
Cougar - Cougars are common in Union county. Focus on game rich areas with long ridgelines or saddles that cats typically travel. Setting up downwind of a deer or elk killed by a cougar can be productive. You need to be extremely patient and wear camo when calling cougars as they come in slowly and use every bit of cover as they approach. Using remote calls will focus the cat’s attention away from your blind. Remote motion devices next to the remote call will increase your chances of harvest. Above all, DO NOT MOVE! - their eyesight is excellent. Nonresident hunters can include a cougar tag with others tags for only $14.50. All cougars taken must be checked in within 10 days of harvest; call for an appointment before coming in. Coyote - Coyote numbers are good throughout the district. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA With the close of authorized hunting seasons on the area, Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is closed to hunting and to all entry. This includes all portions of the wildlife area both west and east of Foothill Rd. The Glass Hill Unit will re-open April 1. A parking permit is needed for Ladd Marsh. Hunters get the permit free with their purchase of an annual hunting license. Display on car dash. More information Wallowa COUNTY TURKEY: Spring gobbler season has been a little slower than expected. Hunters seem to be covering more country than usual to find birds. Birds are well scattered in the Wenaha, Sled Springs, and Chesnimnus units. Hunters can often locate birds by listening for gobblers at dawn or dusk. Hunter access is still limited due to snow drifts at higher elevations in the Wenaha unit. BLACK BEAR: Bear foraging and activity continues to increase, particularly in lower and mid elevations. Hunters should focus on areas with good green-up, and find spots where they can glass a considerable amount of country. Hunter access is still limited due to snow drifts at higher elevations in the Wenaha, Snake River, and Imnaha units. COYOTE: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling coyotes with rabbit distress type calls has been effective for hunters. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote sign and little human activity. COUGAR: Cougar numbers are strong throughout Wallowa County. Most lions are taken incidental to other hunting; however, calling with fawn bleat, or locating a cougar kill and waiting for a cat to return are often successful techniques.
GRANT COUNTY Bighorn sheep can be viewed along the South Fork of the John Day. The first ducklings and goselings are being seen in the valley. As spring progresses it is important to remember to leave any baby wildlife where you found them. It usually won’t be long before mom returns to check on them. A few sandhill cranes can still be heard as they migrate back through the valley. 5/7/13. BAKER COUNTY Bighorn sheep and mule deer can be viewed along the Snake River road between Huntington and Richland. Keep your eyes open as Bald Eagles are also plentiful in the area. Bighorn sheep in the Burnt River are down low in the canyon along the riparian areas and can be viewed from the road. Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties The signs of spring are all here in the Heppner area. Sandhill cranes have been seen heading north for the summer. The official first sign of spring for the Heppner area, a Say’s phoebe has been seen and heard in the area. Our summer migrants are starting to appear. Long billed curlews can be seen in the wheat stubble fields. Mobs of ravens can be seen in the foothills, as can golden eagles. Ferruginous hawks can be seen the northern portion of the District on their nests. Short-eared owl can be seen along the grasslands of the north end of the District. Also in the grasslands one can spot horned larks, savanna sparrows, white-crowned sparrows, and meadowlarks. In areas that have good bunch grass in the north end of the District persistent birds can spot grasshopper sparrows, although they are easier to identify by sound. Our year-round resident raptors, red-tailed hawks, Northern harriers, and American kestrels are all easily found. Heppner’s merlin has been seen in the area as well. Prairie falcons can also be seen in the area, although much rarer to be found. Sharp-shinned hawks can be seen along the riparian areas of the north half of the District. In the yards of the district, one can find the common songbirds around the feeder. Dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, house sparrows, white-crowned sparrows are all easily found. American gold finches and Rufus sided towhees can also be see in the Heppner area. Also be cautious in the gravel driveways and parking lots as killdeer are nesting and their nests are very hard to spot. Waterfowl can be seen paring up and starting nesting along the Columbia River and wetlands in the north end of the District. It is easy to spot mallards, American widgeon, northern shovelers, coot, blue wing, green wing, and cinnamon teals, buffleheads, and common mergansers. One can also spot common and Pied-billed grebes along the Columbia. Great blue herons are found along all of our streams that support fish. There are two that can be found most days between Heppner and Lexington along Willow Creek. In the wetlands of the area one can spot American Avocets, black-necked stilts, yellow-headed blackbirds and red-wing blackbirds. 5/7/13. UNION COUNTY
Ladd Marsh Bird Festival, La Grande, May 17, 18 and 19 Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Note: Wildlife viewers and anglers need a parking permit to park on the wildlife area. The $7 daily or $22 annual permit can be purchased online or at an ODFW office that sells licenses or at a license sales agent. Learn more about ODFW’s Wildlife Area Parking Permit Program. The Tule Lake Public Access Area and Auto Route and the Glass Hill Unit are now OPEN. Visitors are advised to carefully read posted signs and consult game bird regulations before entering the wildlife area. Dogs are not permitted within the Wildlife Area, on or off leash except during authorized hunting seasons. There are numerous quality viewing opportunities from county roads that pass through the area. Binoculars or a spotting scope will help as many animals are best viewed from a distance. Canada Geese are nesting throughout the wildlife area and many broods have hatched. Nearly every expected species of duck is present including Northern Pintail, Wood Duck, Mallard, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck and Northern Shoveler. A few American White Pelicans are present on the wildlife area. American Bittern, American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt are all present. Numerous shorebird species including Dunlin, Western Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper have also been seen recently. White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow and Say’s Phoebe are present. Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow and Northern Rough-winged Swallow have all made their way back to the marsh. Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat have returned and are in full song. Great-horned Owls have hatched and most owlets have left their nests. Red-tailed Hawks are incubating or have hatched and most Swainson’s Hawks are nesting. Northern Harriers are also nesting and may be feeding young. Local nesting Sandhill Crane pairs are nesting and at least two pairs have hatched. Small groups of non-breeding cranes can be seen in fields and meadows all around the area. Please report any sandhill cranes wearing leg bands to the Ladd Marsh staff (541-963-4954). If possible, note the color and order of bands on each of the bird’s legs (e.g., pink above white on left leg; silver above black on right leg). The specific combination and order can identify individual birds. For more information on access rules for Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, please consult the Oregon Game Bird Regulations or call the wildlife area (541) 963-4954. 5/7/13. |
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
3406 Cherry Avenue N.E. :: Salem, OR 97303 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW :: www.dfw.state.or.us
Questions? Contact odfw.web@state.or.us