Most commonly known game fish are allowed to be stocked in private ponds; however, there are some exceptions. Brook trout or brown trout stocking are not allowed in Oregon under Oregon Revised Rule 635-007-0600(5)(a). Many warmwater species are not allowed to be stocked due to their negative impact on native species.
Many other species of fish common to the Midwest and Eastern part of the United States are prohibited in Oregon. Some of these species include: Carp (Silver, Snakehead, Bighead, etc.), Bowfin, Alligator gar, Pike, and Muskellunge (OAR 635-056-0050 and 635-006-0230).
The table below lists species of fish currently propagated by licensed private fish producers in Oregon that are available for stocking into private ponds if ponds meet stocking guidelines in the basin. For more information, you may call the local ODFW biologist at 541-296-4628.
Fish Stocking Guide-Hood River Basin |
Type of Fish |
Allowed |
Restrictions |
Bass, largemouth and smallmouth |
In approved areas only. |
All stocking requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis in the entire basin. Ponds must be properly screened and not in a floodplain. |
Bluegill or Pumpkinseed |
In approved areas only. |
All stocking requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis in the entire basin. Ponds must be properly screened and not in a floodplain. |
Brook Trout |
No stocking allowed anywhere in the basin. |
No stocking of brook trout as they are an extreme risk to endangered bull trout present in the basin. |
Brown Trout |
No stocking allowed anywhere in the basin. |
No stocking of brown trout as they are an extreme risk to endangered bull trout present in the basin. |
Bullhead catfish |
No stocking allowed anywhere in the basin. |
No stocking of bullhead catfish allowed in the Hood River Basin due to possible negative impacts on native trout and salmonids. |
Channel catfish |
No stocking allowed anywhere in the basin. |
No stocking of channel catfish allowed in the basin as they are non-native; can easily establish in flowing waters; are highly predatory; and can cause major detrimental impacts on native fish, especially juvenile salmonids. |
Crappie, White and Black |
Crappie introduction allowed in approved areas only. |
All stocking requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis in the entire basin. Ponds must be properly screened and not in a floodplain. |
Mosquitofish (“Gambusia”) |
No stocking allowed anywhere in the basin. |
The Hood River basin does not currently have Gambusia present. Gambusia pose a threat to all four listed native fish species in the Hood River basin if they were to proliferate. |
Rainbow Trout
(includes triploids, Kamloops, Golden, Donaldson Trout) |
Only triploid rainbow trout may be stocked in approved ponds with no outlets or ponds with adequate screening. |
Triploid trout are required in the Hood River basin due to possible negative impacts on native trout and salmonids. |
Sturgeon |
In approved areas only. |
White sturgeon do not naturally exist in the Hood River basin and stocking requests will be evaluated on a case by case basis to ensure that ponds provide adequate confinement and are suitable for stocking of sturgeon. |
