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Fish Report

Emergency fishing regulations in response to drought begin July 1: Check the Recreation Report in your zone for info

Emergency regulations will lift all bag limits in Hyatt and Howard Prairie Reservoirs beginning July 1 due to extremely low water conditions. Pictured: Recent photos of Hyatt Lake where some trout have died off due to drought and the weekend’s 110+ degree plus weather.
Photo Credit: Photos courtesy of Talent Irrigation District

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
7-1-2021
Website

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW is implementing emergency regulations that will begin July 1 in several angling zones as Oregon faces a severe drought this summer, putting the state’s salmon, steelhead, trout and sturgeon at risk. 

As always, the latest regulations are listed at the top of the Recreation Report – Fishing Report for each zone. Always check your angling zone before you go fishing.

These emergency regulations are in effect until Sept. 30, 2021 but may be lifted early or extended depending on conditions.

A summary of emergency regulations follows.

  • Fishing will close for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and trout from 2 p.m. until one hour before sunrise in some rivers and streams in the NW, SW, Willamette, Central, NE zones. (“Hoot owl” regulations to end fishing before water temperatures are at their warmest, which stresses fish.)
  • Nehalem River (NW Zone) will close to all angling. All other open streams in the NW Zone will be under “hoot owl” regulations. 
  • The Deschutes River from the mouth to Sherars Falls will be under “hoot owl” regulations to protect fish.
  • Angling closure within 200 feet of mouths of tributaries in portions of the Umpqua and North Umpqua Rivers, to allow fish to gather in these cooler areas without angling pressure.
  • Other targeted angling closures in portions of the Rogue and Illinois Rivers to allow for salmon and steelhead facing tough conditions to migrate without angling pressure.
  • Hyatt and Howard Prairie Reservoirs in SW Zone are lifting all bag limits on all species due to extremely low water conditions that are becoming unsuitable for fish.

For full details, see the emergency regulations for your angling zone at https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

“There is a tough summer and early fall ahead for fish, and we want to take steps to help them survive,” said Shaun Clements, ODFW deputy administrator for inland fisheries. “We appreciate anglers following the regulations and being flexible with their plans to help fish this year.”

This doesn’t mean that all fishing has to stop,” continued Clements. “Except for the Nehalem River, fishing will remain open the morning and early afternoon hours when water temperatures are cooler for fish and people. There are many great fishing opportunities in high lakes, for warmwater fish like, bass, walleye, or crappie, and in lakes and reservoirs stocked with hatchery rainbow trout—though stocking plans may change due to the drought so remember to check the Recreation Report not the online schedule for the latest information.”

Anglers are reminded to use best practices when fishing in areas that may require release of the fish:

  • Use appropriate gear and land fish quickly. The longer the fight, the less likely the fish will survive.
  • Avoid removing the fish from the water.
  • If taking a photo, cradle the fish at water level and quickly take the picture.
  • Remove hooks quickly and gently while keeping the fish under water.
  • Use long-nosed pliers or hemostats to back out a hook.
  • If a fish is hooked deeply, cut the line near the hook.
  • Revive fish (point them into slow current or move them back and forth until gills are working).
  • When possible, let the fish swim out of your hands.




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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021

Siletz River: A Few Summer Steelhead and Spring Chinook are Starting To Show up
Detroit Reservoir: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 4,200 Hatchery Trout
Junction City Pond: Construction Work at Junction City Pond Will Take Place Sometime in The Next Two Weeks
Quartzville Creek: This River Above Green Peter Reservoir Will Be Stocked Again This Week
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Hatchery Trout Harvest is Now Open Unitl Oct. 31
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: The River is Slowly Dropping and Will Contiune to Drop as Summer Progresses
Santiam River (South Fork): A Few Summer Steelhead Have Already Shown Up
Grande Ronde River: The Flows on the Grande Ronde Have Been Holding Out for Boating and Fishing Should be Picking Up
Imnaha River: The Flows are Currently Moderate and Conducive to Fishing
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake Has Been Fishing Well For Kokanne
Wallowa River: Lower Expected Flows This Year Means the River SHould Fish Well Throughout the Next Few Weeks
Ana Reservoir: The Reservoir Was Stocked With 4,000 Rainbow Trout
Ana River: A Fisherman Reported Catching a 25-Inch Rainbow Trout in the River Recently!
Campbell Reservoir: Water Levels Are Low
Chewaucan River: The Water Is Already Starting To Approach Summer Flows
Gerber Reservoir: Targeting Yellow Perch is Your Best Bet
Holbrook Reservoir: No Recent Fishing Stories From This Reservoir
Upper Klamath Lake: Boat Ramps Are Open
Lofton Reservoir: Last Week People Were Catching Fish on the Bank With Lures
Sky Lakes Wilderness Lakes: All Lakes are Accessible
Sprague River: Fishing is Fair For Redband Trout
North Fork Sprague River: Flows Have Dropped Significantly to Around 33 cfs
Sun Creek: Fishing is Not Recommended at This Time. Flows Are At 11cfs
Willow Valley Reservoir: Best Fished From a Boat if You Can Launch
Wood River: Flows are a Little High Due to Flows in Annie Creek
Agate Lake: Agate Lake is at 61 Percent Capacity
Applegate Reservoir: Applegate Reservoir Has Been Fishing Well
Applegate River: The River is Again Open to Trout Fishing
Ben Irving Reservoir: Hot Weather Means a Good Number of Boaters on the Lake
Chetco River: Anglers May Want to Start Fishing Early Mornings or Evenings
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Anglers Have Been Doing Well At Cooper
Coos River: Boat and Bank Anglers are Still Catching Rockfish
Coquille River: Striped Bass Fishing Has Been Slow the Past Few Weeks
Diamond Lake: Anglers Continue to Catch Lots of Fish at Diamond
Eel Lake: Anglers Are Still Catching Tourt in Eel Lake
Elk River: Anglers Should Try to Fish Early or Late Evening
Emigrant Reservoir: Bass Fishing Should Be Fair to Good
Expo Pond: Fishing Will Only Likely Be Productive in the Mornings Here
Fish Lake : Fishing Has Been Very Good and Weather Great
Floras Lake: Anglers Should Try Fishing Early or Late in the Day
Galesville Reservoir: There Should be Lots of Trout Abailable for Anglers
Garrison Lake: Warmer Water and Lower Lake Levels Are Making Trout Fishing a Little Tough
Hemlock Lake: Anglers Have Been Doing Well
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is Draining Quickly
Illinois River: The Illinois is Open to Trout Fishing
Laird Lake: Spinners or Flies Usually do Well Here
Medco Pond: Fishing Should Be Very Good
Plat I Reservoir: Bass Fishing Should Be Good
Rogue River- Lower: Most of the Fish are Being Picked Up Downstream of Hwy 101
Rogue River- Upper: The Hatchery Hole is Closed to All Fishing Through July 31
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): This is an Excellent Destination to Escape the Heat This Weekend
Sixes River: The Best Time to Fish is Early or Late in the Day
Tenmile Lakes: Trout Fishing Has Slowed Down With the Warm Water Temperatures
Umpqua River: Bass Fishing Has Been Good Throughout the River
Willow Lake: Trout Fishing at Willow Lake Should Be Good


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