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Steelhead Fishing Heats Up in Some Rivers by Staff East Oregonian, December 12, 2024

The reason counts are higher this year compared to the recent average
is due to the extremely low returns of steelhead from 2017-2023.

Anglers have been catching steelhead in the Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Umatilla rivers, particularly when river levels are moderate, according to the latest fishing forecast from the Orergon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Grande Ronde River

Steelhead fishing has been variable in the Grande Ronde lately. Fishing can get tough when winter storms increase flows. When flows are moderated though, a good number of steelhead should be available to anglers. A variety of gear types have worked well this year, but small jigs have been especially effective.

Coho salmon are migrating through the Grande Ronde, but few have been encountered by anglers. Nov. 30 was the last day of coho season on the Grande Ronde. Trout and whitefish are available throughout the river and can be caught on a variety of gear types including flies and lures.

Anglers can encounter both fall chinook salmon and bull trout in the Grande Ronde. Neither species can be harvested, and any bull trout or chinook salmon caught while fishing for other fish must be released. Anglers should carefully identify any coho salmon they plan to harvest, as chinook salmon and coho salmon can easily be confused.

Imnaha River

Steelhead are present throughout the lower river. However, fishing can be slow when water temperatures drop. Trout and whitefish can be caught using a variety of techniques and can provide some fun fishing on the Imnaha. Bull trout and chinook salmon cannot be harvested and must be released.

Umatilla River

Steelhead can be found throughout the river, although fishing on the lower section near the 730 Bridge has been the best. Anglers have reported that their catch has been predominately composed of unclipped fish, with most fish being caught on jigs under a float.

There is now a new regulation in place with a hook gap size that may not exceed 3/8 inch in the section of the Umatilla River above the CTUIR reservation. This new regulation is to protect bull trout and decrease the chance of hooking mortality. As a reminder, if you catch a bull trout, recognized by its white spots, please keep it in the water and release it as quickly as possible. No targeting of bull trout is allowed in the Umatilla River.

Wallowa River

Fall fishing for trout and whitefish can provide opportunities to catch some really nice fish. Trout and whitefish are commonly 12 to 14 inches with some fish up to 20 inches. Fly-fishing with nymphs or streamers can be a great way to target fish, and spinners can be very effective for catching rainbow trout.

Steelhead fishing will probably be slow throughout the fall as most fish will remain further downstream in the Grande Ronde. Some salmon, especially coho salmon, may be encountered in the Wallowa River, but they cannot be harvested and must be released if caught.

Oxbow and Hells Canyon reservoirs

As the water cools, trout fishing will improve in these reservoirs. Trolling is a popular technique for catching fish in Hells Canyon Reservoir. Fishing for warmwater species will probably be slow throughout the winter months. Surplus hatchery steelhead will be released into Hells Canyon Reservoir. For anglers holding an Oregon fishing license, these fish when caught in Hells Canyon Reservoir count toward their trout limit and do not need to be recorded on a combined angling tag when harvested. See the Snake River zone fishing regulations for details.

Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam

Steelhead fishing has been pretty good in Hells Canyon. Anglers have caught fish throughout the Oregon section of the Snake River upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. During the winter, fishing for trout and sturgeon can also be good in Hells Canyon