Idaho Fish Report

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen

Submit your fishing photo  to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.

Send us your fishing report

We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports―the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the weekly Recreation Report.

LAKES, PONDS, RESERVOIRS

Many snow gates and seasonal roads have closed for the winter, so access will be challenging in many locations. Be sure to check the waterbody listings for the latest.

It’s early for trout stocking in this zone, but lower elevation lakes and reservoirs that were stocked last years may have holdover trout from last year’s stocking. These fish have been in the water long enough to have put on some size, and to key in on natural food sources. Selecting flies or lures that mimic these food sources can be effective.

Bass and panfish anglers should start keeping an eye on water temperatures. Once they reach 50 degrees, you can expect these fish to become more active. Look for them to start moving into the shallows in anticipation of spawning.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

Most streams are now closed until next spring, please check the current regulations to make sure the waterbody you want to fish is still open.

Although there are warmer temperatures in the forecast, water temperatures are still cold. Anglers should target trout during the warmest parts of the day when fish are most active.

Rivers and streams to fish this week:

• Anglers are reporting good fishing and active insect hatches during the warmest parts of the day on the Fall and Metolius rivers, and the Deschutes between Lake Billy Chinook and Benham Falls.

RECENTLY STOCKED

Check out the 2021 trout stocking schedule.

TROUT STOCKING MAPS: Find your place to fish

Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: closures, special events, etc.

New interagency map shows wildfire impacts on recreation

Hunters, anglers and wildlife viewers will be living with the impacts of the 2020 wildfire season for a long time. To help you navigate the status of popular recreation sites, natural resource management agencies in Oregon have released an interagency status map that shows open, closed and reduced service areas on a single map, regardless of reason for closure. 

UPDATES BY WATERBODY

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

The lake is frozen over and access will be limited with snow in the higher elevations. Last updated 3/3/21.

CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee

Reservoir closed to fishing until April 22, 2021. 

CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee

No recent reports. Open to fishing all year. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 3/24/21.

CROOKED RIVER: trout, whitefish

Fishing has been good. The water remains low. Only the section downstream of Bowman Dam to Lake Billy Chinook is now open, above the dam is closed until next spring. As a reminder, any trout over 20 inches is considered a steelhead and must be immediately released unharmed. Steelhead are spawning so anglers are encouraged to avoid stepping on redds.

Crooked River anglers may encounter bull trout now that there is volitional passage at Opal Springs. Anglers who catch a bull trout should release it unharmed and report their catch to the US Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov. Last updated 3/3/21.

DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation: steelhead, redband trout, whitefish 

Trout will be less active during the winter months, but can still be caught if presented something slow and tasty. Anglers interested in getting out should try nymphing large golden and black stoneflies in slow water, especially in a nice back eddy. Spring comes early on the lower Deschutes, trout will get more active in March as the water also starts to warm up.

Steelhead fishing is essentially over for the 2020-21 run year due to most fish entering spawning grounds in closed waters. New steelhead from the 2021-22 run will begin entering the Deschutes fishery in July. Last updated 2/24/21.

DESCHUTES RIVER, Northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation upstream to Pelton Dam:steelhead, redband trout, whitefish  

Closed to fishing until April 22.

DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout

Anglers are reporting hatches coming out during the warmest part of the day. Water is still on the high side but water clarity is good. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 3/24/21.

DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brown trout

Closed to fishing until May 22, 2021. 

EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee

Forest Service Rd. 21 is closed for the winter at its snow park gate beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 11/11/20.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout

Anglers report good fishing and active hatches during the warmest part of the day. Access will be limited depending on snow accumulations. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 3/24/21.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR:  rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead

The west side boat ramp is now open. Last updated 3/3/21.

HOOD RIVER: steelhead

A few winter steelhead are being reported in the lower Hood River. Anglers should expect more fish in March with the run peaking in late March. Last updated 2/17/21.

HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout

Snow gates west of Mt. Bachelor between Dutchman Flat and Deschutes Bridge are closed for the winter beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 11/11/20.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass

Kokanee fishing has been excellent with fish averaging around 11 inches. The Metolius Arm is now open but you will need a tribal permit in addition to your state fishing license. 

Harvest is limited to 1 bull trout over 24 inches under the daily trout limit. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. No bag or size limits on brown trout and bass. Last updated 3/3/21.

LAURANCE LAKE: trout

Laurance Lake is closed to fishing until April 22, 2021. 

LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout

Snow gates west of Mt. Bachelor between Dutchman Flat and Deschutes Bridge are closed for the winter beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/11/20.

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

Anglers report good fishing with active hatches during the warmest part of the day. Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge).

Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). River is closed to fishing above Allingham Bridge until May 22, 2021. All public access to Wizard Falls Hatchery is closed until further notice. Last updated 3/24/21.

NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent reports. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 3/24/21.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass

Water level is extremely low and bank access is limited and walk-in only. Last updated 11/4/20.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Forest Service Rd. 21 is closed for the winter at its snow park gate beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 11/11/20.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

No recent reports. Ice is currently likely.

Anglers are most successful at Pine Hollow using a boat. If you are fishing out of a boat, trolling small spinners or free drifting bait will work. Thin ice might hamper fishing.

Bank anglers can also be successful near the boat ramp and on the dam. Last updated 2/24/21.

PINE NURSERY POND: trout, largemouth bass

Pond was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 3/24/21.

SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout

Pond was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Open to youth only (17 years and under) and disabled anglers. Limit is two fish per day. Last updated 3/24/21.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

High clearance vehicles needed to get into lake. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 2/24/21.

SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

No recent reports. Open all year. 25 kokanee per day in addition to daily trout limit. No limit on the number or size of bass. Last updated 11/4/20.

TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): rainbow trout

No recent reports from anglers. Last updated 1/13/21.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Snow gate is closed for the winter. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 12/2/20.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent fishing reports. Access is limited to walk-in only. Last updated 11/4/20.

WICKIUP RESERVOIR: kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass

The reservoir is closed to fishing until April 22, 2021.