Snake Zone

April 17, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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.

Best best for weekend fishing

• Bass fishing has started to pick up in all three Hells Canyon reservoirs.
• Trout fishing has been good in Oxbow Reservoir

Announcements

Fish consumption advisories‌

The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for various waterbodies in Oregon including the Snake and Columbia Rivers due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important.‌

• Statewide advisories
• Bonneville Dam fish advisory
• Safe fish choices for pregnancy and young children

E-tagging tips for anglers‌

It's important for anglers to tag their salmon and steelhead immediately, which means you'll need to know how to navigate the MyODFW app outside of cell phone range. Here are some tips for e-tagging in the field.‌

Got a good fish story?‌

If you have been out fishing and have a recent fishing report you would like to share, we would love to hear it! Please send your fishing updates to: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov.‌

Updates by section

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: crappie, bass, perch, catfish, bluegill, trout‌

Bass fishing has started to pick up in Brownlee Reservoir with warming water temperatures, and crappie are also available. As the water temperature warms, fishing for warmwater species will continue to improve. Trout fishing can be good in the spring as trout move into the Powder River arm heading upstream toward Eagle Creek.‌

Brownlee Reservoir levels can fluctuate greatly affecting which boat ramps are usable. Follow the links below to get up-to-date information on access along Brownlee Reservoir. Last updated 4/3/24.‌

Call the Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or see the following link for Reservoir level information.‌

OXBOW AND HELLS CANYON RESERVOIRS: trout, crappie, bass, catfish, sturgeon‌

Trout fishing has been good so far this year in Oxbow Reservoir. As water temperatures have increased, bass fishing has improved in both reservoirs. Although early, a few catfish have already been caught by anglers. Like Brownlee Reservoir, fishing for warmwater species will improve as the weather warms during the spring. Last updated 4/3/24.‌

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, bass, sturgeon, steelhead‌

Bass fishing will improve throughout the spring with warmer weather. Anglers can do well fishing jigs, flies, or lures near shore and in slower moving areas. Trout can be caught using similar techniques. Steelhead fishing will likely be slow throughout the rest of the season until the closure on April 30. Fishing for spring Chinook will open on April 22, but catch rates will likely be really low until more fish arrive later in the spring. See the 2024 fishing regulations for specific details on the spring Chinook season in Hells Canyon.‌

Sturgeon fishing can be good in the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water.‌

Especially during the cooler months, bull trout may be encountered in the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. All bull trout captured must be released. Last updated 4/3/24.‌

SNAKE RIVER (above Brownlee Reservoir): channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass‌

No recent fishing reports. Last updated 11/8/23.‌

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