| Fishing In National Forests |
| | Malheur National Forest | | The 1.7 million acre Malheur National Forest is located in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. The diverse scenery of the forest includes high desert grasslands, sage and juniper, pine, fir and other tree species, as well as alpine lakes and meadows. Recreational opportunities include fishing, camping, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, off highway vehicle use, horseback riding, and winter activities. | |
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| | Umatilla National Forest | | The Umatilla National Forest, located in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, covers 1.4 million acres of diverse landscapes and plant communities. A wide variety of recreational opportunities are available on the Umatilla National Forest. Three classified wilderness and three national Wild and Scenic Rivers add their assets to the Forest. | |
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| | Wallowa-Whitman National Forest | | The Wallowa -Whitman National Forest contains 2.3 million acres located in the northeast corner of Oregon. The Forest crosses into Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area located in Idaho. Recreational opportunities within the Forest include fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, boating, and much more. | |
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| Lakes & Reservoirs |
| | Brownlee Reservoir | | is located near the mid-western Idaho and southwestern Oregon borders. The reservoir is also a ground for salmonid spawning and used for recreation and domestic water supply. The reservoir is through-flowing, since it has a relatively short residence time that varies from 15 to 70 days. The reservoir has turnover periods in the spring and fall. Brownlee Reservoir is 57-mile long. The following fish species have been reported to inhabit Brownlee: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegills, several species of bull heads, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, sturgeon, red eared sunfish, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, and more recently brown trout and walleye. | |
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| | Bully Creek Reservoir | | The reservoir is on the Bully Creek about 8 miles northwest of the Creek's confluence with the Malheur River. In the spring, fall, and winter visitors may see loons, grebes, ducks, and hawks. Nearby a red rock formation sometimes harbors Rock Wrens and Golden Eagles. Reservoir is 985 surface acres with 7 miles of shoreline. The reservoir is used as a resting place by migratory waterfowl with some ducks remaining to nest. | |
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| | Lake Owyhee | | The lake was created by a dam on the Owyhee River, offers boaters an extraordinary view of Miocene volcanism (about 15 million years ago). Ash from that time preserved plant and animal fossils that show a much wetter climate. Many visitors like to enjoy fishing for rainbow trout and other water activities within this lake. Such activities include jet skiing, water skiing, swimming, boating, and canoeing. | |
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| | Malheur Reservoir | | covers 1,400 acres. Yet it averages less than 20 feet in depth. Malheur fishes best during April and May and again from late September through October. Malheur abounds in perfect float tube water, offering lots of near-shore shallows where trout cruise morning and evening. During mid-day, trout feed in slightly deeper water, where extensive weed beds harbor abundant insects, scuds, leeches and snails. An improved boat ramp is located near the dam. Primitive campsites lie scattered about near the dam and the access roads. Relatively remote, Malheur Reservoir lies north of Highway 26, about halfway between the communities of Brogan and Ironside. | |
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| | North Fork Malheur River | | This North Fork of the Malheur River was one of forty rivers originally designated in the Omnibus Oregon Wild and Scenic River Act of 1988. Residing completely on National Forest System lands, the entire wild and scenic river boundary encompasses 7,034 acres with 22.9 miles of river. | |
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| | Owyhee Reservoir | | This 52-mile-long, 13,900-acre reservoir is located approximately 50 miles south of Ontario. Vehicle access is limited to the dam gravel road access to Leslie Gulch, Dry Creek, and Red Butte. Available fish species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, rainbow trout, brown bullhead, and yellow perch. Fishing season is open year-round. | |
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| | Thief Valley Reservoir | | The reservoir and most of its 909 acres are inundated, with 740 acres of water surface providing about 10 miles of shoreline. A portion of the reservoir area has been set aside for recreational use. Camping, picnicking, and boat launching and mooring facilities have been constructed. Large numbers of waterfowl use the reservoir and ducks have established nests. The reservoir offers good action for 14- to 20-inch rainbow trout. Fly anglers who wait until October often enjoy the best fishing opportunities of the year. | |
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| | Thief Valley Reservoir | | The reservoir and most of its 909 acres are inundated, with 740 acres of water surface providing about 10 miles of shoreline. A portion of the reservoir area has been set aside for recreational use. Camping, picnicking, and boat launching and mooring facilities have been constructed. Large numbers of waterfowl use the reservoir and ducks have established nests. The reservoir offers good action for 14- to 20-inch rainbow trout. Fly anglers who wait until October often enjoy the best fishing opportunities of the year. | |
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| Rivers & Streams |
| | Catherine Creek State Park | | This park is known for the cold waters that run in Catherine Creek. Rainbow trout are in abundance here. Some facilities are provided. | |
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| | Hilgard Junction State Park | | This park offers camping and daytime activities amongst the cottonwood and ponderosa pine. The Grande Ronde River flows through the park. Visitors are welcome to raft the river or simply swim. Fishing is popular as well. Wildlife viewing is amazing during all months of the year. | |
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| | Malheur River | | This middle fork of the Malheur River was one of forty rivers originally designated in the Omnibus Oregon Wild and Scenic River Act of 1988. Residing completely on National Forest System lands, the entire wild and scenic river boundary encompasses 3,758 acres with 12.0 miles of river. | |
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| | Phillips Lake | | Phillips Lake was formed by the construction of Mason Dam which is a feature of the Baker Project. Anglers will find largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, black crappie, yellow perch, and coho salmon. | |
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| | Wallowa River Rest Area | | s located in a canyon alongside the Wallowa River. Fishing is the activity of choice in the clear, cool medium-sized river. There is abundant wildlife on the pine and fir tree-laden slopes above the river. Fishing from the river banks can prove to be rewarding to the visitors who stop at this secluded rest area. Steelhead and rainbow trout are the fish that are most often caught in this area. | |
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