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Hells Canyon Reservoir

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Oregon, United States

156 catches

Top fish species at Hells Canyon Reservoir

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Hells Canyon Reservoir fishing reports

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Smallmouth bass

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Smallmouth bass

11 in · 1 lb

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White sturgeon

100 in · 300 lb

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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Smallmouth bass

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Smallmouth bass

length · weight

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General info

Hells Canyon Reservoir is a lake located in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. It is also intersecting with Adams County, Idaho and Baker County, Oregon. It is most popular for fishing Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, and Common carp.

Location

45°06′23.1″N 116°46′24.6″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Hells Canyon Reservoir, OR

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Oregon can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryOR Oregon Snake River Zone
Bag limit6

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Memorable / trophy limits3 > 15

The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.

Restrictions & requirements

OR Using devices to land fish

It is unlawful to use gurdies, winches or reels affixed to a boat to land a fish.

OR Use of drones and radios

It is unlawful to use drones/ radio controlled boats/ or other unmanned vehicles when angling or to aid in angling.

OR Snagging

It is unlawful to snag or attempt to snag gamefish.Additional anti-snagging gear restrictions:Fishing gear restricted to artificial fly, lure, or bait with one single-point hook.Unless otherwise specified, hook must measure 3/4 inch or less at the gap.Hook must be attached to or below any lure or bait.Weight cannot be less than 18 inches above the lure or bait.Consult exceptions to zone regulations for which leader length applies:Leader length: 18-36 inches or less than or equal to 6 feet

OR Unlawful Taking & Retention

It is unlawful to fish for or take and retain any legal species while possessing on board any species not allowed to be taken in that area at that time.

OR Use of More than One Rod or Line

It is unlawful to use more than one rod or line when angling except:with a Two-Rod Validation as a youth anglers (under 12 years of age) when angling outside of three miles from shore for offshore pelagic species, any number of rods or lines are allowed only if no species other than offshore pelagic species have been retained.

OR Ice hole size

Angling through a human-made ice hole larger than 12 inches in diameter or length is unlawful.

OR Use of chum

Taking or attempting to take any fish by chumming, or knowingly angle with the aid of chum is unlawful except when angling for offshore pelagic species outside of three miles from shore if no species other than offshore pelagic species have been retained.

OR Buying or selling fish and fish parts

Buying or selling fish or shellfish, or parts thereof, that were caught or taken for personal use. Except the skeletal remains of ocean food fish may be sold; and eggs from ocean-caught salmon may be sold to a licensed fish or bait dealer.

OR Fish with radio tags

It is unlawful to take a fish with a radio tag (identified by an antenna trailing from its mouth or body) except in the mainstem Columbia River and its tributaries, when consistent with all other applicable laws and regulations.

OR Fishways weirs and fish traps

It is unlawful to trespass on a fishway, weir or fish trap, or angle within 200 feet above and 200 feet below a weir or the entrance/exit of a private or public fishway or fish trap.

OR Transport of live fish and egs

Bringing live fish or live eggs into the state, transporting them overland, or from one waterbody to another without a permit from ODFW is unlawful.

OR Salmon and Steelhead Bobber Rules

When fishing for salmon and steelhead fishing gear restricted to artificial fly, lure, or bait with one single-point hook. Salmon/steelhead bobber angling gear mustinclude a bobber and leader no longer than36 inches. Any weight is to be no more than 36 inchesfrom the hook when suspended vertically. The bobber must suspend the weight, leader, and terminal gear, not allowing it to rest on the river bottom.

OR Bait Restriction

The following may NOT be used as bait:• Live fish. Except live nongame fish maybe used in the ocean, bays and tidewaters when taken from the same waters in which they will be used as bait.• Goldfish. Nor can they be in an angler's possession while angling.• Lamprey.• Live crayfish.• Live leeches. Nor can they be in an angler'spossession while angling.

OR 3 Hook Maximum

No more than three hooks may be used when angling, except herring jigs may be used for marine food fish species.• A double or treble point hook is classified asone hook.• When angling with two rods (whereallowed and with a Two-Rod Validation), the general hook rule applies to each rod.

OR Salmon, Steelhead, Halibut, Sturgeon Hooks

Salmon, Steelhead, Halibut and SturgeonPacific halibut: no more than two hooks may be used.Sturgeon:no more than one single point barbless hook may be used.Ocean salmon: no more than two single point barbless hooks when angling for salmon in the ocean, or when angling for other ocean species with salmon or steelhead onboard.Salmon/Steelhead (except ocean): Single-point hooks larger than 1inch gap and multiple point hooks larger than 9/16 inch gap are prohibited. All weight, if not part of conventional lure, must be attached on the fishing line between the lure and the end of the rod. With hooks larger than 5/8 inch gap or multiple point hook, weight must be attached 18 inches or more above the uppermost hook.

OR Daylight Hours

It is unlawful to angle for or take salmon, shad, steelhead, sturgeon, trout or whitefish except during daylight hours (one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset). Unless there is an exception for specific waterbodies.

OR Game Fish Unlawful Methods

It is unlawful to take game fish other than those hooked inside the mouth. It is unlawful to: snag, spear, gaff, net, trap, club, shoot or ensnare any freshwater game fish. A hand-held landing net may be used to land a legally hooked fish. A gaff may not be used to land salmon, steelhead or other freshwater game fish in inland or ocean fisheries.

OR Removal of eggs

It is unlawful to remove eggs from any salmon, steelhead or sturgeon without retaining the carcass while in the field.

OR Field dressing of mutilating

It is unlawful to possess game fish in the field that have been dressed or mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined. Fish may be dressed when the angler has reached their automobile (or principle means of land transportation) and has finished angling for the day.

OR Dip Net, Cast Net, Angling, Herring Jigs ONLY

May only be taken by dip net, cast net, angling and herring jigs. 

OR Angling with Single Line or Spear

May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks; and by spear.

OR Angling Tag in Possession

All anglers need a valid Combined Angling Tag (authorizing harvest of 20 salmon or steelhead per year) in possession to angle for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut.Harvested adult wild salmon or steelhead must be immediately recorded on the Combined Angling Tag.

Additional information
Lakes/Reservoirs: 6 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under location exceptions.Streams: No limit.No more than 3 over 15 inches in length in lakes/reservoirs.No minimum length in streams.See location exceptions for additional information.Season open all year.For more information please see Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
Location regulation notes
Exceptions to Snake River Zone Regulations Brownlee Reservoir 12 inch minimum length on bass.An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge.Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. Hells Canyon Reservoir 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. 12 inch minimum length limit on bass. Oxbow Reservoir 2 bass per day. No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches.Snake River Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam. Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 - Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 - Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. Wild trout must be released.Closed from Hells Canyon Dam downstream 400 ft to cable crossing. Above Brownlee Reservoir to Idaho State Line 6 bass per day: no minimum length.Two rod validation may be used all year. 
Location specific information
Exceptions to Snake River Zone Regulations Brownlee Reservoir 12 inch minimum length on bass.An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge.Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. Hells Canyon Reservoir 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. 12 inch minimum length limit on bass. Oxbow Reservoir 2 bass per day. No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches.Snake River Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam. Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 - Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 - Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. Wild trout must be released.Closed from Hells Canyon Dam downstream 400 ft to cable crossing. Above Brownlee Reservoir to Idaho State Line 6 bass per day: no minimum length.Two rod validation may be used all year. 
Season open: year-round
Channel catfish

Channel catfish

Regulation boundaryOR Oregon Snake River Zone
Restrictions & requirements

OR Using devices to land fish

It is unlawful to use gurdies, winches or reels affixed to a boat to land a fish.

OR Use of drones and radios

It is unlawful to use drones/ radio controlled boats/ or other unmanned vehicles when angling or to aid in angling.

OR Snagging

It is unlawful to snag or attempt to snag gamefish.Additional anti-snagging gear restrictions:Fishing gear restricted to artificial fly, lure, or bait with one single-point hook.Unless otherwise specified, hook must measure 3/4 inch or less at the gap.Hook must be attached to or below any lure or bait.Weight cannot be less than 18 inches above the lure or bait.Consult exceptions to zone regulations for which leader length applies:Leader length: 18-36 inches or less than or equal to 6 feet

OR Unlawful Taking & Retention

It is unlawful to fish for or take and retain any legal species while possessing on board any species not allowed to be taken in that area at that time.

OR Use of More than One Rod or Line

It is unlawful to use more than one rod or line when angling except:with a Two-Rod Validation as a youth anglers (under 12 years of age) when angling outside of three miles from shore for offshore pelagic species, any number of rods or lines are allowed only if no species other than offshore pelagic species have been retained.

OR Ice hole size

Angling through a human-made ice hole larger than 12 inches in diameter or length is unlawful.

OR Use of chum

Taking or attempting to take any fish by chumming, or knowingly angle with the aid of chum is unlawful except when angling for offshore pelagic species outside of three miles from shore if no species other than offshore pelagic species have been retained.

OR Buying or selling fish and fish parts

Buying or selling fish or shellfish, or parts thereof, that were caught or taken for personal use. Except the skeletal remains of ocean food fish may be sold; and eggs from ocean-caught salmon may be sold to a licensed fish or bait dealer.

OR Fish with radio tags

It is unlawful to take a fish with a radio tag (identified by an antenna trailing from its mouth or body) except in the mainstem Columbia River and its tributaries, when consistent with all other applicable laws and regulations.

OR Fishways weirs and fish traps

It is unlawful to trespass on a fishway, weir or fish trap, or angle within 200 feet above and 200 feet below a weir or the entrance/exit of a private or public fishway or fish trap.

OR Transport of live fish and egs

Bringing live fish or live eggs into the state, transporting them overland, or from one waterbody to another without a permit from ODFW is unlawful.

OR Bait Restriction

The following may NOT be used as bait:• Live fish. Except live nongame fish maybe used in the ocean, bays and tidewaters when taken from the same waters in which they will be used as bait.• Goldfish. Nor can they be in an angler's possession while angling.• Lamprey.• Live crayfish.• Live leeches. Nor can they be in an angler'spossession while angling.

OR 3 Hook Maximum

No more than three hooks may be used when angling, except herring jigs may be used for marine food fish species.• A double or treble point hook is classified asone hook.• When angling with two rods (whereallowed and with a Two-Rod Validation), the general hook rule applies to each rod.

OR Daylight Hours

It is unlawful to angle for or take salmon, shad, steelhead, sturgeon, trout or whitefish except during daylight hours (one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset). Unless there is an exception for specific waterbodies.

OR Game Fish Unlawful Methods

It is unlawful to take game fish other than those hooked inside the mouth. It is unlawful to: snag, spear, gaff, net, trap, club, shoot or ensnare any freshwater game fish. A hand-held landing net may be used to land a legally hooked fish. A gaff may not be used to land salmon, steelhead or other freshwater game fish in inland or ocean fisheries.

OR Removal of eggs

It is unlawful to remove eggs from any salmon, steelhead or sturgeon without retaining the carcass while in the field.

OR Field dressing of mutilating

It is unlawful to possess game fish in the field that have been dressed or mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined. Fish may be dressed when the angler has reached their automobile (or principle means of land transportation) and has finished angling for the day.

OR Dip Net, Cast Net, Angling, Herring Jigs ONLY

May only be taken by dip net, cast net, angling and herring jigs. 

OR Angling with Single Line or Spear

May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks; and by spear.

OR Angling Tag in Possession

All anglers need a valid Combined Angling Tag (authorizing harvest of 20 salmon or steelhead per year) in possession to angle for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut.Harvested adult wild salmon or steelhead must be immediately recorded on the Combined Angling Tag.

Additional information
No bag limit, no size restrictions.Season open all year. For more information please see Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Channel Catfish by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Ictalurus punctatus
Location regulation notes
Exceptions to Snake River Zone Regulations Brownlee Reservoir 12 inch minimum length on bass.An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge.Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. Hells Canyon Reservoir 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. 12 inch minimum length limit on bass. Oxbow Reservoir 2 bass per day. No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches.Snake River Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam. Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 - Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 - Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. Wild trout must be released.Closed from Hells Canyon Dam downstream 400 ft to cable crossing. Above Brownlee Reservoir to Idaho State Line 6 bass per day: no minimum length.Two rod validation may be used all year. 
Location specific information
Exceptions to Snake River Zone Regulations Brownlee Reservoir 12 inch minimum length on bass.An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge.Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. Hells Canyon Reservoir 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. 12 inch minimum length limit on bass. Oxbow Reservoir 2 bass per day. No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches.Snake River Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam. Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 - Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 - Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. Wild trout must be released.Closed from Hells Canyon Dam downstream 400 ft to cable crossing. Above Brownlee Reservoir to Idaho State Line 6 bass per day: no minimum length.Two rod validation may be used all year. 
Season open: year-round
Common carp

Common carp

Regulation boundaryOR Oregon Snake River Zone
Restrictions & requirements

OR Using devices to land fish

It is unlawful to use gurdies, winches or reels affixed to a boat to land a fish.

OR Use of drones and radios

It is unlawful to use drones/ radio controlled boats/ or other unmanned vehicles when angling or to aid in angling.

OR Snagging

It is unlawful to snag or attempt to snag gamefish.Additional anti-snagging gear restrictions:Fishing gear restricted to artificial fly, lure, or bait with one single-point hook.Unless otherwise specified, hook must measure 3/4 inch or less at the gap.Hook must be attached to or below any lure or bait.Weight cannot be less than 18 inches above the lure or bait.Consult exceptions to zone regulations for which leader length applies:Leader length: 18-36 inches or less than or equal to 6 feet

OR Unlawful Taking & Retention

It is unlawful to fish for or take and retain any legal species while possessing on board any species not allowed to be taken in that area at that time.

OR Use of More than One Rod or Line

It is unlawful to use more than one rod or line when angling except:with a Two-Rod Validation as a youth anglers (under 12 years of age) when angling outside of three miles from shore for offshore pelagic species, any number of rods or lines are allowed only if no species other than offshore pelagic species have been retained.

OR Ice hole size

Angling through a human-made ice hole larger than 12 inches in diameter or length is unlawful.

OR Use of chum

Taking or attempting to take any fish by chumming, or knowingly angle with the aid of chum is unlawful except when angling for offshore pelagic species outside of three miles from shore if no species other than offshore pelagic species have been retained.

OR Buying or selling fish and fish parts

Buying or selling fish or shellfish, or parts thereof, that were caught or taken for personal use. Except the skeletal remains of ocean food fish may be sold; and eggs from ocean-caught salmon may be sold to a licensed fish or bait dealer.

OR Fish with radio tags

It is unlawful to take a fish with a radio tag (identified by an antenna trailing from its mouth or body) except in the mainstem Columbia River and its tributaries, when consistent with all other applicable laws and regulations.

OR Fishways weirs and fish traps

It is unlawful to trespass on a fishway, weir or fish trap, or angle within 200 feet above and 200 feet below a weir or the entrance/exit of a private or public fishway or fish trap.

OR Transport of live fish and egs

Bringing live fish or live eggs into the state, transporting them overland, or from one waterbody to another without a permit from ODFW is unlawful.

OR Bait Restriction

The following may NOT be used as bait:• Live fish. Except live nongame fish maybe used in the ocean, bays and tidewaters when taken from the same waters in which they will be used as bait.• Goldfish. Nor can they be in an angler's possession while angling.• Lamprey.• Live crayfish.• Live leeches. Nor can they be in an angler'spossession while angling.

OR 3 Hook Maximum

No more than three hooks may be used when angling, except herring jigs may be used for marine food fish species.• A double or treble point hook is classified asone hook.• When angling with two rods (whereallowed and with a Two-Rod Validation), the general hook rule applies to each rod.

OR Daylight Hours

It is unlawful to angle for or take salmon, shad, steelhead, sturgeon, trout or whitefish except during daylight hours (one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset). Unless there is an exception for specific waterbodies.

OR Game Fish Unlawful Methods

It is unlawful to take game fish other than those hooked inside the mouth. It is unlawful to: snag, spear, gaff, net, trap, club, shoot or ensnare any freshwater game fish. A hand-held landing net may be used to land a legally hooked fish. A gaff may not be used to land salmon, steelhead or other freshwater game fish in inland or ocean fisheries.

OR Removal of eggs

It is unlawful to remove eggs from any salmon, steelhead or sturgeon without retaining the carcass while in the field.

OR Field dressing of mutilating

It is unlawful to possess game fish in the field that have been dressed or mutilated so that size, species or fin clip cannot be determined. Fish may be dressed when the angler has reached their automobile (or principle means of land transportation) and has finished angling for the day.

OR Dip Net, Cast Net, Angling, Herring Jigs ONLY

May only be taken by dip net, cast net, angling and herring jigs. 

OR Angling with Single Line or Spear

May be taken by angling with a single line, no more than 2 hooks; and by spear.

OR Angling Tag in Possession

All anglers need a valid Combined Angling Tag (authorizing harvest of 20 salmon or steelhead per year) in possession to angle for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut.Harvested adult wild salmon or steelhead must be immediately recorded on the Combined Angling Tag.

Additional information
No bag limit, no size restrictions.Season open all year. For more information please see Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
Edibility
Poor
Synonyms
Cyprinus carpio
Location regulation notes
Exceptions to Snake River Zone Regulations Brownlee Reservoir 12 inch minimum length on bass.An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge.Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. Hells Canyon Reservoir 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. 12 inch minimum length limit on bass. Oxbow Reservoir 2 bass per day. No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches.Snake River Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam. Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 - Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 - Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. Wild trout must be released.Closed from Hells Canyon Dam downstream 400 ft to cable crossing. Above Brownlee Reservoir to Idaho State Line 6 bass per day: no minimum length.Two rod validation may be used all year. 
Location specific information
Exceptions to Snake River Zone Regulations Brownlee Reservoir 12 inch minimum length on bass.An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge.Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. Hells Canyon Reservoir 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. 12 inch minimum length limit on bass. Oxbow Reservoir 2 bass per day. No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches.Snake River Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam. Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 - Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 - Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. Wild trout must be released.Closed from Hells Canyon Dam downstream 400 ft to cable crossing. Above Brownlee Reservoir to Idaho State Line 6 bass per day: no minimum length.Two rod validation may be used all year. 
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Cities nearby

Halfway

22.8 miles away

New Meadows

25.6 miles away

Richland

30.3 miles away

Council

30.6 miles away

Riggins

31.0 miles away

Enterprise

33.0 miles away

McCall

35.1 miles away

Cambridge

37.2 miles away

Donnelly

42.6 miles away

Union

53.8 miles away

Cascade

54.7 miles away

North Powder

56.2 miles away

Baker City

56.6 miles away

Huntington

57.6 miles away

Weiser

59.6 miles away

Annex

61.2 miles away

Summerville

65.4 miles away

La Grande

65.6 miles away

Brogan

69.7 miles away

Payette

71.4 miles away

Sumpter

74.0 miles away

Ontario

75.3 miles away

New Plymouth

78.5 miles away

Vale

80.9 miles away

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FAQ about Hells Canyon Reservoir fishing

📍 Where is Hells Canyon Reservoir located?
Hells Canyon Reservoir is a lake located in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. It is also intersecting with Adams County, Idaho and Baker County, Oregon. Its coordinates are:
45°06′23.1″N 116°46′24.6″W
.
🎣 Where on Hells Canyon Reservoir is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Hells Canyon Reservoir by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Hells Canyon Reservoir?
The most common species in Hells Canyon Reservoir are:
📢 What are the latest Hells Canyon Reservoir fishing reports?
The latest Hells Canyon Reservoir fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Hells Canyon Reservoir?

Fishing in Oregon requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination permits, available online or at licensed vendors.

In Oregon, no fishing license is required for anglers under 12. Residents 70 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license
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