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Fishing regulations at North Fork John Day River, 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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Smallmouth bass as of April 2nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Smallmouth bass
Seasons
Open
Bag limit
5
Memorable
3 > 15
Measurement
Total Length
Aggregate
5
Exceptions to Northeast Zone Regulations
Aldrich Ponds
- 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
Big Sheep Creek
Mouth to Little Sheep Cr
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Butter Creek and Tributaries
- Open all year.
- Use of bait allowed.
Catherine Creek
Mouth to Hwy 203 bridge above Catherine Cr State Park
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Deer Creek (Wallowa Co.)
Mouth up to marker approx. 0.2 Mi
- Closed.
Grande Ronde River
State Line to Clark Creek Rd. (Elgin)
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for coho salmon Sep 1 - Nov 30, 2adult coho salmon and 5 jack coho salmon per day.
- Use of bait allowed.
Clark Creek Rd. to Hilgard State Park
- Open all year for trout.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
Granite Creek and Tributaries
- Closed
Imnaha River
The following apply to open sections below: *
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch May1 - Aug 31.
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
John Day River
Mainline railroad bridge to North Fork
- Open all year for hatchery steelhead.
- Open all year for bass, catfish, and other warmwater fish.
- Use of bait allowed.
- Closed from ODFW marker ¼ Mi below Tumwater Falls to 200 ft above the falls near the head of John Day Arm, except for warmwater fish.
North Fork to Indian Cr
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Above Indian Cr
- Use of bait allowed.
John Day River, Middle Fork
Mouth to Hwy 395 bridge
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Above Hwy 395 bridge
- Use of bait allowed.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
- Closed from Hwy 7 to Summit Cr.
John Day River, North Fork
Mouth to Hwy 395 bridge
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Hwy 395 bridge to USFS North Fork
Campground
- Use of bait allowed.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
Above North Fork Campground
- Use of bait allowed.
La Grande Reservoir and Upstream Tributaries
- Open May 22 - Oct 31.
- 2 rainbow trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
- Artificial flies and lures only.
Little Sheep Creek
Within the fenced boundary of the hatcheryfacility
- Closed.
Lookingglass Creek and Tributaries
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
- Closed between 300 ft below Jarboe Cr and 200 ft above the hatchery water intake (0.4Mi).
Lostine River
Mouth to confluence of the East and WestForks
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8-inch.
McKay Creek
- Open all year for trout.
McKay Reservoir
- 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested.
Meadow Creek
Forest boundary to Smith Cr Rd crossing
- Closed.
Morgan Lake
- Open Apr 22 - Oct 31.
Prairie Creek (Wallowa Co.)
- Use of bait allowed.
Spring Creek and Pond (Wallowa Hatchery)
Between Fish Hatchery Rd crossings
- Closed.
Umatilla River
The following apply to open sections below: *- 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
- 2 adult and 5 jack hatchery spring Chinook salmon per day.
- 3 adult fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon, or hatchery steelhead in aggregate per day and 5 jack salmon.
- Open all year for warmwater fish.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Apr 16 - Jun 10.
- Open for coho and fall Chinook salmon Sep1 - Nov 30.
- Use of bait allowed.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Apr 16 - Jun 30.
- Open for coho and fall Chinook salmon Sep1 - Nov 30.
- Use of bait allowed.
Umatilla Indian Reservation
- Tribal angling permits required on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (541) 276-3165* Above CTUIR reservation
- Use of bait allowed up to Ryan Cr (approx. 550 ft), artificial flies and lures only above Ryan Cr.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
Walla Walla River and Tributaries
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
Wallowa Lake
- 25 kokanee per day in addition to other trout catch limits. No size limits.
Wallowa River
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31, from mouth to Trout Cr.
- Use of bait allowed.
Wenaha River
Mouth to Crooked Cr
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
Crooked Cr to confluence of the North and South forks
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
Willow Creek Reservoir
- 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested.
- 25 crappie per day.
Willow Creek and Tributaries
- Open all year.
- Use of bait allowed.
Lakes: 5 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.
No minimum length in streams.
Lakes: Open all year.
Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons only, except portions of Columbia River tributaries flooded by John Day and McNary dams are open all year.
For more information please see Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
Micropterus dolomieui
Exceptions to Northeast Zone Regulations
Aldrich Ponds
- 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
Big Sheep Creek
Mouth to Little Sheep Cr
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Butter Creek and Tributaries
- Open all year.
- Use of bait allowed.
Catherine Creek
Mouth to Hwy 203 bridge above Catherine Cr State Park
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Deer Creek (Wallowa Co.)
Mouth up to marker approx. 0.2 Mi
- Closed.
Grande Ronde River
State Line to Clark Creek Rd. (Elgin)
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for coho salmon Sep 1 - Nov 30, 2adult coho salmon and 5 jack coho salmon per day.
- Use of bait allowed.
Clark Creek Rd. to Hilgard State Park
- Open all year for trout.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
Granite Creek and Tributaries
- Closed
Imnaha River
The following apply to open sections below: *
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch May1 - Aug 31.
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
John Day River
Mainline railroad bridge to North Fork
- Open all year for hatchery steelhead.
- Open all year for bass, catfish, and other warmwater fish.
- Use of bait allowed.
- Closed from ODFW marker ¼ Mi below Tumwater Falls to 200 ft above the falls near the head of John Day Arm, except for warmwater fish.
North Fork to Indian Cr
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Above Indian Cr
- Use of bait allowed.
John Day River, Middle Fork
Mouth to Hwy 395 bridge
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Above Hwy 395 bridge
- Use of bait allowed.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
- Closed from Hwy 7 to Summit Cr.
John Day River, North Fork
Mouth to Hwy 395 bridge
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Use of bait allowed.
Hwy 395 bridge to USFS North Fork
Campground
- Use of bait allowed.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
Above North Fork Campground
- Use of bait allowed.
La Grande Reservoir and Upstream Tributaries
- Open May 22 - Oct 31.
- 2 rainbow trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
- Artificial flies and lures only.
Little Sheep Creek
Within the fenced boundary of the hatcheryfacility
- Closed.
Lookingglass Creek and Tributaries
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
- Closed between 300 ft below Jarboe Cr and 200 ft above the hatchery water intake (0.4Mi).
Lostine River
Mouth to confluence of the East and WestForks
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8-inch.
McKay Creek
- Open all year for trout.
McKay Reservoir
- 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested.
Meadow Creek
Forest boundary to Smith Cr Rd crossing
- Closed.
Morgan Lake
- Open Apr 22 - Oct 31.
Prairie Creek (Wallowa Co.)
- Use of bait allowed.
Spring Creek and Pond (Wallowa Hatchery)
Between Fish Hatchery Rd crossings
- Closed.
Umatilla River
The following apply to open sections below: *- 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length.
- 2 adult and 5 jack hatchery spring Chinook salmon per day.
- 3 adult fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon, or hatchery steelhead in aggregate per day and 5 jack salmon.
- Open all year for warmwater fish.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Apr 16 - Jun 10.
- Open for coho and fall Chinook salmon Sep1 - Nov 30.
- Use of bait allowed.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
- Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Apr 16 - Jun 30.
- Open for coho and fall Chinook salmon Sep1 - Nov 30.
- Use of bait allowed.
Umatilla Indian Reservation
- Tribal angling permits required on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (541) 276-3165* Above CTUIR reservation
- Use of bait allowed up to Ryan Cr (approx. 550 ft), artificial flies and lures only above Ryan Cr.
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
Walla Walla River and Tributaries
- Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch.
Wallowa Lake
- 25 kokanee per day in addition to other trout catch limits. No size limits.
Wallowa River
- Open all year for trout.
- 5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
- Wild rainbow trout must be released.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31, from mouth to Trout Cr.
- Use of bait allowed.
Wenaha River
Mouth to Crooked Cr
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
- Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 - Apr 30 and Sep 1 - Dec 31.
Crooked Cr to confluence of the North and South forks
- Catch-and-release for bull trout.
Willow Creek Reservoir
- 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested.
- 25 crappie per day.
Willow Creek and Tributaries
- Open all year.
- Use of bait allowed.
Regulations for
44°53′13.3″N 118°29′56.7″W
FAQ about North Fork John Day River fishing
the North Fork John Day River is a stream located in Grant County, Oregon, United States. It is also intersecting with Umatilla County, Oregon. Its coordinates are:
44°53′13.3″N 118°29′56.7″W
.Find the best fishing spots on the North Fork John Day River 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.
The most common species in the North Fork John Day River are:
- Smallmouth bass - 14 members reported to have caught this fish
- Rainbow trout - 3 members reported to have caught this fish
- Black bullhead - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
The latest North Fork John Day River fishing reports are:
- @shalaynanorman reported a nice Largemouth bass.
- @Bowelkhunter22 reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @Bowelkhunter22 reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @GBsmallie reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @Bowelkhunter22 reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
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