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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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Smallmouth bass as of April 1st, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Memorable
Measurement
Aggregate
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.
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
Micropterus dolomieui
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.
Regulations for
FAQ about Hells Canyon Reservoir fishing
- Smallmouth bass - 25 members reported to have caught this fish
- Channel catfish - 15 members reported to have caught this fish
- Common carp - 7 members reported to have caught this fish
- @Basspro81 reported a nice Rainbow trout.
- @austinpage4191 reported a nice Yellow perch.
- @robert.burrell reported a nice Channel catfish.
- @zavier.hernandez reported a nice Green sunfish.
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