Imnaha River Steelhead Fishing Report

Kinney Lake pesticide on Oct. 5 to take off unwanted fishes. ODFW testing has determined the area is safe to entry and the reservoir was filled. New rules for Kinney Lake will be effectively for 2016. ODFW, Triple Creek Ranch, and the Wallowa Valley Improvement District #1 WVID#1 have collaborated to open Kinney Lake for year-round fishing starting Jan. 1, 2016. But, catchable trout won’t be available till the lake is stocked in the spring. Non-motorized watercraft will also be allowed at Kinney Lake for 2016. Remember, to be respectful of the private land access that the Triple Creek Ranch and WVID#1 have provided and pack out any trash you bring or find. (dfw.state.or.us)

Winding Waters River Expeditions operates under special use permits, granted by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management, the Umatilla National Forest, and Hells Canyon National Rec Area in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Hells Canyon Whitewater and Winding Waters River Expeditions are licensed by the Oregon State Marine Board and the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. Hells Canyon Whitewater and Winding Waters River Expeditions are an equal opportunity recreation service provider and employer. (windingwatersrafting.com)

. It heads in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, feeds Wallowa Lake and goes to its confluence with the Grande Ronde River northeast of Elgin. Steelhead take awhile to reach the Wallowa River and usually are caught from mid-February to mid-April as high up as Trout Creek. Fishing is frequently good at the mouth of Spring Creek and in Big Canyon. Trout fishing is good spring through fall, with the best conditions in September and October. Most of the trout are rainbows, however brook trout are in the Enterprise and Joseph regions. Bull trout must be released. Fin-clipped rainbow trout really hatchery steelhead that fail to migrate are the only pan-sized rainbows that can be kept from the mouth up to Rock Creek, between the towns of Minam and Wallowa. (bestfishinginamerica.com)

Kokanee anglers are starting to have more success in this early part of the season. Most fishing effort is still concentrated on the south end of the lake, where some anglers are catching daily limitations of kokanee, and some holdover trout. Some kokanee have been in the 12-inch to 16-inch range. Boaters should be aware that ship docks at the south and north ends of the lake are now out of the season. With a strong wind launching and landing boats may hazardous, be aware of weather conditions before planning a trip. (lagrandeobserver.com)

Though the calendar lists Dec. 21 as the start of winter, it feels like winter is here. Hoar frost may be seen in the Condon area and the hills just above Heppner. It does make trees and shrubs look quite majestic in white. Rough-legged hawks may be seen during most of the north half of the District. Short-eared owl may be seen along the grasslands of the north end of the District. Our year-round inhabitant raptors, red-tailed hawks, Northern harriers, and American kestrels are all easily found. The left over ravens are our inhabitant population, the mobs have headed south. Prairie falcons may also be seen in the neighborhood, though much rarer to be found. (bluemountaineagle.com)

Next we traveled the pass to the Big Horn river valley to the west and towards Cody. Oh Cody, great old west type town and talk about a over looked trout fishery. There are rivers in every direction and small off the beaten path creeks also. Too much to explore in some days. Enter Tim Wades fly shop on major st. Cody, NorthFork Anglers amazing store with a great staff ! information, flies, everything you could have to really ask yourself why am I going into the park ? But into the park we went, and it was worth it as my son had never seen Yellowstone park. I night in The old faithful inn and amazing food at the restaurant too ! 50. (granderondeangler.com)

The number and nature of the fish varied by day, position, and flies. Frequently the lead raft got to the best holes 1st and had the best success, however on many instances the following rafts could pull into the same holes and haul big fish out. At one memorable spot two rafts worked one hole, with three of the anglers landing a steelhead. I hooked one but didn t land it, ruining the great slam. We started out using streamers particularly black-and-white Dali Lamas but sooner or later moved to two black rubber legs under an display Pat s Rubber Legs being the local fly of choice . By the last day of the trip streamers were working. (oregonflyfishingblog.com)

Surplus steelhead have been placed in Marr Pond in Enterprise. These fish supply a great opportunity to get young anglers into some big fish. Attempt fishing with bait suspended under a float or casting spinners. These fish are considered to be trout after being stocked into Marr Pond and fall under the general trout rules for the Northeast Zone. Under these rules, anglers may harvest one fish over 20 inches/day and aren’t obliged to record these fish on their harvest card. (thedalleschronicle.com)

GRANDE RONDE, WALLOWA, IMNAHA RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES: steelhead Steelhead are circulated during the open fishing regions of the lower Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha Rivers. Steelhead fishing is just to good. On the Wallowa River, anglers averaged 7. 8 hours per steelhead landed in the canyon area and 9. 4 hours per steelhead near Rondowa in last week’s creel surveys. Steelhead catch rates averaged a little over 5 hours per fish in the Imnaha River and lower Grande Ronde. This week’s weather forecast calls for warmer and wetter conditions, so river goes could increase. Check river goes. (Check these guys out)

The 1st of our winter migrants was spotted, a rough-legged hawk. As winter s bite increases so will the number of rough-legged hawks in the neighborhood. Attempt any of the regions in the northern part of the District to see one in the grasslands. As raptors continue their migration into winter, take a longer look at any hawks you spot on power poles, sometimes it’s a rare species. Short-eared owls may be seen along most of the grasslands along the foothills of the District. Watch for the irregular wing beat of the owl, it’s quite distinctive. We have had reports of a snowy owl near the Boardman Conservation Area. (wallowavalleyonline.com)