John Day River
Middle Fork
Recent Guide Reports
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Oct 08
Oregon DWR
JOHN DAY RIVER: Bass, trout
Flows remain low, and recreational steelhead fishing is closed through December. The return of wild adult steelhead at Bonneville dam was below 20,000 this summer, which is under the minimum to open a recreational fishery. The closure will likely extend through winter and spring of 2027.
Bass fishing can be very good in the fall with cooler temperatures and a slow increase in flows from summer baseflows.
Bank fishing will be the best way to target bass until flows increase to around 400-500 CFS, which will then open more boating opportunities.
Flows remain low, and recreational steelhead fishing is closed through December. The return of wild adult steelhead at Bonneville dam was below 20,000 this summer, which is under the minimum to open a recreational fishery. The closure will likely extend through winter and spring of 2027.
Bass fishing can be very good in the fall with cooler temperatures and a slow increase in flows from summer baseflows.
Bank fishing will be the best way to target bass until flows increase to around 400-500 CFS, which will then open more boating opportunities.