According to the instream water agreement, up to 5000 acre-feet (AF) of water will be released from Wallowa Lake Dam annually. Water levels were perfect. Share your opinion or comments on a Fish and Wildlife Commission issue at: odfw.commission@state.or.us. 25 kokanee per day in addition to other trout catch limits. It’s about $35 per person. Occasionally bull trout are caught but must be released. WALLOWA LAKE Fishing for both trout and kokanee on Wallowa Lake has merited a good rating since May, continuing through June and into July, according to Gina Barstad, owner of the Wallowa Lake Marina. 3 . Wenaha River. Catch-and-release for bull trout. Wallowa Lake. Wallowa Lake is stocked with lake trout and kokanee salmon and supports native whitefish and bull trout. The Nez Perce Tribe is pleased to see how the collaboration of different parties is moving a long-standing project closer to completion,” said Shannon Wheeler, Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE   ::   Salem, OR 97302   ::    Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339] Mouth to Crooked Cr But one of the key aspects of the project for fisheries co-managers is the possibility of restoring sockeye salmon back to Wallowa Lake. A reminder: Angling for bull trout is prohibited in the Northeast Zone except Use of bait allowed. Local: 541-432-2391 [email protected] For trout, fish natural baits as stocked fish have typically learned … This section of the river is primarily managed for recreation with a mix of private and public land including Wallowa Lake … 9-4 most days. But one of the most exciting aspects of the project for fisheries co-managers is the possibility of restoring sockeye salmon back to Wallowa Lake. This is a vital piece of infrastructure to our county, and has been an ongoing project for generations in the valley,” said Dan Butterfield, President, Wallowa Lake Irrigation District Board of Directors. Lots to do here at this smallish glacial lake. Wild rainbow trout must be released. Rehabilitating the dam will trigger the state of Oregon’s fish passage rules, and require that the dam owners provide a means of fish passage. “This project will ecologically reconnect Wallowa Lake to its river and protect flows in a basin critical to the many resources the Nez Perce people have used and relied upon in this area since time immemorial. If you happen to find yourself in Northeast Oregon, don’t simply limit yourself to the Wallowa! Bull trout, mountain whitefish, wild rainbow trout, and possibly steelhead could start returning to Wallowa Lake when fish passage is restored. At 1,500 surface acres, Wallowa Lake is the largest natural lake in northeast Oregon. Bull trout, mountain whitefish and rainbow trout also have the ability to make Wallowa Lake their home — if they have access via fish passage, Yanke and Harbeck said. The Wallowa Lake Tramway offers a shortcut to the top of the wilderness where visitors are treated to unparalleled panoramas and gentle nature trails. Wenaha River. Spring, early summer, and fall are the most productive times to fish the Wallowa. Wild rainbow trout must be released. The timing of the steelhead run on the Wallowa is just slightly later than that of the Grande Ronde; it’s a tributary of the Grande Ronde, and steelhead will often wait for higher river levels before venturing into the smaller Wallowa. Wallowa Lake Dam was originally constructed in 1919 and does not meet current dam safety standards, putting at risk the downstream communities of Joseph, Enterprise and Wallowa. It is home to lake trout, kokanee, bull trout and rainbows. Wallowa Lake holds the state record for kokanee with a fish weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Rainbows are the main catch and most anglers pursue them near the mouth of the Wallowa River at the southern end of the lake where the river channel takes a hard right turn toward the bank. DeHaan, P., B. Adams, and D. Hawkins. Please check your regulations for other areas. Rainbow Trout, Mackinaw Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Bull Trout: Latest Fish Plants. Fishing for rainbows and kokanee in Wallowa Lake in early July a few years ago, the author caught and released this bull trout. Steelhead, coho salmon, bull trout, mountain whitefish and rainbow trout are all species that can live in the lake. Fish the mouth of the Wallowa. Fit hikers can take advantage of the elevation gain and traverse the scurry ridges south to the Bonny Lakes Trail (Approx 45.193409,-117.18284) and then west down to the East Fork Trail. AFTC Final Report: 3. It’s about $35 per person. At 1,500 surface acres, Wallowa Lake is the largest natural lake in northeast Oregon. Wallowa Lake. There’s nothing like fishing in one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful regions in the Pacific Northwest. The rehabilitated dam will provide flood protection to local communities, more water to irrigators, the possibility of hydropower development, potable water for local communities and a host of other benefits. Before the dam was built, tens of thousands of sockeye returned to Wallowa Lake each year to spawn in the gravels at the river inlet on the south side of lake, and were important for Native American tribes. No size limits. I was pleased to support this project and look forward to seeing it complete.”. The Wallowa River is an excellent rainbow trout fishery with fish scattered from where it leaves Wallowa Lake through the Wallowa valley and through the Wallowa canyon and finally to where it joins the Grande Ronde below Minum Park. Photos courtesy of Wallowa Lake Irrigation District. Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents Bull trout, mountain whitefish, wild rainbow trout, and possibly steelhead could start returning to Wallowa Lake when fish passage is restored. Steelhead begin to enter the Wallowa River in October, and steelhead generally hang around in the river all the way through the spring, though most fishermen turn their efforts to trout once spring rolls around. Though the Wallowa River below Wallowa Lake is by far the most popular stretch to fish, the river above the lake is a hidden gem for locals. Spey fishermen have a blast on the Wallowa as well, though the river is a bit small for 12-foot-plus spey rods – many fly fishermen opt for a switch rod or shorter spey rod to have an easier time out on the water. Bull trout thrive in this zone’s cold, clear rivers, which also sustain whitefish and rainbow trout, and welcome returning runs of hatchery-reared steelhead. He and others involved in the negotiations declined to specify the type of fish passage envisioned, but they’re eager to see restored the ability of sockeye salmon — and other fish — to make Wallowa Lake their home. AFTC Final Report: 15. Photo by Gary Lewis Wallowa Lake is shown above. ODFW trout stocking scheduleODFW weekly recreation report and regulation updatesODFW annual fishing regulationsNational Weather Service forecasts, Find more fishing spots in Wallowa County. Most trout fishing pressure on the Wallowa is from fly fishermen, who take full advantage of the expansive public access and the exciting hatches that happen on the river. It also has a strong population of Steelhead trout depending on the time of year. And rainbows risk, it has operated at a reduced water wallowa lake bull trout since. 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