The John Day River, located in Clatsop County, Oregon, is one of two rivers in Oregon named for John Day, a member of William Price Hunt’s Astoria overland expedition of 1811 to 1812. The other John Day River is located over 200 miles upstream, east of The Dalles, Oregon.
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Is John Day River open for fishing?
Angling Regulations The John Day, in ODFW’s Northeast Zone, is open for bass angling all year from the falls up to the North Fork, the area where fishing for adipose fin-clipped steelhead also is legal all year.
Are there trout in the John Day River?
John Day River, South Fork This tributary of the upper John Day river offers good fishing for wild redband rainbow trout. Other than about four miles upstream from where it enters the mainstem at Dayville, the stream mostly flows through public land and offers good access along South Fork Road.
What type of fish are in the John Day River Oregon?
In addition to anadromous fisheries, this river section contains prime habitat for smallmouth bass. Also present are rainbow trout, Pacific lamprey, bridgelip sucker and speckled and longnose dace.
Are there salmon in the John Day River?
The upper mainstem John Day river and/or tributaries ) produce an estimated 18 percent of the spring Chinook salmon and 16 percent of the summer steelhead in the John Day basin (OWRD 1986).
Is Steelhead fishing open in Oregon?
Open for wild steelhead Jan 1 – Mar 31 and Dec 1-31. Bag limit is 1 per day/3 per year.
How long does it take to float the John Day River?
The purchase means it’s possible to float the river in three days, down 44 river miles, rather than five days. And anyone worried the new access will lead to overuse need not fear, because a limited-entry permit system also came online this season, preserving the solitude in one of Oregon’s special places.
What fish are in the North Fork of the John Day River?
North Fork John Day River is a stream in Oregon, United States. The most popular species caught here are Smallmouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Black bullhead. 14 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Please use your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations.
Is Chinook salmon fishing open on the Columbia River?
Absent of dams for 281 miles, the John Day is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the continental United States and the longest undammed tributary of the Columbia. Elevations range from 265 feet at the confluence with the Columbia River to over 9,000 feet at the headwaters in the Strawberry Mountain Range.
Can you swim in the John Day River?
Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jun 16 – Jul 31. Open for Chinook and coho salmon Aug 1 – Dec 31. Only hatchery coho salmon may be retained between Bonneville Dam and the Hood River Bridge at RM 169.
How do you catch a bass in a river?

What is John Day Oregon known for?
The John Day River is relatively peaceful with few rapids. During the summer months, the water slows down and warms up, making it perfect for swimming and floating in the Eastern Oregon sunshine.
What feeds the John Day River?
Fed by tributary creeks originating from elevations of up to 8,000 feet in the Malheur National Forest, the main stem of the John Day begins its journey by winding north before bending westward near Prairie City, where streams add water from mountains to the north and south, including the north side of the Strawberry …
What size steelhead can you keep in Oregon?
John Day was an American hunter who came to Oregon in 1812 as a straggler from the Pacific Fur Company’s overland expedition to Astoria.
When can I fish for steelhead in Oregon?
Statewide regulations: Minimum lengths: Chinook (north of Cape Falcon) = 22 inches, Chinook (south of Cape Falcon) = 24 inches: coho = 16 inches: steelhead = 20 inches: no minimum length for pink, chum or sockeye salmon in the ocean fishery.
Are steelhead running in Oregon?
For the Oregon angler, there’s an opportunity to fish for steelhead almost every day of the year โ from the frigidly cold waters of a north coast stream in January to a sun-baked desert river in central Oregon.
Do I need a permit to float the John Day River?
In the first few months of the year, winter steelhead are running strong across western Oregon. By early spring, wild winter steelhead are bending rods in western Oregon, this year’s summer steelhead are arriving, and last year’s fish are still biting in northeastern Oregon.
How do you float the John Day River?
- Segment one: Put in at Clarno and take out at Thirtymile for a 25-mile float.
- Segment two: Put in at Thirtymile and take out at Cottonwood Bridge for a 44-mile float.
- Segment three: Put in at Cottonwood Bridge and take out at Starvation Lane for an easy 10-mile float.
Can you drive along the John Day River?
An online permit from Recreation.gov is required year-round to boat within the Wild and Scenic section of the John Day River (Service Creek to Tumwater Falls) for both day and overnight trips. For further information please visit the John Day River Recreation.gov sites for Day Use and Overnight Permits.
Where is the John Day Basin?
The John Day River Basin, in northeastern Oregon, is ruggedly beautiful country holding mountainous terrain, steep river canyons, and rich wildlife habitat.
What is the longest free flowing river in the US?
Two-rod validations have been available to Oregon anglers for several years. For $21.50, licensed anglers can purchase a validation that allows them to use a second rod in certain locations of the state, primarily ponds and lakes.
Are there 2 John Day rivers in Oregon?
This high-standard gravel road is suitable for most passenger vehicles; however, know that some stretches of this road are single-vehicle width. No developed recreation facilities exist along this route but dispersed camping opportunities abound.
Are barbless hooks required on the Columbia River?
There’s a John Day River in eastern Oregon, a John Day Dam, a city John Day, and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, which were all named after John Day.
How many salmon can you keep on the Columbia River?
Barbless Hooks are required when angling for salmon, steelhead, or trout in the mainstem Columbia River under permanent regulations. All other permanent rules for the Columbia River Zone, as stated in the 2022 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (see e-regulations), remain in effect unless modified below.
What is the best month for salmon fishing?
The daily adult bag limit is three salmon, but only one may be a Chinook. November 1 โ December 31: Retention of Chinook, hatchery coho, and hatchery steelhead allowed. The daily adult bag limit is three salmonids, but only one may be a Chinook and only two may be steelhead.