Where to Catch Catfish. An area called the narrows and just below the falls are among spots to fish, but there are plenty of channel cats throughout the John Day Arm. The arm also can be good for other warmwater fish, including smallmouth bass and crappie, and in the late fall trolling for steelhead is popular.
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Where can I fish on the John Day River?
Bank anglers will find by far the best access to the main river from where Highway 207 joins Highway 19 and on upstream. Smallmouth bass also are in the smaller North Fork, and there is plentiful access there for bank anglers there from the mouth up to Monument.
Can you fish in the John Day River?
Some of the best Smallmouth Bass fishing in the country takes place on the John Day River. Bass season is at its peak from mid-June to the end of August. It is not uncommon to hook in excess of 75 fish per rod per day. These fish average from 8-12โณ, with larger fish in the 18-20โณ range.
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.
How do you catch catfish on John Day River?
Get some cut bait and throw it in below the rapids, right where the water froths up. It’ll go down into the deep and catfish will pick it up.
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).
Can you swim in the John Day River?
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 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 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.
Is Chinook salmon fishing open on the Columbia 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 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.
How do you catch a bass in a river?

What is John Day Oregon known for?
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.
What is the best catfish bait?
- #1. Nightcrawler. First on the list is the ubiquitous nightcrawler, favored food for all fish species.
- #2. Gizzard Shad.
- #3. White Suckers.
- #4. Skipjack Herring.
- #5. Stinkbait.
- #7. Bluegills.
- #8. Punchbait.
- #9. Chicken Livers.
Where is the best place to go catfishing?
- Lake of the Ozarks, MO.
- Lake Caddo, TX.
- Toledo Bend Reservoir, TX.
- Logan Martin, AL.
- Lake Conroe, TX.
- Lake Mendota, WI.
- Clear Lake, CA.
- Lake Marion (Santee Cooper Lakes), SC.
Is the Walla Walla River open for fishing?
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.
Do you need a permit to float the John Day River in Oregon?
Permit Requirements 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.
Where can I swim in the Illinois River?
SIXMILE. Sixmile is the first major swimming hole along this stretch of the Illinois River, and it’s a great option for families. Above the river is a large parking area with covered picnic shelters (handy on a hot day if you don’t want to lug all your picnic supplies down to the river) and vault toilets.
Can you swim in Clackamas River?
On the Clackamas River in Gladstone, right off Highway 205, High Rocks Park a popular spot and is often busy during the hottest parts of the day. While the lifeguard makes it a safer swimming hole, please make sure your kids are strong swimmers and stay close by, as the river’s currents and rocky terrain has risks.
Can you drive along the John Day River?
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 there 2 John Day rivers in Oregon?
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.
What is the longest free flowing river in the US?
Yellowstone River: A Wildlife Paradise Cutting a diagonal northeast channel across Montana for nearly 700 miles to its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota, the Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states.
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.
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.