The John Day River in Oregon offers some of the best fishing destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Known in the contiguous states as the third longest free-flowing river, it offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, camping, rafting and more. The river area receives protection under the Oregon Scenic Waterways Act and gets its name from one of the original members of the Astor-Hunt overland party.
The top species of fish found in the John Day River are warm water bass. It is a fact that the river is a popular destination among anglers for some of the best smallmouth bass west of the Mississippi River. The river is also home to other species of fish such as:
- Bass. Bass are one of the more popular types of recreational fish in Oregon. They are strong fighters, and there are several different species.
- Bull trout. The bull trout is a threatened species and protected by Oregon law. Most bull trout require release without any harm, making it important to know how to identify them while fishing. They are typically grey with some green, with pale white or yellow spots all over the body. Occasionally they will have red or orange spots on the side. They are actually not a trout fish, but a member of the char family.
- Chinook salmon. The Chinook salmon is the largest of the salmon species, weighing in at up to 50 lbs. It is the state fish of Oregon and is also known as King salmon.
- Redband rainbow trout. The redband rainbow trout is the most common species of native trout in the John Day River. They have a red stripe running down their side, giving them their name. Typically, the waters where redband trout live do not allow bait, so many anglers opt for lures and artificial flies.
- Rainbow Trout. Rainbow trout are typically Steelhead trout that never migrate to the sea. They have a pink stripe running down the side, making them easy to identify. They require areas with clean gravel, places to hide and tend to move at a steady pace looking for food.
- Cutthroat trout. Cutthroat trout can provide a fishing challenge for both novice and experienced anglers. They tend to measure between 8-9 inches in length and respond well to artificial lures like spinners and flies.
The best time to fish the John Day River depends on what kind of fishing experience you are looking for. The larger fish become active earlier in the season, meaning if size matters most to you, then a trip any time from late March into early May will boost your results. A lot of trophy-sized fish come out of the river during this time period, although they can appear at any time during the summer.
If you prefer quantity to size, you will catch more fish later in the season. As the Oregon water warms up, the smaller fish also become more active and start growing at a rapid rate. In July, August, and September, all the fish are active and it is not uncommon to catch over 100 fish in a single day.
Consult With These Top Fishing Guides for Your John Day River Trip
To get the best fishing results on the John Day River, check out these top fishing guides for the area. They can help you plan your trip including all the best places to stay and all the best spots for Oregon fishing.