Lake Umatilla (John Day Reservoir)
48,738-acre Columbia River reservoir (John Day Pool) on the Washington-Oregon line. WDFW lists walleye, bass, crappie, catfish, perch and trout among its fish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Crappie
Black and white crappie
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Rainbow Trout
Shorelines and inlets in cool months, deeper water in summer.
Sockeye Salmon
Seasonal, check emergency rules
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Crappie |
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Plymouth, Paterson (primitive), Crow Butte Park, RooseveltRampWashington-shore launches listed by WDFW; Oregon-side launches include Umatilla, Irrigon, Boardman and ArlingtonDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Umatilla (John Day Reservoir) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (2026-27 pamphlet on eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Umatilla (John Day Reservoir) ↗Local tips
- Two-pole fishing is not allowed.
- Salmon and steelhead seasons can open or close by emergency rule; check WDFW first.
- Many launches on both shores, so pick the side that fits the wind.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Lake Umatilla (John Day Reservoir).