Summer steelhead are present throughout the John Day River but we expect below average of steelhead returning to the basin this season.  

River flows recently rose and have likely drawn steelhead into and further up the river.  Steelhead tend to move into the lower river with each flow pulse. Boating access is possible, although flows remain low at times and sections will be challenging to navigate. No recent angler reports submitted for January.

Most steelhead will be wild and must be released. To help reduce stress on wild steelhead anglers are encouraged to play and land fish as quickly as possible, use barbless hooks, and do not remove fish from the water. Anglers are encouraged to keep up to three hatchery steelhead per day. 

Bull trout are also present in the river but in low numbers. If caught they must be released unharmed.