Steelhead have entered the John Day River but forecast numbers are low again this year. The majority of fish are in the lower river and anglers have reported reasonable success in October and November. Also, we have received a few reports of angler success as high as Kimberly. Recent cold weather will slow the fishing.

Steelhead fishing below Tumwater Falls is open with a daily bag limit of one hatchery steelhead through April 30, 2020. Above Tumwater Falls the daily bag limit is three hatchery steelhead and anglers are encouraged to keep hatchery steelhead and use safe fish handling ethics to release wild steelhead.