Rains and increased temperatures have increased flows on the Umatilla River and fishing conditions are poor for the moment. However, flows have decreased significantly in the past week. Most anglers are still concentrating their efforts near Pendleton, however 128 new fish have pushed into the system with the increased flows in April. To date there have been 1,905 steelhead counted at Three Mile Falls Dam, with 522 being hatchery, 1205 being wild and a total of 1,731 fish released above the TMFD. 

Most anglers have been finding success with a boober and jig set up, using corkies or a bead set up. Fly anglers are using sinking tips with larger winter marabou or rabbit flies in slower water. Anglers should handle wild fish with care this time of year as they are beginning to spawn, playing the fish as quickly as possible, as well as releasing, while keeping the fish in the water to remove the hook.

The spring Chinook fishery on the Umatilla River opened on April 16. The bag limit is 2 adult and 5 hatchery spring Chinook per day. There are an estimated 2,500 spring Chinook that will return to the Umatilla River this year, down 500 fish from last year’s estimated return. Most spring Chinook start entering the Umatilla in May, however with the cold temps and higher run off this year the fish could be delayed from normal run timing.