Fishing in Baker County, Oregon
County seat: Baker City. Population 16,668.
- 14lake pages
- 19open launches
- 2river pages
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Baker County: start here
Baker City is the seat of Baker County, home to 16,668 people at the 2020 Census. The ODFW Southeast Zone table governs most named water in Baker County, but watershed boundaries decide each zone. A state boundary crosses Brownlee Reservoir, Hells Canyon Reservoir and Oxbow Reservoir.
By mapped acreage Brownlee Reservoir heads the 14 lakes with guides in Baker County. Boaters get 19 open launches in the county, with 13 trailered ramps among them.
Census 2020 population; BLM Oregon NHD lake outlines; OSMB Boating Access Sites; DLCD and ODFW shore access layers; 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations zone lists; read November 2, 2026.
Mapped launches and lakes, Baker County
OSMB launch points, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, NHD lake points, PMEP estuary points; read November 2, 2026.
Lakes and reservoirs in Baker County
| Lake | Acres | Kind | OSMB launches | Fish mapped |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownlee Reservoir | 13,880 (outline), 58% in Oregon | reservoir | 7 | black crappie, carp, channel catfish |
| Hells Canyon Reservoir | 2,301 (outline), 53% in Oregon | reservoir | 3 | black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish |
| Phillips Lake | 2,244 (outline) | lake | 5 | black crappie, largemouth bass, northern pikeminnow |
| Oxbow Reservoir | 1,106 (outline), 54% in Oregon | reservoir | 3 | bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish |
| Unity Reservoir | 921 (outline) | reservoir | 1 | black crappie, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Thief Valley Reservoir | 750 (outline) | reservoir | 1 | black crappie, brown bullhead, chiselmouth |
| Higgins Reservoir | 92 (outline) | reservoir | 1 | rainbow trout |
| Balm Creek Reservoir | 73 (outline) | reservoir | 1 | rainbow trout, smallmouth bass |
| Fish Lake (Baker County) | 71 (outline) | lake | 1 | brook trout, rainbow trout |
| Lookingglass Lake | 28 (outline) | lake | 0 | brook trout |
| Anthony Lake | 18 (outline) | lake | 1 | brook trout, rainbow trout |
| Murray Reservoir | 14 (outline) | reservoir | 0 | rainbow trout |
| Highway 203 Pond | 12 (outline) | lake | 0 | largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Long Creek Reservoir | 7 (outline) | reservoir | 0 | rainbow trout |
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026. Species: ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers (ODFW ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; a mapped species is habitat use ODFW records, not a catch report. ODFW publishes no lake depths in these layers.
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Water pages inside 40 miles of Baker City were counted by species, and rainbow trout leads.
Species from ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers, booklet exceptions and ODFW records, counted per water page within 40 miles; habitat mapping, not a catch survey.
Named lakes in Baker County without their own page
28 more named lakes in Baker County carry too few published facts for a page.
| Water | Acres (outline) | Nearest place |
|---|---|---|
| Love Reservoir | 110 | Baker City |
| Smith Lake | 49 | Baker City |
| Whited Reservoir | 36 | Baker City |
| Clear Creek Reservoir | 30 | Joseph |
| Elms Reservoir | 26 | Baker City |
| Crow Reservoir | 25 | Joseph |
| Rock Creek Lake | 24 | Baker City |
| Mehlhorn Reservoir | 20 | Joseph |
| Pine Lakes | 20 | Joseph |
| Morfitt Reservoir | 19 | Baker City |
| Sugarloaf Reservoir | 18 | Joseph |
| Goodrich Lake | 18 | Baker City |
| Pine Creek Reservoir | 18 | Baker City |
| Summit Lake (Baker County) | 17 | Baker City |
| Van Patten Lake | 16 | Baker City |
| Laird Reservoir | 15 | Joseph |
| Vaughn Reservoir | 15 | Baker City |
| Crater Lake | 13 | Joseph |
| East Lakes Reservoir | 11 | Joseph |
| Gover Reservoir | 10 | Baker City |
| Twin Lakes | 8 | Baker City |
| North Powder Pond Number One | 8 | Union |
| Lost Lake (Baker County) | 6 | Baker City |
| Red Mountain Lake | 5 | Baker City |
| Dutch Flat Lake | 4 | Baker City |
| Meadow Lake | 4 | Baker City |
| Killamacue Lake | 3 | Baker City |
| Haines Pond Number One | 2 | Baker City |
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026.
Rivers flowing through Baker County
- Burnt RiverODFW maps spring chinook and summer steelhead runs, 2 booklet exceptions
- Powder RiverODFW maps spring chinook and summer steelhead runs, 2 booklet exceptions
Rivers in Baker County listed here only (6)
- Middle Fork Burnt Riverstream
- North Fork Burnt Riverstream
- North Fork North Powder Riverstream
- North Powder RiverODFW maps spring chinook and summer steelhead runs
- South Fork Burnt Riverstream
- West Fork Burnt Riverstream
ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution stream names and runs, OSMB launches, booklet exceptions and USGS gauges; read November 2, 2026.
Boat launches in Baker County
- Balm Creek launchBalm Creek Reservoir, hand carry launch
- Bob Creek launch on Hells Canyon ReservoirHells Canyon Reservoir, 1 lane, hand carry launch
- Carters Landing (Old) on Oxbow ReservoirOxbow Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Carters Landing on Oxbow ReservoirOxbow Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Copperfield Boat Launch on Hells Canyon ReservoirHells Canyon Reservoir, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Farewell Bend State Park on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Hewitt Park – Low Water Access on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Hewitt Park Day Use on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Higgins Reservoir launchHiggins Reservoir, 1 lane, hand carry launch
- Holcomb Park Ramp on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Mason Ramp on Phillips LakePhillips Lake, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Millers Lane Campground launch on Phillips LakePhillips Lake, hand carry launch
- Moonshine Mine boat ramp on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Oxbow Boat LaunchOxbow Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Social Security Point launch on Phillips LakePhillips Lake, hand carry launch
- Southwest Shore boat ramp on Phillips LakePhillips Lake, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Spring Recreation Site boat ramp on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Swedes Landing on Brownlee ReservoirBrownlee Reservoir, 1 lane, hand carry launch
- Unity Lake State Recreation Site boat rampUnity Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch, OSMB status: restricted
- Anthony Lakes Boat LaunchAnthony Lake, closed per OSMB
- Fish Lake Campground launchFish Lake, closed per OSMB
- Union Creek boat ramp on Phillips LakePhillips Lake, closed per OSMB
Any launch OSMB marks closed has no page here; restricted launches print the reason.
Oregon State Marine Board Boating Access Sites layer (OSMB ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; status as OSMB publishes it. Oregon Coastal Management Program (DLCD) Shoreline Access Inventory (layer) and the ODFW shore access map, read November 2, 2026.
Stocking weeks in Baker County
The schedule shows 44,500 trout headed to 7 waters of Baker County over 18 releases.
- Phillips Lake1 release planned, next listed: May. 03, 2027 – May. 07, 2027: 9,500 legal-size trout
- Balm Creek Reservoir2 releases planned, next listed: Jun. 28, 2027 – Jul. 02, 2027: 1,000 legal-size trout
- Anthony Lake3 releases planned, next listed: Jun. 28, 2027 – Jul. 02, 2027: 1,725 legal-size trout
- Murray Reservoir2 releases planned, next listed: Mar. 29, 2027 – Apr. 02, 2027: 2,900 legal-size trout
- Highway 203 Pond4 releases planned, next listed: Apr. 26, 2027 – Apr. 30, 2027: 2,250 legal-size, 825 trophy trout
- Long Creek Reservoir2 releases planned, next listed: Apr. 05, 2027 – Apr. 09, 2027: 1,000 legal-size trout
- Powder River4 releases planned, next listed: May. 31, 2027 – Jun. 04, 2027: 2,000 legal-size trout
ODFW weekly trout stocking schedule (planned releases; ODFW prints size classes, not species), myodfw.com, read November 2, 2026.
Zone limits that reach Baker County
For Baker County, zone rows come first and named exceptions override them. A year of Oregon angling privileges costs $50 in state and $138 from out of state this season. Retained salmonids, sturgeon and halibut are logged on the $69 resident Combined Angling Tag.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. Streams: 2 per day, 3 daily limits in possession; 8-inch minimum | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open all year, unless noted under Exceptions. |
| Kokanee | 10 per day unless noted under Exceptions. | Open all year. |
| Salmon and Steelhead | see the ODFW booklet | Closed to angling for salmon and steelhead. |
| Bass | Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions. No limit in the southwest corner of the Southeast Zone. Streams: No limit. | Lakes and Reservoirs: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout season. |
| Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Other Sunfish, Walleye, and Yellow Perch | No limit. | Lakes and Reservoirs: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout season. |
| Whitefish, Sucker, Northern Pikeminnow, Carp, Chub, Sculpin, and other. | No limit. | Lakes and Reservoirs: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout season. |
| Sturgeon | Catch-and-release only. | Lakes and Reservoirs: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout season. |
Booklet exceptions on Baker County waters (15)
| Water | Species | Rule | Booklet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnt River | Use of bait allowed. | p. 63 | |
| Burnt River | trout | 5 rainbow trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. | p. 63 |
| Phillips Reservoir | tiger muskie | Catch-and-release for tiger muskie. | p. 64 |
| Powder River | trout | 5 rainbow trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. | p. 64 |
| Powder River | Use of bait allowed. | p. 64 | |
| Thief Valley Reservoir | trout | 2 trout over 20 inches may be taken per day. | p. 64 |
| Unity Reservoir | bass | 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested. | p. 64 |
| Unity Reservoir | Closed within 200 ft of the dam Jan 1 – Mar 31 and Dec 1-31. | p. 64 | |
| Brownlee Reservoir | bass | 12 inch minimum length on bass. | p. 70 |
| Brownlee Reservoir | An Oregon angling license is required on the Powder River Arm from the mouth up to the Huntington – Richland Rd Bridge. | p. 70 | |
| Brownlee Reservoir | Brownlee Reservoir ends at the downstream point of Porter Island. | p. 70 | |
| Hells Canyon Reservoir | trout | 3 hatchery trout over 20 inches may be harvested per day. | p. 69 |
| Hells Canyon Reservoir | bass | No size limit on bass. | p. 69 |
| Oxbow Reservoir | bass | 2 bass per day. | p. 70 |
| Oxbow Reservoir | bass | No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches. | p. 70 |
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Southeast Zone page), read November 2, 2026. Water exceptions as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (booklet PDF; printed page shown), read November 2, 2026. In-season changes from ODFW override them. Fees as printed on the ODFW license, tag and permit fee page of the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (fees page), read November 2, 2026.
Big-fish entries close to Baker County
The record list names no water in Baker County; these within 80 miles do.
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kokanee Salmon | 9 lb 10.72 oz | Wallowa Lake | 2010 |
| Cutthroat Trout | 9 lb 8 oz | Malheur River | 1986 |
| Channel Catfish | 36 lb 8 oz | McKay Reservoir | 1980 |
Oregon record fish as listed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (record fish article, dated March 4, 2026), read November 2, 2026.
The event calendar for Baker County
For Baker County the organizers publish 3 events, 2 still to come.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 18, 2027 | BAM Brownlee Reservoir Pro-Am 2027 | Brownlee Reservoir | BAM Tournament Trail (Bass Angler Magazine) |
| June 18, 2027 | BAM Brownlee Reservoir Scholastic 2027 | Brownlee Reservoir | BAM Tournament Trail (Bass Angler Magazine) |
| June 26, 2026 | BAM Brownlee Reservoir Super 60 2026 | Brownlee Reservoir | BAM Tournament Trail (Bass Angler Magazine) |
Organizer schedule and results pages (ODFW publishes no tournament calendar), checked November 2026.
Tackle counters and hired guides, Baker County
Where to buy gear in Baker County
- Huntington Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Huntington
- Bi-Mart (Baker City)sporting goods store, Baker City
Yellow Pages and store-locator listings, guide and charter business listings (county of the business), read November 2, 2026.
A short trip from Baker County
Places to stay across Baker County
- Baker Citypop. 10,099
Bordering Baker County
- Union County44 miles north
- Wallowa County66 miles north
- Grant County67 miles west
- Umatilla County80 miles northwest
A Piscifun kit worth stowing before you head to Baker County
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Photographs from the shoreline near Baker County
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Rick Obst, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
What people ask before fishing Baker County
How many OSMB launches serve Baker County?
19 open launches in all, 13 trailered.
Which still water in Baker County has the widest NHD outline?
Brownlee Reservoir, about 13,880 acres on its mapped outline.
Which species do Baker County waters hold?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 40 miles, then brook trout, black crappie and smallmouth bass.
Where can I pick up roe or worms in Baker County?
The county lists 2, such as Huntington Bait & Tackle.
Which guides name Baker County as home?
Guide listings point to other counties.
Which Oregon town is seat of Baker County government?
County offices are in Baker City.
Which ODFW license and tag cover Baker County?
Budget $50 if you live in Oregon, $138 if not, for the annual angling license. The Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident) records any salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut kept.
Which counties surround Baker County?
The nearest county pages are Union County, Wallowa County and Grant County.
Where does Baker County sit in the Oregon booklet?
Expect the ODFW Southeast Zone limits on most Baker County waters; zones are drawn by drainage, so check any water near a divide.
Are there fishing derbies in Baker County?
3 events on file; next up is BAM Brownlee Reservoir Pro-Am 2027 on Brownlee Reservoir, June 18, 2027.
Do ODFW booklet exceptions apply to Baker County waters?
The 2026 booklet prints 15 water exceptions reaching this county, starting with Burnt River; the table above shows each.
Does ODFW stock trout in Baker County?
Yes: 7 waters on the ODFW schedule, such as Phillips Lake, Balm Creek Reservoir and Anthony Lake; releases are planned, not confirmed.
Hitch up for Baker County
Open a water page for its launches and exceptions.