Fishing in Umatilla County, Oregon
County seat: Pendleton. Population 80,075.
- 4lake pages
- 14open launches
- 3river pages
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Getting to know the water in Umatilla County
80,075 Oregonians called Umatilla County home in 2020, with Pendleton as county seat. ODFW files most of the Umatilla County waters it names under the ODFW Northeast Zone rows, with drainages, not county lines, setting the edges. Lake Umatilla and Lake Wallula runs over the Oregon line.
Umatilla County shares 4 lake pages, and Lake Umatilla spreads widest. 14 open launches sit in the county on the OSMB map; 10 take a trailer.
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.
A map of where to get on the water in Umatilla County
OSMB launch points, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, NHD lake points, PMEP estuary points; read November 2, 2026.
Lakes to try around Umatilla County
| Lake | Acres | Kind | OSMB launches | Fish mapped |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Umatilla | 50,097 (outline), 44% in Oregon | lake | 12 | black crappie, channel catfish, chiselmouth |
| Lake Wallula | 32,492 (outline), 18% in Oregon | lake | 5 | black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead |
| Cold Springs Reservoir | 1,440 (outline) | reservoir | 1 | bluegill, brown bullhead, largemouth bass |
| McKay Reservoir | 1,174 (outline) | reservoir | 2 | black crappie, brown bullhead, largemouth bass |
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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channel catfish tops the tally of water pages within 40 miles of Pendleton.
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.
The rest of the named lakes in Umatilla County
Umatilla County holds 6 more named lakes on the outline map.
| Water | Acres (outline) | Nearest place |
|---|---|---|
| Langdon Lake | 48 | Elgin |
| Walchli Reservoir | 23 | Hermiston |
| Meacham Lake | 16 | Pilot Rock |
| Manns Pond | 15 | Hermiston |
| White Reservoir | 12 | Milton-Freewater |
| Weston Pond | 1 | Athena |
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026.
Drift and wade water in Umatilla County
- Snake RiverODFW maps fall chinook, spring chinook and summer steelhead runs, 5 OSMB launches, 7 booklet exceptions
- Umatilla RiverODFW maps coho, fall chinook and spring chinook runs, 3 OSMB launches, 2 USGS gauges, 15 booklet exceptions
- Walla Walla RiverODFW maps summer steelhead runs, 1 booklet exception
Other named rivers of Umatilla County (4)
- North Fork Umatilla RiverODFW maps spring chinook and summer steelhead runs
- North Fork Walla Walla RiverODFW maps summer steelhead runs
- South Fork Umatilla RiverODFW maps spring chinook and summer steelhead runs
- South Fork Walla Walla RiverODFW maps summer steelhead runs
Stream gauges in Umatilla County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Umatilla River Near Umatilla, Or | 210 cfs, 2.88 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:30 pm |
| Umatilla R At W Reservation Bndy Nr Pendleton, Or | 60 cfs, 2.82 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:15 pm |
| Umatilla River Above Meacham Creek, Nr Gibbon, Or | 59 cfs, 2.85 ft gage height | Nov 11 8:15 pm |
| Meacham Creek At Gibbon, Or | 12 cfs, 3.70 ft gage height | Nov 11 9:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution stream names and runs, OSMB launches, booklet exceptions and USGS gauges; read November 2, 2026.
Where to launch in Umatilla County
- 1st Street Irrigon Launch on Lake UmatillaLake Umatilla, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Camas Creek Put-in launch on North Fork John Day RiverNorth Fork John Day River, hand carry launch
- Hat Rock State Park on Lake WallulaLake Wallula, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Indian Lake Campground boat ramp on Lake HiyúumptipinLake Hiyúumptipin, trailered launch
- McKay Creek North boat rampMcKay Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch
- McKay Creek South boat rampMcKay Reservoir, 1 lane, trailered launch
- McNary Dam Oregon Ramp on Lake WallulaLake Wallula, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- McNary Yacht Club boat ramp on Lake WallulaLake Wallula, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Nugent Park on Umatilla RiverUmatilla River, 2 lanes, trailered launch
- Umatilla Fish Hatchery Put-in launchUmatilla River, 1 lane, hand carry launch
- Umatilla Hatchery RampUmatilla River, 1 lane, hand carry launch
- Umatilla MarinaLake Umatilla, 4 lanes, trailered launch
- Warehouse Beach Boat Ramp on Lake WallulaLake Wallula, 1 lane, trailered launch
- Warehouse Beach Paddle Launch on Lake WallulaLake Wallula, 1 lane, hand carry launch
- Cold Springs Reservoir boat rampCold Springs Reservoir, closed per OSMB
Closed sites stay as plain rows; check the OSMB note on any restricted launch.
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.
The booklet table for Umatilla County
Every Umatilla County water missing from the exception list uses the zone limits. ODFW prices the 2026 annual angling license at $50 for Oregonians and $138 for nonresidents. The Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident) records any salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut kept.
| 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 May 22 – Oct 31, unless noted under Exceptions. |
| Kokanee | 10 per day unless noted under Exceptions. | Open all year. |
| Salmon | See Umatilla River under Exceptions. There is no annual limit on hatchery salmon as long as the appropriate number of Hatchery Harvest Tags have been purchased to record the catch. | Closed in all waters unless noted by species under Exceptions. |
| Steelhead | 3 per day. | Closed in all waters unless noted by species under Exceptions. |
| Sturgeon | Catch-and-release only. | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons only, except portions of Columbia River tributaries flooded by John Day and. |
| Bass | Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions. Streams: No limit. | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons only, except portions of Columbia River tributaries flooded by John Day and. |
| Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Other Sunfish, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Suck. | No limit. | Lakes: Open all year. Streams: Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons only, except portions of Columbia River tributaries flooded by John Day and. |
Exceptions printed for Umatilla County (24)
| Water | Species | Rule | Booklet |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKay Reservoir | bass | 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested. | p. 60 |
| Umatilla River | trout | 2 trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | chinook, salmon | 2 adult and 5 jack hatchery spring Chinook salmon per day. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | hatchery steelhead, chinook, coho, salmon | 3 adult fall Chinook salmon, coho salmon, or hatchery steelhead in aggregate per day and 5 jack salmon. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | warmwater | Open all year for warmwater fish. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | hatchery steelhead | Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 – Apr 30 and Sep 1 – Dec 31. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | chinook, salmon | Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Apr 16 – Jun 10. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | chinook, coho, salmon | Open for coho and fall Chinook salmon Sep 1 – Nov 30. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | Use of bait allowed. | p. 58 | |
| Umatilla River | hatchery steelhead | Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 – Apr 30 and Sep 1 – Dec 31. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | chinook, salmon | Open for hatchery spring Chinook salmon Apr 16 – Jun 30. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | chinook, coho, salmon | Open for coho and fall Chinook salmon Sep 1 – Nov 30. | p. 58 |
| Umatilla River | Use of bait allowed. | p. 58 | |
| Umatilla River (Umatilla Indian Reservation) | Tribal angling permits required on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (541) 276-3165. | p. 58 | |
| Umatilla River (Umatilla Indian Reservation) | Use of bait allowed up to Ryan Cr (approx. 550 ft), artificial flies and lures only above Ryan Cr. | p. 58 | |
| Umatilla River (Umatilla Indian Reservation) | Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch. | p. 58 | |
| Walla Walla River and Tributaries | Hook-gap size may not exceed 3/8 inch. | p. 60 | |
| Snake River (Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam.) | hatchery steelhead | Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 – Apr 30 and Sep 1 – Dec 31. | p. 69 |
| Snake River (Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam.) | chinook, salmon | Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Apr 22 – Aug 17 from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to Hells Canyon Dam. 4 hatchery Chinook per day, only 2 of which may be an adult. | p. 69 |
| Snake River (Washington State Line to Hells Canyon Dam.) | chinook, salmon | Open for Chinook salmon Aug 18 – Oct 31. 3 adult Chinook salmon per day, no limit on jacks. | p. 69 |
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Northeast 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.
ODFW records tied to Umatilla County
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | 36 lb 8 oz | McKay Reservoir | 1980 |
| Flathead Catfish | 42 lb 0 oz | Snake River | 1994 |
Oregon record fish as listed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (record fish article, dated March 4, 2026), read November 2, 2026.
Where Umatilla County anglers stock up
Listed shops across Umatilla County
- Blue Mountain Anglers & Flyfly shop, Pendleton
- Bi-Mart (Hermiston)sporting goods store, Hermiston
- Bi-Mart (Pendleton)sporting goods store, Pendleton
Yellow Pages and store-locator listings, guide and charter business listings (county of the business), read November 2, 2026.
Near Umatilla County
Cities and towns of Umatilla County
- Hermistonpop. 19,354
- Pendletonpop. 17,107
- Umatillapop. 7,363
- Milton-Freewaterpop. 7,151
- Stanfieldpop. 2,144
- Pilot Rockpop. 1,328
- Athenapop. 1,209
Across the line from Umatilla County
- Union County41 miles southeast
- Morrow County44 miles west
- Wallowa County75 miles east
- Gilliam County76 miles west
Piscifun reels and line chosen with Umatilla County in mind
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs from the shoreline near Umatilla County
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: Bonnie Moreland, Public domain
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Rick Obst, CC BY 2.0
Settling the usual questions about water in Umatilla County
Where are the boat ramps in Umatilla County?
OSMB shows 14 open launches; 10 take trailers.
What is the biggest lake outline on the Umatilla County map?
Lake Umatilla, about 50,097 acres on its mapped outline.
What can an angler target in Umatilla County?
Channel catfish lead the count of water pages within 40 miles, then largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and brown bullhead.
Is there a bait and tackle store in Umatilla County?
Blue Mountain Anglers & Fly heads 3 listings.
Do guide services list an address in Umatilla County?
No charter or guide names it.
Where is the Umatilla County seat?
Pendleton holds the courthouse.
Which fishing license fits Umatilla County?
The 2026 fee page lists the yearly angling license at $50 resident, $138 nonresident. Keep a salmon or steelhead and you need the Combined Angling Tag too, $69 for residents.
Which county centre sits nearest Umatilla County?
Closest by centre point: Union County, Morrow County and Wallowa County.
Which zone rows govern Umatilla County?
In the booklet, the bulk of Umatilla County waters sit in the ODFW Northeast Zone pages, since zones track watersheds.
Which exception rows reach Umatilla County?
The 2026 booklet prints 24 water exceptions reaching this county, starting with McKay Reservoir; the table above shows each.
Which ODFW records name Umatilla County water?
Channel Catfish, 36 lb 8 oz, from McKay Reservoir (1980).
Choose your Umatilla County water
Lake pages list launches, species and limits.