Oxbow Reservoir Fishing
A 1,106-acre Oregon reservoir in Baker and Malheur counties, shared across a state line.
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Getting your bearings on Oxbow Reservoir
Summed by GNIS name, the outline pieces of Oxbow Reservoir come to around 1,106 acres in Baker and Malheur counties. Oregon holds near 54% of the outline, and a neighbouring state the remainder. Its boat access is managed by Idaho Power. The nearest Census place is Joseph, about 36 miles off.
Boaters can pick from 3 open launch sites on the OSMB map. The 2026 booklet prints 2 water-specific rules for it. It sits in the Snake River Zone tables.
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026.; launch managers from the Oregon State Marine Board launch layer; Census 2023 places.
Fish to chase at Oxbow Reservoir
ODFW maps these fish as using Oxbow Reservoir; a mapped species is habitat use, not a catch report.
Habitat records behind Oxbow Reservoir
| Fish | Use ODFW records | Origin | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Brown bullhead | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Channel catfish | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Chiselmouth | unknown | native local | UndocObsFish |
| Flathead catfish | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Largemouth bass | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Northern pikeminnow | unknown | native local | UndocObsFish |
| Peamouth | unknown | native local | DocObsFish |
| Pumpkinseed | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Rainbow trout | resident multiple uses | native non local | UndocObsFish |
| Redband trout | rearing | native local | DocObsFish |
| Smallmouth bass | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| White crappie | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
| Yellow perch | resident multiple uses | non native | UndocObsFish |
ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers (ODFW ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; a mapped species is habitat use ODFW records, not a catch report.
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- Carters Landing (Old) on Oxbow Reservoir1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, use fee; Idaho Power
- Carters Landing on Oxbow Reservoir1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, use fee, life jacket loaner station; Idaho Power
- Oxbow Boat Launch1 lane, trailered launch; parking, restrooms, life jacket loaner station; Idaho Power
More launches close to Oxbow Reservoir
- Copperfield Boat Launch on Hells Canyon ReservoirHells Canyon Reservoir, 6 miles north
- Bob Creek launch on Hells Canyon ReservoirHells Canyon Reservoir, 7 miles north
- Copper Creek Boat Ramp on Hells Canyon ReservoirHells Canyon Reservoir, 13 miles north
Oregon State Marine Board Boating Access Sites layer (OSMB ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; status as OSMB publishes it.
Bag limits that apply at Oxbow Reservoir
Oxbow Reservoir appears in the Snake River Zone section of the 2026 booklet.
| Species | Daily limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | 6 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. | Open all year. |
| Salmon | see the ODFW booklet | Closed in all waters unless noted by species under Exceptions. |
| Steelhead | 3 per day. | Closed in all waters unless noted by species under Exceptions. |
| Bass | Lakes/Reservoirs: 6 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions. Streams: No limit. | Open all year. |
| Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Other Sunfish, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Suck. | No limit. | Open all year. |
| Sturgeon | Catch-and-release only. | Open all year. |
How the rules at Oxbow Reservoir differ from the zone
| Water as printed | Species | Rule | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxbow Reservoir | bass | 2 bass per day. | p. 70 |
| Oxbow Reservoir | bass | No harvest of bass between 12 and 16 inches. | p. 70 |
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.
Where Oxbow Reservoir crosses a border
The Oregon booklet covers the Oregon share of Oxbow Reservoir; the other share follows its own state.
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident).
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Snake River Zone page), read November 2, 2026.
Where Oxbow Reservoir ranks among close lakes
Of the five closest Oregon lakes with pages, Brownlee Reservoir is the largest at about 13,880 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | OSMB launches | Stocking weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxbow Reservoir | 1,106 | reservoir | 3 | 0 | |
| Brownlee Reservoir | 12 miles southwest | 13,880 | reservoir | 7 | 0 |
| Hells Canyon Reservoir | 14 miles north | 2,301 | reservoir | 3 | 0 |
| Fish Lake (Baker County) | 16 miles northwest | 71 | lake | 0 | 0 |
| Lookingglass Lake | 28 miles northwest | 28 | lake | 0 | 0 |
| Blue Lake (Wallowa County) | 31 miles northwest | 19 | lake | 0 | 0 |
BLM outlines, the OSMB launch layer and the ODFW stocking schedule; read November 2, 2026.
What surrounds Oxbow Reservoir for anglers
Other still water within reach of Oxbow Reservoir
- Brownlee Reservoir12 miles southwest
- Hells Canyon Reservoir14 miles north
- Fish Lake (Baker County)16 miles northwest
- Lookingglass Lake28 miles northwest
- Blue Lake (Wallowa County)31 miles northwest
Shops for roe, worms and spinners near Oxbow Reservoir
- Huntington Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Huntington
- The Outdoorsmanbait and tackle shop, Ontario
- Bi-Mart (Ontario)sporting goods store, Ontario
- Bi-Mart (Baker City)sporting goods store, Baker City
Towns within striking range of Oxbow Reservoir
- Joseph36 miles
County pages that include Oxbow Reservoir
- Baker Countyseat: Baker City
- Malheur Countyseat: Vale
What Piscifun sells for a day spent on Oxbow Reservoir
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Picture key to the fish of Oxbow Reservoir
Photo: ted_rocket, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, Public domain
Photo: gailhampshire, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon State University, CC BY-SA 2.0
Oxbow Reservoir: what Oregon anglers want to know
How do I locate Oxbow Reservoir on an Oregon map?
You will find it in Baker and Malheur counties, about 36 miles from Joseph.
Is Oxbow Reservoir large water?
Close to 1,106 acres on the NHD outline, about 54% of it in Oregon.
How many OSMB launches reach Oxbow Reservoir?
Carters Landing (Old) on Oxbow Reservoir is among 3 launch sites OSMB maps.
What species does ODFW map in Oxbow Reservoir?
Named species: bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, chiselmouth, flathead catfish, largemouth bass and northern pikeminnow.
What may an Oregon angler keep from Oxbow Reservoir?
Trout: 6 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. Read the exception table as well.
Does a visitor from out of state need an Oregon license at Oxbow Reservoir?
An Oregon angling license ($50 resident, $138 nonresident for 2026) covers anglers 12 and older; salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and halibut go on a Combined Angling Tag ($69 resident).
Is shore fishing possible at Oxbow Reservoir?
No mapped shore site sits on it; launch areas and parks may allow bank fishing.
Where do Oregon anglers buy gear for Oxbow Reservoir?
Stop at Huntington Bait & Tackle in the same county.
Plan a morning on Oxbow Reservoir
Licenses, endorsements and water exceptions are on the regulations page.