No recent fishing reports. River flows have increased to near 300 cfs and will remain steady over the next week. Cooler temperatures and recent rains will help boating conditions. Single person float tubes are still useful, but larger drift boats and rafts are not recommended at current flows.

Smallmouth bass fishing will begin to slow down with decreasing water temperatures.   Steelhead are moving into the lower river and fishing should pick up. Fishing in the lower river around Cottonwood Canyon State Park will be the best bet during this early season.

Please note BLM has a new boater permit system in place for the John Day, and there are now limited overnight fall permits in Segment 1 from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30. Segment 1 is from Cottonwood Bridge to Tumwater Falls.  BLM permit information is available at recreation.gov