Due to very poor predicated returns, retention of steelhead on the Umatilla River between the Hwy 730 bridge and Three Mile Falls Dam (TMDF) will be closed Sept. 1 through April 30, 2022. From TFMD to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation boundary is open for fishing and retention of steelhead. There has been a total of 921 steelhead counted at TMFD up to date for the this run year, with an average of 5 fish per day over the past week.

The flows in the Umatilla have come up a bit and anglers should start see fish moving because of this. Anglers have found success when water temperatures start to warm in late afternoon, with any flow increase moving fish higher up into the system. Anglers have been fining success from Hermiston to Pendleton, with an average of 1 fish caught per 8 hours fished.   

Trout fishing on the Umatilla River, and its tributaries, is closed as of Oct. 31. Bass and other warmwater species remain open all year.