This is all we know about the John Day River and the surrounding area. The best way to learn about the area is to book a trip and spend a few days learning the different fishing techniques and what the area offers. We created this information page to help those curious about the area and the "do-it-yourselfer." We offer this information in an easy-to-use and read format. If we haven't answered your questions, contact Steve Fleming via e-mail: bassinbuddy@centurytel.net, and he will get back to you as soon as he has time.
MAP INFORMATION
There are two publications: the John Day River Recreation Guide (Kimberly to Tumwater Falls) for $5 and the Lower John Day River Public Lands map. You can order these from:
BLM - Prineville District Office
3050 NE Third Street
Prineville, OR 97754
541-416-6700
https://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville/about.php
These are a must because they show private and public lands on the river, beneficial information about the river and planning a trip, and can save you lots of time.
RIVER FLOWS
The Service Creek gauging station is what most people use to gauge the river flow. Each section of the river is different, and where one section is easy and has no problems at 500 CFS, another may have some skinny rapids that will require some extra time to get through.
- Service Creek website: waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14046500
- Short-term river forecast: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?SERO3
- Long-term forecast: www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/stp/station/stpplot/stpplot.cgi?SERO3
Some rules of thumb:
- For every 1000 CFS, the river is flowing at approximately one mph. So, if you plan on floating Clarno to the Cottonwood Bridge, 71 river miles, at 1000 CFS, it will take about 71 hours on the water. If you row while on the water, you should make at least two mph, so now it will take 35 hours on the water. And conversely, if you stop and fish a lot, it will take more than 71 hours. If you put on the water at 8 AM and take off at 4 PM, that's 8 hours of floating time, and if you row hard, you will make it in four days.
- The lowest CFS for a fiberglass drift boat (bottom flexes) to get through - 350 CFS
- The lowest CFS for an aluminum drift boat to get through - 500 CFS
- Rafts, canoes, and kayaks can get through flows of 150 CFS
- Trips over 7000 CFS are float trips and not fishing trips. We have rowed from Thirtymile Creek (river mile 85) to the Cottonwood Bridge (river mile 41) in one day at 7000 CFS.
- Trips over 5000 CFS through Clarno Rapids can threaten all vessels, especially driftboats. Be careful in all rapids.
- Fishing is best on a dropping or stable river under 7000 CFS, not a fast-rising river climbing 1000 CFS or more a day. It will be muddy.
- River flow helps you plan a trip. Once you know the flow and how many river miles you can easily make in a day, now look at the John Day River Recreation Guide for put-ins, takeouts, and campsites to plan your trip. Please do not call us to plan your trip!
WEATHER INFO
It's always good to get the 5-10 day predictions before starting your trip. We use: www.accuweather.com, the Zip Code is 97830.
RENTALS
Service Creek Stage Stop, 541-468-3331, is the only local raft and pontoon boat rental company. They have a Bed and Breakfast and also do shuttles.
SHUTTLES
- Donna's Shuttles - 541-763-4884
- Fossil Motel - 541-763-4075
- Service Creek Shuttles - 541-468-3331
- J & Z Shuttles - 541-468-2182
- John Day River Shuttle Service, Ruby Nunn, 541-763-2061
Places To Stay
FOSSIL AREA
- Wilson Ranches Retreat, 541-763-2227
- Fossil Motel & RV Park, 541-763-4075
- Wheeler County RV Park, 541-763-4560
- Mayville Flat Clubhouse (dog kennels available), 541-384-4705
- Big Service Corral and RV Park, 541-468-2121
- Service Creek Stage Stop B & B, 541-468-3331
SPRAY AREA
- Lazy Wolf Resort & RV Park, 541-468-2001
- River Bend Motel & Retreat, 541-468-2053
MITCHELL AREA
- Sky Hook Motel, 541-462-3569
CAMPSITES IN THE AREA
- Bear Hollow Park (outhouse and water) is 5 miles south of Fossil on Hwy 19
- Shelton Park (outhouse and water) is 12 miles south of Fossil on Hwy 19
- Donnelly's Service Creek BLM Park (outhouse only) is located at the Service Creek Bridge on Hwy 207 and 20 miles south of Fossil. Take Hwy 19
- Muleshoe BLM Park (outhouse only) is 23 miles south of Fossil on Hwy 19
- Spray City Park (outhouse and water) is at the Bridge in Spray
- Lone Pine and Big Bend BLM Parks are on the North Fork of the John Day River above Kimberly
PLACES TO EAT
Each of the small towns in the area has at least one restaurant.
SERVICE STATIONS
Each of the small towns in our area has at least one service station (close at 6 PM).
SHOOTING PRESERVES (open August 1 - March 31)
- Mayville Flat Shooting Preserve and Clubhouse, 541-384-4705, Skip Geer
- Mallardith Northwest, 541-980-1922, Bruce Meredith
GOOSE AND DUCK HUNTING
- Northwest Outdoor Specialties, 541-442-5237, Don Richelderfer
- Mallardith Northwest, 541-980-1922, Bruce Meredith
FISHING
The John Day River is rated one of the best rivers in the USA for smallmouth bass. Guide trips start in March and finish in November. The catch rates are low at first, and as the water warms up, the numbers go up. The bigger fish are typically caught in March, April, and the first two weeks of May (the water temp is under 52, and the dinks are not active yet). If you want to catch many fish or fly fish, then May, June, July, August, and the first two weeks in September are best.
The early fishery (March - mid-May) can be challenging and rewarding. It isn't easy to read the water and the fish on some days, but usually, fishing very slowly is the best bet. Texas-style split shot and Carolina rigs are best at this time, with 3" to 5" plastic baits. Crankbaits can work, and the best is the Rapala in CD7 (bring lots of colors).
The smallmouth bass is very aggressive in the warm water months (June, July, August, and September) and will bite on any technique. They are very color-selective, so bring along colors from black to white. Using Smelly Jelly scent in Craw/Anise and Anchovy helps on the plastic baits. We usually fish with 1/16 oz lead head and 2" and 3" plastic grubs or worms at this time.
The fly fishermen love this time of year because we can usually attract good numbers of smallies on topwater poppers. Round out your tackle with Wolley Buggers of all colors, and you're sure to catch a good number of fish.
The steelhead is in the river from October to early March, and after that, they are above Kimberly. The easiest way to fish for the steelhead is bobber and jig, in-line spinners, drift-fishing oakies, corkies, or throwing steelies.
Please don't call us to see what we are using. We have large tackle packs with lots of colors and find we must often change during the day. You have to be in the boat for us to show and tell you what we are doing to catch fish. We can't teach fishing over the phone. Thanks!
FISHING LICENSES
- Fossil Hardware and Liquor Store, Monday - Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM
- Lazy Wolf Resort and Gas in Spray, is open seven days a week, 7 AM to 6 PM
POINTS OF INTEREST
- The National Park Service John Day Fossil Bed Parks: Clarno, Painted Hills, and Sheep Rock Units
- Thomas Condon Paleontology Site at the Sheep Rock Unit
- Digging your fossils behind the Wheeler County High School in Fossil
- Kinzua Hills Golf Course (ten miles from Fossil)
- Museums in Fossil and Spray
