LA GRANDE — The spring rainbow trout stocking season is accelerating, with thousands of legal and trophy fish being released in many ponds and lakes around Northeast Oregon during May.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks both “legal” rainbows, which are at least 8 inches long, as well as trophy fish, which are longer than 15 inches.

The stocking schedule:

May 13-17

Umatilla forest ponds, north: 1,900 legals

Kinney Lake: 2,500 legals, 250 trophy

Weavers Pond: 500 legals, 50 trophy

Umatilla forest ponds, south, 2,150 legals

Luger Pond: 450 legals

Marr Pond: 400 legals

Umapine Pond: 100 trophy

Tepee Pond: 500 legals, 50 trophy

Victor Pond: 500 legals, 50 trophy

Roulet Pond: 1,100 legals, 125 trophy

Walla Walla forest ponds, south, 1,150 legals

Hunter Pond (Starkey Forest): 200 legals, 100 trophy

Honeymoon Pond: 500 legals, 50 trophy

Taylor Green Pond: 200 legals, 100 trophy

Highway 203 Pond: 2,250 legals, 825 trophy

May 20-24

Hog Creek Pond: 300 legals

Wildcat Pond: 300 legals

Wallowa Lake: 18,000 legals, 300 trophy

Anglers are reporting good fishing for rainbow trout in several places in the region.

Pilcher and Wolf Creek reservoirs

Both reservoirs are stocked annually with fingerlings, and last year’s fingerlings should be getting to good sizes by now.

Additionally, crappie are available at both locations. As the spring warms, anglers may find groups of crappie near shore by submerged willows and vegetation.

North Powder Pond

Fishing is reported to be very good, with anglers catching many good-size rainbows.

Owyhee Reservoir

This can be one of the most consistent trout fisheries in Eastern Oregon. It is stocked with fingerlings that grow quickly, and 14- to 16-inch trout are common. In the spring, anglers can use a variety of techniques to catch trout, and bank anglers can be successful fishing at the state park. In addition to trout, there also are some warm water fish. The reservoir is full.

Unity Reservoir

This can be one of the most consistent trout fisheries in Eastern Oregon. It is stocked with fingerlings that grow quickly, and 14- to 16-inch trout are common. In the spring, anglers can use a variety of techniques to catch trout, and bank anglers can be successful fishing at the state park. In addition to trout, there also are some warmwater fish. The reservoir is full.

Imnaha River

Trout and whitefish can be caught in the Imnaha throughout the spring. Like other locations, fishing near shore and in areas of slower flow will be best during periods of high flow. Steelhead fishing closed on April 30 and will reopen on Sept. 1. Although spring chinook have started to arrive on the mainstem Columbia River, not enough fish have begun to make their way upstream to know whether a salmon fishing season on the Imnaha can be opened this year. Forecasted returns to the river suggest that a salmon season may not happen in 2024. Anglers should remember they might encounter bull trout in the Imnaha River. They cannot be harvested and must be released.

Magone Lake

The road to the lake is now accessible to vehicles. Early spring fishing is usually excellent, and fish were stocked the week of May 6.

Wallowa River

Fishing for trout and whitefish can be good in the spring, especially when flows are moderate and water clarity is good. Trout and whitefish can be caught on a variety of baits, lures and flies. Casting flies like wooly buggers and nymphs to pockets of slower-moving water near shore can be good ways to catch trout and whitefish on the Wallowa River in the spring. As with the Imnaha River, it’s still too early to know if enough chinook salmon will return to allow for a salmon fishing season this year. Preseason forecasts suggest there may not be enough fish returning in 2024. Steelhead fishing closed on April 30 and will reopen on Sept. 1.

Brownlee Reservoir

Bass fishing has started to pick up with warming water temperatures, and crappie are also available. Trout fishing can be good in the spring as trout move into the Powder River arm heading upstream toward Eagle Creek. Lots of carp are in the shallow water of the Powder River arm. They can provide an exciting fishing opportunity for some large fish. Many anglers will target carp in shallow water using flies for an exciting fly-fishing experience.

Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam

Bass fishing will improve throughout the spring with warmer weather. Anglers can do well fishing jigs, flies or lures near shore and in slower-moving areas. Trout can be caught using similar techniques. Steelhead fishing closed for the spring after April 30 and will reopen on Sept. 1. Fishing for spring chinook opened on April 22 but will probably be slow until more fish arrive later in the spring. Sturgeon fishing can be good. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water.