Bureau of Land Management
- Owyhee River Wilderness Area

The Owyhee River Basin encompasses more than 267,000 acres of public lands in the Owyhee River Wilderness Area. The Wilderness Area of the Owyhee Canyonlands is remote comprising a huge area of eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho and northern Nevada. Hidden within this vast high desert plateau are deep canyons carved by the Owyhee, Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers. The rivers of the Owyhee and Bruneau-Jarbidge systems offer something for nearly every level of boating experience. The Owyhee and Bruneau-Jarbidge river systems provide visitors with unsurpassed solitude in canyons of unique beauty and form. From placid pools to turbulent whitewater; from vertical cliffs to steep grassy slopes; and from wildlife, such as California bighorn sheep to wildflowers, including the Bruneau River flox, these rivers and their canyons present visitors with challenging and extraordinary experiences.

Warmwater fishing in southeast Oregon

The southeast area covers the high desert country of Harney and Malheur counties and is the most arid region of Oregon. Extended dry periods or droughts can affect the warmwater fisheries in this area, but these can be quick to rebound when water returns. The area’s most popular warmwater fishery is found in Owyhee Reservoir, a huge nearly 14,000 acre reservoir located on the Owyhee River south of Ontario that offers outstanding fishing for bass, crappie and catfish. There are few roads to and along Owyhee, but those with a boat will be rewarded with remote and spectacular scenery. Other good waters for bass, crappie and catfish include Warm Springs Reservoir on the Malheur River east of Burns and Bully Creek Reservoir still further east near Ontario.

Google directions for vehicle access to public use recreational areas of the lower Owyhee Lake.

Owyhee Lake is a 53-mile long reservoir on the Owyhee River about 40 miles southwest of Ontario in the desert canyons of far eastern Oregon. Owyhee Lake Road leads to Owyhee Dam and the campgrounds at Lake Owyhee State Park on the lower (north) end of the reservoir. Otherwise, only a handful of remote and rough roads, including Leslie Gulch, provide additional access. In Oregon’s largest reservoir, the best fishing is from a boat and there are four boat ramps at the northern end within a few miles of the dam. There is a fifth ramp near the southern end at Leslie Gulch, but the gravel access road can get sloppy if the weather has been wet so check ahead for conditions. Fuel and groceries can be purchased at the State Park. You’ll even find a floating restroom located about seven miles up the reservoir.

Owyhee Reservoir offers an outstanding warmwater fishery for several species of fish including: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, yellow perch and an occasional rainbow trout, or redband trout. When to fish. Bass and crappie are the most sought after fish in Owyhee Reservoir; however, we recommend practicing catch and release fishing for all fish species taken in the Owyhee River Basin because the fish bio-accumulate Mercury contamination from the Zombie Gold mines in the Jordan Valley of Idaho.

When to fish

Bass and crappie are the most sought after fish in Owyhee. Bass fishing is good from early spring through late fall, although anglers should check with the Bureau of Reclamation in late summer to see if water levels in the reservoir will limit access. April through June provides the best time to fish for crappie. The best fishing is in the mornings and late evenings..

Where to find bass

In the spring, bass prefer shallow waters near submerged brush, weeds and trees. As the water temperatures rise and the water levels drop during the summer, bass will move to deeper water and near rock structures and points of land. The best places to fish for largemouth bass are the coves near the Elbow, both sides of the reservoir near the airport, and in the upper reservoir near the Hot Springs. Smallmouth bass are found throughout the reservoir, but are most abundant below the Dry Creek arm (particularly in the forebay of the dam) and above Leslie Gulch.

Where to find crappie

In the spring, crappie will be along the shoreline and at the ends of coves near submerged brush and other cover. Although crappie are easy to catch from shore near the dam, they are also abundant in the larger coves between Dry /Cherry Creeks and Leslie Gulch. In the spring, as the spawning season nears, crappie will move inshore to water 5- to 20-feet deep and will travel from just under the surface to just off the bottom. As the water warms after spawning, crappie will move farther offshore to waters 15- to 30-feet deep and will look for cover near larger submerged rock structures. The best area for finding crappie is near the dam.

Where to find catfish

Catfish are most abundant in the upper reaches of the reservoir from Doe Island upstream to the river.

Techniques for bass

Cast and retrieve for bass. Use medium to heavy bait casting or spinning tackle rigged with 8- to 12-pound test line. Early in the season before bass have spawned, fish with a jig, a tube, or black or purple rubber worms. A deep, slow presentation is key. Post-spawn bass are taken with bigger and faster presentations using lures such as crankbaits and white spinnerbaits.

Techniquesfor crappie

Still fish for crappie. Use a light action rod and 4- to 6-pound test line to fish a bobber and jig. Use crappie jigs and plastics with light-color bodies and darker-color heads. Mini-tubes and mini-grubs also work well.

Techniques for catfish

Most standard gear works well for catfish, such as a 5- to 7-foot casting or spinning rod and 4- to 8-pound test line rigged with a slip-sinker and bait. Tie a 12- to 18-inch leader below the swivel and attach a hook baited with worms or other panfish or catfish bait. Baits with a strong odor work best for catfish. The sliding sinker allows fish to take the bait before feeling the weight of the sinker.

Other great places to go warmwater fishing in the southeast area:

Owyhee River The "Owyhee Country" had been visited by scouts, traders, and trappers in the early part of the nineteenth century, and the name "Owyhee" is derived from the old way of spelling "Hawaii". A number of natives from the Hawaiian Islands were brought to the Pacific Northwest to work as laborers for the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company. They were also used as boatmen to transport fur traders into the Snake River country. Peter Skene Ogden was the first to make note of this fact in the report on his second Snake River expedition in 1826. He noted that two islanders had been killed near the river in 1819 by Snake Indians, and the river was named for these Hawaiians. The river drains a large area in Oregon and western Idaho, and there are several other geographic features bearing the name, derived from the name of the river. Wild and Scenic Rivers the West Little Owyhee River, Oregon - Owyhee River, Oregon - Deep Creek, Idaho.

The headwaters of the Owyhee River are found in Elko County in northeastern Nevada. The Owyhee flows north along the east side of the Independence Mountains before it proceeds through southwestern Idaho where it is joined by the South Fork of the Owyhee River before reaching the Oregon border. In 1984, Congress designated 120 miles (193 km) of the Owyhee, beginning at the Idaho-Oregon border downstream to the Owyhee Reservoir (excluding two short segments). The entire segment is classified as ‘wild.’ The Owyhee flows through areas that are remote, arid and sparsely populated. Much of the river cuts through deeply incised canyons that, along with canyon rims, are home to a rich assortment of wildlife. It has become increasingly popular for recreation despite its rugged nature and limited access. Click on the following Bureau of Reclamation websites for information on water volumes in some of Oregon's reservoirs.

Flowing west out of southern Idaho, the rugged and lightly-roaded country of the offers scenery, beautiful geology and plenty of solitude. Clear nocturnal skies are the norm here where the lack of light pollution allows unimpaired views of the night sky.

North Fork Owyhee Wild and Scenic River

The North Fork Owyhee offers very high quality backpacking opportunities. Excellent opportunities for early season (spring runoff) expert level kayaking on the 12 mile section between North Fork Crossing and Three Forks are also available. Numerous other recreational opportunities, including hunting, camping, wildlife viewing and photography are available in the area.

West Little Owyhee Wild and Scenic River This river segment offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Very high quality off-trail backpacking opportunities with a range of physical challenges await you. The river corridor forms the primary travel route for hikers and backpackers. The cross-country travel here is for the experienced outdoors person.

The river itself offers many cool, clear, secluded pools that are confined by sheer rock walls whose colorful, abstract beauty is the product of eons of erosion and weathering. Between those pools are reaches that flow as riffles or rapids during periods of high water, but which become sandy or gravelly dry reaches in the drier summer months. The solitude and lack of apparent human influence enhance the stark beauty of the river canyon. Views from the canyon rim command a feeling of awe and wonder, as the river and its past are revealed in the rock strata that have been laid there by ancient volcanic activity.

Owyhee Wild & Scenic River

This wild river corridor flows through southeastern Oregon from the Idaho/Oregon state line to Owyhee Reservoir. (It excludes the Rome Valley, which is a ranching and agricultural area.) Explore this National Wild and Scenic River by floating some of its 120 miles through rugged, spectacular canyonlands and ash flows. The river was included in the National Wild and Scenic River System in 1984 because of its outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, wildlife, and cultural values.

Owyhee Canyon Lands by Oregon Field Guide.

Fly Fishing Oregon's Owyhee River

Downstream from the Dam - Owyhee Canyonlands DOWNSTREAM FROM THE DAM Fly-anglers rule this picturesque stretch in Lake Owyhee State Park, before the Owyhee River becomes a slow, agricultural river outside the canyon. It’s a place to be fished year-round with some care. Experts describe two seasons on the river: high water and low water. Please support Owyhee Canyonlands. However, we believe that their agenda falls short of expectations: Our expectation of funding the clean-up of polluted environments!

Each year, ODFW stocks millions of trouts in dozens of reservoirs, lakes and ponds throughout the state. You can use the search and filter functions to search the stocking schedule for specific locations and dates. The schedule is subject to change without notice; see individual waterbody listings in the Recreation Report for updates.

The U.S. Army Corps stockings have been incorporated into the ODFW stocking schedule.  ODFW provides U.S. Army Corps stocking information as a courtesy to anglers, but changes may be made to those stockings without notice.

Health Alert for the Owyhee River and Owyhee Reservoir. We advise anglers to limit consumption of all resident fish species. However it is our recommendation that you and your loved ones avoid consuming any fish species, crawdads or bull frogs taken from any contaminated Waters of the State. It is our opinion that consuming any aquatic organisms: fish, crawdads, frogs or freshwater mussels and clams exposes you family and friends to the contaminates that bio-accumulate in these aquatic organisms.

The State of Oregon claims, "Advisories are designed to help you gain the health benefits of eating fish and shellfish while protecting you and your family from contaminants sometimes found in seafood." We dispute the States claims because the State refuses to test seafood taken from areas where contaminated seafood is harvested.

The Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway Guide IDAHO / OREGON

Owyhee Reservoir State Airport

Birch Creek Historic Ranch

Nestled among cream and chocolate colored hills, barren red cliffs, and towering rock spires lays a secret oasis: the Birch Creek Historic Ranch. Established in the early 1900s, the ingenuity and determination of a Basque sheepherder and a West Virginia cattle rancher are still evident at the site today. Stone walls built in the Basque tradition still ascend the mesa. Remnants of a waterwheel hint at the lush alfalfa fields fed through the gravity irrigation system. Nineteen buildings and structures at the ranch contribute to the property's designation as a historical rural landscape on the Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places. The Birch Creek Historic Ranch serves as a takeout point for boaters floating the Owyhee River from the Rome Access or Three Forks Access.

Open YEAR ROUND, best access May-October.

  • Accessibility is dependent on road conditions. A high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.
  • There is a single water source and restroom. Five-unit campground.

Contact the Bureau of Land Management Vale District office for facilities rental information, current road access conditions, and any seasonal fire closure restrictions. 541-473-3144

Directions The Birch Creek Historic Ranch is located in the southeast corner of Oregon in Malheur County. From Highway 95, 8 miles north of Jordan Valley, turn west at the Jordan Craters sign onto Cow Creek Road. Follow BLM Owyhee River access signs 28 miles to the Ranch.

BLM Brochure of the Birch Creek Historic Ranch

Explore Oregon Recreation: Birch Creek Historic Ranch

Rome Access to the Owyhee River from Burns Or. The trip takes 1 hr 56 min (104.6 miles). This is a long trip and the traveler should be aware of their trucks fuel capacity. Depart from US-20, Burns, OR 97720 to 3563 Ion Hwy, Jordan Valley, OR 97910. Depart US-20 / US-395 / W Monroe St toward N Court Ave for 0.2 miles. Keep straight onto OR-78 / E Monroe St. for 91.5 miles. Bear left onto US-95 / Ion Hwy. for 12.9 miles. Arrive at US-95 / Ion Hwy on the right. If you reach Grassy Mountain Loop, you've gone too far. Turn right onto the access road to the boat launch on the right.. The Rome Access is no use fee to launch facility managed by: Bureau of Land Management. Contact: 541-473-3144 for additional information.

Three Forks Access One of the most remote locations in Oregon, the Three Forks Recreation Site offers: camping, fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities in the canyon land confluence of the North Fork Owyhee, Middle Fork Owyhee, and Owyhee Rivers.

Directions Getting there is a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. [Note: high-clearance four-wheel drive is highly recommended.] From U.S. 95 near Danner, Oregon, approximately 16 miles west of Jordan Valley, Oregon, look for a sign marking the Soldier Creek Loop Road, Owyhee Canyon Overlook, and Three Forks. Turn south onto this dirt road and follow it for 36 miles until you reach the rim of the canyon. No motor use above approximately river mile 70 at Pinnacle Rock, as marked. Managed by: Bureau of Land Management. Contact: 541-473-3144 for additional information.

Health Alert for Lake Owyhee it is our recommendation that you and your loved ones avoid consuming fish, crawdads or bull frogs taken from any contaminated Waters of the State. It is our opinion that consuming any aquatic organisms: fish, crawdads, frogs or freshwater mussels and clams exposes you family and friends to the contaminates that bio-accumulate in these aquatic organisms.

The State of Oregon claims, "Advisories" are designed to help you gain the health benefits of eating fish and shellfish while protecting you and your family from contaminants sometimes found in seafood." We dispute the States claims because the State refuses to test seafood taken from areas where contaminated seafood is harvested.

Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region Columbia River Basin in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana & Wyoming

Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region Major Storage Reservoirs in Southeastern Oregon

Lake Owyhee Dam Ramp a no use fee boat launch is managed by Malheur County. Contact at 541 473 5191. The boat ramp facility is closed due to safety. Directions from Haystack Rock Rd on the face of the dam to the Dam Ramp located 0.4 miles on Lake Owyhee Rd.

At Owyhee Reservoir, Malheur County maintains two concrete boat ramps, one just above the dam and one at the resort at the end of Lake Owyhee road. Parking and vault toilets are provided at the dam ramp during the summer season. The resort is currently operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and provides camping and marine fuel. The ramp and parking lot at the resort are public facilities.

The reservoir stretches for over 50 miles when full and offers fishing, water skiing, boating, and spectacular scenery. It can be reached by traveling 31 miles southwest of Nyssa, Oregon, on paved roads.

Hot Spring at Owhyee Lake is located on the shore at the upper reach of the Lake. It appears that the Hot Spring is only accessible from a boat. Remember, water is the key to hiking in the desert. Visitors on foot must be prepared to deal with preventing heat stroke.

Cow Lakes Campground

Gordon Gulch Day Use is a no use fee to launch boat ramp managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Call 800-551-6949 for further information. Directions from Haystack Rock Rd on the face of the dam to the Dam Ramp located 2.5 miles on Lake Owyhee Rd.

McCormack Campground is a no use fee to launch boat ramp managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Call 800-551-6949 for further information. Directions from Haystack Rock Rd on the face of the dam to the Dam Ramp located 3.3 miles on Lake Owyhee Rd. Turn right onto the access road to the boat launch at the campground.

Indian Creek Campground The resort is currently operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and provides camping and marine fuel. The ramp and parking lot at the resort are public facilities. Indian Creek Campground a no use fee boat launch is managed by Malheur County. Contact at 541 473 5191. The boat ramp facility is closed due to safety. There is a slow-no wake zone SNW within 200 feet of Indian Creek boat ramp. The dock has been removed due to low water levels. Directions from Haystack Rock Rd on the face of the dam to the Dam Ramp located 4.5 miles at the end of Lake Owyhee Rd. If you turn left onto Fisherman Rd. you've gone too far.

Leslie Gulch From Wikipedia, is a no use fee boat launch is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Call 541-473-3144 for additional information. Leslie Gulch directions from Nyssa, Or. Depart US-26 / US-20 / Central Oregon Hwy / Main St toward N 2nd St. Entering Idaho for 2.2 miles. Turn right onto US-20 / US-95 / US-26 for 7.6 miles. Keep straight onto US-20 E / US-26 E / US-95 S 0.4 miles. Turn left onto US-95 for 18.7 miles. Turn right to stay on US-95 19.2 miles. Turn right onto McBride Creek Rd 2.6 miles. Road name changes to McBride Rd. Entering Oregon. Turn right onto Succor Creek Rd / Succor Creek Hwy for 0.3 miles. Keep right to stay on Succor Creek Rd / Succor Creek Hwy for 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Leslie Gulch Rd for 14.1 miles. Arrive at Leslie Gulch boat launch.

Succor Creek Campground Succor Creek State Natural Area lies in a deep, rocky canyon and is a remote haven for rock hounds and wildlife watchers. Limited souvenir collecting by rock hounds is permitted in the park.  A rough 15 mile dirt road leads from Oregon 201 to the park, which has  primitive camping and day-use areas along both side of the creek.   No water is available.

Directions to Succor Creek Campground on Hwy 201 Hwy, Nyssa, OR 97913. Depart Hwy 201 Hwy on OR-201 / Succor Creek Hwy for 18.7 miles. Keep left to stay on OR-201 for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Succor Creek Rd an unpaved Road for 9.0 miles Turn right onto Succor Creek Rd Arrive at Succor Creek Hwy / Succor Creek Rd.  Succor Creek State Recreation Area, OR.

Anderson Crossing including directions

The Owyhee Canyonlands is an Oregon treasure. It’s one of the most remote, wild and untouched places in the entire country. Here, natural conditions prevail and much of the area looks today as it has for generations. The opportunities for solitude, primitive recreation, backcountry experiences, as well as a chance to unplug from the pressures and noise of our increasingly busy world, are unparalleled. 

Wild yet underprotected

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