John day river steelhead fishing
John Day River Steelhead
John Day River
The John Day River flowing through the ranch is designated a National Wild and Scenic River in Oregon. It is undammed through its entire 281 miles from the headwaters in the Strawberry and Blue Mountains to the Columbia River. The river was known as the Mah-Hah River by the Cayuse People. It was named afer John Day, a hunter and fur trapper, with the Pacific Fur Company. The Lewis and Clark Expedition identified the mouth of the river on October 21, 1805. John Day River (north-central Oregon)
Guided Steelhead Fishing & Upland Hunts
Since river flows and steelhead runs are so unpredictable, we offer combination steelhead and upland bird hunting trips. That way clients can adjust their trip depending on river flow and weather conditions. This is a great way to truly enjoy all that the ranch has to offer. If interested in only fishing for steelhead, we will be working with Garret Helfrich to offer guided steellhead fishing this fall on the John Day River — Helfrich Rogue River Trips
Wild steelhead of the john day river
Wild Steelhead
The John Day River, located in Oregon, is home to a remarkable population of wild summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These fish are unique because they are not supplemented by hatchery programs, making them a truly wild population. The river supports one of the largest runs of wild steelhead in the lower 48 states, with annual returns averaging around 7,200 individuals, though peak years can see up to 15,000. The Science Behind John Day Steelhead Migration | Wild Steelheaders United
John Day Steelhead Project
The John Day Steelheaders Project was started in 2020 by Wild Steelheaders United to study wild steelhead of the John Day with the goal of the project to track and identify migratory routes of steelhead returning to spawn. They are using acoustic tags, along with PIT tags, to better understand migratory routes and their relationship to survial and spawning success. We are working to improve riparian habitats along the mainstem of the John Day and historic spawing steams of Sorefoot Creek and PIne Hallow Creek.
Contact Us
To inquire about steelhead fishing, please email us.
