SALEM — A winter that’s been unusually mild so far has deprived anglers who like to drill a hole in thick ice and drop a line into the frigid water of a local pond or reservoir.

Without the extended cold snap that usually happens during December or early January, the ice in most places isn’t thick enough for safe fishing.

Some ponds remain all or partially ice-free.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in its weekly recreation report, noted that “there haven’t yet been the kind of deep, sustained cold temperatures needed for safe ice conditions to develop.”

This December was the warmest on record at the Baker City Airport, where temperature records date to 1943.

Temperatures have dipped over the past several days, but ODFW continues to warn anglers about likely unsafe ice.

Ethan Brandt, fish biologist at ODFW’s La Grande office, said a report from Jan. 9 showed that Pilcher Creek Reservoir, west of North Powder, could be accessible.

But at nearby Wolf Creek Reservoir, thin ice along the shoreline made it impossible for anglers to reach thicker ice.

At Thief Valley Reservoir, east of North Powder, there was open water in the middle, and ice near the banks was too thin to be safe.

Which is not to say anglers have no options in Northeastern Oregon.

Several rivers remain open for steelhead fishing, including the Grande Ronde, Imnaha, Umatilla and Wallowa.

The Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam also is open for steelhead fishing, and anglers can also catch trout and sturgeon in the canyon.

Larger reservoirs, including Brownlee, Oxbow and Hells Canyon, have trout as well as warmwater species such as perch and crappie.

And Wallowa Lake has been yielding kokanee as long as 20 inches.

Grande Ronde River

Steelhead fishing may begin to slow as the winter progresses and fish move upstream. When flows drop and clarity improves, some steelhead will be available into early spring.

Imnaha River

Steelhead are present throughout the lower Imnaha River. However, fishing can be slow when water temperatures drop. Trout and whitefish can be caught using a variety of techniques and can provide some fun fishing on the Imnaha. Bull trout and chinook salmon cannot be harvested and must be released.

Umatilla River

High flows over the last few weeks have caused a decent number of steelhead to push past Three Mile Falls Dam. Between rainstorms, fishing has been good near Pendleton. With little or no rain in the forecast, the river should drop into shape and provide good opportunity.

There is now a regulation in place with a hook gap size that may not exceed ⅜ inch in the section of the Umatilla River above the CTUIR reservation. This new regulation is to protect bull trout and decrease the chance of hooking mortality. As a reminder, if you catch a bull trout, recognized by its white spots, you should keep it in the water and release it as quickly as possible. No targeting of bull trout is allowed in the Umatilla River.

Wallowa County ponds

Marr Pond, Kinney Lake and many local forest ponds have been stocked with rainbow trout. Many different techniques will be effective, and these ponds can be great family fishing locations. With mild winter conditions, anglers should use extreme caution around any water bodies with ice cover as the ice may not be stable enough to support the weight of a person.

Wallowa Lake

The cooler months can be a great time of year to fish Wallowa Lake. The crowds are very light, with opportunities for anglers to have the lake to themselves. Kokanee can be caught jigging in about 80 to 100 feet of water, with fish as large as 20 inches being caught this winter. Rainbow trout frequent the area near the mouth of the Wallowa River at the south end of the lake and can be caught on nymphs slowly retrieved and spinners cast near shore.

Wallowa River

Steelhead have started moving into the river and will be available to anglers through the winter and into spring. In addition to steelhead, rainbow trout and whitefish can be caught. Jigs fished under bobbers can be a great way to catch steelhead while trout and whitefish will readily take flies of spinners.

Brownlee Reservoir

Not many anglers have been out recently. However, who have gone out this winter have done well for perch and crappie. Some really nice perch are available, with some over 12 inches being caught. Throughout the rest of the winter, trout also will be available in the Powder River arm and in the main reservoir.

Oxbow and Hells Canyon reservoirs

Trout fishing can be good in these reservoirs during the winter, and some anglers have been catching perch lately.

Surplus hatchery steelhead were released into Hells Canyon Reservoir. For anglers holding an Oregon fishing license, these fish when caught in Hells Canyon Reservoir count toward their trout limit and do not need to be recorded on a combined angling tag when harvested. See the Snake River zone fishing regulations for details.

Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam

Steelhead fishing has been pretty good in Hells Canyon. Anglers have caught fish throughout the Oregon section of the Snake River upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. During the winter, fishing for trout and sturgeon can also be good in Hells Canyon.