Thief Valley Reservoir Set to Receive 10,500 Trout This March

Thief Valley Reservoir near North Powder is scheduled to receive 10,500 legal-size rainbow trout this month as the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife rolls out its spring stocking program across northeastern Oregon, putting fish in the water after a reservoir that nearly ran dry last fall is now reported to be 100% full.

The stocking represents the latest chapter in a turbulent year for the southern Union County reservoir. Thief Valley almost completely drained in early September, and ODFW officials assumed the low water levels had killed off whatever fish remained. That assumption was complicated by reports of anglers pulling out 16 to 18-inch trout. On October 1, 2025, ODFW restocked the reservoir with 30,600 rainbow trout measuring 4 to 4.5 inches. A harmful algal bloom advisory that had been in place was lifted on December 23, 2025, and ODFW confirmed that regular stocking would resume in March 2026.

The 10,500 fish headed to Thief Valley are part of a broader regional effort. Across the Northeast and Southeast zones combined, 35,375 legal-size and trophy trout are bound for waterbodies beginning March 16, according to reporting by Garrett Christensen of Elkhorn Media Group. Trophy fish in the program can weigh 2 pounds or more.

Thief Valley is not the only Union County water set to benefit. Morgan Lake near La Grande, which opens for fishing on April 22, is scheduled to receive 500 legal rainbows the week of April 20 through 24, followed by 1,750 more during the week of May 25 through 29. The La Grande office is also responsible for stocking Highway 203 Pond near Baker City with 2,250 legal and 825 trophy trout, and Murray Reservoir east of Unity with 2,900 legal fish, both scheduled in the March 30 through April 3 block.

Other northeastern Oregon waters slated for significant stocking include Wallowa Lake, Phillips Reservoir near Sumpter, Magone Lake north of Prairie City, and Kinney Lake east of Joseph. In the John Day region, McNary Channel Ponds is scheduled for 4,000 legal fish the week of March 16 through 20 and another 4,500 during the March 30 through April 3 window.

Anglers fishing lakes and ponds in the Northeast zone should note that ODFW sets an 8-inch minimum length for trout, a daily bag limit of five fish, and allows three daily limits in possession. One trout over 20 inches may be kept from lakes each day. Brook trout carry no size or number restrictions. Stream regulations are more restrictive: the daily limit drops to two trout per day in both the Northeast and Southeast zones, with most Northeast zone streams open from May 22 through October 31. Gear is limited to artificial flies and lures on most streams.

ODFW's trout stocking maps, available through the agency's website, provide driving directions and descriptions of amenities at stocking locations across the region.