ODFW working to improve fishing opportunities at Willow Creek Reservoir with woody structures for fish habitat

Oregon – ODFW staff are undertaking a project to enhance fishing opportunities at Willow Creek Reservoir by anchoring woody structures, such as juniper trees, to the reservoir bottom. This initiative aims to provide much-needed cover for fish, improving the habitat for native redband trout, stocked trout, bass, crappie, and other warm-water species.

The project, which is a pilot initiative, seeks to increase fish survival rates by enhancing the otherwise limited cover in the reservoir. In collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the reservoir, ODFW fish biologists will install a map onsite to help anglers and boaters identify areas where the structures have been placed. The woody structures will remain submerged for much of the year, so it is important for those recreating on the reservoir to take extra precautions to stay safe.

“There is a lack of fish habitat in the reservoir due to fluctuating water levels, and this will hopefully help increase survival by providing more cover for fish,” said Taylor McCroskey, Umatilla District Fish Biologist. “This method, used in reservoirs in the southern U.S., has proven to be an effective tool,” McCroskey added.

ODFW plans to continue monitoring fish populations at the reservoir to assess the long-term effectiveness of the woody structures in improving fish habitat.

Willow Creek Reservoir, located in Heppner, is a man-made reservoir created by Willow Creek Dam. The reservoir was built to manage flooding risks, provide irrigation, and support recreational and environmental stewardship activities.