Umatilla National Forest

Umatilla National Forest
2517 S.W. Hailey Avenue
Pendleton, OR 97801

541-278-3716

New Fishing Opportunities on the Walla Walla Ranger District

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Umatilla National Forest, stocked six ponds on the south end of the Walla Walla Ranger District with catchable sized rainbow trout. These ponds were created as rock quarries. The rock excavated was used for road surfacing. Some of the quarries later filled with water and began to grow algae and other aquatic vegetation. The resulting ponds looked to Tim Bailey of ODFW and Dave Crabtree of the USFS as if they were made to order for a recreational fishery, and so they made arrangements to have them stocked.

These ponds are not located near developed campgrounds, so plan your fishing trip as a day-use activity, or come prepared for primitive camping. If you camp, please remember to tread lightly. Respect the environment and other users. If you clean your fish on site, please bury the waste parts.

Oregon State fishing regulations apply to these ponds, so check your fishing regulations pamphlet to make sure you have the appropriate fishing license and gear.

These ponds may still be used for rock sources as the need arises. Such use would be uncommon but could disrupt fishing activities. These ponds are also important water sources for stock watering (horses and sheep) and as water sources for firefighting and road watering for dust abatement. These uses will continue and may occasionally interfere briefly with fishing activities.

A brochure containing a map and directions to the ponds is available at the Umatilla National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Pendleton, and at the Walla Walla Ranger District office in Walla Walla.

BLACK MOUNTAIN POND

Black Mountain Pond on the Walla Walla Ranger was stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout this past spring.

Access:

From Oregon Hwy 204, take Forest Road 31 South to Forest Road 3128, then Forest Road 3135 to spur road 030. Pond is on the left about 1/4 mile down the 030 road. It is not visible from the road.

KEYHOLE POND

A little over an hour’s drive from Pendleton, the Keyhole pond has ample flat ground nearby for camping, and is now stocked with rainbow trout.

Access:

From from I-84 Exit 243 (Mt. Emily/Summit Road) take Forest Road 31 North about 12 miles to spur road 090. Take spur 090 to 094, pond is to right of 094.

BOUNDARY POND

Access:

From I-84 Exit 243 (Mt. Emily/Summit Road) take Forest Road 31 North about 3 1/2 miles to the 024 spur road. Do not pass Forest Road 3104 (about 1.7 miles past the Mt. Emily Sno-park).

SHIMMIEHORN POND

Access:

From Oregon Hwy. 204 take Forest Road 31 South to Forest Road 3128, then Forest Road 3130 to spur road 013. Pond is about 1/4 mile down spur 013 on the left. It is not visible from the road.

WALK-IN POND

Access:

Take Forest Road 31 North from I-84 Exit 243 (Mt. Emily/Summit Road), then road 3102 north and east about 1 mile to a locked gate. Park at gate and walk about 1 1/2 mile to pond. Pond is off Road 3102 near the 160 spur. Pond is about 100 yards to the right (south and east) of road and is not visible from the road.

HORSE CAMP POND

From OR State Hwy. 204, go about 3 miles South on Forest Road 31 to spur road 287. The pond is just off Forest Road 31 at spur 287.