LA GRANDE- Pilcher Creek Reservoir will close to ice fishing effective, Thursday, Jan. 1, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The 140-acre reservoir is located near North Powder. It will re-open for fishing on April 25.

“Numerous local anglers contacted the agency requesting the regulation change,” said Tim Bailey, La Grande District fish biologist. “The anglers believe closing the reservoir to ice fishing will improve the harvest rate during the rest of the year.”

There are several other opportunities for ice fishing in Northeast Oregon. Wolf Creek, Thief Valley, Phillips, and Unity reservoirs are open year around with a daily trout bag limit of five per day and no limit on perch or crappie.