50 places to go fishing within 90 minutes of Bend

Not enough time to go fishing? Think again—if you live in the Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Sisters or LaPine areas there are a number of great fishing spots just a short drive away. Make sure you read the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, and why not grab a friend or family member to go with you? The times and distances listed are from Drake Park in Bend.

Wickiup Reservoir

                                                                                                        Find these locations on a Google map

Please note, listed amenities are not necessarily an all-inclusive list.

1-2. CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR, Sunriver—39 mi., 70 min. 
Redband rainbow trout, hatchery rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee
Spectacular views and excellent boat fishing for trout and bass. Opportunity to catch large rainbow and brook trout. Limited bank access. Boat rentals and other services available at Crane Prairie Resort (541) 383-3939.
1. Crane Prairie Campground

  • boat ramp
  • accessible campgrounds
  • vault toilets
  • fee

2. Rock Creek Campground: some bank fishing available.                         

  • picnic area
  • fish cleaning station
  • vault toilets
  • fee

3-4. WICKIUP RESERVOIR, LaPine—43 mi., 70 min.
Kokanee, coho salmon, whitefish, chub, brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout
Challenging fishing for abundant kokanee and for brown trout up to 20-inches. Best fished from a boat. Trophy largemouth bass.
3. Reservoir Campground

  • boat ramp

4. Wickiup Butte: access to some bank fishing near the dam. Camping nearby.

  • day-use fee
  • boat ramp
  • vault toilet

 

Click here to download the pdf of 50 Places to go Fishing within 90 Minutes of Bend

5-6. DAVIS LAKE, Crescent—55 mi., 90 min.
Rainbow trout, largemouth bass
A very productive lake with good populations of trout and bass. Fly-fishing only for both trout and bass.
5. Lava Flow Campground: unimproved boat launch.

  • boat ramp
  • campground
  • picnic area
  • restroom

6. East Davis Campground 

  • vault toilet
  • campground (non- ADA accessible)

7. SPARKS LAKE, Bend—25 mi., 36 min.
Cutthroat trout, brook trout
A large lake with a maximum depth of 10 feet. It offers good fishing and stunning scenery. Great for a canoe or other small boat. Fly-fishing only. Day use area.

  • fee
  • vault toilet
  • boat ramp

8. DEVIL’S LAKE, Bend—28 mi. 42 min.
Rainbow trout, brook trout
A pretty little lake that’s great for families. Lots of bank access. Day-use area. Hike-in tent camping only. A convenient boat launch device attached to one of the docks allows stable entry and exit for those using kayaks and canoes. 

Lake trout from Cultus Lake - Photo by Brent Booth

  • boat ramp and launch
  • campground
  • restroom
  • fee

9. CULTUS LAKE BOATING SITE Sunriver—47 mi., 80 min.
Rainbow trout, lake trout
A large lake popular for fishing, boating and swimming. Several campgrounds nearby. Boat rentals and other services available at Cultus Lake Resort (541) 408-1560. Day use area.

  • vault toilet
  • boat ramp
  • fee

10. CULTUS LAKE CAMPGROUND Sunriver—49 mi., 85 min.
Rainbow trout, brook trout
Fishing for naturally reproducing rainbow and brook trout. Good bank access. Primitive camping only.

  • boat ramp
  • picnic area
  • vault toilet
  • fee

11. THREE CREEKS LAKE, Sisters—39 mi., 75 min.
Rainbow trout, brook trout
High alpine lake with good fishing all summer for both boat and bank anglers. Road opens mid-June or later. Boat rentals and other services available at Three Creeks Lake Resort (541) 873-2961.

  • primitive boat ramp
  • campground
  • vault toilet

12-13. HOSMER LAKE, Bend—36 mi., 57 min.
Brook trout, rainbow trout
Fly-fishing only with spectacular view of Mt. Bachelor. Little bank access; great for float tubes, pontoon boats and canoes.
12. Mallard Marsh Campground

  • campground
  • flush toilets
  • trails

13. Hosmer Lake Boating Site

  • vault toilet
  • fee

14. ELK LAKE, Bend—32 mi., 50 min.
Brook trout, kokanee, cutthroat trout
Fishing for naturally reproducing brook trout and kokanee. Also popular for sailing, wind surfing and swimming. Boat rentals and other services available at Elk Lake Resort (541) 480-7378. Beach Day Use Area: Camping nearby.

  • boat ramp
  • campground

What you need:

  • A fishing license if you are older than 12
  • A fishing rod, tackle, lures
  • A copy of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
  • Licenses and regulations are available at license agents and online.

15. BIG LAVA LAKE, Bend—39 mi., 60 min.
Rainbow trout
Great views of Mt. Bachelor and South Sister. Superb trout fishing. Boat rentals and other services available at Lava Lake Lodge (541) 382-9443. 

Fishing on Little Lava Lake - photo by Chris Willard

  • boat ramp
  • campground
  • picnic area
  •  vault toilets
  • dock
  • fee

16. LITTLE LAVA LAKE, Bend—39 mi., 60 min.
Rainbow trout, brook trout
Headwaters of the Deschutes River. Good lake for float tube or small boat.

  • boat ramp
  • campground
  • showers
  • flush toilets
  • fee

17-18. EAST LAKE, La Pine—42 mi., 75 min.
Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Large, deep lake located in Newberry Volcanic National Monument. Popular with fly fishers, best fishing is from a boat, pontoon or float tube. Road usually opens in early June. Boat rentals and other services available at East Lake Resort (541) 536-2230.
17. East Lake Boating Site: Camping nearby.

  • boat ramp
  • picnic area
  • vault toilet
  • fee

18. Hot Springs Boating Site: Camping nearby.

  • boat ramp
  • flush toilets
  • picnic area

19-20. PAULINA LAKE, LaPine—37 mi., 65 min.
Brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Also located in Newberry Volcanic National Monument, Paulina is managed for trophy brown trout. Great scenery and camping. Road usually opens in early June. Boat rentals and other services available at Paulina Lake Lodge (541) 536-2240.
19. Paulina Lake Day Use Area

  • picnic area
  • vault toilet
  • fee

20. Little Crater Boating Site: Camping nearby.

  • boat ramp
  • fee
South Twin Lake - Photo by ODFW

21. TWIN LAKE, South, LaPine—40 mi., 70 min.
Rainbow trout
Perfect for the family with lots of bank fishing. Regularly stocked with trout. Boat rentals and other services available at Twin Lakes Resort (541) 382-6432. Day Use Area: Camping nearby.

22. TWIN LAKE, North, LaPine—40 mi., 70 min.
Rainbow trout
Good-sized lake stocked with trout. Open year-round. North Twin Lake Campground nearby.

23-24. SUTTLE LAKE, Sisters—36 mi., 45 min.
Kokanee, brown trout
Good early season fishing for kokanee and brown trout. Bank access from trail encircling lake. Boat rentals and other services available at the Lodge at Suttle Lake (541) 595-2628
23. Cinder Beach Day Use Area

  • vault toilet
  • picnic area

24. Suttle Lake Day Use Area: Camping nearby.

  • accessible vault toilet
  • picnic area
  • fee

25-28. LAKE BILLY CHINOOK, Culver—46 mi., 75 min.
Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, bull trout, smallmouth bass
The only place in Oregon where you can keep a bull trout. Large 3,900-acre reservoir popular for fishing, boating and waterskiing. Boat rentals and other services available at Cove Palisades Resort and Marina (541) 546-9999.
25. Crooked River Day Use Area, Cove Palisades State Park: Camping nearby.

  • restroom and showers available in state park
Lake Billy Chinook - photo by John Zoller

26. Upper Deschutes Day Use Area, Cove Palisades SP: Camping nearby.

  • restroom and showers available in state park

27. Lower Deschutes Day Use Area, Cove Palisades SP: Camping nearby.

  • restroom and showers available in state park

28. Perry South Campground: Tribal fishing permit required.

  • accessible boat ramp and dock
  • accessible campground
  • accessible picnic area
  • accessible trails
  • accessible flush toilets
  • fish cleaning station

29. LAKE SIMTUSTUS, Madras—53 mi., 80 min.
Rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
A reservoir of the Deschutes River with good boat fishing. Tribal fishing permit required. Services also available at Pelton Park Store and Marina (541) 475-0516.

30-31. HAYSTACK RESERVOIR, Culver—36 mi., 55 min.
Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill
Small, popular reservoir with nearly year-round fishing. Good bank access.
30. Haystack Reservoir Day Use Area: Camping nearby.

  • vault toilet

31. West Shore Day Use Area: Camping nearby.

32-33. PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR, Prineville—56 mi., 85 min.
Rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead
Large desert reservoir popular for boating, camping and water skiing. Good bank fishing at state park. Boat rentals and other services are available at Prineville Reservoir Resort (541) 447-7468.
32. State Park Day Use Area

  • accessible campground nearby
  • accessible restroom
  • accessible showers
  • picnic area
  • boat ramp

33. Jasper Point Day Use Area

  • accessible campground nearby
  • boat ramp and dock
  • accessible restroom

34. OCHOCO RESERVOIR, Prineville—43 mi., 60 min.
Rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead
Good trout fishing just five minutes from Prineville. Good bank and boat fishing. Ochoco Lake Park provides camping and a boat ramp nearby.

Fishing the Crooked River - photo by Phil Reedy

35. CROOKED RIVER, Prineville—48 mi., 65 min.
Redband trout, mountain whitefish
One of the most productive trout streams in Central Oregon. Best fishing is from Castle Rock Campground upriver to Bowman Dam. Numerous pullouts and several BLM campsites along this stretch.

36-40. DESCHUTES RIVER, Bend
Redband trout, brown trout
From its source at Little Lava Lake 133 miles downstream to Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes River has excellent year-round trout fishing. There are several access points for both boat and bank fishing.
36. Cow Meadow Campground, Bend—46 mi., 75 min.

  • primitive boat launch for small boats
  • campground
  • vault toilet
  • picnic area

37. Sheep Bridge Campground, Bend—39 mi., 70 min.

  • boat ramp
  • vault toilet
  • trails

38. Tumalo State Park, Bend—7 mi., 15 min.

  • accessible campground
  • accessible restrooms
  • accessible showers
  • picnic area
  • fee

39. Benham Falls Day Use Area, Bend—16 mi., 28 min.
Best fishing is downstream of falls.

  • accessible vault toilet
  • graveled interpretive trail
  • gravel accessible picnic site
  • fee

40. Tetherow Crossing, Redmond—21 mi., 40 min.

41. METOLIUS RIVER, Camp Sherman—43 mi., 65 min.
Redband trout, bull trout
The Wizard Falls Hatchery is a great jumping in point to explore the river—famous for its beauty, year-round insect hatches and challenging fly-fishing. Several other access points at various pullouts and campgrounds. Special gear restrictions apply—be sure to check current regulations.

 

42. FALL RIVER, Sunriver—27 mi., 45 min.
Redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout
Beautiful stream-fed river with crystal clear water. Regularly stocked with trout near Fall River Hatchery; foot trail from the hatchery provides access to several miles of river. Fly fishing only. Camping nearby.

43. CONFLUENCE OF DESCHUTES AND FALL RIVERS, LaPine—28 mi., 45 min.
Redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, brown trout
LaPine State Park offers good bank access to the upper Deschutes and Fall rivers.

44. OCHOCO CREEK, Prineville—36 mi., 55 min.
Redband trout
Good fishing for small native trout right in the heart of Prineville. Access from a 10-mile bike path.

45. TUMALO CREEK, Bend—13 mi., 35 min.
Redband trout
Popular trout stream close to Bend. Additional access from roads that follow and cross the creek. Tumalo State Park.

46-50. Five great places for kids
These five fishing holes are all close to a town, stocked regularly with trout, and have good bank access.

46. Shevlin Pond, Bend—4 mi., 15 min.
47. Bend Pine Nursery Pond, Bend—5 mi., 10 min.
48. Fireman’s Pond, Redmond—17 mi., 25 min.
49. Prineville Youth Pond, Prineville—36 mi., 50 min.
50. Jefferson County Pond, Madras—43 mi., 60 min.

Feeling up for a drive?

There are several great places to fish just a little more than 90 minutes from Bend.

  • Antelope Flat Reservoir, 109 min.—Large reservoir off the beaten track; produces really big trout.
  • Walton Lake, 110 min.—Small picturesque lake stocked regularly; lots of good bank access.
  • Odell Lake, 100 min.—Large, deep lake has outstanding fishing for lake trout and kokanee.
  • Crescent Lake, 100 min.—Large, pristine lake popular for fishing and other water sports.

Getting off the beaten track

If you prefer getting away from the crowds, there are several nearby hike-in lakes that offer calm, quiet and good fishing. The following all are just a short hike away from the road:

  • Todd Lake—short .5 mile hike in; brook trout up to 15-inches.
  • Blow Lake—good hike-n-fish opportunity for kids; swimming in July and Aug.
  • Doris Lake—great day trip; 2.7 mile hike to picturesque lake.
  • Deer Lake—good early season fishing for brook and cutthroat trout.
  • Lucky Lake—abundant brook trout; moderate 1.3 mile hike.
  • Rosary Lakes—series of three hike-in lakes; lowest is a 2.5 mile hike; all are easily fished with a spinning rod.
  • Square Lake—popular hike lake-in near Santiam Pass; good catches of brook trout; 2 mile hike.
  • Little Three Creeks Lake—short hike from Three Creeks Lake; naturally reproducing brook trout.
  • Yoran Lake—challenging 5.3 mile hike from Odell Lake.

If you go off the beaten path, remember:

  • Go prepared for a day on the trail and follow all the usual precautions when going for a hike.
  • Contact the land manager (usually BLM or Forest Service) before you go to check on trail conditions.
  • Unless otherwise specified in the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, all stream fishing is with flies and artificial lures.