Recreation Report
Central Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Tracy Scruggs
Central Fishing
January 8, 2026
Best bets for weekend fishing
- Expect high flows and increased turbidity on the lower Deschutes this week, which will impact fishing conditions
- The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent winter angling opportunities.
- Anglers report excellent dry fly and nymphing opportunities on Fall River.
- Anglers report good bank fishing opportunities for trout at Haystack Reservoir, now with surplus brood fish being stocked.
- Anglers report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook.
Trout stocking
Excess brood stock trout were released in Taylor Lake and Pine Hollow, and Haystack Reservoir this week.
Weekly fish stocking will resume in March, 2026.
Check out the Trout stocking schedule.
Trout stocking maps
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
Announcements
New Kokanee Regulations for 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, kokanee will no longer be included in the trout daily bag limit. Anglers will be able keep up to 10 kokanee per day, no size limits, and up to five trout per day in lakes. The kokanee bag limit at Elk, Odell, and Suttle lakes will remain at 25 per day. See the 2026 regulation book for details and waterbodies with exceptions: https://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2025-11/26_Fish_regs.pdf
Seasonal Road Closures
The road to Newberry National Monument accessing East and Paulina Lakes and the Cascade Lakes Highway closed on November 18th. For additional information see the Deschutes County Road Department website: https://www.deschutes.org/road
Crooked River adult steelhead releases
Excess adult steelhead are being released in the Crooked River below Bowman Dam. Remember, all rainbow trout over 20 inches long must be released unharmed. The steelhead will be marked with green or orange plastic tags by the dorsal fin. If caught, please keep the fish in the water as much as possible and avoid laying the fish on the bank. The fish should be handled as little as possible and the tags left intact. Please report when and where the fish were caught to either the Bend (541-388-6363) or Prineville ODFW offices (541-447-5111).
Fish Consumption Advisories
The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River and East Lake due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important.
- Bonneville Dam fish advisory
- Oregon Health Authority Fish Advisories and Consumption Guidelines
- Safe fish choices for pregnancy and young children
Sign up for the latest information on boater access
Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.
Updates by waterbody
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout
Recent ODFW sampling found good numbers of large rainbow trout in Antelope Flat Reservoir. Fish will more actively feed in October-November with cooler water temperatures. Last updated 10/9/25.
BIKINI POND: Trout
No recent reports. Bikini Pond was last stocked September 18 with 516 trophy trout. Last updated11/25/25.
CENTURY GRAVEL POND: Rainbow trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Century Pond closed on November 18th. The Century Gravel Pond is located ¼ mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Last updated 11/20/25.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee
Crane Prairie Reservoir closed to angling for the season on November 1 and will reopen April 22, 2026. Last updated 11/6/25.
CRESCENT LAKE: Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
Open to fishing all year; however, the access roads are not maintained for winter travel
Anglers are advised to check with the Forest Service Crescent Ranger Station on the timing of the gate closure for NF-60 for the winter. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 11/26/25.
CROOKED RIVER: Trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Anglers report excellent early winter fishing for trout and whitefish. Flows have been holding steady since irrigation storage season began around 95cfs. Nymphing fall mayfly hatch patterns and midges has been the most effective method, but fly-anglers should keep an eye out for fishing rising in afternoon. Try blue wing olive or midge patterns.
Anglers are reminded that steelhead may be present in the Crooked River and that Rainbow trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead and must be immediately released, unharmed.
Crooked River anglers may encounter bull trout now that there is volitional passage at Opal Springs. Anglers who catch a bull trout should release it unharmed and report their catch to the US Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov. Last updated 11/25/25.
DAVIS LAKE: Largemouth bass, rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report excellent bass fishing near the lava flow reeds near Lava Flow Campground. Recent sampling by ODFW found an abundance of largemouth bass in the 2-3 lbs. range, but few fish larger than 3.5 lbs.
Fly-fishing only, barbless hooks required. Catch-and-release for trout. No limit on size or number of warmwater fish. Davis Lake anglers may encounter bull trout which must be immediately released unharmed. See the announcement above regarding how to identify Bull Trout. Last updated 10/16/25.
DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: Steelhead, coho, redband trout, whitefish
Recent heavy rains have increased flows on the Deschutes and tributaries like Shitike Creek, Warm Springs River, and White River have increased turbidity throughout the lower river. The Deschutes is expected to rise throughout the week, so fishing conditions will be poor.
Steelhead are throughout the lower river and there have been reports of good steelhead fishing around Mecca Flat.
If you catch a wild steelhead, practice good catch-and-release practices by keeping the fish in the water and removing the hook quickly.
Chinook season is over on the Deschutes (closed Oct. 31), but you can still target and retain Coho Salmon on the lower Deschutes. The majority of coho return to the Warm Springs River, so the best bet for coho fishing is downstream of the confluence between the Warm Springs and the Deschutes.
If you catch a steelhead or coho with an orange external tag that reads "ODFW THE DALLES" please record the tag number and call our office 541-296-4628. If you release the fish, please leave the orange tag in place
Reports of good dry fly action in the mornings lately on the lower Deschutes between Maupin and Warm Springs. Nymphing has been consistent as well. Last updated 12/10/25.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: Rainbow trout, brown trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report fair fishing for brown trout upstream of the Old Mill area in Bend, the reach between Dillon and Lava Falls, and around Tumalo State Park. Nymphing continues to be the most effective method Last updated 1/8/26.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: Rainbow trout, brown trout
The Upper Deschutes River above Benham Falls closed to angling for the season on October 1 and will reopen May 22, 2026. Last update 10/2/25.
EAST LAKE: Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
The road to Newberry National Monument, accessing East and Paulina Lakes closed on November 18th.
Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/20/25.
FALL RIVER: Rainbow trout, brown trout
Fall River below Fall River Falls closed to angling for the season on October 1 and will reopen May 22, 2026. Fall River above the falls is open year-round. Fly-anglers continue to report good and consistent fishing in the Fall River. The spring-fed nature of Fall River make it a great angling option during the winter. Nymphing with midges and stoneflies and stripping small streamers with light fluorocarbon tippet are also effective methods.
Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. ODFW staff have noticed an increase in lures being used in Fall River and remind anglers that the use of lures and bait is prohibited. Last updated 1/8/26.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Approximately 400 brood rainbow trout were released in December providing a unique opportunity to catch 4+ pound fish. As a reminder, to allow everyone a chance at catching one of these fish, only one fish over 20 inches long can be harvested each day.
Anglers report good fishing for rainbow trout in the 16 to 17-inch range. Fall sampling also indicated good numbers of largemouth bass averaging 10-12 inches and smallmouth bass averaging 9-11 inches. Keep an eye on the recreation report for winter announcements for rainbow trout broodstock opportunities at Pine Nursery Pond and Haystack Reservoir. Last updated 1/8/26.
HOOD RIVER: Steelhead, coho, rainbow and cutthroat trout
High flows currently in the Hood River. . Last updated 12/20/25.
HOSMER LAKE: Brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Hosmer Lake closed on November 18th. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Open to fishing all year. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 11/20/25.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
The Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook closed to angling on November 1 and will reopen March 1, 2026.
Anglers are reporting excellent kokanee fishing with nice size fish being landed on the Crooked and Deschutes Arms. Fish have been moving deeper in the water column over the last few weeks as water temperatures decline.
Tips for catching more kokanee
Harvest is limited to 1 bull trout over 24 inches under the daily trout limit. No bag or size limits on brown trout and bass. Last updated 1/8/28.
LAURANCE LAKE: Rainbow trout
Fish at Laurance is closed for the season (reopens April 22, 2026). Last updated 11/3/25.
LAVA LAKE, Big: Rainbow trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Lava Lake closed on November 18th. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/20/25.
LAVA LAKE, Little: Rainbow trout, brook trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Little Lava Lake closed on November 18th. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/6/25.
METOLIUS RIVER: Rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout
The Metolius River continues to be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout, and bull trout. Nymphing with golden stonefly, midge and perdigon nymphs has been effective for trout and streamers are always a good bet for bull trout. Anglers should keep an eye out for afternoon blue wing olive hatches.
Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). The Metolius River above Allingham Campground Bridge (NF-1217) closed to angling for the season on November 1 and will reopen May 22, 2026.
Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Last updated 1/8/26.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year; however, the access roads are not maintained for winter travel Brown bullhead, which have been illegally introduced to North Twin for a second time following the 2015 rotenone treatment, have increased in abundance. This is a reminder that it is illegal to transport live fish in Oregon without a permit from ODFW. North and South Twin were last stocked in early September. Last updated 1/8/26.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass
Open to fishing all year. Winter can provide good opportunities for hardy bank anglers. Fishing close to shore with PowerBait has been a proven technique for winter trout fishing. Last updated 1/8/26.
ODELL LAKE: Lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout
Odell Lake closed to angling for the season on November 1 and will reopen April 22, 2026. Last updated 11/6/25.
PAULINA LAKE: Brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Open to fishing all year. The road to Newberry National Monument accessing East and Paulina Lakes closed on November 18th. Last updated 11/20/25.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
No recent reports. Pine Hollow stocked on 12/9/2025 with 409 surplus brood trout. Last updated 12/10/25.
PINE NURSERY POND: Trout, largemouth bass
Open to fishing all year. Keep an eye on the recreation report for winter announcements for rainbow trout broodstock opportunities at Pine Nursery Pond and Haystack Reservoir. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 11/12/25.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie
Open to fishing all year. Winter can provide good opportunities for hardy bank anglers. Fishing close to shore with PowerBait has been a proven technique for winter trout fishing. Anglers are also reporting increased catches of Northern Pikeminnow, and several have reached out to district staff for help with fish identification. Last updated 11/20/25.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year however, the access roads are not maintained for winter travel. Brown bullhead were illegally introduced to South Twin for a second time following the 2011 rotenone treatment and have increased in abundance. This is a reminder that it is illegal to transport live fish in Oregon without a permit from ODFW. North and South Twin were last stocked in early September. Last updated 1/8/26.
SPRAGUE POND: Rainbow trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Sprague Pond is scheduled to close on November 18th. Sprague Pond was last stocked in mid-June.
Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left on the first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 11/6/25.
TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): Rainbow trout
Taylor Lake was stocked on 12/10/2025 with 400 surplus brood trout from Oak Springs.
Last Updated 12/10/25.
THREE CREEK LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout
The road to Three Creek Lake (NF-16) is closed for the season. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/20/25.
WALTON LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. One frozen over Walton Lake can provide excellent ice-fishing opportunities. Walton Lake was last stocked with trophy sized trout on September 8th. No recent reports. Last updated 1/18/26.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: Kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Wickiup Reservoir closed to angling for the season on November 1 and will reopen April 22, 2026. Deschutes District Staff anticipate excellent kokanee and brown trout fishing at Wickiup in 2026. Last updated 11/6/25.