Recreation Report
Central Zone
Recreation Report
Central Fishing
April 23, 2026
Best bets for weekend fishing
- Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked to provide excellent spring angling opportunities.
- The Deschutes Lake (Odell, Crane Prairie, & Wickiup) opener was April 22. Wickiup Reservoir is 90% full and ODFW fish biologists anticipate an excellent kokanee season. Initial reports are that kokanee are abundant and in the 11-12" range this year.
- Recent ODFW sampling indicate good numbers of 17-22" holdover rainbow trout at Antelope Flat Reservoir
- Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. The Metolius Arm is fishing well with bull trout up to 31" being caught.
- The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
- Fall River recently received the first stocking of 2026 and anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.
- Low snowpack is allowing early access to lakes that are typically inaccessible in spring including North Twin and South Twin Lakes, Davis Lake, Crescent Lake, Cultus Lake, Lava Lake, Little Lava Lake, and Sprague and Century Gravel Ponds. The Lava Lake Campground and boat launch remained closed and access to Lava Lake is limited to small craft, kayaks and float tubes at this time.
Trout stocking
Stocked the weeks of
April 6-17: Fall River, Twin Lake S, Rock Creek Res, Twin Lake N, Baker Pond, Taylor Lake, Smock Prairie Res, Kingsley Res upper, Pine Hollow Res.
Scheduled to be stocked the week of April 20- May 8:
Shevlin Pond, Prineville Fishing Pond, Rock Creek Res, Pine Hollow Res, Middle Fork Pond- Hood River, Ochoco Res, Antelope Flat Res, Cottonwood Pit, Twin Lake N and S, Metolius Pond, Sprague Pit Pond, Laurance Lake, Walton Lake, Clear Lake, Century Gravel Pond.
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
Seasonal Road Closures
The road to Newberry National Monument accessing East and Paulina Lakes and the Cascade Lakes Highway closed on November 18. The Deschutes County Road Department has relocated the southern gate on the Cascade Lakes Highway to the Lava Lake Road junction. As of April 22nd, the Highway remains closed from Lava Lake to Dutchman Flat Snowpark near Mt. Bachelor. However, the Lava Lake Campground and boat launch remained closed and access to Lava Lake is limited to small craft, kayaks and float tubes at this time. Deschutes County is preparing for an estimated opening date of April 30th. Deschutes County is targeting an opening date of April 30th for the Paulina Lake Road (Forest Service Road 21). For additional information see the Deschutes County Road Department website: https://www.deschutes.org/road
Dock and Ramps
The new Crane Prairie dock at the primary launch site (Crane Prairie Resort/Campground) is now a permanent piece of infrastructure so it will be ready for the April 22 opener. Restrooms are open and available at Crane Prairie boating site. Sunset Cove at Odell Lake also has a permanent dock and will be open by the April 22 opener; Trapper Creek and Princess Creek will not, they will open when the campgrounds open in May. The Forest Service installed the docks at North Wickiup and Rock Creek docks at Wickiup Reservoir the weekend of April 18/19, so they are available in time for the April 22 fishing opener. The Lava Lake dock was aslo installed the weekend of April 18/19; however, since there is no way to open the boat launch site separate from the campground that gate will remain closed until the campground opens May 15th. The Forest Service removed the old Cultus Lake dock the weekend of April 18/19 to prepare for a new one. During the week of May 4th, the Cultus and Paulina new (permanent, year-round) docks will be installed. A huge kudos to the US Forest Service for the permanent dock at Crane Prairie and to Visit Bend, the Deschutes Trails Coalition, and the US Forest Service for the new, permanent docks at Cultus and Paulina. Other docks at East and Paulina Lake boating sites will be installed in May.
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
2026 Waterway Access Permit
A waterway access permit is required for all non-motorized boats (inc. Drift, raft, SUPs, inflatables, etc.). Access permits are available where hunting/fishing licenses are sold and online via ODFWs e-Licensing System and the Oregon State Marine Board websites.
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.
On Board Fish Cleaning
With the rise in popularity of on-board fish cleaning tables, anglers are reminded that they must retain enough of the carcass to identify the size, species and any fin clip. Law enforcement personnel must be able to determine that fish were harvested lawfully. This is especially important in waterbodies with size or fin clip restrictions including Lake Billy Chinook and Crane Prairie Reservoir.
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
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Updates by waterbody
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee
Crane Prairie is currently 90% full. Crane Prairie Reservoir reopened April 22, 2026. A mild winter has resulted in warmer than normal surface water temperatures and district staff anticipate active fish and a hot start to the season. Last updated 4/23/26.
CRESCENT LAKE: Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
Open to fishing all year. Low snowpack is allowing early access that is typically inaccessible in spring. Crescent Lake is currently 32 percent full and it is recommended that boat anglers use the Crescent Lake Campground Ramp or Tranquil Cover. Anglers report excellent early season fishing for large brown and lake trout.
One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 4/23/26.
CROOKED RIVER: Trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Anglers report excellent spring fishing for trout and whitefish. Anglers should expect to see flows increasing in April with the beginning of irrigation season. At the time of writing, outflows were 181 cfs. Nymphing with small midge, scud, and mayfly imitations have been the most effective patterns, but fly-anglers should keep an eye out for fish rising in afternoon.
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 4/11626.
DAVIS LAKE: Largemouth bass, rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Low snowpack is allowing early access that is typically inaccessible in spring. A mild winter has resulted in warmer than normal surface water temperatures anglers report active bass and a hot start to the season.
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 and report their catch to the US Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov. Last updated 4/16/26.
DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: Redband trout, steelhead, whitefish
The Deschutes River from the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation upstream to the Pelton Re-regulating dam reopens this Wednesday, April 22.
Report of good trout nymphing actions some days around the Maupin area recently. The sunny weather by the end of this week might yield some caddis hatches.
There will be a spring Chinook season for sport anglers on the Deschutes this year. The season will be from May 5 through May 20 from the mouth of the Deschutes upstream to Sherars. The limit is 1 adult fish per day.
Last updated 4/20/26.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: Rainbow trout, brown trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year. No harvest of rainbow trout over 20 inches. Anglers should expect to see flows increasing between Benham falls and Bend in April with the beginning of irrigation season. At the time of writing, outflows from Wickiup Dam were 660 cfs and ramping up. Last updated 4/16/26.
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 and will reopen May 22, 2026. Last update 3/4/26.
EAST LAKE: Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
The road to Newberry National Monument, accessing East and Paulina Lakes, closed on November 18. See road and ramp/dock update, above.
Open to fishing all year. Catch and release for tiger trout. Last updated 4/23/26.
FALL RIVER: Rainbow trout, brown trout
Fall River below Fall River Falls will reopen May 22, 2026. Fall River above the falls is open year-round. Fall River recently received the first stocking of 2026. Fly-anglers continue to report good and consistent fishing in the Fall River. The spring-fed nature of Fall River makes it a great angling option during the winter and spring. Nymphing with midges and stoneflies and stripping small streamers with light fluorocarbon tippet are also effective methods. Anglers should keep an eye out for afternoon blue olive wing and midge hatches. 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 4/16/26.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Approximately 500 brood rainbow trout were released in December –February 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 2/5/26.
HOOD RIVER: Steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout
No recent reports. Spring Chinook season opened on April 15th, but no reports of spring Chinook caught yet. Last updated 4/20/26.
HOSMER LAKE: Brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Hosmer Lake closed on November 18. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Open to fishing all year. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 3/4/26.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
The Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook reopened March 1, 2026. Anglers report good fishing for bull trout with fish up to 31".
Anglers are reporting excellent kokanee fishing with nice size fish being landed on the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Arms. Kokanee have been remaining deep in the water column over the last few weeks.
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 3/12/26.
LAURANCE LAKE: Rainbow trout
Laurance reopens this week on Wednesday, April 22. The boat ramp is snow-free. All bull trout must be released unharmed. If you don't' know, let it go!. Last updated 4/20/26.
LAVA LAKE, Big: Rainbow trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Lava Lake closed on November 18. The Deschutes County Road Department has relocated the southern gate on the Cascade Lakes Highway to the Lava Lake Road junction. However, the Lava Lake Campground and boat launch remained closed and access to Lava Lake is limited to small craft, kayaks and float tubes at this time. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 4/9/26.
LAVA LAKE, Little: Rainbow trout, brook trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Little Lava Lake closed on November 18. The Deschutes County Road Department has relocated the southern gate on the Cascade Lakes Highway to the Lava Lave Road Junction 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 have 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 and will reopen May 22, 2026.
Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Last updated 3/4/26.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Low snowpack is allowing early access that is typically inaccessible in spring.
Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into North Twin Lake the last week of January. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to catch trophy trout from Wizard Falls Hatchery, many in the 4-8 lbs. range. 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. Brown bullhead, which have been illegally introduced to North Twin for a second time following the 2015 rotenone treatment, has 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 2/5/26.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass
Open to fishing all year. Ochoco Reservoir was stocked with broodstock rainbow trout over the winter and with legal-sized trout in April. Anglers report good trout fishing on the flats near the upper end of the lake and where Ochoco Creek enters the reservoir. Fishing close to shore and near the dam with PowerBait is also a proven technique. Last updated 4/23/26.
ODELL LAKE: Lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout
Odell Lake will reopened April 22, 2026. See road and ramp/dock update, above. District staff anticipate warmer than normal surface water temperature and kokanee active near the surface. Last updated 4/23/26.
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 18. See road and ramp/dock update, above. Last updated 4/23/26.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Pine Hollow was last stocked on April 13th with 2,502 legal size trout and 50 brood fish. Last updated 4/20/26.
PINE NURSERY POND: Trout, largemouth bass
Open to fishing all year. Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into Pine Nursery Pond, the last week of January. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to catch trophy trout from Wizard Falls Hatchery, many in the 4-8 lbs. range. 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. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 2/6/26.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie
Open to fishing all year. 5 bass per day, only 1 bass over 15 inches may be harvested. Last updated 3/4/26.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Low snowpack is allowing early access that is typically inaccessible in spring.
Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into South Twin Lakes in the last week of January. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to catch trophy trout from Wizard Falls Hatchery, many in the 4-8 lbs. range. 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.
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. Last updated 4/1/26.
SPRAGUE POND: Rainbow trout
The Cascade Lakes Highway providing access to Sprague and Century Gravel Ponds is open, a low snowpack is allowing early access that is typically inaccessible in spring.
Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left on the first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 3/4/26.
TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): Rainbow trout
Taylor Lake was stocked on April 14th with 1,650 trophy size and 50 brood fish.. Last Updated 4/20/26.
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 3/4/26.
WALTON LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. No recent reports. Last updated 4/1/26.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: Kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Wickiup Reservoir is currently 90 percent full and high-water boat ramps are accessible. Wickiup Reservoir reopened April 22, 2026. A mild winter has resulted in warmer than normal surface water temperatures and district staff anticipate active fish and a hot start to the season. Deschutes District Staff anticipate excellent kokanee and brown trout fishing at Wickiup in 2026. Last updated 4/23/26.