Recreation Report
Central Zone
Regulation Updates
Regulation Updates as of November 1, 2021
Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
Deschutes River (Central Zone)
Mouth to Moody Rapids - Includes the Deschutes River mouth at the westbound Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids.
- All angling is closed through December 31.
Moody Rapids to Pelton Dam - Includes the Deschutes River from the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids upstream to Pelton Reregulating Dam.
- November 1 – December 31: Closed to angling for and retention of steelhead and coho.
Columbia River Thermal Angling Sanctuaries and associated Oregon tributaries.
The sanctuary boundaries span zones so rule modifications are needed in both the Central and Columbia River zones.
Eagle Creek (Central Zone)
Area definition: From the angling deadline in Eagle Creek (200 feet downstream of hatchery fishway entrance) downstream to the mouth at the mainline railroad bridge.
- September 16 – November 30: Closed to salmon angling/retention.
- December 1 – 31: Permanent regulations apply.
Eagle Creek Mouth (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of Eagle Creek from the mainline railroad bridge northwest to a line projecting from a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 200 feet downstream of Eagle Creek, through red navigation buoy #4, and terminating at a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 325 feet upstream of Eagle Creek.
- September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
Herman Creek (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: From the mainline railroad bridge downstream to markers at mouth.
- July 15 – November 30: Closed to angling.
- December 1 – 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
Herman Creek Lagoon (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: Herman Creek Lagoon/Cove east of a line from the northwest tip of the jetty, south to a marker on the Oregon shore.
- September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
Deschutes River (Central Zone)
Area definition: From mouth at Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids.
- Closed to all angling through December 31.
Deschutes River Mouth (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of the Deschutes River from the Interstate 84 Bridge north to a line projecting from the flashing red navigation marker #2 located approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the Deschutes River mouth on the Oregon shore, upstream to the red navigation marker #4, then to the lower South Channel Range “B” marker located on the Oregon shore approximately 0.7 mile upstream of the Deschutes River mouth.
- September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem from The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam.
For more information contact your local ODFW office:
- Bend (541) 388-6363
- The Dalles (541) 296-4628
- Prineville (541) 447-5111
Recreation Report
If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your fishing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Send us your fishing report
We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports―the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the weekly Recreation Report.
FISHING UPDATES
Table of contents
BEST BETS FOR WEEKEND FISHING
- Anglers are reporting some good trout fishing at North and South Twin lakes. These lakes are an especially good options now that Paulina-East Lake Rd and Cascade Lakes Hwy are closed for winter.
- Trout fishing has been good in the Crooked, Fall and Metolius rivers. With warmer temperatures in the forecast, fishing should continue to be good through the weekend.
RECENTLY STOCKED
Central Zone fish stocking has concluded for 2021.
Check out the 2021 trout stocking schedule.
TROUT STOCKING MAPS: Find your place to fish
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: closures, special events, etc.
Winter road closure
The North Cascade Hwy as well as the highway to East and Paulina lakes closed for the winter on Nov. 16. This will limit access to several popular fisheries.
If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed
It’s probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improves.
UPDATES BY WATERBODY
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
No recent fishing reports. Water is low and dirty. Last updated 9/1/21.
BIKINI POND: rainbow trout
Bikini Pond was stocked on Nov. 9 with 1,005 legal-size rainbow trout. Last updated 11/17/21.
CENTURY GRAVEL POND: rainbow trout
No recent updates. The pond is located ¼ mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Last updated 10/6/21.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee
Crane Prairie Reservoir is closed to fishing until April 22. Last updated 11/17/21.
CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
Lake level is extremely low and developed boat ramps are unavailable for launching boats. Open to fishing all year. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 10/6/21.
CROOKED RIVER: trout, whitefish
Anglers report good fall fishing in the Crooked River. The Crooked should continue to fish well with warm temperatures forecasted.
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 12/1/21.
DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout
A reminder to Davis Lake anglers that the Odell Creek Channel and Odell Creek are closed to fishing upstream of the West Davis Lake Campground boat launch until May 22. The water level remains extremely low and it may be difficult to launch a bigger boat. Open to fishing all year. Fly-fishing only, barbless hooks required. Catch-and-release for trout. No limit on size or number of warmwater fish. Last updated 12/1/21.
DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: redband trout, whitefish
Emergency closures have been extended on the Deschutes River and additional closures have been implemented in order to protect dismal wild steelhead returns. Additional coho angling closures will help reduce angling impacts on wild steelhead when fishing with similar gear types:
Salmon and steelhead fishing is now closed on the lower Deschutes River through Dec. 31. Trout fishing is open under permanent rule.
I-84 upstream to the Lower End of Moody Rapids
- Closed to all fishing for all species through Dec. 31.
Moody Rapids upstream to Sherars Falls
- Closed to steelhead fishing and retention through Dec. 31.
- Closed to coho fishing and retention Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Sherars Falls upstream to Pelton Regulating Dam
- Closed to steelhead fishing and retention through Dec. 31.
- Closed to coho fishing and retention Oct. 1 to Dec. 3.
Last updated 11/3/21.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers report good fishing in the mornings and evenings. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 8/18/21.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brown trout
Closed to fishing until May 22, 2022.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Paulina-East Lake Road closed for the winter Nov. 16, 2021. ODFW has removed over 11,000 pounds of invasive chub this year, which should reduce competition with trout and kokanee. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 11/17/21.
FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers report good fishing in late morning and afternoon once water temperatures rise. Fall River should continue to fish well with warm temperatures forecasted. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 12/1/21.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
The North Unit Irrigation District recently ended irrigation for the season and will not be releasing water into the reservoir. The water level will remain low for now.
Under these low water conditions, the boat ramps will be unusable, and shoreline access for any bank fishing will be from the muddy exposed reservoir bed. Last updated 9/1/21.
No recent fishing reports. Water clarity is turbid due to recent high flows from rain-on-snow events. Last updated 11/17/21.
HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout
Anglers report good fishing. The Cascade Lakes Highway closed for the winter Nov. 16, 2021. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 11/17/21.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
The Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook is closed to fishing until March 1
For the remained of the reservoir, harvest is limited to 1 bull trout over 24 inches under the daily trout limit. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. No bag or size limits on brown trout and bass. Last updated 11/17/21.
LAURANCE LAKE: trout
Laurance Lake is closed to fishing from Nov. 1 through April 21 under permanent rule. Last updated 11/3/21.
LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout
No recent reports. The Cascade Lakes Highway closed for the winter Nov. 16, 2021. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/17/21.
METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout
Anglers report blue wing olive hatches and good fishing. The Metolius River should continue to fish well with warm temperatures forecasted. Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Section above Allingham Bridge is now closed to fishing until May 22.
Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). River is closed to fishing above Allingham Bridge until May 22, 2021. All public access to Wizard Falls Hatchery is closed until further notice. Last updated 12/1/21.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
North Twin Lake provides accessible lake fishing and is good option now that Paulina-East Lake Rd and Cascade Lakes Hwy are closed for winter. Anglers report good fishing. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/24/21.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass
Water level is extremely low, bank access is limited and it’s walk-in only. Last updated 5/19/21.
ODELL LAKE: lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout
Odell Lake is now closed to fishing until April 22. Last updated 12/1/21.
PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Paulina-East Lake Road closed for the winter November 16, 2021. Anglers report good fishing for kokanee and brown trout. Last updated 11/17/21.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Pine Hollow was stocked on Nov. 9 with 2,550 legal-size rainbow trout, 227 two-pound rainbow trout, and 11,000 fingerling rainbow trout. Last updated 11/17/21.
PINE NURSERY POND: trout, largemouth bass
Pond was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Limit is 2 fish per day. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 10/6/21.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie
Trout fishing continues to be good near the dam. All boat ramps are closed due to low water. Last updated 11/24/21.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
South Twin Lake provides accessible lake fishing and is good option now that Paulina-East Lake Rd and Cascade Lakes Hwy are closed for winter. Anglers report good fishing. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/24/21.
SPRAGUE POND: rainbow trout
Due to low and warm water, the pond will not be stocked until conditions improve. Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 7/21/21.
TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): rainbow trout
No recent reports from anglers. Some big largemouth bass can be found in the shallows of the lake. Taylor Lake was stocked on Nov. 9 with 2,380 legal-size rainbow trout and 325 two-pound rainbow trout. Last updated 11/17/21
THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
Anglers report good fishing for brook trout and hatchery rainbow trout. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 7/21/21.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
The lake has been well-stocked and the fish should be very active with the warmer temperatures in the forecast. Last updated 12/1/20.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Wickiup Reservoir is now closed to fishing until April 22. Last updated 11/17/21.