Central Zone

November 16, 2022

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.

Best bets for weekend fishing

• Free Fishing Days, Nov. 25 and 26. Fish, crab and clam for free -- that's no license, no endorsement, no tags needed -- anywhere in Oregon that's open to fishing.
• Fall River, Metolius River and the Deschutes between Bend and Benham Falls are good bets for the upcoming weekend.
• Pine Nursery Pond is a convenient and accessible place to fish during the winter months.
• Taylor Lake was stocked this week with 300 legal size trout. Bikini Pond, Taylor Lake, Kingsely Reservoir and Pine Hollow were stocked recently
• Trout fishing has been excellent on the Deschutes in the Maupin area.

Recently stocked

Stocking is scheduled to resume in March 2023.

Check out the 2022 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

Ice fishing safety

With several water bodies beginning to ice over, anglers need to be cautious during first-ice conditions. Take the following precautions: use the “buddy system,” wear a PFD in case of thin ice, carry a throw-rope, and use a heavy metal staff to check for thin-ice. The Minnesota DNR has developed guidelines for ice thickness and other safety tips.

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.

Road access closure

The Deschutes County Road Department will be closing Cascade Lakes Hwy and Paulina Lake Rd for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 at approximately 8 a.m.

Seasonal Stream Closure

A reminder that unless listed under exceptions, fishing in streams will close at the end of the day on Monday, Oct. 31.

Temporary rules in effect for Haystack Reservoir

A temporary rule to lift limits in Haystack Reservoir will be in effect Sept. 16 through Nov. 30 as the pool will be drawn down to facilitate emergency gate maintenance.

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

Spring monitoring showed good numbers of trout in addition to the stocking in April. Expect low and dirty water conditions. Last updated 6/15/22.

BIKINI POND: trout

Bikini Pond was stocked with 825 trophy size trout and 15 brood fish on Oct. 31.

Last updated 11/9/22.

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 closed for the season on Nov. 1. Will reopen April 22, 2023. Last updated 11/2/22.

CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee

The lake level remains extremely low and developed boat ramps are unavailable for launching boats. It is currently 8 percent full. Open to fishing all year. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 11/16/22.

CROOKED RIVER: trout, whitefish

Flows in the Crooked River increased to 50 cfs and fishing reopened Nov. 1. Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Steelhead have begun entering the Crooked River basin and anglers are reminded that rainbow trout over 20 inches must be released.

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 11/16/22.

DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout

The water level remains extremely low, and it may be difficult to launch a bigger boat. Recent fishing reports of good bass fishing. 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 10/19/22.

DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: steelhead, coho, redband trout, whitefish     

Steelhead and coho fishing is open from the I-84 bridge upstream to the Pelton Regulating Dam. Fall chinook retention closed Oct. 31.

Anglers reported steelhead fishing has been slow this past week, but trout fishing was excellent around Maupin. Coho numbers are up in the lower river with anglers reporting some nice, bright fish caught. Last updated 11/2/22.

DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout

Recent reports of good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 6/1/22.

DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brown trout

The Deschutes River from Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake closed to fishing for the season on Sept. 30. Last updated 10/5/22.

EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee

Anglers report good fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee; however, kokanee are smaller this year. Due to low water, the East Lake Campground boat ramp is unavailable for launching larger boats; anglers should look to launch boats at Hot Springs Cinder Hill campground boat ramps.

The Deschutes County Road Department closed the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Last updated 11/16/22.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout

Fly-anglers report excellent fishing in the Fall River. The river was recently stocked with another batch of trophy rainbow trout. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 10/19/22.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR:  rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead

Effective Sept. 16 through Nov. 30, in Haystack Reservoir, there are no size limits, bag limits, or gear restrictions for all gamefish. Recent reports of good fishing for bass and bullhead in the small remaining pool at Haystack. Anglers should be prepared for traversing the soft, muddy lakebed to access the remaining water. Last updated 9/14/22.

HOOD RIVER:  steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout

No recent reports. Turbidity due to glacial melt limits angler success in the fall. Last updated 10/12/22.

HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout

Anglers report that fishing at Hosmer has improved after a relatively slow start. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species.

The Deschutes County Road Department closed the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Last updated 11/16/22.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass

Anglers report good kokanee fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. Bass are biting well. The season in the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook closed on Nov 1.

For the remainder 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 10/26/22.

LAURANCE LAKE: rainbow trout

Closed for fishing Oct. 31. Will reopen April 22, 2023. Last updated 11/2/22.

LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout

Lava Lake was last stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in June. Recent reports of good fishing. Open to fishing all year.

The Deschutes County Road Department closed the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Last updated 11/16/22.

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

The Metolius River continues to fish well. Streamers are a good bet for bull trout that are following kokanee on their spawning migration. Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). The Metolius River above Allingham Bridge will close for the year at the end of the day on Monday, Oct. 31.

Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Last updated 10/26/22.

NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year, expect low water conditions at North and South Twin lakes. Anglers report excellent fishing, and North and South Twin received a fresh stocking of trout in mid-August and a stocking of trophy trout in late August. Last updated 8/31/22.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass

The reservoir is very low. No recent fishing reports. Last updated 10/12/22.

ODELL LAKE: lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Odell Lake closed for the season on Oct. 31. Last updated 11/2/22.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Anglers are reporting good kokanee fishing in Paulina Lake with fish averaging 12 inches.

The Deschutes County Road Department closed the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Last updated 11/16/22.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

Pine Hollow was stocked on Oct. 10 with 1,500 legals, 325 trophy, and 150 brood-size fish. Last updated 10/19/22.

PINE NURSERY POND: trout, largemouth bass

Angler report good trout and bass fishing. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 6/1/22.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie

Trout fishing continues to be good near the dam and anglers report good fishing for large crappie. The reservoir is very low at 10 percent. All boat ramps remain closed due to low water. Last updated 9/28/22.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year, expect low water conditions at North and South Twin lakes. Anglers report excellent fishing, and North and South Twin received a fresh stocking of trout in mid-August and a stocking of trophy trout in late August. Last updated 8/31/22.

SPRAGUE POND: rainbow trout

No recent reports.

Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 12/15/21.

TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): rainbow trout

Taylor Lake was stocked Wednesday, Nov. 9 with 300 size trophy trout. On Oct. 31, Taylor Lake was stocked with 200 trophy size fish and 3,063 legal size fish. Last updated 11/9/22.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Anglers report excellent fishing at Three Creek Lake and Little Three Creek Lake. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 9/14/22.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent updates. Last updated 6/1/22.

WICKIUP RESERVOIR: kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass

Anglers should expect to see fewer kokanee in Wickiup Reservoir this year following recent reservoir drawdowns. Anglers are reporting increased catches of rainbow trout this year than in the past. The reservoir is very low at 18 percent. Under low water conditions, boat ramps may be unavailable for launching large watercraft. Wickiup Reservoir will close to fishing for the season on Oct. 31. Last updated 11/16/22.