Central Zone

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.

LAKES, PONDS, RESERVOIRS

With much cooler water temperatures, expect trout fishing to be fair throughout the day. As temperatures continue to drop, look for trout to move into the shallows as these waters warm during the day, and insect activity increases.

Poor snowpack and drought for the last several years has resulted in poor water quantity and quality in many parts of the upper Deschutes.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

Water levels remain low in several places, but temperatures are cooling and should help put trout on the bite. Most streams are now closed until next spring, please check the current regulations to make sure the waterbody you want to fish is still open.

RECENTLY STOCKED

Where’s the stocking schedule?

Our plans to begin posting the trout stocking schedule have been scrambled by the recent wildfires in the state. Several state-owned hatcheries were damaged in the fires, and thousands of fish were lost or released early.

It will take us a while to re-figure the current schedule to reflect these changes.

In the meantime, trout stocking is essentially done for 2020, except for a few locations noted in the Recreation Report.

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.

Free Fishing Days – Nov. 27-28

#optoutside for Black Friday

The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are Free Fishing Days in Oregon. That means you can fish, crab or clam for free – no license, tag or endorsement required. Some restrictions apply, as in all current closures, bag limits and other regulations still apply.

2020 wildfire effects on fishing: Check before you go

ODFW can’t tell you whether to go fishing or not. We will try to steer you to information about fire closures, access issues and air quality considerations so you can make an informed decision about whether to go.

You’ll now find all wildfire information related to hunting, fishing and recreating, on both public and private land, in one central location on MyODFW.com. This page will be updated frequently, so be sure to check again before you go.

Tips to recreate responsibly

We continue to urge anglers and others recreating outside to stay close to home, keep your social distance, and travel safely. Here’s more information about how to recreate responsibly.

Ollalie Lake area is closed to the public, likely for the remainder of 2020.

UPDATES BY WATERBODY

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Water clarity is still poor and the water level is still low, but the fish are still there. There have been no changes in conditions that would affect fishing. Temperatures are starting to drop and fall precipitation is in the forecast, so be prepared for inclement weather. Last updated 11/4/20.

CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee

Reservoir closed to fishing until April 22, 2021.

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

No recent fishing reports. Open to fishing all year. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 11/4/20.

CROOKED RIVER: trout, whitefish

Water level is now stable following the end of irrigation season. Whitefish should be spawning and anglers have had good success fishing egg patterns. Only the section downstream of Bowman Dam to Lake Billy Chinook is now open, above the dam is closed until next spring.

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 11/4/20.

DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation: steelhead, redband trout, whitefish

Trout will continue to be active and feeding throughout the winter.  Until then, fly anglers will be most successful using nymph patterns, but dry fly fishing is still available on late mornings when temperatures rise. Trout anglers using nymphing techniques might also hook a steelhead. Steelhead are now dispersed throughout the lower 100 miles of the lower Deschutes, and both gear and fly anglers should be able to find fish.

The White River, a glacial tributary of the Deschutes, has been causing intermittent clarity problems for anglers in the lower 45 miles of the river. Anglers in the Maupin area should find good numbers of steelhead and clear water to fish, since the area is upstream of White River. Anglers are reporting a few steelhead upstream as far as Warm Springs.

Fall Chinook season is closed on the Deschutes. Last updated 11/11/20.

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

No recent fishing reports. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 11/4/20.

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

Closed to fishing until May 22, 2021.

EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee

Forest Service Rd. 21 is closed for the winter at its snow park gate beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 11/11/20.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout

Anglers report good fishing for large rainbow trout throughout the river. All public access to Fall River Hatchery is closed until further notice. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 11/4/20.

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

Reservoir is back to winter levels and the west side boat ramp is open through the end of November. Last updated 11/4/20.

HOOD RIVER: steelhead

Conditions remain unchanged. Glacial turbidity and low fish numbers will limit angler success. Anglers should not expect many steelhead in the Hood River until February. A few hatchery coho are available, but catch is generally low. Anglers are reminded Chinook fishing is currently closed. Last updated 11/11/20.

HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout

Snow gates west of Mt. Bachelor between Dutchman Flat and Deschutes Bridge are closed for the winter beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 11/11/20.

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

No recent fishing reports. The Metolius Arm is now closed until next spring.

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 11/4/20.

LAURANCE LAKE: trout

Laurance Lake is closed to fishing until April 22, 2021.

LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout

Snow gates west of Mt. Bachelor between Dutchman Flat and Deschutes Bridge are closed for the winter beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/11/20.

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

Anglers report good fishing on the lower stretches of the Metolius. Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). 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 11/11/20.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass

Water level is extremely low and bank access is limited and walk-in only. Last updated 11/4/20.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Forest Service Rd. 21 is closed for the winter at its snow park gate beginning Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 11/11/20.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

No recent reports, but generally fishing for trout picks up as cooler temperatures of fall begin.

Anglers are most successful at Pine Hollow using a boat. If you are fishing out of a boat, trolling small spinners or free drifting bait will work.

Bank anglers can also be successful near the boat ramp and on the dam. Last updated 11/4/20.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent fishing reports. Open to fishing all year.

SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

No recent reports. Open all year. 25 kokanee per day in addition to daily trout limit. No limit on the number or size of bass. Last updated 11/4/20.

TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): rainbow trout, largemouth bass

This small lake can produce some very big largemouth bass.

The lake has received its fall trout stocking and fishing should be good. Although there is no designated boat launch, small boats can be used in Taylor. Last updated 10/21/20.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

No recent reports. Snow gate will most likely be closing soon. Check with Forest Service before planning a trip to the lake. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/11/20.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent fishing reports. Access is limited to walk-in only. Last updated 11/4/20.

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

The reservoir is closed to fishing until April 22, 2021.