Recreation Report
Central Zone
Recreation Report
May 22, 2025
Best bets for weekend fishing
- Anglers report excellent spring kokanee fishing. Kokanee at Lake Billy Chinook, Odell Lake, and Paulina Lake are averaging 12-13 inches while fish up to 17 inches are being caught at Wickiup and Crane Prairie Reservoirs.
- Anglers report good trout fishing at Crane Prairie Reservoir.
- Paulina Lake Road opened on Wednesday May 14th; however, snow may limit access to some boat launches at East and Paulina lakes.
- The Cascade Lakes Highway reopened May 22; however, lingering snow may limit access to some lakes and boat ramps.
- Crooked River flows below Bowman Dam have finally decreased to a level where the river is fishing well again.
- Anglers report consistent nymphing opportunities on the Fall River.
- Salmonfly season is just around the corner on the lower Deschutes
- No reports of springers caught yet on the Hood River
Trout stocking
Recently Stocked:
Century and Sprague Gravel Pits, Walton Lake, Clear Lake, Lost Lake, and Laurence Lake, Walton Lake, Fall River, Frog Lake, Middle Fork Pond- Hood River, Lost Lake, Redmond Firemen's Pond, North and South Twin Lakes, Cottonwood Pit, Clear Lake, Kingsley Res- upper.
Stocking for the Willamette zone will resume on Sept. 29.
Check out the 2025 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
Stream Opener
Many central zone streams will reopen to angling on May 22. Early season angling can present exceptional angling opportunities. Anglers should review and be familiar with the zone and special regulations prior to hitting the water.
Launch Access Central Oregon Lakes
Several popular lake fisheries in Central Oregon, including Odell, Crane Prairie, and Wickiup opened on Aprill 22. Given above average snowpack anglers should be prepared for some access points including boat ramps at Princess Creek, Quinn River, and Rock Creek to have lingering snow and seek alternative launch locations. Anglers should review and be familiar with the regulations, including how to identify Bull Trout at Odell Lake, see below.
Know How to Identify Odell Lake Bull trout
It is critical that anglers at Odell Lake know how to distinguish native Bull Trout from non-native Lake (Mackinaw) Trout. The Odell Lake Bull Trout population is at critically low levels and conservation on the part of anglers is needed. Please report when and where Bull Trout are caught to the Bend (541-388-6363) ODFW office. Bull Trout must be released immediately, unharmed, and anglers are encouraged to avoid taking fish out of the water.
The following tips can help anglers distinguish between the two species:
- The lake trout is not particularly colorful – usually gray with large pale spots – and can be further distinguished from other trout with its deeply-forked tail.
- The coloration of Bull Trout can be variable, they are generally gray infused with green. The body is covered with small white or pale-yellow spots, and there may some pink or red spots intermingled. The lower fins are often orange or reddish and the tail is less forked than Lake Trout.
- https://myodfw.com/articles/oregons-trout-species
- https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/identification/resident
Winter Road Closures
The Cascade Lakes Highway reopened to traffic between Mt. Bachelor and FS Road 4270 on May 22. Paulina Lake Road is also now open to traffic east of the Ten Mile Sno-Park.
Get Updates Here: https://www.deschutes.org/road/page/news-and-closures
Parasitic Copepods in the Twin lakes
Anglers have been reporting holdover rainbow trout with heavy parasite loads of the common parasitic copepod, Salmincola californiensis in North and South Twin lakes. ODFW has reduced stocking densities to try to get the copepod levels down. There are no health concerns with consuming fish with these copepods. They are typically attached to the gills, fins, and skin of the fish and are usually not present in filets. This ODFW webpage shows common fish diseases and parasites including the copepod.
Fish consumption advisories
The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River 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.
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Updates by waterbody
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
No recent fishing reports: however, based on 2024 ODFW sampling Antelope could provide an opportunity for nice holdover trout. Last updated 11/20/24.
BIKINI POND: trout
Bikini Pond got a big load of fish before the kids fishing event ODFW hosted last Saturday. The week of April 27th, Bikini Pond was stocked with 1,400 legal size fish and 200 trophy size trout. Last updated 5/5/25.
CENTURY GRAVEL POND: Rainbow trout
Last stocked in early May. The Century Gravel Pond is located ¼ mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Last updated 12/11/24.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee
Anglers report of good trout fishing and bass fishing picking up as water temperatures warm. The reservoir is currently 91 percent full. Last updated 4/17/25.
CRESCENT LAKE: Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
Open to fishing all year. No recent reports.
Crescent Lake is currently 30 percent full and access to the lake may be limited by low water levels. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit.Last updated 11/27/24.
CROOKED RIVER: Trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Anglers report good trout fishing now that flows have dropped below 300 cfs following several months of high flow releases for flood control.
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 2/19/25.
DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year, but snow and ice may limit access.
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. Last updated 11/20/24.
DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: Steelhead, redband trout, whitefish
Spring hatches are just around the corner. Salmonflies are out but we are still ahead of the peak of the hatch for dry fly fishing. The Salmonfly hatch will ramp up fast and sunny weather this weekend might make for great fishing.
There will be no spring Chinook sport fishery on the Deschutes this year. Last updated 5/12/25.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: Rainbow trout, brown trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report good fishing for brown trout upstream of the Old Mill area in Bend and around Tumalo State Park. Anglers should expect water clarity and streamflow conditions to change and affect fishing during April as irrigation season begins. Nymphing has been the most effective method. Last updated 3/26/25.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: Rainbow trout, brown trout
The Deschutes River upstream of Benham Falls reopened Thursday May 22, 2025. This section includes the popular brown trout fishery below Wickiup Reservoir and brook trout fishery between Crane Prairie and Little Lava Lake. Last update 10/2/24.
EAST LAKE: Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Paulina Lake Road reopened May 14th. Forest Service facilities including docks and bathrooms may still be winterized for the year. Eager angler who have accessed the lake with kayaks and float tubes report excellent early season angling for brown trout.
Open to fishing all year. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. Last updated 11/20/24.
FALL RIVER: Rainbow trout, brown trout
Fly-anglers continue to report good and consistent fishing in the Fall River. Nymphing and stripping small streamers with light fluorocarbon tippet have been the most effective methods. With warmer temperatures anglers should keep an eye out for hatches and dry fly opportunities.
Fall River below Fall River Falls is closed seasonally to protect spawning trout and reopened on May 22.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 3/26/25.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Anglers report good fishing for both trophy-size excess brood hatchery trout and holdover trout in the 16 to 17-inch range. A second stocking of excess brood rainbow trout were released into Haystack Reservoir the last week of February. This is a rare opportunity for anglers to catch trophy-size broodstock rainbow trout in Haystack Reservoir this winter.
The boat ramps at the campgrounds on the east and west side of the reservoir have been closed for the season. The parking lot near the handicap fishing pier remains open year-round. Last updated 3/12/25.
HOOD RIVER: Spring Chinook, steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout
The spring Chinook fishery on the Hood opened on April 15. There are spring Chinook in the Hood and the peak of the run will be over the next two weeks. Limit is 1 adult salmon per day. Last updated 5/12/25.
HOSMER LAKE: Brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout
Hosmer Lake is open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 11/27/24.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
Anglers continue to report excellent spring kokanee and bull trout fishing. Anglers report larger kokanee than in the past few seasons with fish averaging 13 inches. The Metolius Arm opened to fishing on March 1.
Tips for catching more kokanee
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 3/12/25.
LAURANCE LAKE: Rainbow trout
Laurance Lake was stocked last week with 2,100 legal size rainbows. Anglers have had good luck bank and boat fishing over the past week. No bait is allowed. Last updated 5/12/25.
LAVA LAKE, Big: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/27/24.
METOLIUS RIVER: Rainbow trout, bull trout
The Metolius River continues to be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout, and bull trout. Nymphing with stonefly, mayfly or caddisfly nymphs has been effective for trout and streamers are a good bet for bull trout. Anglers should keep an eye our for hatchyes
Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge).
The Metolius River from Allingham Bridge upstream to the headwaters reopned for the season May 22, 2025.
Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Last updated 2/12/25.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year;. Anglers report good trout fishing. North and South Twin were last stocked in Mid-May. Last updated 11/27/24.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass
The reservoir is 98 percent full and water clarity is reduced from spring runoff. Recent reports of fair rainbow trout fishing from the bank near Ochoco Dam. Last updated 4/17/25.
ODELL LAKE: Lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout
Odell Lake reopened to angling April 22, 2025. Anlgers continue to report good angling for nice-sized and abundant kokanee and eager Lake Trout. See announcement above regarding how to distinguish Bull Trout from Lake (Mackinaw) Trout. Last updated 4/17/25.
PAULINA LAKE: Brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Open to fishing all year, Paulina Lake Road reopened on May 14th. Forest Service facilities including docks and bathrooms may still be winterized for the year. Anglers report excellent kokanee fishing and fair trout fishing.
Open to fishing all year. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. Last updated 11/20/24.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Pine Hollow Reservoir was stocked on April 21 with 3,360 legal size trout and 72 brood trout. Last updated 4/28/25.
PINE NURSERY POND: Trout, largemouth bass
Open to fishing all year. Recent report of good fishing rainbow trout and recently stocked largemouth bass. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 4/10/25.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie
Open to fishing all year. The reservoir is 100 percent full and water clarity is reduced from spring runoff. Anglers report fair fishing for trout, crappie and bass. Last updated 4/10/25.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year.. Anglers report good trout fishing. North and South Twin were last stocked in mid-May. Last updated 11/27/24.
SPRAGUE POND: Rainbow trout
Sprague Pond was stocked in early-May.
Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 5/24/23.
TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): Rainbow trout
Taylor Lake was stocked on April 15 with 1,200 legals and 52 brood trout. Visibility in the lake isn't great despite the aeration system but anglers have been reporting good trout fishing. Last Updated 5/12/25.
THREE CREEK LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout
Forest Service Road 16 which provides vehicle access to Three Creeks Lake is closed for the year. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 11/6/24.
WALTON LAKE: Rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Last updated 1/15/25.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: Kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Wickiup Reservoir reopened to angling April 22, 2025. Initial reports of nice kokanee in the 14-16-inch range and the occasional Rainbow Trout. The reservoir is currently 84 percent full and the North Wickiup boat ramp is accessible.
A reminder that Deschutes River regulations (May 22 opener) apply upstream of the markers near Sheeps Bridge. Last updated 11/20/24.