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

The Cascade Lakes Hwy from Forest Service Rd 40 south to Klamath County line in now OPEN. Cascade Lakes Hwy from Forest Service Rd 40 north is still CLOSED.

Bass and panfish anglers should start keeping an eye on water temperatures. Once they reach 50 degrees, you can expect these fish to become more active. Look for them to start moving into the shallows in anticipation of spawning.

Most of the reservoirs in the Deschutes Basin are well below maximum capacity. Ochoco is at 26 percent, Prineville is at 61 percent and Crescent is at 25 percent. If the dry weather continues, these low water levels will affect fishing and potentially trout stocking. Be sure to check back for updates as the season progresses.

Lakes and reservoirs to fish this week:

• Anglers report fair fishing for largemouth bass on Davis Lake. 5/19/21
• Kokanee fishing has been picking up on Odell Lake. 6/9/21
• On Paulina Lake, anglers report good fishing for kokanee and brown trout. 6/9/21
• Bass fishing is picking up in Lake Billy Chinook and should be good in Haystack Reservoir. 5/19/21
• Prineville Reservoir is a good bet for both bass and trout fishing. 5/19/21

RIVERS AND STREAMS

Many rivers and streams will reopen to trout fishing on May 22.

Although there are warmer temperatures in the forecast, water temperatures are still cold. Anglers should target trout during the warmest parts of the day when fish are most active.

Rivers and streams to fish this week:

• Trout fishing on Fall and Metolius rivers, and the Deschutes between Lake Billy Chinook and Benham Falls continues to be fair to good. Look for insect hatches (and some dry fly action) early and late in the day. 6/9/21.

RECENTLY STOCKED

Scheduled to be stocked this week (week of June 14): Shevlin Pond, North Twin Lake, Lava Lake, Taylor Lake, Twin Lake South, Irish Lake.

Stocked last week (week of June 7): Fall River, Badger Lake, Sprague Pond, Olallie Lake, Lost Lake, Walton Lake.

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.

ODFW braces for drought
What anglers can expect

March and April of 2021 were among the driest spring months since the 1890s, and ODFW is bracing for a serious drought as summer arrives. Currently, 72 percent of the state is in severe or extreme drought status.

As the summer progresses, anglers should continue to expect changes to fish stocking, and possible emergency regulations. See more details here. The weekly Recreation Report will be your best source of information on conditions and any emergency regulations.

Finding garbage at your favorite spot?
Consider packing some out

During the past year, more people have been fishing and getting outdoors. And the garbage they’ve left behind proves it. Next time you head to the water, put a garbage bag in your pocket and fill it with any garbage you find. After you’re done fishing, of course.

New map shows wildfire impacts on recreation

Hunters, anglers and wildlife viewers will be living with the impacts of the 2020 wildfire season for a long time. To help you navigate the status of popular recreation sites, natural resource management agencies in Oregon have released an interagency status map that shows open, closed and reduced service areas on a single map, regardless of reason for closure.

The map now also includes an updated boat ramp status map. The Marine Board plans to update boat ramp status every month at a minimum.

UPDATES BY WATERBODY

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Recent sampling indicates excellent overwinter survival. Fish averaged 12 inches long with individuals up to 19 inches caught. Like most reservoirs this year, Antelope Flat did not fill completely so the water level is below normal. Last updated 5/19/21.

BIKINI POND: rainbow trout

The pond has received a couple of spring stockings and should be good fishing. It is a great place to take kids. Last updated 4/28/21.

CENTURY GRAVEL POND: rainbow trout

Due to low water, the pond will not be stocked until water conditions improve. The pond is located ¼ mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Last updated 6/9/21.

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

Anglers report fair fishing with catch rates picking up over the last couple of weeks. Wild rainbow trout must be released unharmed. Last updated 6/9/21.

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

Lake level is extremely low for this time of year and developed boat ramps are marginal for launching larger boats. Open to fishing all year. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Last updated 4/21/21.

CROOKED RIVER: trout, whitefish

Irrigation season has started so the water level is higher, but will be lower than average for the summer. Only the section downstream of Bowman Dam to Lake Billy Chinook is now open, above the dam is closed until May 22.

As a reminder, any trout over 20 inches is considered a steelhead and must be immediately released unharmed. Steelhead eggs may still be in the gravel so anglers are encouraged to avoid stepping on redds.

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 5/19/21.

DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout

Water is low and it may be difficult to launch a bigger boat. Anglers report fair fishing for largemouth bass. 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 6/9/21.

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

Trout fishing has been good. Anglers are reporting good action on both dry flies and nymphs.

Steelhead fishing is essentially over for the 2020-21 run year due to most fish entering spawning grounds in closed waters. New steelhead from the 2021-22 run will begin entering the Deschutes fishery in July. Last updated 4/28/21.

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

Anglers report fair fishing in the mornings and evenings. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 6/9/21.

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

Anglers report fair fishing in deeper portions of the river. Two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length. Wild rainbow trout must be released. Last updated 6/9/21.

EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee

Anglers report fair fishing. The lake is a little low for this time of year so boat ramp access may be challenging. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 5/26/21.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout

The river will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Anglers report good fishing from the hatchery upstream to the headwaters. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 6/9/21.

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

With the warm weather, trout will be harder to catch during the day, especially from shore.  However, the warmwater fish will be more active. Last updated 5/19/21.

HOOD RIVER: steelhead, spring Chinook

A few winter steelhead are still being reported in the lower Hood River even though the run is tapering off.

Spring Chinook fishing has been slow, a few fish are being caught on bobber and bait. Last updated 5/26/21.

HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout

Anglers report good fishing. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 6/9/21.

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

Kokanee fishing has been fair with fish averaging around 10-11 inches. Fishing for bull trout has been fair. Bass fishing is picking up.

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 5/19/21.

LAURANCE LAKE: trout

Laurance Lake opened to fishing on April 22. No reports on success, but fishing should be good. Last updated 5/26/21.

LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout

Anglers report fair fishing but water is off-color. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 5/19/21.

METOLIUS POND: rainbow trout

Youth (ages 17 and under) and disabled anglers only. Last updated 5/26/21.

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

Anglers report good fishing with active hatches during the warmest part of the day. 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 3/24/21.

NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Anglers report fair fishing. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 5/19/21.

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

Anglers report fair fishing for kokanee and good fishing for lake trout. Kokanee limit is 25 per day in addition to daily trout limit. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Bull trout must be released unharmed. ODFW will be conducting a creel survey on the lake in 2021 so please provide your daily fishing information to ODFW when asked. Last updated 6/9/21.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Anglers report good fishing for kokanee and brown trout. Last updated 6/9/21.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

No recent reports, however fishing is typically very good at this time.

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 2/28/21.

PINE NURSERY POND: trout, largemouth bass

Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 3/24/21.

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

Trout and bass fishing have been good. Contact the State Park at (541) 447-4363 for information on boat ramps. Last updated 5/19/21.

SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout

Open to youth only (17 years and under) and disabled anglers. Limit is two fish per day. Last updated 5/26/21.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Angers report good fishing. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 5/19/21.

SPRAGUE POND: rainbow trout

Pond will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 6/9/21.

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

No recent reports from anglers. However, the lake has been stocked a couple of times and should be good fishing. Last updated 4/28/21.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Anglers report good fishing. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 6/9/21.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

Recent sampling indicated excellent overwinter survival with trout averaging 12 inches long, and ranging up to 20 inches. The lake will be stocked the week of May 17 with 2,500 legal-size fish and 200 trophy-size fish. Last updated 5/19/20.

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

Five kokanee per day in addition to daily trout limit. Last updated 6/9/21.