Recreation Report
Central Zone
Recreation Report
-Photo by Karl Sanchez-
Sept. 11, 2024
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
- Anglers are reporting excellent fishing for pre-spawn kokanee and lake trout at Odell Lake.
- The Metolius River continues be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout and bull trout.
- The next few weeks will be some of the best steelhead fishing on the lower Deschutes below Sherars Falls
- Now that flows have settled, anglers and guides have been reporting good nymphing for trout and whitefish on the Crooked River below Bowman Dam.
- Fly-fishers are reporting success from many of the Cascade Lakes including Hosmer, East, and Three Creeks.
- Only a few weeks remain to enjoy fishing the Deschutes River upstream of Benham Falls. This section includes popular fishing areas below Wickiup Dam and the headwaters above Crane Prairie and is set to close at the end of the September.
Trout stocking
Scheduled to be stocked the week of Sept. 9:
Walton Lake, Fall River
Recently stocked:
North and South Twin
Check out the 2024 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
Sheeps Bridge closure
A reminder to anglers that the Deschutes River Arm of Wickup Reservoir between Gull Point Boat Ramp and the ODFW markers upstream of Sheeps Bridge closed to fishing Sept. 1 to protect spawning kokanee.
Cow Meadow fish trap
The Deschutes Fish District will be operating a weir and fish trap on the Upper Deschutes River at Cow Meadow from Sept. 16-27 to collect kokanee. We ask anglers to please respect and not tamper with the trap and tread lightly in the area to avoid disturbing kokanee redds (spawning nests).
Forest Fire Closures – Deschutes National Forest
Access to Hosmer, Sparks, Todd and Devils lakes is closed due to numerous lightning-caused wildfires across Central Oregon. Other fires are burning near Little Lava Lake. Anglers should check conditions and closures before heading out: Good resources include: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices and https://centraloregonfire.org/.
Whisky Creek Fire - Mt. Hood National Forest
Access to Whatum Lake, Scout Lake, Rainy Lake, Black Lake, Kingsley Lake, Bear Lake, and Warren Lake trailhead is closed due to an active wildfire.
Lower Deschutes River "Steelhead Splashdown"
Currently, the "Steelhead Splashdown" is underway on the lower Deschutes. This event is hosted by Angler's Atlas in partnership with ODFW and the purpose is to evaluate self-reporting creel as a method for evaluating harvest. Read more about the Splashdown and enroll here.
Parasitic Copepods in the Twin lakes
Anglers have been reporting rainbow trout with heavy parasite loads of the common parasitic copepod, Salmincola californiensis in North and South Twin lakes, Lava Lake and Walton Lake. ODFW had sampled holdover fish from Twin Lakes and have 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.
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
Recent fish inventory showed fewer numbers but nice healthy rainbow trout averaging 12-18 inches. Last updated 4/24/24.
BIKINI POND: trout
No recent reports. Bikini Pond was stocked on May 3 with 1,000 legal size, 470 one-pound trout, 100 two-pound trout, and 25 brood fish. Last updated 7/24/24.
CENTURY GRAVEL POND: rainbow trout
Century Pond was stocked with rainbow trout in mid-May. The pond is located ¼ mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Last updated 5/24/23.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass, kokanee
The reservoir 69 percent full. Anglers report good trout fishing with the Cultus and Deschutes River arms producing fish. Anglers should use caution when landing rainbow trout and minimize the time fish are exposed to warm surface temperatures that can be lethal.
Bass fishing has been reported as good. Last updated 8/28/24.
CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
The area surrounding Crescent Lake is current closed due to the Red Fire. More information can be found here. Open to fishing all year.
Crescent Lake is currently 12 percent full and access to the lake may be limited by low water levels. Anglers also report decent kokanee fishing with most fish in the 11– to 12-inch range. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. Last updated 9/11/24.
CROOKED RIVER: trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. The Crooked continues to fish well through the summer months. Nymphing has been the most effective method but fly-anglers should keep an eye out for fishing rising in afternoon. Try blue wing olive or midge patterns.
Anglers are reminded that steelhead may be present in the Crooked River and that Rainbow trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead and 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 8/14/24.
DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report good bass fishing along the reeds and trolling a fly along the lava flow. Davis Lake water level remains low, making launching boats difficult The Lava Flow Campground remains the only access point for boats.
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 8/14/24.
DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: fall Chinook, coho, steelhead, redband trout, whitefish
These next few weeks will likely be the best steelhead fishing of the season on the lower Deschutes. Steelhead was good last week
Salmon season opened on Aug. 1. Anglers have been catching fall Chinook throughout the fishery, from the mouth to Sherars Fall with some coho in the mix now.
The Thermal Angling Sanctuary closure is currently in effect from Moody Rapids downstream to the mouth. This section of the Deschutes is closed to all fishing and will reopen on Sept. 16. Last updated 9/11/24.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout, whitefish
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report good fishing upstream of the Old Mill area in Bend and around Steelhead Falls. Nymphing has been the most effective method. Last updated 5/29/24.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brown trout
The Deschutes River upstream of Benham Falls reopened May 22, 2024. Angler reports of good fishing for brown trout below Wickiup Reservoir and whitefish, redband and brook trout from Crane Prairie Reservoir to Little Lava Lake. ODFW staff noticed evidence of bait fishing at many locations during spring fish surveys and remind anglers that the use of bait is prohibited on the Upper Deschutes River. Last update 6/5/24.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Low water levels continue to make launching large boats challenging. Anglers report fair trout fishing. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. ODFW interns are netting and removing tui chub from East Lake this summer, please respect the nets and work boat and give them distance. Last updated 7/10/24.
FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout
Fly-anglers continue to report productive and consistent fishing in the Fall River. Nymphing and stripping wooly buggers have been the most effective methods.
A reminder to anglers that new regulations are in effect for Fall River and the river is now closed to fishing below Fall River Falls Oct. 1 through May 21. Fall River above Fall River Falls remains open year-round. 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 9/4/24.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
Haystack is currently at 70 percent full. Excess brood rainbow trout were released into Haystack Reservoir the third week of February. This is a rare opportunity for anglers to catch trophy-size broodstock rainbow trout in Haystack Reservoir in late February and March. Anglers have been reporting success catching these large fish as well as holdover trout.
Following draining of Haystack Reservoir for maintenance, anglers should expect slow fishing as the reservoir is restocked and fish populations rebound. Last updated 9/11/24.
HOOD RIVER: Steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout
No recent reports. The Hood has been murky lately due to glacial melt. Last updated 7/24/24.
HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout
Hosmer Lake is open to fishing all year. Recent reports of good fishing for brook and rainbow trout. Anglers are encouraged to get on the water early in the morning before the recreational kayak and paddleboard crowd arrives, and before surface water temperatures become lethal to trout. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 7/24/24.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
Anglers report good spring kokanee and bull trout fishing.
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 5/29/24.
LAURANCE LAKE: rainbow trout
No recent reports. Laurance Lake was last stocked May 13 with 2,100 1-pound trout. Prior to that, Laurance was stocked on Friday, May 10 with 4,600 legal size fish, 600 2-pound trout, and 80 brood fish. We have been receiving lots of reports from fly anglers and spinner anglers that fishing has been very productive.
There is a new regulation at Laurance Lake, which closes fishing at the mouth of Clear Branch and Pinnacle creeks in the reservoir. There are buoys currently out on the reservoir, and fishing is closed past the buoys. Last updated 7/24/24.
LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report good fishing for rainbow trout. Last updated 5/22/24.
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 out for afternoon green drake hatches, September can be a great month for dry fly action on the Metolius.
More Bull trout will enter the river from Lake Billy Chinook as the spawning peaks in September. 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 will close for the season Nov. 1 and will reopen May 22, 2024.
Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Last updated 9/4/24.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Recent reports from North Twin of excellent fishing for holdover and recently stocked trout. North and South Twin were last stocked in mid-April. Last updated 4/24/24.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass
The reservoir is 58 percent full. Recent reports of good rainbow trout fishing and large fish from the bank near Ochoco Dam. Last updated 9/11/24.
ODELL LAKE: lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout
Anglers report good kokanee fishing with fish in the 12 to 13-inch range. Anglers also report good fishing for lake trout. Anglers should be aware there are bull trout in Odell Lake and must be released immediately, unharmed. Bull trout fishing closure areas are marked with buoys and include the mouth of Trapper Creek and the lake outlet at Odell Creek. Last updated 7/31/24.
PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report productive rainbow and brown trout fishing with some brown trout in the 6- to 8-pound range caught in recent weeks. Anglers can now keep 5 kokanee in addition to daily trout limit. Last updated 8/21/24.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
No recent reports. Pine Hollow was stocked on April 23 with 2,500 legal trout, 40 brood-size trout. Last updated 8/14/24.
PINE NURSERY POND: trout, largemouth bass
Open to fishing all year. No recent fishing reports. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 12/13/23.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie
Prineville Reservoir at 66 percent full. Anglers report fair fishing for trout, crappie and bass. Last updated 9/11/24.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
Open to fishing all year. Anglers continue to report productive fishing for holdover and recently stocked trout. North and South Twin were last stocked in mid-April. Last updated 5/29/24.
SPRAGUE POND: rainbow trout
Sprague Pond was stocked in mid-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
No recent reports. Taylor Lake was last stocked on April 2 with 1,200 legal fish and 50 brood fish. Last updated 7/24/24.
THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
Open to fishing all year. Anglers report excellent fishing for rainbow and brook trout. Anglers should be on the look for rising fish and dry fly opportunities in the afternoon. Three Creeks Lake was stocked in June. Last updated 9/11/24.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
No recent fishing reports. Last updated 4/16/24.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Wickiup Reservoir is 27 percent full and boat ramps will be difficult to access as the reservoir level continues to drop. Anglers continue to report productive fishing for very nice rainbow trout.
The Deschutes River Arm from the Gull Point Boat Ramp to the ODFW makers near Sheeps Bridge is closed from Sept 1 through April 21, annually, to protect spawning kokanee. A reminder that Deschutes River regulations (May 22 opener) apply upstream of the markers near Sheeps Bridge. Last updated 9/11/24.
