Central Zone

March 22, 2023

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Best bets for weekend fishing

• Anglers continue to report good kokanee and bull trout fishing on Lake Billy Chinook. The Metolius Arm reopened to fishing on March 1.
• Winter steelhead fishing has picked up in the Hood River.
• A few popular lakes in Wasco County are scheduled to be stocked this week.
• Trout fishing continues to be good on the lower Deschutes from Maupin to Macks Canyon.
• Kids getting stir-crazy? Take them to Prineville youth and disabled angling pond this weekend to enjoy fishing for fresh stocked trout.

Recently stocked

Scheduled to be stocked this week: Taylor Lake, Rock Creek Reservoir, Pine Hollow Reservoir, Bikini Pond, Prineville Youth Fishing Pond, Pine Nursery Pond

Stocking note: Shevlin Pond was to be stocked last week but is still ice-covered. It will be stocked when it thaws.

Recently stocked:
Prineville Youth Fishing Pond

Check out the 2023 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

As warmer spring temperatures arrive, ice condition can deteriorate quickly. 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.

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 is scheduled to be stocked this week with 350 legal size and 25 trophy trout. Last updated 3/22/23.

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 9 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

Winter flows in the Crooked River have been holding steady at 50 cfs since Nov. 1. Anglers report fair fishing with most trout in the 6 to 12-inch range. Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Steelhead are now actively spawning in 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 3/15/23.

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, redband trout, whitefish  

The Deschutes River is closed to all fishing from Northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation upstream to the Pelton Regulation Reservoir dam until April 22.

Reports of good trout fishing in the Maupin area through Macks Canyon Access Road. Most trout anglers have the most success euro-nymphing. Last updated 2/22/23.

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

Recent reports of fair fishing for rainbow, brown trout and mountain whitefish. Anglers should use caution on the river margins where shelf ice may be present. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 2/1/23.

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

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 continue to report good winter fishing in the Fall River. Nymphing has been the most effective method. The river received its final stocking for 2022 in October with a batch of trophy rainbow trout. A reminder to anglers that new regulations are now in effect for Fall River. The river is open to fishing all year above Fall River Falls and open to fishing May 22 – Sep 30 below the falls. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 2/22/23.

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

Following draining of Haystack Reservoir for maintenance, anglers should expect low water and slow fishing during the winter/spring of 2022-23 until the reservoir refills. The reservoir is currently 63 percent full and ODFW plans to stock fish in mid-April. Last updated 3/22/23.

HOOD RIVER:  winter steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout

Number of winter steelhead in the Hood River have been increasing, with anglers having some success. Overall, steelhead returns in 2023 are expected to be poor.

2021 was the final release for hatchery winter steelhead smolts in the Hood River. The 2023 return year will have the bulk of the 2021 release year cohort (2 salt fish).

Many steelhead anglers on the Hood are successful with a bobber and soft bead. Bait is allowed on the Hood River.

Rain on snow events cause dynamic flows on the Hood River throughout winter and spring. Best to check current and forecasted flows on the river prior to fishing. Last updated 3/15/23.

HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout

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 winter kokanee and excellent bull trout fishing. This time of year bull trout can be caught from both boat and bank. The season for the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook is reopened March 1; tribal angling permits are required.

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 3/15/23.

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. 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 11/30/22.

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

The Metolius River continues to fish well. Nymphing can be effective for trout and streamers are a good bet for bull trout. 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 some ice coverage at North and South Twin lakes. North and South Twin received a fresh stocking of trout in mid-August and a stocking of trophy trout in late August. Last updated 12/7/22.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass

The reservoir is very low. Fishing has been fair near Ochoco Dam with reports of nice size rainbow trout. Last updated 2/6/23.

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

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 11/30/22.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

Pine Hollow is scheduled to be stocked this week with 2,500 legal-size and 200 trophy-size trout. Last updated 3/22/23.

PINE NURSERY POND: trout, largemouth bass

Open to fishing all year. Anglers should expect some partial ice coverage at Pine Nursery Pond. Trout stocking is scheduled for the week of March 27-31. Limit is 2 fish per day. Last updated 3/8/23.

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

Prineville Reservoir is slowly filling but still very low at 15 percent full. Anglers report fair trout fishing near the dam; however, much of the reservoir is ice-covered. All boat ramps remain closed due to low water. Last updated 3/22/23.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

Rock Creek Reservoir is scheduled to be stocked this week with 3,000 legal-size and 200 trophy-size trout. Last updated 3/22/23.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year, expect some ice coverage at North and South Twin lakes. North and South Twin received a fresh stocking of trout in mid-August and a stocking of trophy trout in late August. Last updated 12/7/22.

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 is scheduled to be stocked this week with 1,200 legal-size and 100 trophy-size trout. Last updated 3/22/23.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Open to fishing all year. The Deschutes National Forest closed the road to Three Creek Lake for the season on Nov. 7. Last updated 11/30/22.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

In winter Walton Lake offer ice fishing opportunities for carryover rainbow trout up to 18 inches. Access to the lake through deep snow from the campground gate or Walton Sno-Park may require a ½ to 1 mile trek on snowshoes or skis. As always, anglers are encouraged to use caution and evaluate ice conditions before venturing onto frozen lakes. No recent reports. Last updated 1/11/23.

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

Wickiup Reservoir closed to fishing for the season on Oct. 31. Last updated 11/16/22.