Recreation Report
Central Zone
Regulation Updates
Regulation Updates as of August 27, 2021
Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
Deschutes River (Central Zone)
From the Deschutes River mouth at Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids the following regulations apply:
- Closed to all angling through September 30.
From the Deschutes River at the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids upstream to Sherars Falls, the following regulations apply:
- September 1 – September 30: Closed to angling for and retention of steelhead.
Columbia River Thermal Angling Sanctuaries and associated Oregon tributaries.
The sanctuary boundaries span zones so rule modifications are needed in both the Central and Columbia River zones.
Eagle Creek (Central Zone)
Area definition: From the angling deadline in Eagle Creek (200 feet downstream of hatchery fishway entrance) downstream to the mouth at the mainline railroad bridge.
- July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
- September 16 – November 30: Closed to salmon angling/retention.
- December 1 – 31: Permanent regulations apply.
Eagle Creek Mouth (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of Eagle Creek from the mainline railroad bridge northwest to a line projecting from a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 200 feet downstream of Eagle Creek, through red navigation buoy #4, and terminating at a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 325 feet upstream of Eagle Creek.
- July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
- September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
Herman Creek (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: From the mainline railroad bridge downstream to markers at mouth.
- July 15 – November 30: Closed to angling.
- December 1 – 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
Herman Creek Lagoon (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: Herman Creek Lagoon/Cove east of a line from the northwest tip of the jetty, south to a marker on the Oregon shore.
- July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
- September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
Deschutes River (Central Zone)
Area definition: From mouth at Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to the marker at the lower end of Moody Rapids.
- Closed to all angling through September 30.
Deschutes River Mouth (Columbia River Zone)
Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of the Deschutes River from the Interstate 84 Bridge north to a line projecting from the flashing red navigation marker #2 located approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the Deschutes River mouth on the Oregon shore, upstream to the red navigation marker #4, then to the lower South Channel Range “B” marker located on the Oregon shore approximately 0.7 mile upstream of the Deschutes River mouth.
- Closed to all fishing through September 15.
- September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia mainstem from The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam.
For more information contact your local ODFW office:
- Bend (541) 388-6363
- The Dalles (541) 296-4628
- Prineville (541) 447-5111
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FISHING UPDATES
Table of contents
LAKE, PONDS, RESERVOIRS
Fall trout stocking gets underway this week, with the onset of cooler temperatures. The waters are getting cool enough to put trout on the bite, but aren’t too cool for bass and other warmwater species.
Most of the reservoirs in the Deschutes Basin are well below maximum capacity. 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.
RIVERS AND STREAMS
Cooler fall temperatures should get trout biting as they try to bulk up for the winter months.
RECENTLY STOCKED
Scheduled to be stocked this week (Sept. 20): Prineville Youth Fishing Pond.
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.
Emergency closures on lower Deschutes River
From the downstream marker of Moody Rapids upstream to Sherars Falls, the Deschutes is CLOSED to fishing for and retention of all steelhead from Sept. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021
From the downstream marker of Moody Rapids downstream to the mouth at I-84 bridge, the Deschutes River is CLOSED to all fishing until Sept. 30, 2021.
UPDATES BY WATERBODY
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
No recent fishing reports. Water is low and dirty. Last updated 9/1/21.
BIKINI POND: rainbow trout
No recent reports. Fishing has been slow over the summer, but conditions will improve as water temperatures cool in late September. Bikini Pond will be stocked with legal-sized trout next week. Last updated 9/22/21.
CENTURY GRAVEL POND: rainbow trout
Due to low and warm 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 good fishing but high water temperatures. Trout will be holding in deeper water until we get some cooler nights. Wild rainbow trout must be released unharmed. Last updated 7/21/21.
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
No recent fishing reports.
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 9/1/21.
DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout
No recent fishing reports. Water is low and it may be difficult to launch a bigger boat. 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 7/7/21.
DESCHUTES RIVER, mouth to Pelton Dam: steelhead, fall Chinook, coho, redband trout, whitefish
Emergency closures are currently in effect on the lower Deschutes River, from the mouth to Sherars Falls.
From the downstream marker of Moody Rapids, upstream to Sherars Falls, the Deschutes River is CLOSED to fishing for and retention of all steelhead from Sept. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021. Permanent regulations for salmon and trout fishing are still in effect.
Additionally, the closure at the mouth of the Deschutes River, at I-84 upstream to the lower end of Moody rapids has been extended and is closed to all fishing to Sept. 30, 2021.
Anglers targeting salmon and trout from Moody Rapids to Sherars Falls must be mindful to minimize incidental catch of steelhead.
Permanent regulations for steelhead angling from Sherars Falls upstream to the Pelton Regulating Reservoir remain in effect.
Water temperatures in the lower Deschutes continue to decline. Shorter periods of solar input, changes in dam releases, and cooler air temperatures all contributed to current water temperatures in the low 60s F.
Fall Chinook and Coho numbers are starting to increase at the Sherars Falls trap, and the number of fish in the river will continue to increase through September. Relatively robust returns of fall Chinook and coho are expected on the Deschutes this fall. Last updated 9/9/21.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers report good fishing in the mornings and evenings. Open year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout. Last updated 8/18/21.
DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers report good fishing in the morning and evenings. Two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length. Wild rainbow trout must be released. Last updated 8/18/21.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Anglers report good fishing but water temperatures are warm. The lake is low for this time of year so boat ramp access may be challenging. ODFW has removed over 11,000 pounds of invasive chub this year, which should reduce competition with trout and kokanee. Open all year to fishing. Last updated 8/18/21.
FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout
River was stocked with trophy rainbow trout recently. Anglers report good fishing throughout the river. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Last updated 8/18/21.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, kokanee, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead
The North Unit Irrigation District recently ended irrigation for the season and will not be releasing water into the reservoir. The water level will remain low for now.
Under these low water conditions, the boat ramps will be unusable, and shoreline access for any bank fishing will be from the muddy exposed reservoir bed. Last updated 9/1/21.
HOOD RIVER: steelhead
No recent fishing reports. Water clarity is turbid due to glacial flows. Last updated 7/21/21.
HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout
Anglers report fair fishing in the mornings and evenings. Water temperatures in the lower lake are warm so anglers should focus on the deeper parts of the lake. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species. Last updated 8/18/21.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
No recent fishing reports.
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 is currently closed to fishing until Oct. 16. The lake was closed due to dam work and reservoir drawdown. Last updated 7/21/21.
LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout
Although ODFW has stocked the lake with rainbow trout, recent fishing reports are mixed. When water quality improves, the fishing should improve. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 7/21/21.
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, which should improve with cooler temperatures. 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 8/18/21.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
Anglers report good fishing in the deeper parts of the lake. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 7/21/21.
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 good fishing for kokanee with some larger fish being caught. 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 8/18/21.
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. Lake level is low. Last updated 8/4/21.
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 fishing has been good near the dam. All boat ramps are closed due to low water. Last updated 9/1/21.
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
Anglers report good fishing in the deeper parts of the lake. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 7/21/21.
SPRAGUE POND: rainbow trout
Due to low and warm water, the pond will not be stocked until conditions improve. Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 7/21/21.
TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): rainbow trout
No recent reports from anglers. Some big largemouth bass can be found in the shallows of the lake. Last updated 7/21/21.
THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
Anglers report good fishing for brook trout and hatchery rainbow trout. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 7/21/21.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
The lake is well-stocked and the fish have been very active. Last updated 9/1/20.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Reservoir is at 2 percent full but still can provide good fishing opportunities. The Deschutes Arm is closed from the boat ramp at Gull Point to ODFW markers upstream of Sheep’s Bridge from Sept. 1 to April 21. Deschutes River regulations apply above ODFW markers upstream of Sheep’s Bridge. Last updated 8/18/21.