Central Zone

Weekend fishing opportunities

• Bikini Pond, Taylor Lake and the Prineville Youth Fishing Pond have been stocked with legal and extra trophy trout, and fishing should be good.
• On the lower Deschutes, steelhead are passing over Sherars Falls and fishing should be fair in the Maupin area.
• Anglers have been catching fall Chinook at Sherars Falls on the Deschutes, and can expect good numbers of fish through October.
• The Fall River was stocked recently and anglers report good fishing throughout the river.

2018 STOCKING SCHEDULE AND STOCKING MAP

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Spring sampling indicated many fish available in the reservoir with an average length of 14- to 16-inches. Recently stocked with trophy trout averaging 3 pounds each.

BIKINI POND: rainbow trout

Bikini Pond has been stocked with both legal and EXTRA trophy trout this fall. It should be great fishing.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule

CENTURY GRAVEL POND: rainbow trout

The pond is located ¼ mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635.

CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent reports. Lake levels might be improving with the recent rain.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

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

Anglers report fish spread throughout entire lake. All wild (unmarked) rainbow trout must be released.

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

Open to fishing all year. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length.

CROOKED RIVER: redband trout, mountain whitefish

Anglers are enjoying good success for redband trout and mountain whitefish.. Irrigation season has ended and flows in the Crooked River below Bowman Dam have been reduced to 60 cfs. The change in flow may affect fishing for a brief period, however fall and winter fishing opportunities should remain excellent.

CULTUS LAKE, Big: rainbow trout, lake trout

Open to fishing all year. No recent reports.

Check 2018 stocking schedule.

DESCHUTES RIVER, MOUTH TO THE PELTON REGULATING DAM: redband trout, summer steelhead, whitefish

Steelhead fishing has been decent in the lower 40 miles of the Deschutes. Steelhead are spread throughout the lower 40 miles of the river. Steelhead have been passing over Sherars Falls and there should be decent fishing around Maupin.

Anglers are reminded that the section of the Deschutes River from the I-84 Bridge upstream to Moody Rapids (0.25 miles) is closed to all fishing. No changes to the permanent rules, as printed in the 2018 Sport Fishing Regulations, have been made upstream of Moody Rapids.

Anglers should be aware that a wildfire burned the lower 30 miles of the Deschutes Canyon. The fire burned most of the riparian corridor, traditional campsites and some out-houses. Access and fishing are not affected, but camping in this area will be difficult.

Fall Chinook fishing has been decent at Sherars Falls. Anglers should expect good numbers of chinook passing through from now until late October.

Anglers who catch a tagged hatchery steelhead with an orange anchor tag, are encouraged to report catch information to ODFW at 541-296-4628. Anglers catching a tagged wild fish should release it immediately without recording any information.

Counts at the Sherars Falls salmon and steelhead trap. The trap is only in operation from July to the end of October. Trapping has ended at Sherars Falls for the season.

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

Open all year for trout.

Benham Falls upstream to Little Lava Lake:

Closed to fishing until May 22, 2019.

DEVILS LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee

Anglers report good fishing for trout. Fish are beginning to utilize the shallow waters as water temperatures begin to cool. Open to fishing all year. Wild (unmarked) rainbow trout must be released.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

ELK LAKE: brook trout, kokanee, cutthroat trout

Open to fishing all year. Kokanee limit is 25 per day in addition to daily trout limit. No size limits on kokanee.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout

River was stocked with rainbow trout the week of Oct. 1. Anglers report consistently good fishing throughout the river especially on cloudy days Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

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

The reservoir was stocked this spring with 8,500 legal-size Deschutes stock steelhead, as well as 75 brood rainbow stock. No recent fishing reports.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

HOOD RIVER: steelhead

A few summer steelhead might be around in the lower Hood River.

Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to angle for or harvest fall Chinook in the Hood River.

HOSMER LAKE: brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout

Anglers report fair fishing throughout the day. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for all species.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

KINGSLEY RESERVOIR:

Due to dam reconstruction, Kingsley Reservoir will be closed to the public in 2018 and 2019.

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

Bull trout fishing is good in the Metolius arm and fair in the Deschutes and Crooked arms. Kokanee fishing is poor due to most fish moving up the Metolius River to spawn. Bass fishing has been great in all three arms.

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

LAKE SIMTUSTUS: bull trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass

No recent fishing reports. A tribal permit is required.

LAURANCE LAKE:

Due to dam maintenance, Laurance Lake will be closed to the public in 2018.

LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

LAVA LAKE, Small: rainbow trout, brook trout

Open to fishing all year.

LOST LAKE:  rainbow trout

The lake has been stocked and received additional fish this year due to the loss of other opportunity in the Hood River area. No recent reports but conditions should be perfect for fishing.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

METOLIUS POND: trout

The property and pond will be closed until May 1, 2019.

From Sisters, drive 9 miles NW on US-20/OR 126 and turn Right (look for the Camp Sherman / Metolius River Recreation Area sign). Veer left at fork and head to Camp Sherman (2.5 mi). Turn right onto Old Fish Hatchery Road (gravel road). Go to end of road to parking area.

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

Anglers report fair fishing. 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). No bait allowed.

NORTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year.

OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout

Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only; two trout per day with an 8-inch minimum length. Trout 20-inches and greater must be released unharmed.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass

No recent fishing reports. Average size is 12- to 16-inches. Trout are widespread throughout the reservoir. Black crappie and smallmouth bass are also available. The boat ramp is closed due to low water.

ODELL LAKE: lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Open to fishing through Oct. 31. Twenty-five kokanee per day in addition to daily trout limit. Closed to fishing for bull trout. All tributaries to Odell Lake are closed to fishing.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Open all year to fishing. Wild (unmarked) rainbow trout must be released.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

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

Angler reports suggest increased stocking last year has resulted in anglers catching more and bigger trout. Bass and crappie fishing has been excellent. The State Park boat ramp is likely the only useable ramp.

PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout and largemouth bass

Fishing for rainbow trout should be great thanks to a recent fall stocking of both legal and EXTRA trophy trout.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year. Open to youth only (17 years and under) and disabled anglers. Limit is two fish per day.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

SPARKS LAKE: cutthroat trout

Open to fishing all year. Fly-fishing only, barbless hooks required.

SPRAGUE POND: rainbow trout

Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond.

SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

Open to fishing all year. Bull trout have been reported in Suttle Lake. These must be released unharmed. Anglers are reminded to be familiar with fish identification. Twenty-five kokanee per day in addition to daily trout limit. No size limits on kokanee.

TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): rainbow trout, largemouth bass

Taylor Lake was stocked this fall with both legal and EXTRA trophy trout. Fishing should be good.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

No recent reports. Open to fishing all year.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

Stocked the week of August 20 with 2,500 legal-size trout and fishing should be excellent. Spring sampling indicated excellent overwinter survival with many fish in the 16- to 18-inch range.

Check the 2018 stocking schedule.

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

The reservoir has been drawn down to a small pool near the dam for irrigation delivery. Most fish have either left the reservoir via the unscreened outlet or have migrated into the upper Deschutes River. The remaining fish near the dam are vulnerable to predation and fishing. Anglers are encouraged to avoid putting additional stress on these fish. The Deschutes Arm above Gull Point is closed. The remainder of the reservoir closes October 30.

Recurring drought conditions in central Oregon in recent years has had a significant impact on water levels in Wickiup Reservoir. In 2018 the reservoir was completely drained for the first time ever. Here are the reasons for the fluctuations in water levels, and the likely impacts on fisheries.