Central Zone

Weekend fishing opportunities

• Redband trout on the lower Deschutes will start actively feeding in February. Anglers using nymphing techniques and large stonefly imitations will be most successful.
• Anglers are reporting good afternoon trout fishing on the Fall and Metolius rivers.

2019 STOCKING SCHEDULE AND STOCKING MAP

2019 trout stocking schedule

Get a jump on planning your 2019 trout fishing adventures. The 2019 weekly trout stocking schedule is now posted on MyODFW.com.

Ice fishing safety

With several water bodies beginning to ice over, anglers need to be cautious during first-ice conditions. 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.

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Reservoir is ice covered but thickness and quality of ice is unknown. Use caution and safety measures if attempting to ice fish.

BIKINI POND: rainbow trout

No recent reports. The pond was stocked with both legal and EXTRA trophy trout last fall and should have quite a few fish still.

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

Reservoir is closed to fishing until April 22, 2019.

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

Open to fishing all year but winter weather may limit access. 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. Flows have been consistent at around 50 cfs.

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

Anglers are reminded that fishing is closed to sport anglers on the Deschutes River from the Northern Boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation upstream to Pelton Dam from Jan. 1 to April 22, 2019.

Redband trout on the lower Deschutes will start actively feeding in February. Their diet is primarily large stoneflies with the occasional crayfish. Anglers using nymphing techniques and large stonefly imitations will be most successful.

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 year-round for trout. Artificial flies and lures only. No limit on brown trout.

Benham Falls upstream to Little Lava Lake:

Closed to fishing until May 22, 2019.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout, brown trout

Anglers report good fishing, especially in the afternoon. Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only.

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

No recent fishing reports. Walk-in access is available year-round but the gate to the west side boat ramp will be closed Nov 30 – March 1. Parking is available near the fishing pier.

HOOD RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead are starting to show up in the Hood River. Fishing should peak in March but anglers should expect some bright fish during February. Anglers using bobber and bait or bobber and jig usually find good success.

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

The Metolius Arm is closed until March 1.

Trout fishing in the upper ends of the Deschutes and Crooked River Arms is typically good during the winter months. 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.

LAVA LAKE, Big: rainbow trout

Snow gates west of Mt. Bachelor between Dutchman Flat and Deschutes Bridge are closed for the winter. Open to fishing all year.

LAVA LAKE, Small: rainbow trout, brook trout

Snow gates west of Mt. Bachelor between Dutchman Flat and Deschutes Bridge are closed for the winter. Open to fishing all year.

METOLIUS POND: trout

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

METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout

Anglers report good fishing for trout, especially in the afternoon. Winter weather may limit access. Closed to fishing above Allingham Bridge. 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. Winter weather may limit access and lake may be frozen during long periods of cold weather.

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

The reservoir is extremely low and access is limited.

ODELL LAKE: lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Lake is closed to fishing until April 22, 2019. All tributaries to Odell Lake are closed to fishing.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Forest Service Road 21 is closed for the winter at its snow park gate. Open all year to fishing. Wild (unmarked) rainbow trout must be released.

PINEHOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

No recent reports. The trout should start getting active as spring approaches.

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

The reservoir is extremely low.

PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout and largemouth bass

Ice fishing is not allowed at this pond.

SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year. Pond is likely frozen over. Use extreme caution if attempting to ice fish. Open to youth only (17 years and under) and disabled anglers. Limit is two fish per day.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout

Open to fishing all year. Winter weather may limit access and lake may be frozen during long periods of cold weather.

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. No recent fishing reports.

THREE CREEK LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Open to fishing all year, but the snow gate to the lake is closed.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

Lake is ice covered but thickness and quality of ice is unknown. Use caution and safety measures if attempting to ice fish.

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

Reservoir is closed to fishing until April 22, 2019. This includes the flowing water below the ODFW markers above Sheep’s Bridge.