Southeast Zone

May 30, 2023

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Best bets for weekend fishing

• Free Fishing Weekend June 3-4, 2023. Fish, clam and crab for free—no licenses, tags, endorsements or validations required. ODFW and partners are hosting a number of fishing events.
• Trout fishing has been very good on Ana Reservoir and in Ana River.
• Now that Lake of the Woods is accessible, it’s being stocked with lots of trout to make up for a slow start. Fishing should be excellent this weekend.
• At Holbrook Reservoir, the boat launch is accessible, there’s plenty of bank access, water levels are good and it has been stocked with 3,000 trout in time for the holiday weekend.
• The Klamath River from JC Boyle Dam to the powerhouse is a good option.
• Wood River remains a good bet in the Klamath Basin for brown trout.
• Unity Reservoir can be a great place for both boat and bank anglers.

Recently stocked

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

Pitch in to keep water banks clean

We wish it didn’t have to be this way. But as more anglers hit the water, more trash piles up on shore. We know it’s not your job to pick up discarded beer cans, slurpee cups, fishing line, hamburger wrappers and other trash that aren't yours. But if everyone pitched in and picked up what they saw, wouldn’t it be a nicer place to fish?

Trout stocking delays

Due to lingering snow and limited access, many waterbodies will not be stocked as scheduled this spring. It’s hard to predict when these waterbodies will be accessible. So keep an eye on the Rec Report, or call you local district office to get the latest information.

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

AGENCY LAKE (including Straits): redband trout, yellow perch, brown trout

Fishing is improving but it’s been difficult to find redband trout as they are scattered and moving quite a bit. Covering lots of water is your best bet.

Agency Lake regulations are catch-and-release for redband/rainbow trout with no bait allowed (artificial flies and lures only). The boundary of Agency Lake is the south end of the Straits. This change is due to record low spawning escapement for trophy redband trout throughout the Klamath Basin in 2020. ODFW also encourages the use of single barbless hooks in this fishery, not removing the fish from the water and using catch-and-release rubber nets.

All boat ramps are open including Petric Park.

Keep on the lookout for radio tagged redband trout. These fish must be released unharmed. The long antenna looks like fishing line coming from the abdomen. Please report any radio tagged fish. Last updated 5/17/23.

ANA RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, hybrid bass

The reservoir will be stocked again with 2,500 larger rainbow trout for Memorial Day weekend. People have been doing extremely well trolling and using bait on the bank. The reservoir is currently full.

Recent fishing reports for hybrid bass has slowed down towards in the past few months. Catching one of these elusive fish usually takes a lot of time or luck.

Bait fishing is the proven method for catching hybrid bass, but fly-fishing and casting Rapalas are also effective when these fish are feeding. Rapalas that imitate tui chub and rainbow trout, favorite food sources for hybrid bass, are good bets for catching these fish. On sunny days you will need to fish deeper than cloudy days. Last updated 5/23/23.

Read 12 tips for catching wipers in Ana Reservoir.

ANA RIVER: rainbow trout

Anglers were catching quite a few fish swinging flies and hanging flies under a bobber. The river is spring fed and does not freeze in the winter.

Ana River is a great match-the-hatch fly-fishing river with good hatches throughout the year. Hatches typically occur during the afternoon from 12-3 p.m. Small blue-winged olive mayfly hatches are typically best on overcast days with light rain. Beadheads under a bobber work as well as stripping minnow patterns in low light conditions.

Tui chub are abundant in the river therefore casting large flies or lures can be effective for catching larger fish. Bait fishing is allowed and anglers can keep 5 trout. Last updated 5/17/23.

ANNIE CREEK: brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout

Fishing not recommended as flows are very high (108 cfs). Bait is allowed. Fishing is almost always slow especially with very cold water temperatures

Most of the creek is dominated by small brook trout up to 10 inches. Brown trout are rare and redband trout are highly unlikely in the catch. Please report any redband/rainbow trout caught in the creek to ODFW at 541-883-5732.

The creek is open year-round, and bait is allowed.

Access is available year-round off Hwy. 62 at the USFS snow park. There is plenty of public property on USFS, State Forest and Crater Lake National Park – fishing is regulated by the National Park (541-594-3000).

Several waterfalls occur on the creek inside Crater Lake National Park offering exceptional views. Last updated 5/24/23.

ANTHONY LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

No recent reports. During the winter and throughout the spring access will be difficult. Last updated 2/8/23.

BALM CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Last year, Balm creek reservoir went dry. It will be restocked in late spring of 2023. Last updated 2/8/23.

BECK KIWANIS POND, Ontario: trout, bluegill, largemouth bass

Beck Kiwanis was stocked with 3,000 rainbow trout on April 26.  Fishing for bluegill should be improving now that water temperatures are on the rise.  Last updated 5/10/23.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout

No Recent reports but fishing for holder over trout should be productive. The reservoir is filling up and currently at 90 percent capacity. Bull trout will be in the reservoir now and must be released unharmed. Last updated 5/10/23.

BLITZEN RIVER: redband trout, carp

Spring fishing conditions are here. Flows will be higher in the Blitzen River right now and water may be a little murky during periods of snowmelt. Fishing can be productive this time of year even in high water using large stonefly nymphs, streamers, and lures. The Steens Mountain loop road is closed for the winter but there is still easy fishing access to the Blitzen from Bridge Creek up to Page Springs Campground.  Flows will be less erratic in the East canal and Bridge Creek.

No recent fishing reports. Last updated 4/26/23.

BURNS POND: trout

Burns Pond did experience a fish kill last winter but was recently stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Last updated 4/26/23.

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, catfish, crappie, rainbow trout

Some nice largemouth bass were captured throughout the reservoir while sampling last summer. 

The Reservoir was nearly dry this past summer but is now nearly full. Last updated 4/26/23.

CAMPBELL LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Access is still limited to snowmobiles. Last update 5/17/23.

CAMPBELL RESERVOIR: redband trout, largemouth bass, crappie

There are likely no fish in the reservoir. ODFW is going to restock with largemouth bass and crappie later this year. Please release all fish as they need to spawn this year in order to repopulate the reservoir. Last updated 5/17/23.

CHERRY CREEK: brook trout and redband trout

Fishing not recommended. Snow is still likely blocking most access but recent warm weather should have opened some areas up. Fishing will be very slow as water temperatures approach freezing. Flows were very high at 150 cfs last week but have dropped significantly. Open all year.

This creek is very small; well-suited to fly-fishing. Brook trout are more abundant higher in the system. Look for brook trout in concentrated groups for spawning. A very big fish in the creek is 10 inches. Water is crystal clear, and habitat is exceptional.

The Cherry Creek trail parallels the creek and leads to many productive wilderness lakes. One of the best waterfalls in the basin is just off the trail.

ODFW encourages unlimited harvest of brook trout Recent sampling showed high densities of brook trout and redband trout lower on the creek. Last updated 5/24/23.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead

Fishing will start picking up as soon as the snow melts. We’re still experiencing very high flows from winter snowfall and currently the river is running at 1,520 cfs. Once the water starts to drop fishing will get better.

Flyfishing with heavy beadheads or casting lures in softer water can result in fish hookups at this time of year.

Check the Oregon Water Resources Near Real Time Streamflow website for current flow information. Last updated 5/17/23.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout

Chickahominy was dry last year but is now nearly full. Chickahominy was recently stocked with 9,000 catchable rainbow trout. Last updated 5/10/23.

CORRAL CREEK (SF Sprague): brook trout and brown trout

Access is likely available. Fishing will be slow due to fish loss from the Bootleg Fire. Last updated 5/10/23.

COTTONWOOD MEADOW LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

The lake is still inaccessible to boats, but committed bank anglers could walk through the snow off the forest service road to fish. This is an excellent time of year to fish this lake, but putting in a boat may take another week.

Casting flies and lures from the bank is the preferred method in this lake, but bait fishing can be successful if the bait is suspended above the vegetation. Last updated 5/17/23.

CROOKED CREEK (Klamath Co): redband trout, brook trout and brown trout

Closed to protect spawning redband trout. Opened to fishing on May 22. Fishing is expected to be slow on the public property above highway 62. Last updated 5/17/23.

CRYSTAL CREEK redband trout and yellow perch

Opened to fishing  on May 22. Fishing should be fair for both redband trout and yellow perch. Yellow perch fishing is best near the confluence near Pelican Bay. Last updated 5/24/23.

DEADHORSE LAKE: rainbow trout

Access is still limited to snowmobiles. Last updated 5/17/23.

DEEP CREEK: redband trout

Fishing will start picking up as soon as the snow melts, which might take another month. Upper portions of Deep Creek are still under 6 feet of snow and the current flow is 1,070 cfs. There are very few areas that can be accessed and fished at the moment.

Check the Oregon Water Resources Near Real Time Streamflow website for current flow information. Last updated 5/17/23.

DELINTMENT LAKE: rainbow trout

Snow is melting quickly so access to Delintment is close at hand. This reservoir will be stocked as soon as possible this month. Last updated 5/10/23.

DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead, redband trout

The road is open and people have been catching largemouth bass and a few crappie. As water warms this fishery will continue to improve. Using a small boat to access fish is the best option at this location, but casting from the bank can yield results.

Bass can be caught on soft or hard baits, and crappie and bluegill usually respond to small bait and plastic offerings. Last updated 5/17/23.

DUNCANRESERVOIR: rainbow trout

This reservoir is spilling and has been recently stocked with 2,500 rainbow trout. Trolling from a boat or casting from the bank are great options here. If you strike out in the lake be sure to check deeper pools in the creek below the reservoir where the stocked fish have trickled into.

Illegally introduced brown bullhead are gone so hopefully we’ll see a great rainbow trout fishery in the next year or two. Last updated 5/17/23.

FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): rainbow trout, brook trout

Steens Mountain Loop Road is now closed to vehicles but Burns District BLM allows limited access during the winter closure. You can get a gate key if you check in with the Burns BLM office.

No recent fishing reports. The Lake is still probably ice-covered and there’s deep snow at and around the campground. Last updated 5/10/23.

FORT CREEK: brown trout, redband trout, brook trout

Opened to fishing on May 22, 2023. Last updated 5/24/23.

FOURMILE CREEK (CANAL) (tributary to Agency Lake): brook, brown, redband trout, yellow perch

Open all year and bait is allowed. Access is difficult but is available year-round off Westside Road at Fourmile Springs. A small car topper boat or canoe/kayak can improve fishing access at this area. Anglers should be aware of private property around this area and can check Klamath County Land Ownership for information.

The creek is very slow moving with one beaver dam impounding the creek. Fishing can be good but you need to find the concentration of fish. If you are adventurous enough, the hole where Fourmile Creek enters Fourmile Canal is great. Also, fish where the Cherry Creek channel hits Fourmile Creek. There are some nice brook trout in the creek.

The headwater springs at Fourmile and Jack Springs are very cold. Last updated 5/17/23.

FOURMILE LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout

Snow is blocking access into Fourmile Lake but it sounds like it should open up sometime in June and the US Forest Service is going to open the lake to recreation this year following two years of restricted access. Once the road opens, ODFW will stock the lake to restart the fishery. The lake is currently 59 percent full.

Last updated 5/30/23.

GERBER RESERVOIR: crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass

Open all year.

Targeting yellow perch continues to be your best bet. Fish sampling by Bureau of Reclamation has showed incredible densities of yellow perch in the past few years and also some larger crappie. Fishing is slow for crappie and brown bullhead catfish. Use small hooks and bait for the perch as most are small with small mouths.

The reservoir is 50 percent full.

Gerber Reservoir is a large turbid reservoir. Bank access is good. Most of the reservoir is on BLM property. Last updated 5/24/23.

GRANDE RONDE LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

No recent reports. During the winter and throughout the spring access will be difficult. Last updated 2/8/23.

HEART LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout, brown bullhead catfish

This lake will be stocked with 700 legal and 300 trophy rainbow trout for Memorial Day weekend. The boat ramp is in rough shape, but smaller boats can still be launched. Trolling flies and lures can produce a lot of fish. If bait fishing from the bank be mindful of how deep the lake is. Try different distances from shore to find biting fish.

This lake was successfully treated with rotenone last year to remove illegally introduced brown bullheads and fathead minnows. Estimates from the day after treatment showed roughly 13,700 brown bullheads, 51,000 fathead minnow and 35 rainbow trout dead along the shoreline. Last updated 5/17/23.

HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is full and will be stocked with 2,500 larger and 500 trophy trout for this Memorial Day weekend. There is a great boat launch at this site, but plenty of bank access as well.  Last updated 5/17/23.

J.C. BOYLE RESERVOIR (Topsy Reservoir): Largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, crappie, goldfish, Sacramento perch, tui chub and blue chub

Open and accessible all year. Water temperatures have increased and are peaking around 66 degrees. Fishing for crappie and largemouth bass should be good with some recent reports of crappie fishing being excellent this past weekend. Recent sampling showed good numbers of largemouth bass and small pumpkinseed in the shallows near cover.

There are abundant brown bullhead catfish. Fishing bait at night should be very effective. Large goldfish up 12 inches are also abundant but rarely caught.

Past net sampling showed some large yellow perch in the reservoir above the bridge crossing. Highest catch of all fish was above Topsy Bridge. Some very nice brown bullhead came out of Topsy last year and some anglers even found decent largemouth bass.

Water levels generally remain very similar and drop as the day progresses as water is released for power generation. There are numerous points of access on the reservoir as most property surrounding the reservoir is BLM or PacifiCorp property. There are three boat ramps on the reservoir. Last updated 5/30/23.

UPPER KLAMATH LAKE: native redband trout, yellow perch, kokanee, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, tui chub and blue chub

Open all year. Fishing continues to improve and has been fair all over the lake. Water temperatures have increased significantly. Redband trout are scattered. Covering lots of water will increase success rate. Areas at the outlet of the lake have very high visibility whereas other areas nearer to the Williamson River have poor visibility.

Odessa Creek boat ramp is open. Day use is allowed. The Rocky Point Boat ramp is open.

Hagelstein Park boat ramp, restroom and day use is open. Please remember that nets or traps of any type cannot be used to catch any species of fish. This includes minnows to use for bait. See page 20 of the Sport Fishing Regulations for legal harvest methods for minnows and chubs.

ODFW encourages catch-and-release on this fishery due to record low spawning numbers in 2020 and very low numbers in 2019. Please fight your fish quickly and then release your fish immediately without removing it from the water. Releasing fish is easier with barbless hooks.  

The lake is 0.7 feet below full pool and 89 percent full.

Please remember that once you retain your one redband/rainbow trout limit you must stop fishing for redband/rainbow trout. Also, all radio tagged redband trout must be released unharmed. Redband trout will have what looks to be fishing line coming from the abdomen. These fish will be 6-20 inches long. Last updated 5/17/23.

KLAMATH RIVER: native redband trout, rainbow trout, brown trout

Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir

Fishing not recommended. Flows are very high at 2,250 cfs. Fishing is slow but should improve slowly. Forage fish are abundant especially immediately below Keno Dam for the large redband/rainbow to eat. Best methods are mimicking minnows and sculpins with flies and lures.

Water temperatures peaking at 64 degrees. The water is always slightly off color in this reach. Turbidity is stable and is ranging from 6 to 8 FNU.

The redband/rainbow trout population is likely at record low numbers due to drought, very high water temperatures the past three years, and very low flows in their only spawning tributary, Spencer Creek. Catch-and-release is encouraged. Last updated 5/24/23.

J.C. Boyle Dam to J.C Boyle Powerhouse

Flows are low at 130 cfs at JC Boyle Dam. Fishing should be good in this section. Open all year. Flows are typically low and stable and typically range from 100 cfs at the dam and increase due to springs to around 350 cfs at the Powerhouse. Catch rates should be good for this time of year. Fishing is best below the spring inputs. The gate is now closed that accesses the river along the power canal. Access is available by foot traffic only.

The springs start to discharge into the river approximately half a mile below J.C. Boyle Dam. This section of river requires a hike down steep grade to the river except for the area just above the powerhouse.

Use small flies or lures as redband trout are mostly small (8-10 inches) in this section.

There is good access at the powerhouse. Park and walk upstream. This area is fished hard, but you can hike to get away from the pressure. Hiking or wading upstream is difficult.

Small nymphs such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs work well in this section. Small black Panther Martins or Rooster Tails work well when cast upstream into the deeper pools. Last updated 4/26/23.

J.C. Boyle Powerhouse to State Line with California

Fishing not recommended. Flows are around 1630 cfs. Fishing will be slow. Flows will be high during all daylight hours this week. Make sure you have good tires and 4X4. Best fishing is when flows are less than 900 cfs. You can check flow estimates at PacifiCorp Weekly Flow Estimates.

Large attractor flies such and wooly buggers, bead head prince, and rubber leg stoneflies under a strike indicator work best this time of year. Olive and black wooly buggers almost always work well. Black spinners and Panther Martins can also work.

Below the JC Boyle Powerhouse the redband/rainbow trout get slightly larger than the aforementioned reach and average 12 inches but rarely exceed 16 inches. Currently, most redband caught are in the 10- to 14-inch range. Last updated 5/17/23.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Krumbo was recently stocked with 13,000 catchable rainbow trout. Fishing for 16 to 18-inch rainbow trout has been fair with a few larger fish being caught occasionally. Fishing off the bottom with floating putty bait has been effective in the middle of the day when fish are deeper.

Water temperatures are rising and are now around 52 F. There are some good chironomid hatches happening right now and lots of rising fish. Last updated 4/26/23.

LAKE OF THE WOODS: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee, hatchery brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, tui chub

Lake of the Woods has been stocked weekly to make up for prolonged ice on the lake causing delays in stocking. For recent updates on fishing, you can call the resort at 1-866-201-4194.

Fishing should be excellent this week for hatchery rainbow trout though some reported slow catch rates over the holiday weekend. The lake is dominated by stunted yellow perch. Very small bait and hooks will catch these fish.

You can also visit Lake of the Wood’s website to observe current conditions at the lake.  Scroll down and click on the right side video link for a live video of current conditions on the lake at the Lodge. Last updated 5/30/23.

LINK RIVER: redband/rainbow trout

Flows are at 1670 cfs. Redband trout numbers in the Link River are low.

Fishing regulations for the Link River changed on Jan. 1, 2021. New regulations include catch-and-release for redband/rainbow trout and no bait allowed (artificial flies and lures only). This change is due to record low spawning escapement for trophy redband trout throughout the Klamath Basin in 2020. ODFW also encourages the use of single barbless hooks in this fishery, not removing fish from the water and catch-and-release rubber nets. Last updated 5/30/23.

LOFTON RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

This lake will be stocked with 2,500 larger and 500 trophy rainbow trout for Memorial Weekend. The water is still low and the boat ramp is roughly 20 feet from the boat launch. A 4-wheel drive would be ideal for launching small boats. Last updated 5/24/23.

LONG CREEK: brook trout, redband trout, bull trout

Fishing is not recommended as flows very high and cold. Open all year. Long Creek is located above Sycan Marsh coming off Yamsi Mountain. There is ample water to fish on Green Diamond property.

Fishing should be slow for brook trout in the beaver pond areas. Brook trout are very abundant in the creek, and some get very big. Recent fishing shows redband trout are dominating the catch lower down in the creek.

Brook trout can reach up to 20 inches in the creek. ODFW encourages unlimited harvest of brook trout in the creek. Make sure you know the difference between bull trout and brook trout. Bull trout are exceedingly rare. Last updated 5/10/23.

LOST RIVER: largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, tui and blue chub

Fishing for brown bullhead at the Crystal Springs Bridge crossing and also near the boat ramp off Crystal Springs Road can be worth some effort.

The river near Big Springs in Bonanza is also worth a few casts. Largemouth bass fishing should be good in a few locations. Last updated 5/10/23.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

This reservoir is filling up and was recently stocked with fingerling rainbow trout. Last updated 5/10/23.

MANN LAKE:

This lake was completely dry last year but has received some runoff so far this spring. If this lake receives enough water, it will be stocked with fingerling cutthroat this spring. Last updated 5/10/23.

MILLER LAKE: brown, rainbow, brook trout, kokanee

Snow is blocking access and it is unknown when access will be possible. Hatchery rainbow trout are still available.

Call the USFS in Chemult for more information, 541-365-7001. Last updated 5/30/23.

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, catfish

Trout fishing has been productive throughout the lower reservoir.

The crappie spawn has started and they can be found in shallow bays and near the shore in most locations. Crappie will probably average around 10 inches this year.

Bass should be spawning in the upper reservoir now.

Anglers targeting bass may catch some with yellow tags near the dorsal fin. ODFW is studying bass movement, condition and angler harvest of bass larger than 12 inches. The tags have a four-digit number and can be reported by phone or on MyODFW.com. Anglers releasing tagged bass should leave the tag in the fish. Bass fishing should be picking up as well. Last updated 5/17/23.

For reservoir elevations click here.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout, hatchery rainbow trout

Flows have increased to around 160 cfs, water clarity is excellent and fishing has been good.

Dry fly fishing should be improving. Look for Baetis mayfly hatches in warmer afternoons and on warmer cloudy days. Some anglers are having success fishing with mop flies.

There are likely some larger stonefly adults emerging right now.

The highest concentrations of rainbow trout will be in the three miles of river just below the dam. Last updated 5/10/23.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, yellow perch

The reservoir drained last year and is still quite low so anglers will need to walk a ways to access the reservoir. However, the reservoir is filling with the warmer weather and is now about 25% full. Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels.

Remember that tiger musky and bull trout must be released unharmed. Last updated 5/3/23.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout, crappie

Both trout and crappie are available with some nice crappie around 12 inches being reported this winter. Last updated 5/3/23.

POISON CREEK RESERVOIR (Grant County): rainbow trout

No reports on ice conditions but this reservoir likely experienced a fish kill this winter. It will be restocked with 700 catchable rainbow trout this spring. Last updated 5/10/23.

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Pole Creek Reservoir was recently stocked with 3,000 catchable rainbow trout. Last updated 5/10/23.

PRIDAY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

This reservoir has been stocked with 400 larger and trophy-size rainbow trout, but anglers have been having a hard time finding them due to the ratio of water to fish. The best fishing will be within 60-80 feet from the bank, where most of the natural feeding occurs.

If bait fishing cast short distances from the shore. If fly- or lure fishing, try casting parallel to the shoreline and retrieve slowly. This reservoir is spilling and fishing will be better next year when recently stocked fingerlings have had a chance to grow up. Last updated 5/17/23.

SEVENMILE CREEK (CANAL): brook trout, brown trout, redband trout, yellow perch

Open all year. Sevenmile is a very cold and clear creek and fishing will be very slow. Fishing for brook trout is best in the beaver dam pools above Nicholson Road. Fishing has been very slow in this area. Most brook trout captured are less than 12 inches. Flows are high at 85 cfs.

Catch-and-release for redband/rainbow trout with no bait allowed from Agency Lake to Nicholson Road.

Anglers can access Sevenmile Creek at Nicholson Road and fish upstream of Nicholson Road. The snow is already deep at this location. Bait is allowed upstream of Nicholson Road. There are currently large beaver dam pools immediately upstream of the bridge. Last updated 5/17/23.

SKY LAKES AND MOUNTAIN LAKE WILDERNESS: brook trout and rainbow trout

Snow is blocking access to most lakes but there are likely to be some trails opening up soon, if they are not already. . The lakes will be stocked again this summer with 3-inch rainbow trout.

Best lakes to catch fish are Clover, Como, Harriette, Echo, Weston and South Pass in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness and Sonya, Margurette and Isherwood in the Sky Lakes Wilderness.

Best lakes for brook trout are Badger Lake (Sky Lakes Wilderness), which is a short hike from Fourmile Lake, and Clover Lake (Mountain Lakes Wilderness).

Best lures are typically dark panther martin spinners or super dupers.

The biggest trout come from the bigger and deeper lakes of Harriette, Isherwood and Margurette. Last updated 5/30/23.

SPENCER CREEK: redband trout and brook trout

Opened to fishing on May 22. Fishing will be fair for very small redband trout. Good places to try are the area at the USFS Campground and above and below the Spencer Creek hookup road. Last updated 5/30/23.

SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed

The river remains fairly high and muddy. The river is fishable in certain areas. Current flow near Chiloquin is 1,860 cfs. Last updated 5/30/23.

NORTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: brook trout, redband trout, brown trout, bull trout

Access is difficult due to snow and high flows from the spring snow melt but roads and stream sections should be opening up. Open year-round. Water temperatures have increased slightly.

Catch rates are very low but redband trout are recolonizing the Bootleg Fire burned area. Fish density is increasing very slowly due to the Bootleg Fire but redband trout have been the first to recolonize the areas near the 3411 Rd bridge crossing. Last updated 5/30/23.

SOUTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: brook trout, redband trout, brown trout, bull trout

Fishing will be slow due to past drought and fire in the watershed. Open year-round. Fishing for redband trout is best near Blaisdell. Fishing should be slow this fall following prolonged drought, fire and flash flooding in the region. Flows are very high at 403 cfs. Last updated 5/17/23.

Check stream level.

SPRING CREEK: redband trout, brook trout and brown trout

Fishing is always slow due to very cold, clear water. Fishing opened on May 22. Last update 5/24/23.

SUN CREEK: brook trout, bull trout, brown trout, redband trout

Fishing not recommended at this time. Sun Pass State Forest Gate is now locked. Sun Pass State Forest Gate is now locked.

Open to fishing all year but closed to fishing for bull trout. Only bull trout occur in upper Sun Creek just above the Sun Pass Forest bridge crossing. Fishing is not recommended at this time as fish density remains low. Recent sampling found low numbers of brook trout, brown trout and no catchable-size redband trout.

Redband trout were reintroduced to Sun Creek in 2016 and 2017. These redband trout were small, most are less than 4 inches, and salvaged from the Wood River irrigation system. ODFW encourages release of all redband trout. The Sun Creek channel has been rerouted into the historic channel and is connected to the Wood River below Kimball State Park.

If you fish here, make sure you know your fish species well. If you don’t know then let it go. Check stream level. Last updated 5/30/23.

SYCAN RIVER: brook, redband and brown trout (below marsh)

Flows are at 262 cfs. and there has not been any recent fishing reports.

Fishing below the Sycan Marsh is not recommended at this time as most of the river was dry this summer. Last updated 5/30/23.

Check stream levels.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout

Thief Valley Reservoir is full and has been stocked with trout. The dock is in at the boat ramp, and the reservoir should be a great place to spend a day fishing for trout from either the bank or a boat.

Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 5/3/23.

THOMPSON VALLEY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass

This reservoir has risen 11 feet in the past month due to snow melt. It was stocked recently with 5,500 rainbow trout that should be ready to bite. Access is available on the west side campground, but it is unclear if the east side campground is snow free.

Trolling lures and flies are great options to cover water in this large reservoir. Fishing from the bank with bait can produce results, but if you don’t find fish at first, move down the bank a few hundred yards to find feeding fish.

Fish that do not get caught will grow fast in this productive reservoir and if the water continues to flow in, it will be a great fishery this fall. Last updated 5/17/23.

UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass, crappie

Fishing at Unity Reservoir can be good in the spring and trout can be caught from the bank and boats. Fishing dough baits on the bottom can be a good way to catch trout at Unity Reservoir.

Follow this link to see the Bureau of Reclamation website listing current reservoir levels. Last updated 5/3/23.

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, crappie, bullhead, perch, rainbow trout

Warm springs is filling fast and is currently around 90 percent full. It will be stocked with fingerling rainbow trout this spring. Last updated 5/10/23.

UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout and brook trout

Fishing has been slow to fair on the Upper Williamson River. Flows are increasing. Snowmelt and muddy flows should happen soon, if they haven’t already. Last updated 5/30/23.

LOWER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout and brown trout

Opened on Monday, May 22. Flows will be high below Chiloquin. Areas above Chiloquin will be crystal clear, very cold water. Fishing is always very challenging in this stretch. Last updated 5/24/23.

WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, Lahontan cutthroat

Fishing not recommended due to very low water in the past few years. ODFW and BLM are working on restocking the reservoir with bass and crappie. A few largemouth bass and hundreds of pumpkinseed sunfish were stocked three weeks ago. This weekend a few gravid crappie and pumpkinseed from JC Boyle Reservoir were stocked in Willow Valley.

The reservoir is almost as high as the top of the boat ramp. It seems like runoff is over. No waterfowl or fish-eating birds were observed on the reservoir. Water temperature was 70 degrees in the shallows. If any fish did survive, they should be biting. 

Willow Valley is a very turbid, desert reservoir. Bass and crappie can be found at the habitat structures placed by BLM and ODFW in the past. Yellow perch are prolific in the reservoir but stunted. Last updated 5/17/23.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout and crappie

This year, anglers have had good catches of 10 to 12-inch rainbows and nice crappie. These fish should still be available throughout the spring. Crappie anglers may be successful in the spring if they try fishing near willows at the edge of the reservoir. The reservoir is about half full, and the dock will be installed on the boat ramp after the reservoir fills more. Last updated 5/3/23.

WOOD RIVER (including Petric Canal): redband trout, brown trout, brook trout and bull trout

Fishing remains fair likely due to cold water temperatures. Brown trout are primarily feeding on worms therefore patterns mimicking worms can work well. Best fishing for brown trout is below Loosley Rd to Crooked Creek.

Drift boats can launch at Petric Park or Weed Road. Drift boats cannot get under the numerous bridges above Weed Road. Smaller watercraft can launch at the USFS Day Use Area, off Hwy 62 and at Loosley Rd Crossing.

Snowmelt is beginning and the river is getting turbid. Keep an eye out on Annie Creek flows as this creek causes most the turbidity in the river. Remember all redband trout must be released. Last updated 5/17/23.

YELLOWJACKET RESERVOIR: trout

Low oxygen levels suggest Yellowjacket reservoir experienced a fish kill this winter. It was stocked with catchable rainbow trout on May 11 but fishing has been slow. Last updated 5/17/23.