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Fishing | Hunting | Viewing
FISHING
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Flyfishing the Deschutes
- Photo by Rick Hargrave- |
Weekend fishing opportunities:
Send us your fishing report
We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports -- the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the Weekly Recreation Report.
Weekend fishing opportunities:
- Fly fishers looking for something different might try carp fishing on Taylor Lake.
- The summer steelhead fishing season on the Deschutes River is off to a strong start and fishing has been good.
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR:
Antelope Flat Reservoir has been stocked twice with catchable rainbow trout and fishing is good. These fish will be able to take advantage of an ample food supply should grow quickly.
BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout
No recent report but fishing for rainbow trout has been good throughout spring and early summer. The fish have been in great condition ranging in size from 11–16 inches.
CLEAR LAKE
Clear Lake has been stocked with lots keepers and brood rainbow trout. Lake levels may be getting low due to irrigation withdrawals.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, kokanee, largemouth bass
Trout fishing at Crane Prairie seems to be slowing with the warm weather. Anglers should target the channel areas.
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Rainbow Trout
- Photo by Jim Walker- |
CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
No recent reports, but there should be good opportunity for lake trout, brown trout and kokanee.
CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish
Creel surveys have shown excellent fishing throughout the day. Flows are currently hovering around 250 cfs and should remain steady with dry weather.
All anglers should visit informational kiosks located in the BLM campgrounds in the Wild and Scenic portion of the river where a flier has been posted to assist anglers in collecting valuable information. A sample of redband trout and mountain whitefish are tagged with a numbered floy tag protruding from the back. Anglers who catch a trout or whitefish with a floy tag are encouraged to release the fish after recording the tag number, fish length and location caught. Anglers can send the information to ODFW at (541) 447-5111 ext. 24 or michael.r.harrington@state.or.us.
CULTUS LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout
There have been some good reports of nice rainbow trout and lake trout being harvested from Cultus over the last several weeks.
DAVIS LAKE: redband trout, largemouth bass
Fishing for largemouth bass has been decent if you can hit the water on a non-windy day. Best bass fishing is early or late in the day. No recent reports on the trout fishing. Please note this is a fly-fishing only lake. Please check your synopsis for the regulations for this water body.
DESCHUTES RIVER: trout, spring chinook
Mouth to the Northern Boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation: steelhead, trout,
The Deschutes River is open to angling for steelhead and trout from the mouth upstream to Pelton Dam (river mile 100). Fishing for summer steelhead has been good despite slightly warmer water temperatures at the mouth of the river. ODFW encourages steelhead and trout anglers to take normal precautions when water temperatures are high – fish during the cooler parts of the day (mornings and evenings), play and land fish quickly, and keep wild fish in the water as much as possible.
To learn more about how the water releases from the Pelton Round Butte hydroelectric project may be affecting river temperatures visit http://www.deschutespassage.com/
Anglers who catch a tagged hatchery steelhead with an orange anchor tag, are encouraged to report catch information to ODFW at 541-296-4628 or via the internet at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/The_Dalles/fish_tag_returns.asp. Anglers catching a tagged wild fish should release it immediately without recording any information.
Anglers can check the trap the seasons catch at Sherars Falls as an indicator of fish movement in the Deschutes at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/fish_counts/sherars_falls/index.asp. The trap was removed on Nov. 1 for the season and will start operating again in July 2010.
Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout
No recent reports. The flows are now well-suited for fishing. Please note this reach of river is restricted to the use of flies and lures only.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, Atlantic salmon, kokanee
Recent reports are that trout fishing is starting to pick up.
FALL RIVER: rainbow trout
Fishing has been good. Nymphs have been particularly effective, but fish also are taking attractor dry fly patterns.
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Rainbow Trout
- Photo by Roger Smith- |
FROG LAKE
Frog has been stocked twice and should offer great opportunity for early summer fishing.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Fishing is good. Trolling is the most effective method; however, bank anglers are often successful near the dam and fishing platform.
HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead
No recent reports. In water work on the deconstruction of Powerdale Dam began July 1. Anglers should be aware that water visibility will be impacted by these activities.
Anglers should be aware that Pacificorps has closed road access to Powerdale Dam and the power house road to the public. The closure will continue indefinitely as the dam and power house are being decommissioned.
With the removal of Powerdale Dam, ODFW has adopted temporary regulations expanding salmon and steelhead fishing on the mainstem river from the mouth to the confluence with the East Fork, and the West Fork from the confluence with the mainstem to the angling deadline 200 feet downstream of Punchbowl Falls.
KINGSLEY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Kingsley has been stocked with lots of trout and should offer good fishing for trout. Anglers have the opportunity to catch all size classes of trout including large trophy trout and steelhead.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass fishing is starting to pick up in the reservoir.
LAURANCE LAKE
Trout fishing for native rainbow and cutthroat along with lots of stocked rainbows should make summer fishing in Laurance good. It’s a great place to fly fish out of a small boat or personal watercraft.
LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
No recent reports.
LOST LAKE
Lost Lake has been stocked with lots of rainbow trout and has a few resident brown trout. Lost is great place to troll around in a small boat or fish from the bank.
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Redband Trout
-Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife - |
METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout
Trout fishing has been good. Look for a golden stone hatch on the upper river, with pale morning duns and caddis hatches throughout the river.
NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout
No recent reports. North Twin is a great lake to take young kids to as there is a good beach shoreline and it is protected from the wind. Look to catch rainbow trout in the 8 inch to 13 inch size range.
OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout
Anglers should be aware that beginning in 2010 new fishing regulations go into effect that permanently restricts fishing to artificial flies and lures only; two trout per day and 8-inch minimum length.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Anglers are reporting improved fishing over past years. Opportunities for 12 to 20-inch rainbow trout should improve with the warmer weather.
ODELL LAKE: kokanee, lake trout, rainbow trout
The kokanee have gone a bit deeper but are still being caught in good numbers. Please note that all bull trout must be released unharmed.
PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
No recent report.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Pine Hollow has been recently stocked and should offer good fishing for trout. Anglers have the opportunity to catch all size classes of trout including large trophy trout.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, bass
Anglers continue to report good fishing and have reported catching larger trout than in recent years. Anglers should consult the 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations (page 63) for maximum length requirements and bag limits for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout and largemouth bass
The pond was recently stocked with largemouth bass. Target bass around structures such as trees and rock walls with spinners, plastic worms, and night crawlers.
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Rainbow Trout
-Photo by Kathy Munsel- |
ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
No recent reports.
SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout
The pond is open to children 17 years old and younger with a bag limit of two fish.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
No recent reports. South Twin is a good lake for younger anglers as it has a good shoreline and is protected from the wind.
SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee
No recent reports.
TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout
Taylor Lake should offer anglers a good opportunity to catch bass and bluegill. It’s also a great place to catch carp on the fly rod.
THREE CREEKS LAKE: rainbow trout
This small lake near Sisters was stocked in late June and fishing has been very good for both recently stocked and holdover fish.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
Access to Walton Lake is closed to the public until the U.S. Forest service renovation is complete. The lake has not been stocked and will not be stocked until access is regranted. Please contact Ochoco National Forest at 541-416-6500 for more information.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass.
No recent report.
HUNTING
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Coyote
-Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp- |
OPEN: COUGAR, COYOTE, GROUND SQUIRREL and BEAR (opens Aug. 1)
Use the new and improved Oregon Hunting Mapto see where to hunt.
PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT
GENERAL: Recent hot, dry weather has increased fire danger. The Ochoco National Forest and Prineville BLM should be contacted regarding the latest information on motorized access, camping, and increased fire danger. (BLM 541-416-6700, Ochoco Nat. For. 541-416-6500).
COYOTES will be closely associated with deer and antelope with fawns. Hunters should scout for evidence of deer and antelope as coyotes will likely be close by. Both the Maury and Ochoco have sizeable areas of public lands that should provide good hunting opportunities.
COUGAR are present at all elevations in the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units. Like coyotes, cougar will be attracted to deer and antelope, but also elk. The Maury and Ochoco units are recommended because of their greater amounts of public lands and better accessibility. Remember cougars must be checked in at an ODFW office within 10 days after harvest. Please consult the synopsis for all required parts and be sure to call first to make an appointment.
BEAR season opens Aug. 1 in all units. Bear are present throughout the district, but at higher densities on forest lands at higher elevations on the Ochoco National Forest. The better locations to scout would be on the more densely forested north slopes of the Lookout Mountain and Paulina Ranger Districts in the Ochoco Unit.
THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT
COUGAR season is open. Hunters wishing to pursue cougar will find best success near areas of deer and elk concentrations, or in the Deschutes and John Day river canyons where bighorn sheep are congregating to have their lambs. Successful hunters, remember you must check in cougar (hide and skull) and bear skull at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest and bring them in unfrozen. It’s also a good idea to prop their mouths open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging. See regulations for details.
Those wishing to pursue COYOTE will find the best success near agricultural lands. Be sure to ask permission to hunt private lands. Limited opportunities may also be found at White River Wildlife area, and on lower elevation forest service lands. Coyote numbers appear to be good, and spring weather finds animals active throughout the area.
California Ground SQUIRRELS: The best hunting is found on private agricultural grounds, and hunters must seek permission before hunting on private ground. Some opportunity can be found on state and federal lands along the eastern edge of the Mount Hood National Forest.
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Cougar
-Oregon Fish and Wildlife- |
WHITE RIVER WILDLIFE AREA
COUGAR season is open from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 or until zone mortality quotas have been met. As deer and elk begin their spring migration, mountain lions will follow. Focus your efforts along migration routes, and look for fresh tracks or kills to increase success.
COYOTE hunters should be looking in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area. Open fields can provide good calling opportunities on the area.
Visitors need to beware that some roads may stay closed until May 1 depending on weather and road conditions.
The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. Open roads have a green dot on them. Hunters bringing their ATVs are reminded that all vehicles are to stay on roads; cross country travel is prohibited.
VIEWING
Sherman County and Deschutes Canyon
Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area
Upland game birds can be seen emerging with their broods, primarily chukar with some California quail. Ducks can be seen swimming with their broods on the river. Canada geese young are mostly feathered by now. Mergansers can be seen along the river. Viewers’ should check the slower water areas and shores for best viewing of waterfowl.
Most of the reptiles are less visible this time of year. Rattlesnakes and bull snakes are the most recognized, but with a careful eye one can spot Yellow-bellied racers. Western fence and Sagebrush lizards are still in the rocky areas near sagebrush and can be view in the early morning when they sunning themselves.
Loggerheaded shrieks, Northern oriole and western tanager can all be seen in the riparian and sage habitats. Many of the passerines can be seen with their young as they fledge from the nest.
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Bighorn Sheep
-Oregon Fish and Wildlife- |
Bighorn sheep are a common site in the canyon. One of the most popular spots to view them is down the Mack’s Canyon road between the mouth of Jones Canyon and Mack’s Canyon. Good binoculars and a spotting scope will improve the odds of viewing sheep.
Ewes are congregated in traditional lambing areas, such as Beavertail. Lambs are now large enough that they are moving about following ewes. Patience is a good tool to bring with you while looking for lambs, as they can be hard to spot amongst the rocks.
Many different species frequent the Deschutes Canyon with opportunities to view a wide variety of waterbirds, passerines, deer and bighorn sheep. A comprehensive bird list for the wildlife area can be found at the kiosk in Deschutes River State Park. Many passerines appear to be starting their northern trek early, providing some great early spring birding opportunities in the canyon. 7/7/10.
Wasco County
The Dalles Area
Our summer resident birds are fledging from the nest. Seeing young birds on the ground is common as the young birds build the muscle endurance needed for sustained flight. If you find them in your yard keep your pets indoors until they can fly, usually a few hours to a day. If you are worried about neighborhood pets getting the young bird, place it on a low branch you can reach and their parents will handle the rest. As summer wears on, and the area becomes drier, those with bird feeders out will see more birds using them. Please take the time to wash the feeder and disinfect it, more often the better.
A great place to go birding and enjoy wildflowers is the Nature Conservancy’s Tom McCall Preserve. 7/7/10.
Jefferson and Crook Counties
The Nature Conservancy’s Juniper Hills Preserve along the north side of the Crooked River 34 miles east of Prineville offers wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities. This preserve is located near the Ochoco National Forest and the Wild and Scenic North Fork Crooked River that offer outstanding opportunities for camping, hiking, backpacking, and fishing.
The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open to vehicular traffic for campers, birders, and anglers, and the Juniper Bass Campground has reopened. The nesting bald eagles that closed the campground earlier in the year are still frequent visitors and the nest tree remains a favorite perch. The nest tree is visible from the restroom and camping area, and offers a great location to watch the nest—you will need a spotting scope or binoculars for the best viewing. The WMA offers wonderful opportunities to fish, hike, observe wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors. More information and maps are available at the Prineville ODFW office and at the Prineville Reservoir State Park office. For directions and more information. 7/27/10.
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