Welcome to the 2012
Spring Fishing Guide

Southeast Zone

Southeast Zone (pdf)

Cutthroat Trout -Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp-

Check this out:

• Priday Reservoir is a new addition to the weekly Recreation Report, and early season reports have been very good.

• Mann Lake Lahontan trout continue to thrive and could reach legal size (16-inches) late this fall.

• 2012 Family Fishing and Free Fishing Weekend events.

• Take a friend fishing during Free Fishing Weekend June 9-10 – no license required!

TROUT

The Southeast Zone is the largest of our fishing zones and trout fishing opportunities will vary by basin. Most rivers and streams are open May 26 to Oct. 31, except in the Klamath, Powder and Burnt basins where the season is April 28 to Oct. 31. To protect native populations of redband trout, most rivers and streams are not stocked but some exceptions include the Powder, Burnt, Lower Owyhee, and Malheur (near Riverside) rivers. In many rivers fishing is also restricted to artificial flies and lures, but see the 2011 regulations for exceptions.  

Trout stocking of lakes and reservoirs begins in March for lower elevation waters. Higher lakes are stocked shortly after snowmelt. Consult the trout stocking schedule to see what water body is being stocked when. Most lakes and reservoirs are open year round and some permit the use of bait. Consult the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Special Regulations for that water body to see if bait is allowed. 

Black Crappie -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

WARMWATER

The Southeast Zone offers a variety of warmwater angling opportunities and some of the best potential for quality crappie outside the Snake River reservoirs The current state record white and black crappie were both captured in this zone.  However, the desert nature of this zone can drastically affect water levels and consequently the fisheries. The best crappie fisheries in the Southeast Zone can be dramatically affected by water availability in recent years; the Warner Lakes, Gerber Reservoir, and, to some degree, Owyhee Reservoir are examples of this.  Check with the local fish biologist on the status of these fisheries.  It’s worth the effort and the travel when crappie fishing is good!

Dog Lake and Lake of the Woods are a good bet for families as they have a variety of warmwater species in them that are fairly easy to catch by children fishing with worms and a bobber. Ana Reservoir, in contrast, is stocked with white bass-striped bass hybrids which are difficult to catch but has produced the state record (18 pounds 9.5 ounces). While it may be a while before that record is broken, our sampling shows abundant fish in excess of 10 pounds.

Fishing for bass, panfish, and crappie is best during the spring when they are moving into shallow water to spawn, the timing of which is largely determined by water temperatures reaching 50oF. Bass and crappie fishing generally slows down following spawning as the fish disperse to deeper water, although the schooling nature of crappie makes them easier to find and fish for during the summer (usually jigging for them in water up to 30-35’ deep except in the shallow Warner Lakes where location of schooling fish is at a premium). Fishing for panfish is also best during the spring spawning season, but because of their tendency to remain in shallow water year around, catch rates for shore anglers or kids fishing from docks remain fairly high throughout the summer.

Alphabetical listing:

Klamath Redband Trout -Photo by Roger Smith-

Agency Lake:  Agency Lake is in Klamath County approximately 20 road miles north of Klamath Falls. Agency Lake is connected to Upper Klamath Lake through the water body referred to as the straights. Agency Lake is over 9000 surface acres and is shallow. Boat access is available at Henzel Park boat ramp on the south east part of the lake.  Boats can  be launched from Petric Park which is a excavated channel to the Wood River. Launching boats at Petric Park to access Agency Lake is not recommended for large boats in the summer and fall due to a shallow sand bar at the mouth of the Wood River.

Agency Lake is open all year with a bag limit of one trout. Fishing for trophy native redband trout will be good in the late spring and late fall. The most productive methods on Agency Lake are trolling lures or casting flies from a boat. Bank fishermen are successful using bait at the Henzel Park boat ramp.

Ana Reservoir:  Ana Reservoiris open to fishing all year. The reservoir is stocked annually with legal- and trophy-sized rainbow trout, and every other year with fingerling hybrid bass (white/striped). The minimum size limit on hybrid bass is 16 inches with a bag limit of one hybrid bass per 24-hour period. Crank baits lures and 3 to 6-inch jigs are effective techniques for hybrid bass. Bank anglers should focus their efforts in the morning or evening.  Good locations for bank anglers have been the cove on the west end of the lake and along the dam, but hybrid bass can be caught anywhere in the reservoir. Boat anglers should try trolling crank baits or lures at various depths. They can also locate a school of hybrid bass using depth finders and vertical jig for them. Anglers can fish for hybrid bass day and night at Ana Reservoir. 

Trout fishing was very good as well this winter, and is expected to continue to be good. The boat ramp is available for use April through November. The use of live fish as bait is prohibited. Ana Reservoir is located in close proximity to the Summer Lake Wildlife Area, where birding and hiking opportunities are available. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout at Ana Reservoir from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. 

Ana River:  The Ana River is located near the town of Summer Lake and can be viewed from State Highway 31. The river conveys water from Ana Reservoir through the Summer Lake Wildlife Area and eventually to Summer Lake. The river water temperature remains approximately 60° F due to spring influences in Ana Reservoir which makes this a year-round option for fishing.

Ana River is stocked with fingerling rainbow trout. Legal-sized fish are abundant. There are no gear restrictions, the use of bait is allowed, and up to five trout may be harvested each day. For fly fishers, this is a great match-the-hatch river. Hatches of blue-winged olive mayflies come off the river almost all year. Tricos, caddis flies and terrestrials are also common here. Fishing is expected to be very good this spring; however, stealth is required year-round to catch large rainbow visible in the clear, deep pools.

Diamond Lake Rainbow Trout - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Anthony Lakes:  Rainbow trout are stocked each year in mid-late June and twice in July. Brook trout are also plentiful in the lake. This is a beautiful high altitude lake, west of Haines on the Anthony Lakes Highway.

Balm Creek Reservoir:  The reservoir is full as of mid-May. Should be fair to good fishing for 10 to 16-inch rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and crappie. Boat motors are restricted to electric motors only. Snow can be a problem until early- to mid-May. An angler opinion survey was conducted in 2009 and the results indicate that the majority of anglers would like ODFW to manage for a trout-only fishery instead of the illegally introduced smallmouth bass and crappie. ODFW is currently formulating strategies for accommodating angler preference. The reservoir is northeast of Baker City and can be accessed via Highway 203 out of Medical Springs.

Beulah Reservoir:  The reservoir had carry over water again after the 2011 season; while snowpack this year is far below average, springs rains have added much needed moisture to the basin. The reservoir is expected to fill this spring for the second time since 2006. The reservoir will be stocked in May with fingerling rainbow trout. A few wild redband trout drift into the reservoir from the river. Bull trout can be found in the reservoir through late May. Remember to release bull trout if you catch one. Beulah Reservoir is located 19 miles north of Juntura off Beulah RD.  Juntura is 73 miles west of Ontario and 58 miles east of Burns. 

Big Rock: This reservoir is located in the Warner Lakes Basin about 15 miles northeast of Plush. The reservoir does not show up on the BLM maps, but is located in Mary Ann Draw on the Lakeview South-half map.  The reservoir produces rainbow trout that are extremely fat.  Angling should be very good this spring and into the early summer. TGive Dave Banks, the fisheries biologist in Lakeview, a call (541-947-2950, 541-219-1395) for specific directions if you are considering fishing this reservoir. This lake is easily fished from shore.

Redband Trout -Photo by Roger Smith-

Blitzen River:  Special regulations exist for the whole drainage. The river and its tributaries have good numbers of wild redband trout, no hatchery fish are stocked. Fishing conditions will vary in the spring depending on weather and the rate of snowmelt. The highest average flows typically occur in late April, May and early June. Snowpack was below average this winter, heavy spring rains will likely cause good flows for fishing into mid-July. Fishing was very good during 2011 and is expected to be as good or better in 2012.

East Canal access road on Malheur Refuge will be open to non-motorized traffic only. There are several public land access points for the drainage. Consult the Burns BLM District map for access. The easiest and closest location is at Page Springs Campground near Frenchglen, Oregon. There is little to no access to the river drainage by road, most of it is park and hike in.

Blue Lake:  Access to the Blue Lake trailheads in the Gearhart Mt. Wilderness is dependent on the snow year. Access is normally available in late June. The lake is stocked with fingerling rainbow trout carried up the trail by horse back. A 3 mile moderate hike is required from the closest road location. Water quality is very good in the lake. The lake produces nice rainbows with fish up to 15” not uncommon.

Bully Creek Reservoir:  The reservoir has carryover water again after the 2011 season.  It may get close to filling this spring. Fishing should be fair for small white crappie and for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Bully Creek Reservoir is located about 13 miles north and west of Vale off of Bully Creek Rd.

Burnt River:  Most streams in Baker County open April 28. Burnt River should provide fair to good fishing for 8 to 14-inch rainbow. Fishing is best in spring and early summer due to rising temperatures later. Access above Unity Reservoir is plentiful from USFS land and is stocked with legal-sized trout. Access below Unity is limited and there is no active stocking but some fishing below the dam is successful and is on BLM property. If on private property, ask first. 

Deadhorse Lake -Photo by David Banks, ODFW-

Campbell/Deadhorse Lakes:  There are multiple ways to access these lakes from Lakeview, Klamath Falls, and Bend. These lakes are located in Lake County on the Paisley Ranger District in the Fremont-Winema National Forest just off of Forest Road 28. They are stocked annually with legal- and trophy-sized rainbow trout throughout the summer, and every other year with fingerling brook trout. Rainbow trout over 16-inches were common at both lakes in 2010. These lakes are not accessible until late June because of snow drifts. The campgrounds are popular and receive extensive use during summer and fall. Please contact the USFS at the Paisley Ranger Station (541) 943-3114 to check road access. 

Chewaucan River:   The town of Paisley in Lake County is the gateway to the Chewaucan (SHE-wah-can). The river provides a self-sustaining native wild trout fishing experience. The Chewaucan River above the town of Paisley is open to fishing all year, but is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. The bag limit on native redband trout above Paisley is two fish 8-inches or longer with only one fish over 20 inches. Fishing for native redband trout and introduced brook trout in this section will be good this spring and slows down as summer water temperatures increase and stream flow decreases.

Angling in the river, adjoining tributaries, and at Rivers End Reservoir below the town of Paisley is open from May 26 through Oct. 31. The native redband trout bag limit is two fish per day, 8-inch minimum length with only one over 20-inches; the use of bait is allowed in this section. Success in the lower river declines as water temperatures increase from July to mid-September.

The lower river and reservoir provide summer fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and brown bullhead. Fishing catch rates for largemouth bass are expected to be very good this year.

Chickahominy Reservoir: The reservoir almost filled last year; however, it is only half-full this spring and will decline quickly through the summer. The reservoir will be stocked with fingerlings in the spring as usual. Fishing for holdover trout has been very good so far this spring. Many anglers are doing very well trolling with lures. The reservoir is located off Highway 20, several miles west of Riley, OR.

Cottonwood Meadows:  Cottonwood Meadows is 23 miles west from Lakeview on Highway 140. Look for signs along the highway directing you the remaining 6 miles up Forest Road 387. Cottonwood Meadows is annually stocked with fingerling and legal-sized trout and fishing for rainbow trout will be good in the lake. A few brook trout also are available. Snow drifts will preclude access to the lake until late May. Fishing becomes difficult for bait fisherman in the summer and fall due to aquatic vegetation growth. Fat head minnows occur in the lake and lures that mimic them work well. No gas motors are allowed on the lake but there are two boat ramps for small boats. Campground facilities are also available at this scenic lake.

Redband Trout -Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife -

Cottonwood Reservoir: This reservoir, located off of Highway 140 west of Lakeview, is managed for native redband trout. This reservoir supports native redband trout of harvestable size and spring is good time to target them as the reservoir is open year-round. The reservoir is usually most productive in spring and fall. This reservoir also contains fathead minnow. A boat ramp is available, although there are no camp sites at the reservoir. Bait and lures are effective, especially near the face of the dam.

Cow Lakes:  Last spring Upper Cow Lake was stocked with several thousand fingerling rainbow trout. Both lakes are a spring only fishery due extensive weed growth in the summer. Low numbers of largemouth bass, brown bullhead, white crappie and yellow perch are also available. Cow Lakes are located about 14 miles north and west of Jordan Valley. The road into the lakes can be very soft early in the spring. 

Dairy Creek:  Fishing for native redband trout and brook trout should be good throughout the summer. There is a mix of private and public land in the vicinity. A Fremont-Winema Forest map would be helpful if you are unfamiliar with the area.  Dairy Creek is open to fishing all year and has a bag limit of two redband trout, 8-inch minimum length, one fish over 20-inches. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. There is no size or bag limit on brook trout. There are two campgrounds on Dairy Creek, and the area is very scenic.
 
Deep Creek:  Access to Deep Creek is along Highway 140 west of the town of Adel.   Angling for native Warner Basin redband trout should be good in the spring and slow as water temperatures increase in the summer. Deep Creek is open year-round for fishing and is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. The bag limit for native trout is two fish per day, 8-inch minimum length with no more than one fish over 20-inches. There are brook trout in the head waters of Deep Creek; there is no bag limit or size restriction for these non-native trout.

Delintment Lake:  This reservoir has a campground, good bank access and an accessible fishing dock. It is a fairly high elevation reservoir located in a pine forest.  The lake is full and there are expected to be manyholdover trout available to the angler. The lake will be stocked with legal-sized and fingerling rainbow trout in May. Legal-sized trout make up the bulk of the catch until fingerlings begin entering the fishery by September. The lake is currently accessible. Directions from Hines, Oregon: Go northwest on County Road 127 (Hines Logging Road). Travel 12 miles to Forest Road #41. Left on Forest Road #41 for 26.5 miles to junction, turn left and follow signs for 5 miles to campground.

Dog Lake:  A warmwater fish reservoir located 30 miles west-southwest of Lakeview. The easiest access is from Andy Hill Road West of Lakeview off of Highway 140. Follow Andy Hill Road for 5-7 miles and turn right (West) on Dog Lake Road.  Follow Dog Lake Road for 10-15 miles to Dog Lake.  The road is paved to the lake.  Camping and primitive bathrooms are available on the west shore of the lake. Yellow perch, brown bullhead and black crappie are available to the angler. This lake also contains a small population of largemouth bass. This is a good place near Lakeview to take children to fish during late-May and June. The bag limit on largemouth bass is three per day and restricted to a 15 inch minimum length. It is not stocked with hatchery trout, and is closed to all trout fishing and retention for conservation of native redband trout found in the lake and one tributary.

Brown Bullhead -Photo by Noel Burkhead-

Drews Reservoir:  A large irrigation reservoir west of Lakeview that holds primarily warmwater fish. There are channel catfish, black crappie, brown bullhead, largemouth bass and yellow perch in this water body. There are also native redband trout entering the reservoir from Dog Creek and Drew’s Creek. Fishing is typically slow for all species. The reservoir is very turbid. An improved boat ramp and camping facility are located at the southwest end of the lake.

Duncan Reservoir:  Located south of Highway 31 about 5 miles east of the town of Silver Lake. Follow Duncan Road (County Road 4-14) to the reservoir. Fishing is expected to be very good this year for rainbow trout, which are stocked in the reservoir as fingerlings as well as catchable and trophy size trout. The reservoir is at full pool. An improved boat ramp and primitive camp area available.

Eagle Creek:  Opens to fishing April 28. Should provide fair to good fishing for 8 to 14-inch rainbow trout when the runoff recedes in the lower reaches. This stream will be stocked three times in July and August in the higher elevations. Eagle Creek and Two Color Campgrounds are among several campgrounds near the USFS Road 77, off Highway 203 (Medical Springs Highway). A forest service map is helpful.

Elkhorn Mountain High Lakes:  There are approximately 20 fish bearing lakes in the Elkhorn Mountains providing a variety of angling opportunities for brook, rainbow and lake trout. Snowpack and ice make high lakes inaccessible until mid-summer (early to mid-July). For specific information on these lakes, contact the Grande Ronde Watershed District Office in La Grande.

Fish Lake (Steens): The lake is stocked annually with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout in late June, depending on access. There also are naturally reproducing brook trout in the lake. Catch rates are expected to be good again this year. The snowpack was just a little below average through the winter. The road to the lake will likely be open sometime in late June or early July. To get to Fish Lake take the north end of the Steens Mountain Loop Road (near Frenchglen, OR) for 18 miles.

Fish Lake (Eagle Caps near Halfway):  The number of legal-sized trout stocked in the lake has been increased to improve fishing. Stocking will occur sometime in June or early July when the road becomes free of snow. Naturally reproducing brook trout are also numerous. Fish Lake is off the USFS Road 66, northeast of Halfway. 

Fourmile Lake: Fourmile Lake is a high elevation Cascade Mountain lake. The Lake is located approximately 40 miles west of Klamath Falls off Highway140. The lake access is west of Lake of the Woods and requires driving down a dirt road for six miles The road in to Fourmile Lake is normally accessible by the Fourth of July, although the lake is open to fishing year-round. Prospects for rainbow and brook trout are good. Lake trout fishing has been improving with fish up to 10 pounds being reported by anglers. Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent.

Rainbow Trout on a stringer - Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW-

Fourmile Lake will be stocked in late June thru August with catchable and trophy sized rainbow trout. Angling is expected to be excellent for hatchery rainbow trout.

Lake trout fishing will be good with some lake trout reaching 10 pounds.

Fourmile Lake will fill this year so launching small boats from the beach will not be a problem. The boat launch is an unimproved boat ramp with no dock or concrete pad. The launch site can be blocked by trees earlier in the season.

Gerber Reservoir: Gerber Reservoir is located approximately 20 miles east of the town of Bonanza in Klamath County and is open to fishing year-round. The Barnes Valley and Ben Hall arms of Gerber Reservoir can be productive for crappie.  The best time to fish for crappie is late May to early June.

Grande Ronde Lake:  Rainbow trout are stocked each year in mid-late June, July and August. Brook trout are also plentiful in the lake. Good high lake fishing in summer when other areas have gotten too warm. The lake is west of Haines on the Anthony Lakes Highway on the north side of the road, past the ski area.

Heart Lake:  Heart Lake is located south of Highway 140 west of Lakeview near Quartz Mountain. Turn into the rest area on the south side of 140 and follow the USFS Road 3715 for 9 miles.  Look for the Heart Lake sign and follow the dirt road west for 1 mile. Snow drifts often restrict access until June.

Kokanee and rainbow trout are stocked in the lake. Fishing for kokanee is expected to be very good in the spring and early summer, catch rates on rainbow trout should remain good throughout the summer. Fat head minnow occur in the lake so lures and flies that mimic this food can catch some of the larger rainbow trout. 

This is a day-use only lake. An improved boat ramp, two picnic tables, and primitive restrooms are available at the lake.

Highway 203 Pond:  Will be stocked with legal-sized trout on several occasions beginning in April. Fishing should be good for 8 to 12-inch fish.  Bluegill and bass are also plentiful (but small) and are fun for kids to catch. The Pond is located 5 miles north of Baker City just off I-84, exit 298.

Haines Pond and North Powder #1:  Haines Pond will be stocked with legal-sized trout on several occasions, beginning in April. Fishing should be good for 8 to 12-inch fish. Stocking at North Powder Pond #2 has been discontinued due to heavy aquatic vegetation that inhibits harvest of the stocked trout. These ponds will be stocked with additional legal and trophy-sized trout in April and September as part of the supplemental stocking program funded by the Oregon Legislature. Haines Pond is 1 mile north of Haines on Highway 30. North Powder Pond is approximately 1 mile south of North Powder off Highway 30.

Higgins Reservoir:  Opens for fishing April 28. Fly fishing is a favored fishing method on this reservoir, but the landowner has restricted entry to walk-in only.  The walk is ¾ mile. Please respect the property, haul out your trash, and help maintain the privilege of fishing on private land. Fingerling stocking was discontinued on this reservoir in 2006 due to the limited access. Located south of Unity Reservoir about 5 miles on dirt roads

Rainbow Trout -Photo by Kathy Munsel-

Holbrook Reservoir:  Annually stocked with fingerlings, legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout. Catch rates for rainbow trout are expected to be very good this spring and fall, but generally decrease as summer progresses.  A boat ramp and a few primitive camping spots are available at this reservoir. Snow drifts often restrict access until late spring.
 
The reservoir is in a very scenic location, with lots of wildlife to observe. Holbrook Reservoir, Lofton Reservoir and Heart Lake are all located within a couple of miles of each other off USFS Road 3715.

Juniper Lake:  The lake filled last year, and is currently full. Legal-sized cutthroat trout were stocked last year and are now over fifteen inches. Fishing is expected to be very good this year. Fish are attempting spawning late April and early May; fishing during this time is likely best in the mornings and evenings.  No special restrictions exist on Juniper Lake. It is located north of Mann Lake on the East Steens Loop Road or Fields-Denio Rd.

Klamath Lake:  Open year-round with a bag limit of one trout. Trophy size native redband trout are available and fish exceeding over 10 pounds are commonly caught. Fishing for these large native redband trout should be good in the spring and fall. Upper Klamath Lake is full. Water clarity in the spring is typically poor. 

Popular methods for fishing Upper Klamath Lake for trophy redband trout are trolling lures at Eagle Ridge, bait fishing from shore at Eagle Ridge, Howard Bay, or the south end of the Lake near Pelican Marina, and casting fly’s towards the bank. Trout in Upper Klamath Lake feed on minnow, chub leeches, and midges.

Klamath River: Located downstream of the town of Keno. Fishing for native redband trout peaks in May and June. Anglers need to be aware of river flows on the river as they are regulated by the Keno and JC Boyle Dams. Flows in the Klamath River below the J.C. Boyle Powerhouse fluctuate widely on a daily basis.  Anglers can call 1-800-547-1501for river flow information. Or visit  river flows below Keno dam and below the J.C. Boyle Powerhouse.

-Keno Dam downstream to J.C. Boyle Dam is open Jan. 1 through June 15 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Access to this location is from the Sportman’s Park, the roads on the south side of the river and two access points at Keno Dam and PacifiCorp Campground.

Opportunities for native redband trout should be good and lures and flies are popular methods.   

-J.C. Boyle Dam to the Powerhouse is open year-round. Anglers can access this area behind JC Boyle Reservoir by the Wild and Scenic road sign off of Highway 66 or the Topsy campground road. Access to this section is difficult due to the steep canyon with the exception of the area just above the powerhouse.

Redband Trout and Fly Rod -Photo by Roger Smith-

Fishing should be good for small native redband trout from 8 to 12-inches. This stretch typically has stable flows and is mostly spring fed which keeps water temperatures warmer in the winter and colder in the summer. Fishing in this stretch is best in May-June during the golden stonefly and salmonfly hatches. The best methods on this stretch are dry flies and small black spinners.
 
-J.C Boyle Powerhouse to Oregon/California State Line. Anglers can access this area by the Topsy Grade road on the east side of the river or the Wild and Scenic road from the turnoff on Highway 66.  Fishing should be fair for redband up to 16-inches. Fishing in this stretch is best in May-June during the golden stonefly and salmonfly hatches and again in October-December. The best fishing methods on this stretch are large spinners or leech imitations.

Krumbo Reservoir:  Opened for fishing April 28. Fishing has been good and should be continue to be good this spring and early summer for rainbow trout before the weeds become too thick, and then again in the fall when water temperatures cool. There should be some large carryover rainbows from past stocking.

Bass fishing will be a little slow until the water warms up. The reservoir was sampled last year, and many bass were over twelve inches. This reservoir has great parking, a picnic area, and an accessible fishing platform. The reservoir is located at the southern end of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. There are access signs visible from Highway 205 to Frenchglen, Ore.

Lake of the Woods:  Lake of the Woods is 38 miles west of Klamath Falls off Highway 140. Open to fishing year-round. The lake is stocked annually with fingerling rainbow, brown trout and kokanee salmon. Legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout are stocked throughout the spring and summer. Good catches of holdover rainbow trout occur early in the spring.

Additional trout will be stocked for the Free Fishing Weekend event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 2 and a Family Fishing event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 16. A late stocking of rainbow trout will occur before Labor Day weekend (Sept. 6) and is a great last weekend with the kids before sending them back to school

Lake of the Woods

Brown trout and kokanee fishing is also good in the spring. Kokanee are averaging around 11-inches. Brown trout are caught during late evening or early morning using large minnow imitations.

There are good fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, yellow perch and bullhead. While the largemouth bass population has experienced a recent rebound, yellow perch dominate the catch. A small hook with a piece of worm under a bobber will catch numerous yellow perch. This is a great place to introduce kids to fishing. Night fishing can also be enjoyable and is legal. A worm fished on the bottom of the lake will catch brown bullhead.

Lofton Reservoir:  Lofton Reservoir is located south of Highway 140 west of Lakeview near Quartz Mountain. Turn into the rest area on the south side of 140 and follow USFS Road 3715 for 9 miles. Look for the Lofton Reservoir sign and follow the paved road east for 1 mile. Lofton Reservoir is annually stocked with fingerlings, legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout. Rainbow trout catch rates are expected to be very good in May and June, but decrease as summer progresses.

The illegal introduction of tui chub has reduced the survival of fingerlings planted in the reservoir and made fishing for trout more challenging. Spring fishing is often the best time for catching trophy-sized trout. Bait and lures mimicking minnows are very effective in this reservoir. There is an improved boat ramp and developed campsites available for use at this location.  No gas motors are allowed on this reservoir.

Holbrook Reservoir, Lofton Reservoir and Heart Lake are all located within a couple of miles of each other off of USFS Road 3715.

Lucky Reservoir:  Lucky Reservoir is located in Warner Lake Basin east of Lakeview. Take Highway 140 28 miles east of Lakeview to Adel and turn south on to County Road 3-14. Proceed on County road 3-14 for 10-15 miles until you reach County Road 3-14A. Follow 3-14A for 3-5 miles. Call Dave Banks, the fisheries biologist, for directions from County road 3-14A to the reservoir.  Lucky Reservoir is stocked annually with fingerling rainbow trout. Fishing should be good for rainbow trout this year. The access road has been improved from County road 3-14A.

This reservoir is very turbid, but extremely productive and large trout are caught here every year. The reservoir receives little fishing pressure overall because of its remoteness. There is no boat ramp, but primitive camping is allowed.  Access to the reservoir is often limited by snow until late May.

Malheur Reservoir:  This reservoir had carryover water again this year. The snow pack this winter is far below normal. The reservoir should come close to filling this spring. Last spring 6,000 legal-sized and 90,000 fingerling-sized rainbow trout were released into the reservoir. Poor survival of last year’s fingerling releases leaves this year’s populations levels lower than desired. The number of trout planned to be released this year include 7,000 legal-sized and about 25,000 fingerling-sized rainbow trout.  Malheur Reservoir is located 15 miles north of Brogan, which is 25 miles north of Vale on US Highway 26. 

Brook Trout -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

Malheur River drainage, Upper:  Fishing should be fair to good for wild redband trout and brook trout after spring run-off occurs. The snow pack is below average, so the streams in the basin should drop into condition a little earlier this year.  Remember to release bull trout. There are several access points to the upper basin. The easiest access is south out of Prairie City via Forest Road 15 to Summit Prairie and Forest Road 13 into the North Fork. Recreationists can also access this area via Forest Road 16 east out of Seneca

Malheur River, Lower:  The reservoirs that feed this river reach probably will not fill this year. The river at Riverside will receive the normal amount of fingerling rainbow trout. Carryover trout from previous year’s releases should be more numerous than in the recent past. Anglers can gain access to Riverside from Juntura in the north or from Crane in the south. Riverside is about 19 miles south of Juntura and about 30 miles north of Crane. 

Mann Lake:  Illegally introduced goldfish disrupted the Lahontan trout fishery at this lake for several years. Two treatments were conducted in 2010 to removal goldfish from the lake. Cutthroat trout were restocked in the lake last year. The lake is managed as a trophy fishing lake. Artificial flies and lures only (no bait). The bag limit is two fish over 16 inches, and only one may be over 20 inches. Trout will not be to harvestable size until late fall. The lake has greatly increased in size and it should be a good year for catching large cutthroat. Fish are attempting spawning late April and early May; fishing during this time is likely best in the mornings and evenings.  The reservoir is located off East Steens Loop Rd from Highway 78.

Midway Reservoir:  Midway Reservoir is located southeast of Gerber Reservoir. Check with the Klamath BLM for maps and specific directions.

Mill Flat Reservoir:  Mill Flat Reservoir is small reservoir located North of Lakeview on the Fremont National Forest. Fishing success is usually good in the spring and declines with rising water temperatures and an increase in aquatic vegetation. No camping facilities are available; canoes and pontoon boats can be carried in and launched from the bank.  Call Dave Banks (541-947-2950) for directions.

Moon Reservoir:  The reservoir has been stocked with fingerling rainbow trout for several years, and maintained a good water level last year and the year before. Bass and trout fishing should be fair to good this year. The BLM has upgraded the boat ramp and restroom area. Moon Reservoir is located From Highway 20 on Double OO Ranch Rd. There is a rough, dirt road several miles in from the Double OO Ranch Rd.

Mud Lake: Mud lake is located east of Adel in the Warner Basin on the east side of the Warner Lakes.  Primitive camping is available at the reservoir, but there are no pit toilets. Fishing is expected to be good for rainbow trout in early spring and summer. Be prepared for muddy roads in early spring and late fall. 

Rainbow Trout - Photo by Jim Yuskavitch-

Murphy Reservoir:  Trout fishing is expected to be very good this year. The reservoir water level was good last year and many holdover trout are available. The reservoir should be nearly full again this year, and will be stocked with fingerling rainbow trout. It is located above Beulah Reservoir. For information on how to get to the reservoir please call 541 573-6582. It is an extremely rough road and steep grade down to the reservoir.

Murray Reservoir:  Will be stocked with legal-sized trout in both April and May. Fishing should be good for 8 to 12-inch fish, with some larger fish available. The reservoir is approximately 11 miles south of the town of Unity on Highway 26.

Obenchain Reservoir:  Obenchain Reservoir is located near Deming Creek and Campbell Reservoir in Klamath County just off the 335 Rd (600-00). This is a private reservoir and permission is needed to fish. Fishing for bluegill is excellent and most effective fishing is from shore. This is a great place to take the family fishing. There are largemouth bass in the reservoir. The best fishing is in June.

Owyhee Reservoir:  This year snow pack is far below normal, which means spring inflows are expected to be much lower than they were in 2011. With the expected low inflow this year the reservoir should clear much earlier than last year.  Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass and channel catfish is expected to be average. Crappie fishing this year is expected to be much slower than the last few years.  Many of the large crappies present last year will have died after spawning. 

The reservoir is not expected to fill and spill this spring.The reservoir went into winter with above normal storage; all boat ramps should remain available for use into the fall. The ramp at the State Park will likely become unusable late in the season. Remember, there is fish consumption advisory for mercury on reservoir caught fish.

There are three access points to Owyhee Reservoir. The best and most popular is located near the dam, which is about 40 miles south of Ontario, via Highway 201 and two county roads. The second access point is located at Leslie Gulch about 45 miles south of the dam along the reservoir or about 75 miles south and west of Ontario off of US Highway 95. The third access point is on Dry Creek on the west side of the reservoir. This access point is about 60 miles south of Ontario. About 30 miles south of Ontario turn at Owyhee Junction and drive west about seven miles. At the edge of the farm ground the road will turn from paved to dirt  Continue west and south to Twin Springs camp ground, about 20 miles.  At Twin Springs continue south about 10 miles to reservoir.  This is road access only; no boat ramp is located on the Dry Creek Arm of the reservoir. 

Fly Fishing -Royalty Free Image-

Owyhee River, Lower: The reservoir probably will not fill and spill this spring. The amount of water released this summer is expected to remain near normal. With the reservoir nearly filling this year water releases this fall are expected to be about 30 cfs.  The brown trout population appears to be in good condition. There are good numbers of 16 to 20-inch brown trout. Rainbow trout continue to be scarce due to high harvest rates and predation by larger trout. Most trout are found between the dam and the tunnel. All brown trout must be released.

The river is about 30 miles south of Ontario via Highway 201. At Owyhee Junction, turn west. About seven miles west, follow the signs toward Owyhee Dam.  The paved road is adjacent to the river. Public access begins near the BLM Wildlife Viewing area and continues upstream to the dam.

Owyhee River, Upper: There are good numbers of smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Runoff this spring is expected to be far below normal. The river should be at summer base flows much earlier than last year.

There are three vehicle access points to the upper river. The upper most access point is at Three-Forks about 40 miles south of Jordan Valley. The next access point is upstream of Rome about five miles. Take county road south about five miles then turn east toward the river.  Private land and limited access exists north of the fence just downstream of the access point. Birch Creek is the third vehicle access point to the river. Eight mile north of Jordan Valley along US Highway 95 turn west on to the Cow Creek road.  Follow the BLM sign to the Birch Creek ranch about 30 miles from Highway 95. 

Paiute Reservoir: This moderate-sized water body is located east of Adel along Highway 140 at Guano Valley. This reservoir was stocked with fingerling rainbow and Lahontan cutthroat trout as well as legal-sized rainbow and cutthroat trout last year and should provide good fishing this year.  The reservoir is turbid and anglers should focus efforts near the dam and in shallow water where light has a chance to penetrate. 

Peachy Pond:  Peachy Pond is privately owned and is located off Modoc Point Rd. immediately south the Williamson River. Take a right at the Williamson River store just before crossing the Williamson River. Peachy Pond is the first pond on your right. The pond is on private property so please be respectful of the landowner’s property.

Peachy Pond will be open to youth 18 and younger, senior citizens over 60 years of age and disabled anglers. Restrooms and garbage facilities are available at the Henzel Park boat ramp on Agency Lake. The pond has a small population of largemouth bass, yellow perch, and bluegill. Crappie will be stocked in late May. Only bank fishing will be allowed. Consult the weekly fishing report for changes in success rate of catching fish.

Phillips Reservoir:  The reservoir should fill by June 1. The reservoir receives several stockings of legal-sized trout throughout the summer. Trolling for trout is the best method of fishing but bank fishermen can do well off points and near the dam.  Located on Highway 7 approximately 18 miles west of Baker City.

Yellow Perch -Wikipedia -

Yellow perch are averaging 7-9 inches. Occasional large and smallmouth bass can be caught as well, with some of trophy size.

The ODFW is currently implementing a netting project to reduce the number of yellow perch in the reservoir. It is hoped that these efforts will lead to better growth and survival of rainbow trout and larger yellow perch. 

Pilcher Creek Reservoir:  The reservoir is full as of early May.  Good numbers of trout 9 to 15-inches should be available. The reservoir is closed to winter fishing so the carryover should be good. The reservoir will open to fishing April 28. Fishing should also be fair for crappie. Pilcher Reservoir is approximately 9 miles west of the town of North Powder off of North Powder River Lane.

Pole Creek Reservoir:  The reservoir had above normal carryover water into this year.  Due to some late storms the reservoir filled this year. There are a few carryover trout in the reservoir. We will restock it with legal-sized trout in late May. Fishing is usually good until late summer for rainbow trout. Pole Creek Reservoir is located 25 miles north of Vale just off US Highway 26. There is a sign located at the turn off. The reservoir is located on private land so it is day-use only with no overnight camping.

Powder River: The river and tributaries open on April 28 and should provide fair to good fishing for 8 to 14-inch rainbow. Legal-sized rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the spring and summer below Mason Dam. Access is best on USFS land for approximately 2 miles downstream of the dam. There is also access in Baker City at parks.

Pine Creek and North Pine Creek:  The creeks and tributaries open on April 28 and should provide fair to good fishing for 8 to 14-inch rainbow. Legal-sized rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the spring and summer in North Pine Creek and can be accessed via Highway 39  Rainbow trout are no longer stocked in Pine Creek near Cornucopia to protect the population of listed bull trout in that area.  

Priday Reservoir:  This reservoir is located 5 miles south of Plush in the Warner Basin on west side of the Plush-Adel road. The reservoir was stocked last year with fingerling and legal-sized rainbow trout. Anglers have been fishing this reservoir since March and have reported catching rainbow trout from 13 to 17-inch. Bait, flies and lures work well. 

Rogger Pond:  Fishing for rainbow trout should be good early spring and summer at this old borrow pit located along the Twin Springs road in the South Warner Mountains. This is a very scenic location and a good place near Lakeview to take children to fish. Access to the pond can be delayed by snow until late spring or early summer.

Brown Trout -Photo by Roger Smith-

Sevenmile Creek: Sevenmile Creek flows from the Cascades Mountains Sky Lakes Wilderness Area. The stream is located approximately 6 miles west of the town of Fort Klamath. Sevenmile Creek below Nicholson Road Bridge will open April 28 and should be fair for introduced brown trout and brook trout. This section is on private property and anglers will need permission from the landowner to fish. Upstream of Nicholson Road Bridge also opens April 28 and has good brook trout opportunities. Access to upper Sevenmile Creek may be difficult early in the fishing season due to snow. Check with the Forest Service's Klamath Ranger District (541-883-6714) to determine road conditions. 

Sherlock Gulch:  Fishing success is fair in this reservoir located north of Plush. The reservoir is very turbid and about full, but may go dry during late-summer. Catching fish out of this reservoir is difficult; however, large rainbow trout living in the reservoir make it worth the effort. Sherlock Gulch is located a mile north of Sunstone Reservoir near the BLM Sunstone Collection area. Primitive camping only and there is no boat ramp on the reservoir. A float tube, pontoon boat or other small boat would work well here.  Call Dave Banks, fisheries biologist, at the ODFW office in Lakeview for directions (541-947-2950, 541-219-1395). 

Sid Luce Reservoir:  The lake is located up the Snyder Creek road, off of Hog Back Road 3-5 miles north of Plush. Fishing success should be good for rainbow trout this spring and summer. Lures or flies that mimic crayfish work well. There was an illegal introduction of largemouth bass, which has reduced the size and number of rainbow trout in the lake. The reservoir experiences high winds regularly. There are no developed camping facilities and no constructed boat ramp. Call Dave Banks, fisheries biologist, at the ODFW office in Lakeview for directions (541-947-2950, 541-219-1395). 

Silvies River drainage:  Fishing should be fair for wild redband trout. The snow pack was slightly below average throughout the winter. Streams should be low and fishable in lateMay or early June. Warmwater fishing for smallmouth bass in the mainstem should be good by mid-June.  The Silvies River has both BLM and National Forest Land on it, the best maps to use to determine access is the Burns District BLM 30 Minute Series of ‘Burns, Oregon’ (541 573-4400 www.or.blm.gov/Burns/) and the Malheur National Forest Map (541 575-3000).

Slide Lake: A very scenic location in the Freemont National Forest off Forest Rd 3360.  It can be accessed from Paisley via the ‘highline road’ or from the Summer Lake side via Government Harvey Pass (mile marker 87).  Slide Lake is a clear lake and contains both hatchery stocked rainbow trout and brook trout.  Park at the trailhead and hike approximately ½ mile into the lake. Small brook trout are also available in the pools of Slide Creek.

Spaulding Reservoir:  The lake is full this year and will be stocked with fingerling rainbow trout this spring. Rainbow trout captured during sampling last year were 8 to 10-inches. This is a great reservoir to fish in the fall when you can do a “cast and blast” for chuckar and rainbow trout. 

Redband Trout -Washington Fish & Wildlife -

Sprague River System: The Sprague River starts in the Gearhart Mountains in Lake County and flows over 100 miles towards Klamath Falls to the Williamson River. The Sprague River flows through the towns of Beatty and Bly which are east of Klamath Falls off Highway 140. The Sprague River terminates in the town of Chiloquin 30 miles north of Klamath Falls. Fishing for native redband trout should be good in late May and June. The area from Saddle Mountain Pit road upstream to Godowa Springs Road Bridge is open to the use of bait to facilitate the harvest of brown bullhead. Brown trout are difficult to catch in this river but small spoons and sculpin imitations are productive. The Sprague River System is closed to fishing for bull trout and any bull trout captured should be immediately released unhurt and reported to the ODFW office in Klamath Falls (541-883-5732).

Sycan River:  Fishing should be slow in the Sycan River above the Sycan Marsh for brook trout and redband trout from May-June. Flies and lures are effective in this stretch as this area receives little fishing effort. The Sycan River below Sycan marsh will be slow with the exception of the Coyote Bucket area near the Forest Service Boundary which has large brown trout and small redband trout available.

Spring Creek: Spring Creek is located just north of Chiloquin off of Highway 97 at Collier State park. Spring Creek opens May 26. Spring Creek will not be stocked with hatchery rainbow trout in 2012. The fish allocated for Spring Creek will be used in Fourmile Lake. A few brown trout and brook trout are available in Spring Creek.

Summit Prairie Pond:  Fishing for small rainbow trout should be good early spring and summer at this old borrow pit located along the Twin Springs Road in the South Warner Mountains. This is a good place near Lakeview to take children to fish. Access to the pond can be delayed by snow until late spring or early summer.

Sunstone Reservoir:  It is located near the sunstone mines and Sherlock Gulch Reservoir. No developed camp spots exist but primitive camping is allowed. Sunstone Reservoir is less than a mile from the BLM sunstone collection area located north of Plush.

Thief Valley Reservoir:  The reservoir is full and with several good water years in a row, trout fishing is expected to be very good through early summer and then again in the fall. A few yellow perch have begun to show up in the reservoir 12-14 inches.  Trout sizes should range from 12 to over 20-inches. A new trout stocking program was implemented in 2008 to address inconsistency of the fishery due to frequent droughts and reservoir drawdown. An angler creel survey was conducted in 2009 and 2010.  Indications are that the stocking change has been successful in improving the fishery. The reservoir is near Telocaset, south of Union.

In 2009 a cooperative project involving ODFW, Union County, U.S Bureau of Reclamation and the private landowner was implemented to improve access to the reservoir and provide truck access to the dam for stocking trout in the fall. Anglers are encouraged to enjoy this new opportunity while respecting private property.

Thompson Reservoir:  This reservoir is located south and west of the town of Silver Lake in Lake County. There are two USFS access roads to the reservoir.  Forest Road 27 will take you along the east side of the reservoir and to The East Bay Campground which has the better of the two boat ramps at this reservoir. Forest Road 28 will take you to the campground located near the dam. The reservoir contains rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Rainbow trout are distributed throughout the reservoir during the spring and early summer. 

Rainbow Trout on a stringer - Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW-

Twin Lakes (Eagle Caps near Halfway):  The number of legal-sized trout stocked in the lake has been increased to improve fishing. Stocking will occur in late June or July when the road becomes free of snow. Twin Lakes is off the USFS Road 66, northeast of Halfway. 

Vee Lake:  Vee Lake is a moderate-sized lake located on Fremont National Forest north of Mud Creek Campground and provides a panoramic view of Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.  Vee Lake is a popular lake because of the proximity to Lakeview (about 30 miles northeast). A primitive boat ramp is present. Snow drifts will restrict access until June. Fingerling, legal-sized and trophy sized rainbow trout will be stocked.

Warm Springs Reservoir:  The reservoir is likely to fill this year and as an irrigation reservoir it is usually lowered significantly by late summer. Based on angler reports last year, bass and perch fishing should remain fair to good. Large rainbow trout are also caught ocassonally. It is stocked with fingerling rainbow trout every spring. There is access to Warm Springs Reservoir from Highway 20 east of Burns on Warm Springs Rd. However, this road is not drivable when wet or when snow remains on the road. Warm Springs Reservoir can also be accessed from Juntura by the Juntura-Riverside road.

Warner Valley Lakes (Hart, Crump):  These lakes are located near the towns of Plush (Hart) and Adel (Crump) in the Warner Lakes Basin east of Lakeview. Brown bullhead, white, and black crappie are available in Crump and Hart lakes, but will generally be small (7 to 9-inches) with a few 10 to 12-inch fish available. A primitive boat ramp is found on the east side of Crump Lake, as well as on the northwest corner of Hart Lake. Crappie angling is expected to be fair to good this year. 

Lower Williamson River:  Fishing should be good this year for trophy redband trout. The most popular method on the river is fishing from a boat using flies or lures. Anglers below Modoc Point Bridge troll lures and spoons effectively. Most of the Williamson River is on private property; however, there is bank access near Chiloquin and Collier State Logging Museum. A popular time for fishing is July-September during the giant Hexagenia mayfly hatch.

Upper Williamson River:  The Upper Williamson River is accessed by taking the Silver Lake highway road off on Highway 140 approximately 40 miles from Klamath Falls. Fishing in the Upper Williamson for native redband trout and brook trout should be good this year. The average size of redband trout in this reach is 12-inches but fish over 20-inches are available.

Wildhorse Lake:  Located high on the south end of Steens Mountain, Wildhorse Lake has a naturally reproducing population of Lahontan cutthroat trout. The trout are usually small, eight inches on average and catch rates are low. A steep trail (five miles round trip) above 9000 feet in altitude provides the only access to the lake. The road and trail into the lake should be accessible by mid-July. The trailhead can be accessed from the Steens Mountain Loop Road.

Willow Valley Reservoir: Willow Valley Reservoir is southeast of Bonanza in Klamath County near the California border. Angling for large mouth bass will be good throughout the year.  Recent additions of bass habitat structures should continue to improve this fishery.

Withers Lake:  Withers Lake is located on the Fremont Forest National Forest northwest of the town of Paisley. The road into Withers Lake is located off USFS Road 3360. There is a short (1/8 mile) walk from the parking area to the lake. The lake has been producing brown trout up to 17-inches. Both flies and bait have produced good brown trout catches.

The lake also has small brook trout. No boat ramp and no camping facilities are available at this location.

Wolf Creek Reservoir:  With several good water years in a row, good numbers of 10 to 16-inch trout are expected this spring. Crappie are usually plentiful around structures. Located northwest of the town of North Powder; take exit 283 west off I-84.

Wood River:  The Wood River flows through the town of Fort Klamath in Klamath County. The river can be accessed at the headwaters at Kimball Park, the USFS day use area just west of Fort Klamath, and by launching boats at Weed Road or Petric Park. The Wood River opens April 28 and flows should be high which may decrease insect activity. Brown trout fishing should be good for the entire season. Native redband trout fishing usually improves after July.

Rainbow Trout - Photo by Jim Walker-

Yellowjacket Lake:  Fishing has been good for holdover trout in the lake this spring. Fishing should continue to be good until late summer, when weed growth makes fishing more challenging. ODFW will stock the lake with fingerling and legal-sized rainbow trout in early May or as soon as the road is clear of snow. The fingerling trout should reach legal size by early fall. This lake has a campground, an unimproved boat ramp, and good shoreline access.  It is northwest of Hines on the Malheur National Forest. Directions from Hines, Oregon: Go northwest on County Road 127 (Hines Logging RD). This road will become USFS RD #47. Remain on this road to USFS RD #37, turn right onto this ride and marker for Yellowjacket Campground. Follow signs three miles to campground and lake.

For more information about fishing opportunities in the Southeast Zone, please contact the nearest ODFW office:

Hines District Office
Hines, OR 97738
541-573-6582

Lakeview Field Office
Lakeview, OR 97630
541-947-2950

Ontario Field Office
Ontario, OR 97914
541-889-6975

Klamath Watershed District Office
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
541-883-5732

La Grande Watershed District Office
La Grande , OR 97850
541 963-2138