Getting There: From Prineville on Hwy 26, follow signs toward Prineville Reservoir (not toward Bowman Dam). Juniper Canyon Road reaches the reservoir in about 12 miles.

Fisheries:This high desert reservoir on the Crooked River is stocked annually with as many as 170,000 rainbow trout, many of which grow to 14 inches. There are also large populations of smallmouth bass, black crappie and brown bullhead, and smaller numbers of largemouth bass.

Useful Information: Best fishing is from January through June. Ice fishing can be excellent. There is good bank fishing at Prineville State Park, Jasper Point and at the dam. Crappies are caught in the coves upstream of the resort and off the resort docks. Best bullhead fishing is in May and June and in September. Fish for bullheads by the dam, in the Bear Creek arm, and along the road that runs through the local wildlife area (when it is open).

Tackle & Techniques: All lake-fishing techniques can be effective; most crappies are caught on worms or small jigs.

Facilities: At Prineville Reservoir State Park there are boat ramps, drinking water, tent sites, full RV hook-ups, cabins, wheelchair-accessible restrooms with showers, fish cleaning station, day-use facilities. Prineville Resort has boat rentals and moorage. There are primitive undeveloped campsites on public land on the reservoir’s south shore.

Fees: Yes, for overnight at the state park; no, for day use.

Additional Activities: Water skiing, swimming, rock hounding, hiking, wildlife viewing.

For More Information:
ODFW Prineville Office — (541) 447-5111
Prineville Reservoir Resort — (541) 447-7468