A great weekend for trout fishing
Not only is it Memorial Day Weekend (an extra day for fishing!) but several western Oregon rivers and streams open for trout fishing this Saturday. In addition, several waterbodies will be getting extra stocked trout for the holiday weekend.
Next weekend looks good, too
Free Fishing Weekend is June 1 and 2 – you won’t need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state. This is a great time to take a friend or family member fishing! If you’re new to fishing check out the list of Free Fishing Weekend events. If you’re striking out on your own, the 2013 Spring Fishing Guide can help you pick a place to go.
SOUTHEAST ZONE FISHING
Weekend fishing opportunities:
Krumbo Reservoir has been stocked with 15,000 legal-sized trout and fishing should be good.
Fishing on the lower Owyhee River has been good, and with the warm temperatures this week the action on the surface should get even better.
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.
ANA RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
Reservoir is a great winter fishing location because water temperatures remain at 60 °F keeping trout and hybrid bass actively feeding.
ANA RIVER: hatchery rainbow trout
Rainbow trout are active throughout the year in the river and anglers have been catching fish with bait, flies or lures.
ANNIE CREEK: brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout
Annie Creek opened on April 27. Fishing regulations have changed on Annie Creek protect rainbow trout in the stream. The daily limit is two brown trout per day. All redband trout and bull trout must be released unharmed. There is no limit on brook trout. Fishing is always slow on Annie Creek due to the low abundance of fish. Currently flows are very high, very cold, and turbid. Access to fishing is available at the USFS snow park just before you enter Crater Lake National Park.
BALM CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, crappie
The reservoir will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout the week of May 6. The water level is very low for this time of year.
BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout
Recent fishing reports indicate catch rates are fair to good. Average size of trout ranged from 12 to 18 inches. The reservoir water level is continues to drop, it was 55 percent full and inflows averaged 162 cfs (May 20). The boat ramp is open and usable. Most of the snow in the mountains has melted and spring flows should begin to drop soon. Early prognostications of the reservoir reaching minimum water level is for mid-August.
USBR crews will be sampling fish populations in the reservoir. If you catch a tagged trout report it to either the Ontario office at 541-889-6975 or the Hines office at 541-573-6582.
BLITZEN RIVER: trout
Flows in the Blitzen River at Page Springs Gauge have decreased and fishing conditions should approve; 158 cfs (May 20). Over the last week, water temperatures at Page Springs gauge ranged from 52ËšF to 58ËšF. Catch rates have dropped with the higher flows. The upper Blitzen is closed to harvest until late May; the Little Blitzen remains open year around for catch-and-release.
BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and trout.
The reservoir water level continues to drop; it was 57 percent full on May 20. The boat ramp is open and usable. Recent fishing reports indicate a few 6 to 8 inch crappies are being caught. Early prognostications of the reservoir reaching minimum water level is for mid-August.
BURNS POND: trout, bass
Fishing has been slow for trout 8 to 10-inches.
CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout
The river below Hwy 31 in Paisley closed to fishing Oct. 31. The river upstream of Hwy 31 remains open and the use of bait is PROHIBITED! The river is ice free in Paisley, but is turbid.
CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout
The reservoir is increasing from half-full and remains very turbid. No recent fishing report.
COTTONWOOD MEADOWS: rainbow trout, brook trout
Current ice conditions and thickness are unknown. The road to the lake is nearly open and may open for vehicle access in the next few weeks depending on weather conditions.
COW LAKES: largemouth bass, white crappie, brown bullheads, rainbow trout
Neither lake filled this year. It is likely that both lakes will be drawn down to very low levels by early summer. No recent fishing reports.
DELINTMENT LAKE: trout
Good fishing for holdover trout in the 10 to 12-inch size range.
DEMING CREEK: redband trout and bull trout
Deming Creek opens this Saturday, May 25 to protect spawning redband trout. This includes the irrigation ditch that runs into Campbell Reservoir. Deming Creek is a very small stream with small redband trout. Angling for bull trout is always closed.
DEVILS LAKE (FISHHOLE CREEK): largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead
Fishing is good for bass and bullhead.
DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead
The reservoir is ice-free but the water temperature remains cool limiting bass activity. Perch fishing may be an option because they are active at cooler water temperatures and usually spawn when water temperatures reach 50-55 °F. The reservoir is closed to the retention of trout to protect native redband trout.
DUNCAN RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
The reservoir is ice-free, but water temperatures are still in the low 40s. Fish will become more active as the water warms over the next month. The reservoir is 70-80 percent full and small boats can be launched at the boat ramp.
FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): rainbow trout, brook trout
The Steens Mountain Loop is closed; but from the north side you can access up to Jackson Park, on the south end you can get to the bottom of Big Indian Gorge. The full loop will likely not be open until July. The lake is free of snow and ice.
FOURMILE LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout
Access blocked by snow. A snowmobile can be used to reach the lake but ice conditions are unknown.
GERBER RESERVOIR: crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass
Fishing has been slow with a few small yellow perch begin caught. Gerber Reservoir currently holds the State record for white crappie at 4 pounds 12 ounces.
HAINES POND: rainbow
The pond has been stocked with both legal-sized and larger one-pound rainbow trout. Fishing should be good.
HEART LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee
No recent reports. Ice is pulling away from the edges and will soon be completely gone. Anglers can access the reservoir using either the Fish Hole Creek road or the Quartz Mountain road (3715). The reservoir is day-use only and has a boat ramp, picnic tables, and a pit toilet.
HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Anglers can access the reservoir using either the Fish Hole Creek road or the Quartz Mountain road (3715). Local anglers are reporting some success using various methods. The reservoir has a few primitive camp sites, boat ramp, and pit toilet.
HWY 203 POND: trout, bass, bluegill
The pond has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout.
J.C. BOYLE RESERVOIR (Topsy Reservoir): Largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, crappie, goldfish
Fishing for warmwater fish is good especially for brown bullhead. Fishing for brown bullhead is best at the day use areas immediately upstream and downstream of the bridge crossing JC Boyle Reservoir. Fishing for crappie has been good especially around the bridge crossing.
JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout
Fishing in the lake is good for cutthroat trout. A large portion of the lake is privately owned, although bank access is permitted. Please be respectful of private property.
KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: redband trout and yellow perch
Fishing has been good for all methods. Anglers are successful trolling lures, using dead minnows near the bottom and casting flies and lures. Redband trout are scattered throughout the lake. ODFW encourages catch and release as this fishery is managed for trophy trout. It is unlawful to continue to fish for the same type of fish after taking and retaining a catch or possession limit. Algae is starting to bloom and can be quite dense in certain areas. The windy weather might cause an increase in turbidity in the lake thus reducing the catch rate.
KLAMATH RIVER: native rainbow-redband trout
Fishing with flies or lures has been fair. Look for blizzard hatches of mayflies and caddis flies. The current flow level of 793 cfs below Keno Dam provides very good fishing opportunities. Make sure you check the flows before you go as they change almost daily and will likely increase later this week as rain subsides. Typically flows are decreased in this section of river when flows are being met at Iron Gate Dam from increased precipitation below Keno Dam. The river remains turbid. The water temperatures are ideal for redband trout at this time. Anglers should wear wading belt, studded wading boots and carry a wading staff. The Klamath River below Keno Dam is turbid and the substrate is composed of large, angular boulders with bedrock drop-offs. Large trout over 20 inches are abundant.
The Klamath River between JC Boyle Dam to JC Boyle Powerhouse offers excellent spinner fishing as well as good dry fly fishing with small flies. Most fish in this section are small and average 10 inches. This section remains near a constant 360 cfs of flow. Salmonflies and golden stoneflies are hatching. Try size 12-14 elk hair caddis or stimulators. The smaller fish in this section usually can’t take larger salmonfly adult fly patterns.
Below the JC Boyle powerhouse the fish get slightly larger than the aforementioned reach and average 12 inches but rarely exceed sixteen inches. River flows in this section are typically quite high during the day. Fishing trips should be planned when flows are lower.
Check current flow levels here. If flows are 900 cfs or lower the river is fishable. Look for blue winged olive mayfly hatches around noon. Look for back eddies and rising fish. Dead drifting rubber legged stonefly patterns can be good. A four wheel drive vehicle is currently needed to access this area. Most fish are in the 6-8 inch range but numerous 12 inch fish can be caught with 16 inches the maximum. Currently, operation at the hydro system below the powerhouse has operated with high flows (peaking) throughout most daylight hours. Lower flows might be encountered in the evening after six pm. Fishing is slow. Salmonflies and golden stoneflies should are hatching.
KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout and largemouth bass
Opened to fishing April 27. Fishing was good for trout and bass. The lake was stocked with 15,000 legal-sized trout before opening weekend.
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 will be stocked this week with legal and trophy rainbow trout. Fishing should be good for hatchery rainbow trout. Fishing is good for yellow perch using small lures, flies or bait. Yellow perch are actively spawning. Fishing for largemouth bass is good around large wood in the lake and around the multiple docks along the lakeshore. Call Lake of the Woods Resort for recent reports Toll Free at 866-201-4194 or visit their website.
LOFTON RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Ice is pulling away from the edges and will soon be completely gone. Anglers can access the reservoir using either the Fish Hole Creek road or the Quartz Mountain road (3715). The reservoir is has a 26-unit campground, boat ramp, picnic tables, and a pit toilet.
LOST RIVER: largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch
Fishing is fair for brown bullhead at Crystal Springs Day use area. Largemouth bass and yellow perch are also available and fishing has improved. Boats can be launched at Crystal Springs and at the ODOT Mitigation Wetland off Highway 140 just east of Olene. Fishing for largemouth bass should be good in the vicinity of Big Springs in Bonanza.
MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
The reservoir is barely half full. The boat ramp is in the water and useable. The catch rates remain slow but the trout are big. This reservoir did not receive any fingerling rainbow trout last spring, so numbers of trout in the reservoir are lower than normal.
MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout
Water releases from Warm Springs Reservoir averaged 339 cfs on May 20. Fishing the Riverside area is expected to be slow, water is turbid.
MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout.
Discharge at Juntura averaged 633 cfs on May 20. The water temperature below Warm Springs Dam ranged from 52ËšF to 60ËšF and below Beulah Dam it ranged from 53ËšF to 59ËšF over the last week. No recent fishing reports.
MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: redband trout, whitefish, and bull trout
Roads in the area are free of snow. Fishing for redband trout should be improving.
MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: redband trout, brook trout, and bull trout
Most roads into this area are free of snow. Fishing for trout is slow primarily due to high and cold water.
MANN LAKE: trout
The lake is free of ice. Catch rates are good for cutthroat trout in the lake. Most fish are 14 to 16-inches long, with several over 20-inches being caught.
MILLER LAKE: brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout
Access blocked by snow. A snowmobile can be used to reach the lake but ice conditions are unknown.
MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout
No recent fishing reports, but trout fishing is expected to be best during the spring months. Bass fishing should improve with the warmer weather.
MUD LAKE: trout
The reservoir was still iced-over as of March 15.
MURRAY RESERVOIR: trout
The reservoir has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout.
NORTH POWDER POND: rainbow trout
The Pond has been stocked with both legal-sized and larger one-pound rainbow trout. Fishing should be good.
OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, catfish
The water level in the reservoir continues to slowly drop, it was 43 percent of full and inflows averaged 174 cfs (May 20). Spring runoff season is coming to unusually early end due to very low snow pack. The boat ramps at McCormack State Park and Leslie Gulch remain out of the water increasing the difficulty of launching and retrieval of boats. All other boat ramps are open for use. Fishing is improving. The best fishing for both bass and crappie occurred from Dry Creek arm to Doe island.
ODFW tagged about 300 crappies with reward tags. If you should catch a tagged crappie, record the tag number and approximate location fish was caught and report information to the phone number on the tag.
OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout and hatchery rainbow trout
Water releases below Owyhee Dam are averaging 162 cfs (May 20). Fishing for trout is fair to good. A few rainbow trout have been caught from the work camp downstream to the tunnel. The average size of brown trout ranges from 16 to 20 inches. With the continued warming conditions, anglers should see an improvement of surface angling.
ODFW conducted spawning surveys in the Owyhee River below Owyhee Dam on Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 8-9. A total of 1,488 brown trout redds were counted for a density of 197.3 redds per mile. Only in 2009 and 2010 were more redds counted.
OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish
Owyhee River flows remained relatively stable over the last week, averaging 168 cfs on May 20. Fishing for smallmouth and channel catfish is improving.
PAIUTE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, Lahontan cutthroat trout
The reservoir is ice-free and low. Fishing will be best during the spring when water temperatures are below 65 °F.
PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch
The reservoir is at 57 percent of capacity. Fishing is fair to good for 8 to 12-inch rainbow trout. Fishing is slow for yellow perch.
PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout, crappie
Fishing is fair for 10 to 14-inch rainbow trout. The high-water boat launch is functional.
POISON CREEK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
Spring fishing has been good for carry over trout in the reservoir.
POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
The reservoir is barely half full and dropping. Catch rates remain slow. This reservoir did not receive any fingerling rainbow trout last spring, so numbers of trout in the reservoir is lower than normal.
POWDER RIVER: trout, spring chinook
The reach immediately below Mason Dam has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout.
PRIDAY RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout
The reservoir is ice-free and some anglers have been fishing. The trout range in size from 13 to 15-inches, but are skinny because of competition from brown bullhead. Anglers should consider keeping a limit of trout. Anglers can catch rainbow trout using bait, lures and flies.
SKY LAKES AND MOUNTAIN LAKE WILDERNESS: brook trout and rainbow trout
All wilderness lakes are blocked by snow.
SHERLOCK GULCH RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
No recent report.
SPAULDING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
No recent fishing reports, but it is likely ice-free. Please consider keeping a limit of trout if you fish this reservoir.
SPENCER CREEK: redband trout, brook trout.
Spencer Creek opens May 25. Fishing will be very good for small redband trout, most less than 8-inches.
SPRAGUE RIVER: wild redband trout, brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, largemouth bass
Sprague River opened to angling on April 27 from Saddle Mountain Pitt Road bridge upstream including all tributaries except Deming Creek. River flows are very low for this time of year. Due to the low abundance of redband trout in most of the Sprague River fishing will be fair. The low flows will allow for a more successful outing. The best locations to fish for trout are around Beatty. The Sprague River opens on May 25 from the mouth to Saddle Mountain Pitt Road. Fishing should be fair for redband trout.
NORTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: wild redband trout, brown trout, brook trout
Fishing should be good at most areas as flow is very low for this time of year. The North Fork Sprague River at the 3411 road crossing is a high gradient river with mostly white water at this time. If you can receive permission to fish on private property below the 3411 road then fishing will be very good. Fishing regulations have changed to allow the harvest of two brown trout and two redband trout as part of your daily bag limit. There is no daily limit on brook trout.
SEVENMILE CREEK: brook trout, brown trout, redband trout
Fishing was very good for brook trout on opening weekend. Angling regulations have changed on Sevenmile Creek to allow for the harvest of two brown trout per day. All redband trout must be released unharmed. There is no limit on brook trout. Public access occurs above Nicholson Road. Below Nicholson Road is private property.
SOUTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER AND ALL TRIBUTARIES: redband trout, brook trout, brown trout
Fishing was very slow at the USFS day use area despite ideal flow conditions. Access is also open to a larger portion of the watershed due to a reduced snow pack. Fishing regulations have changed to allow the harvest of two brown trout and two redband trout as part of your daily bag limit. There is no daily limit on brook trout. Angling for bull trout is closed. Any bull trout captured should be reported to ODFW at (541-883-5732).
SPRING CREEK: redband trout, brown trout, brook trout
Spring Creek opens to angling on May 25. Fishing will be slow as the creek is very clear and cold with few adult fish.
SUN CREEK: brook trout, brown trout, bull trout
ODFW does not recommend angling on Sun Creek as most of the fish were removed last year. The creek will be treated again in 2013.
SYCAN RIVER: wild redband trout, brook trout, brown trout
Fishing should be good at most areas as flow is very low for this time of year. Access is also open to a larger portion of the watershed due to a reduced snow pack. Fishing regulations have changed to allow the harvest of two brown trout and two redband trout as part of your daily bag limit. There is no daily limit on brook trout.
THOMPSON RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Spring can be fantastic for large rainbow trout at this reservoir. The reservoir is ice-free and fishing will be best during the spring when water temperatures remain below 65 °F.
THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout
The reservoir is at 93 percent of capacity and receding. Boat anglers have reported good success for rainbow 10 to 14-inches; however, bank anglers report slow fishing. The reservoir was drained last summer so there are no holdover fish. It was stocked with sub-legal rainbows in November.
UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie
The reservoir is at 74 percent of capacity and receding. Boat anglers report good fishing for 12-15 inch rainbows. Bank fishing is slower. Anglers are reminded that a new regulation is in place allowing harvest of bass only under 15 inches in length.
WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, white crappie, catfish, perch, and hatchery rainbow trout
The water level in the reservoir continues to drop. Spring runoff season is coming to an early end due to low snow pack. The reservoir was 42 percent full and inflows averaged 82 cfs (May 20). No recent fishing reports.
WARNER POND: trout
The reservoir is ice-free. Anglers should consider fishing here early in the spring before it weeds begin to make angling difficult.
UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: wild redband trout, brook trout
The Upper Williamson River (from Kirk Bridge to Headwaters) and all tributaries opened on April 27. Fishing was slow at public areas over the weekend. Access is also open to a larger portion of the watershed due to a reduced snow pack. There is no daily limit on brook trout.
Lower Williamson River: wild redband trout, brown trout
The Williamson River opens May 25 from the mouth to Kirk Bridge. Angling should be fair. Flows are very low for this time of year but still turbid. Most large redband trout remain in the lake this month.
WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill
Fishing for warmwater game fish has been good. Look for bass in the Antelope Creek arm or in the shallow bay just north of the dam.
WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout
The reservoir is lower than normal for this time of year, but the boat launch is functional. Fishing is fair for 10 to 12-inch rainbows.
WOOD RIVER and all tributaries: wild redband trout, brown trout, brook trout
The Wood River is slightly turbid due to snowmelt at Crater Lake Park. Annie and Sun Creek are experiencing high and turbid flows which enter the Wood River causing increased turbidity. Fishing regulations have changed on Wood River to allow for the harvest of two brown trout per day. All redband trout must be released unharmed. There is no limit on brook trout. The Wood River is fished most effectively from boat as there is little public property. Boats launched at Loosley, Fort Klamath or headwaters need to be low profile to get under bridges. Typical drift boats will not make it. Drift boats can be launched at Weed Road or Petric Park. Casting spoons or plugs upstream into pools is effective at catching brown trout. Access from shore is available at the Wood River BLM wetland and the USFS Day Use Area. Brown trout are currently feeding on worms. Bait is not allowed but imitations such as San Juan worm flies can be effective. Remember plastic worms are considered bait and are prohibited on the Wood River.
YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout
Access to the lake is open, and early spring fishing for holdover trout has been good. The lake has been stocked with legal sized trout for the season.
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