Best fishing lakes in Oregon: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Detroit Lake

At 3,500 acres of water, Detroit Lake is a good-sized lake. The fish here are trout, kokanee salmon and largemouth bass. At about 440 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Detroit Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Owyhee

Lake Owyhee spreads over 13,900 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Caldwell (about 27 miles). It is the Owyhee River behind Owyhee Dam. It holds crappie, trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 117 ft.

Lake Owyhee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Upper Klamath Lake

At 61,500 acres, Upper Klamath Lake is a huge piece of water. You will find it within an easy drive of Medford (about 40 miles). Trout are the draw. Upper Klamath Lake is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in Oregon.

Upper Klamath Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Crater Lake

Crater Lake spreads over some 13,200 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Medford (about 55 miles). Expect trout and kokanee salmon. It goes down to about 1949 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and among the clearest lakes in the world. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Crater Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Billy Chinook

At 4,000 acres of water, Lake Billy Chinook is a good-sized lake. The lake is about 2.4 miles southeast of Culver. It is the Deschutes/Crooked/Metolius behind Round Butte Dam. Trout, smallmouth bass and kokanee salmon are the draw. The deepest water is around 415 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Lake Billy Chinook is formed by Round Butte Dam at the confluence of the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers.

Lake Billy Chinook today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Malheur Lake

At some 49,700 acres, Malheur Lake is a big lake. It lies near Hines. The fish here are trout. At about 5 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and an upper arm: good places to start. Malheur Lake is a large, shallow lake whose surface area varies dramatically between drought and wet cycles.

Malheur Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Hart Lake

At 7,320 acres of water, Hart Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies about 27 miles southwest of Lakeview. Expect crappie, smallmouth bass, trout and catfish. The deepest water is around 11 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and an upper arm: good places to start. Hart Lake is the most stable lake in Oregon's Warner Lakes chain, fed by steady flow from Honey Creek.

Hart Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Odell Lake

Odell Lake covers 3,580 acres of water. It lies near Oakridge. The fish here are trout, kokanee salmon and lake trout. It goes down to about 282 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work.

Odell Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Crump Lake

Crump Lake covers 7,680 acres of water. It lies about 24 miles west of Lakeview. Crappie, smallmouth bass and trout are the draw. The deepest water is around 6 ft.

Crump Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Crescent Lake

At some 4,550 acres, Crescent Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it about 50 miles northeast of Bend. The fish here are trout and kokanee salmon. At about 265 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Crescent Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Brownlee Reservoir

Brownlee Reservoir spreads over 15,000 acres of water. It lies near Weiser. It is the Snake River behind Brownlee Dam. The usual Oregon mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Brownlee Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Wickiup Reservoir

Wickiup Reservoir spreads over some 10,300 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Bend (about 31 miles). Wickiup Dam holds it on the Deschutes River. Trout are the draw. It goes down to about 70 ft. Its bed shows four steep ledges worth a first look. Wickiup Reservoir is considered one of the best lakes in Oregon for trophy brown trout.

Wickiup Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Oregon lakes by fish

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Detroit Lake, Lake Owyhee, Lake Billy Chinook and Hart Lake
• Walleye: Brownlee Reservoir, Gerber Reservoir, Warm Springs Reservoir and Lookout Point Lake
• Trout: Detroit Lake, Lake Owyhee, Upper Klamath Lake and Crater Lake
• Crappie: Lake Owyhee, Hart Lake, Crump Lake and Brownlee Reservoir
• Catfish: Lake Owyhee, Hart Lake, Brownlee Reservoir and Gerber Reservoir

Season by season

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually at their best. Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

Before you go

Buy a Oregon fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.