09-14-2007, 02:10 AM
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Angling for rainbow trout is poor. Water temperature is warm and fish are concentrated in the deeper water and lethargic. Opportunities should pick up in the fall.
BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing has picked up some. The cooler nights typically lead to more fish activity so the bite might start to pickup.
CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout
Clear Lake has been stocked several times this spring with both legal and trophy sized rainbow trout. Fishing should remain good as long reservoir levels remain full.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Anglers are having fair success for rainbow trout in the 10 to 12 inch range. For best results work the Deschutes channel area.
CRESCENT LAKE: brown trout, kokanee
Kokanee bite is said to be very good. Brown trout and lake trout fishing is still slow.
CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout
Opportunities for rainbow trout are fair. Recent surveys indicate the trout population remains low compared to previous years. Whitefish are very abundant. Anglers are encouraged to harvest this highly edible game fish.
CULTUS LAKE:
No recent reports.
DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, redband trout
Fishing has been fair to good. Water levels are low making boat launching a challenge.
Deschutes River - River users should be aware that recent wildfires have burned along both banks of river from Heritage Landing State Park (rivermile 0.4) upstream to the Sharps Bar area (rivermile 6.0). Both sides of the river suffered intermittent burning into the streamside vegetation. Public access is still open throughout the area, but anglers should be prepared to encounter burned conditions, which may limit camping opportunities in this area. Camping is not affected at Heritage Landing State Park.
Sherars Falls to Warm Springs - Trout anglers should find good success in both the early morning and late evening. Generally large insect hatches are limited in September, but small hatches still occur frequently. Anglers should focus their efforts in the morning and evening hours when river temperatures are coolest. Fair numbers of steelhead are now moving upstream of Sherars Falls, and should begin to provide anglers some opportunity.
Mouth to Sherars Falls - Steelhead are dispersed from the mouth upstream to Sherars Falls. Fishing along the Macks Canyon access road has been decent and will continue to improve. Walk in anglers from Heritage Landing have been reporting good success in the lower river. Fly anglers should focus their efforts on morning and evening hours, as the sun leaves the river. Fall Chinook are being caught in the Sherars Falls area, along with a few steelhead.
Trout Anglers:
Fly anglers in the Warm Springs Area continue to find good success on the tail end of the salmonfly and golden stone hatch. Downstream of Trout Creek fly anglers should begin focusing on nymphs and other hatches such as caddis or mayflies. Anglers should focus their attention near the river bank or in back eddies. Anglers are reminded that extremely warm temperatures may trigger glacial melting on the White River, and fishing conditions in the Deschutes downstream of White River may be less than optimal due to turbid waters.
Spring Chinook:
Fishing has slowed considerably in the Sherars Falls area. The bulk of the catch is beginning to be comprised of jacks, indicating most of the run has likely past upstream.
DESCHUTES RIVER: Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls:
No anglers were observed on the river as basis for a report.
Benham Falls to Wickiup Reservoir:
No recent reports.
Wickiup to Crane Prairie Reservoir:
No recent report.
Crane Prairie to Little Lava Lake:
No recent reports.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers are reportedly catching rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. The fishing tends to be a little better in the evening when the temperatures start to drop.
ELK LAKE: brook trout, kokanee
No recent report.
FALL RIVER:
Anglers are reporting fair to good success.
FROG LAKE: rainbow trout
Frog Lake was recently stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Anglers should expect good success.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout
Opportunities for 12-18 inch rainbow and brown trout are poor.
HOOD RIVER: spring chinook, summer steelhead
Steelhead fishing has been slow on the Hood River, as warm temperatures have caused glacial melting, resulting in turbid river conditions much of the time. Anglers should watch river conditions, as fresh steelhead will be available when water conditions improve. Anglers are reminded that Chinook and coho angling is closed on the Hood River.
HOSMER LAKE:
Angling has been slow.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
Kokanee angling has been picking up with good catches reported in all three arms of the reservoir. Fish are larger this year with the average size 12-14 inches.
LAKE SIMTUSTUS: rainbow trout
Opportunities for 8-10 inch rainbow trout are excellent. A limited number of carryover trout from 14-18 inches are also available. Tribal angling permit as well as State license is required.
LAURANCE LAKE: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass
Laurance Lake has been stocked with fin clipped hatchery rainbow trout. Anglers should find good success on both hatchery trout, and naturally produced wild trout. Anglers are reminded that only artificial flies and lures are allowed, and only fin-clipped trout can be kept. Anglers are encouraged to keep all smallmouth bass caught.
LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout
Anglers reported good success over the weekend.
LOST LAKE: rainbow trout
Lost Lake has been recently stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Some naturally produced brown trout are also available for anglers. Anglers should focus on the shallower shoal areas for best success.
METOLIUS RIVER:
Reports of anglers having success for rainbow trout.
NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout
Angling has been slow.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good. Black crappie angling has been excellent. Anglers should target areas with cover near the shoreline.
ODELL LAKE: kokanee
The kokanee bite has slowed though folks are still picking up few. The three and four year fish have yet to show sign of moving into the spawning phase.
PAULINA LAKE: kokanee, brown trout
The bite for kokanee continues to be good. The kokanee are starting to show signs of moving into their spawning phase. A few folks are catching browns and some nice rainbow trout have also been reported to have been caught.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Pine Hollow Reservoir was stocked several times with legal and trophy size hatchery rainbow. Warm water anglers should begin finding good success as temperatures warm.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good.
ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Rock Creek Reservoir has been stocked several times with legal and trophy size hatchery rainbow. Fishing should remain good until reservoir levels begin dropping.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing on South Twin is fair.
SUTTLE LAKE:
No recent report.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
Opportunities for legal sized rainbow trout should be good.
Back to the top
HUNTING
New: Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast
Open: Band-tailed pigeon (open Sept. 15-23), general deer and elk bow seasons, forest grouse and mourning dove, mt quail in Hood River and Wasco counties, pronghorn antelope, cougar, bear, September Canada Goose (closes Sept. 13), Western High Cascades (controlled deer hunt in Hood, White River units)
The bag limit for September Canada geese in eastern Oregon was reduced from five to three this year due to declining populations.
The Dalles Wildlife District
Bull Elk
- Fish and Wildlife-<br />
Maupin and West Biggs offer the highest bull ratios for hunters in the district but most of the units are private lands and permission must first be obtained. A mild winter helped with fawn survivability.
Surveys show bull elk ratios have met management objectives in the White River and Hood units.
The Hood unit and the forested portion of White River Wildlife Area can provide excellent opportunity for bear hunters, especially in clear cuts and huckleberry fields. Hunters should focus on still hunting in clearings, spending a good deal of time glassing.
Grouse wing barrels are scattered around the White River and Hood units to collect wings of blue and ruffed grouse and mt. quail. We ask each successful hunter to contribute a wing and tail off of each harvested bird.
White River Wildlife Area near Tygh Valley is a popular destination for deer, elk and turkey hunters. ODFW is accepting public comments on a draft plan (pdf) to manage the area for the next 10 years. Among the issues the department will consider are any recommended changes to rules for off highway vehicle use and shed antler collecting, activities which are increasing on the area.
Comments on the plan can be emailed to ODFW.Comments@state.or.us by Sept. 14.
Prineville Wildlife District
Antlerless Elk<br />
- Photo by Robert Mutch -<br />
Cooler temperatures and rain have improved hunting conditions. Archers are reminded a controlled elk tag is needed to hunt in the Ochoco Unit. The Maury and Ochoco units offer the most public land, and hunters concentrating on areas with water, and the cooler north slopes have been enjoying better success. The Ochoco Unit also contains the South Boundary Travel Management Area on the Lookout Mtn. Ranger District where motorized vehicle restrictions are in effect.
Early antlerless elk hunts currently ongoing in portions of the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units primarily on or near agricultural private lands. These hunts are intended to help manage elk on private lands and hunters need to contact and have permission from landowners to hunt.
Mourning doves are still present and hunters should take advantage while the weather cooperates. The largest numbers of birds are around agricultural lands, but good numbers have also been using springs and water sources located on nearby BLM and Crooked River National Grasslands. Hunters are reminded permission is needed to hunt private lands, and to consult local BLM and Crooked River National Grasslands offices regarding fire restrictions.
The best opportunities for blue and ruffed grouse will be on the higher elevations on the Ochoco National Forest. The better area will be on the heavier forested north slopes across the Paulina and Lookout Mountain Ranger Districts.
VIEWING
Swallows<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel-
Bend Area
Fall migration of birds is underway. Visit Sawyer and Shevlin Parks in Bend; Wychus Creek near Sisters; and Crooked River near Smith Rock State Park. For passerine species such as warblers, vireos, sparrows and other small birds a good place to search is in riparian vegetation along the Deschutes River and tributaries. Passerine birds are perching birds, that is, they have feet that allow them to hold onto branches and other perches.
Swallows are starting to gather for the southern migration. Look for large numbers of them sitting together on a telephone wires. Rural areas near water are best bets for seeing these "staging" birds.
With the cooling temperatures of late summer, the twilight hours along blacktopped roads attract a lot of flying insects. It's not uncommon to see good numbers of nighthawks "hawking" for these insects. Some warm roads also attract bull snakes and lizards that seek out the comfort of warm pavement.
High Desert Museum
At daily shows and demonstrations, wildlife experts will help you learn about the museum's more than 100 wildlife creatures "• from porcupines, golden eagles and owls, to bats, lizards, snakes and spiders.
High Desert Museum wildlife show schedule
The museum is located at 59800 S. Highway 97 in Bend. It is only 10 minutes from the Old Mill in Bend on South Highway 97. Many of the area's key destinations are within short driving distance from the museum.
Madras Area
Haystack Reservoir, Crooked River National Grasslands, is 10 miles south of Madras can provide a good opportunity to see waterfowl such as common loon, horned grebe, red-necked grebe and eared grebe that stop here during migration.
Directions to the Haystack Reservoir, Crooked River National Grasslands and list of wildlife
Prineville Area
Local reservoirs offer viewing of waterfowl and shorebirds as they feed, rest and prepare for fall migrations. Large flocks of Canadian geese and ducks have been using the mudflats at the eastern end of Ochoco and Prineville Reservoir. Ochoco Reservoir is visible from Hwy. 26, eight miles east of Prineville.
The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area offers opportunities to see a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors including bald and golden eagles and osprey, furbearers such as beaver, otter, and raccoons. The early morning or late afternoon offer the best viewing times, and visitors should use the north side access road. The road is unimproved so a high clearance SUV or pickup is recommended. There is access by canoe or kayak which offers a wonderful opportunity to see areas not accessible by foot or vehicle.
Angling for rainbow trout is poor. Water temperature is warm and fish are concentrated in the deeper water and lethargic. Opportunities should pick up in the fall.
BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing has picked up some. The cooler nights typically lead to more fish activity so the bite might start to pickup.
CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout
Clear Lake has been stocked several times this spring with both legal and trophy sized rainbow trout. Fishing should remain good as long reservoir levels remain full.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Anglers are having fair success for rainbow trout in the 10 to 12 inch range. For best results work the Deschutes channel area.
CRESCENT LAKE: brown trout, kokanee
Kokanee bite is said to be very good. Brown trout and lake trout fishing is still slow.
CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout
Opportunities for rainbow trout are fair. Recent surveys indicate the trout population remains low compared to previous years. Whitefish are very abundant. Anglers are encouraged to harvest this highly edible game fish.
CULTUS LAKE:
No recent reports.
DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, redband trout
Fishing has been fair to good. Water levels are low making boat launching a challenge.
Deschutes River - River users should be aware that recent wildfires have burned along both banks of river from Heritage Landing State Park (rivermile 0.4) upstream to the Sharps Bar area (rivermile 6.0). Both sides of the river suffered intermittent burning into the streamside vegetation. Public access is still open throughout the area, but anglers should be prepared to encounter burned conditions, which may limit camping opportunities in this area. Camping is not affected at Heritage Landing State Park.
Sherars Falls to Warm Springs - Trout anglers should find good success in both the early morning and late evening. Generally large insect hatches are limited in September, but small hatches still occur frequently. Anglers should focus their efforts in the morning and evening hours when river temperatures are coolest. Fair numbers of steelhead are now moving upstream of Sherars Falls, and should begin to provide anglers some opportunity.
Mouth to Sherars Falls - Steelhead are dispersed from the mouth upstream to Sherars Falls. Fishing along the Macks Canyon access road has been decent and will continue to improve. Walk in anglers from Heritage Landing have been reporting good success in the lower river. Fly anglers should focus their efforts on morning and evening hours, as the sun leaves the river. Fall Chinook are being caught in the Sherars Falls area, along with a few steelhead.
Trout Anglers:
Fly anglers in the Warm Springs Area continue to find good success on the tail end of the salmonfly and golden stone hatch. Downstream of Trout Creek fly anglers should begin focusing on nymphs and other hatches such as caddis or mayflies. Anglers should focus their attention near the river bank or in back eddies. Anglers are reminded that extremely warm temperatures may trigger glacial melting on the White River, and fishing conditions in the Deschutes downstream of White River may be less than optimal due to turbid waters.
Spring Chinook:
Fishing has slowed considerably in the Sherars Falls area. The bulk of the catch is beginning to be comprised of jacks, indicating most of the run has likely past upstream.
DESCHUTES RIVER: Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls:
No anglers were observed on the river as basis for a report.
Benham Falls to Wickiup Reservoir:
No recent reports.
Wickiup to Crane Prairie Reservoir:
No recent report.
Crane Prairie to Little Lava Lake:
No recent reports.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers are reportedly catching rainbow trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon. The fishing tends to be a little better in the evening when the temperatures start to drop.
ELK LAKE: brook trout, kokanee
No recent report.
FALL RIVER:
Anglers are reporting fair to good success.
FROG LAKE: rainbow trout
Frog Lake was recently stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Anglers should expect good success.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout
Opportunities for 12-18 inch rainbow and brown trout are poor.
HOOD RIVER: spring chinook, summer steelhead
Steelhead fishing has been slow on the Hood River, as warm temperatures have caused glacial melting, resulting in turbid river conditions much of the time. Anglers should watch river conditions, as fresh steelhead will be available when water conditions improve. Anglers are reminded that Chinook and coho angling is closed on the Hood River.
HOSMER LAKE:
Angling has been slow.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
Kokanee angling has been picking up with good catches reported in all three arms of the reservoir. Fish are larger this year with the average size 12-14 inches.
LAKE SIMTUSTUS: rainbow trout
Opportunities for 8-10 inch rainbow trout are excellent. A limited number of carryover trout from 14-18 inches are also available. Tribal angling permit as well as State license is required.
LAURANCE LAKE: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass
Laurance Lake has been stocked with fin clipped hatchery rainbow trout. Anglers should find good success on both hatchery trout, and naturally produced wild trout. Anglers are reminded that only artificial flies and lures are allowed, and only fin-clipped trout can be kept. Anglers are encouraged to keep all smallmouth bass caught.
LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout
Anglers reported good success over the weekend.
LOST LAKE: rainbow trout
Lost Lake has been recently stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Some naturally produced brown trout are also available for anglers. Anglers should focus on the shallower shoal areas for best success.
METOLIUS RIVER:
Reports of anglers having success for rainbow trout.
NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout
Angling has been slow.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good. Black crappie angling has been excellent. Anglers should target areas with cover near the shoreline.
ODELL LAKE: kokanee
The kokanee bite has slowed though folks are still picking up few. The three and four year fish have yet to show sign of moving into the spawning phase.
PAULINA LAKE: kokanee, brown trout
The bite for kokanee continues to be good. The kokanee are starting to show signs of moving into their spawning phase. A few folks are catching browns and some nice rainbow trout have also been reported to have been caught.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Pine Hollow Reservoir was stocked several times with legal and trophy size hatchery rainbow. Warm water anglers should begin finding good success as temperatures warm.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good.
ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Rock Creek Reservoir has been stocked several times with legal and trophy size hatchery rainbow. Fishing should remain good until reservoir levels begin dropping.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing on South Twin is fair.
SUTTLE LAKE:
No recent report.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
Opportunities for legal sized rainbow trout should be good.
Back to the top
HUNTING
New: Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast
Open: Band-tailed pigeon (open Sept. 15-23), general deer and elk bow seasons, forest grouse and mourning dove, mt quail in Hood River and Wasco counties, pronghorn antelope, cougar, bear, September Canada Goose (closes Sept. 13), Western High Cascades (controlled deer hunt in Hood, White River units)
The bag limit for September Canada geese in eastern Oregon was reduced from five to three this year due to declining populations.
The Dalles Wildlife District
Bull Elk
- Fish and Wildlife-<br />
Maupin and West Biggs offer the highest bull ratios for hunters in the district but most of the units are private lands and permission must first be obtained. A mild winter helped with fawn survivability.
Surveys show bull elk ratios have met management objectives in the White River and Hood units.
The Hood unit and the forested portion of White River Wildlife Area can provide excellent opportunity for bear hunters, especially in clear cuts and huckleberry fields. Hunters should focus on still hunting in clearings, spending a good deal of time glassing.
Grouse wing barrels are scattered around the White River and Hood units to collect wings of blue and ruffed grouse and mt. quail. We ask each successful hunter to contribute a wing and tail off of each harvested bird.
White River Wildlife Area near Tygh Valley is a popular destination for deer, elk and turkey hunters. ODFW is accepting public comments on a draft plan (pdf) to manage the area for the next 10 years. Among the issues the department will consider are any recommended changes to rules for off highway vehicle use and shed antler collecting, activities which are increasing on the area.
Comments on the plan can be emailed to ODFW.Comments@state.or.us by Sept. 14.
Prineville Wildlife District
Antlerless Elk<br />
- Photo by Robert Mutch -<br />
Cooler temperatures and rain have improved hunting conditions. Archers are reminded a controlled elk tag is needed to hunt in the Ochoco Unit. The Maury and Ochoco units offer the most public land, and hunters concentrating on areas with water, and the cooler north slopes have been enjoying better success. The Ochoco Unit also contains the South Boundary Travel Management Area on the Lookout Mtn. Ranger District where motorized vehicle restrictions are in effect.
Early antlerless elk hunts currently ongoing in portions of the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units primarily on or near agricultural private lands. These hunts are intended to help manage elk on private lands and hunters need to contact and have permission from landowners to hunt.
Mourning doves are still present and hunters should take advantage while the weather cooperates. The largest numbers of birds are around agricultural lands, but good numbers have also been using springs and water sources located on nearby BLM and Crooked River National Grasslands. Hunters are reminded permission is needed to hunt private lands, and to consult local BLM and Crooked River National Grasslands offices regarding fire restrictions.
The best opportunities for blue and ruffed grouse will be on the higher elevations on the Ochoco National Forest. The better area will be on the heavier forested north slopes across the Paulina and Lookout Mountain Ranger Districts.
VIEWING
Swallows<br />
- Photo by Kathy Munsel-
Bend Area
Fall migration of birds is underway. Visit Sawyer and Shevlin Parks in Bend; Wychus Creek near Sisters; and Crooked River near Smith Rock State Park. For passerine species such as warblers, vireos, sparrows and other small birds a good place to search is in riparian vegetation along the Deschutes River and tributaries. Passerine birds are perching birds, that is, they have feet that allow them to hold onto branches and other perches.
Swallows are starting to gather for the southern migration. Look for large numbers of them sitting together on a telephone wires. Rural areas near water are best bets for seeing these "staging" birds.
With the cooling temperatures of late summer, the twilight hours along blacktopped roads attract a lot of flying insects. It's not uncommon to see good numbers of nighthawks "hawking" for these insects. Some warm roads also attract bull snakes and lizards that seek out the comfort of warm pavement.
High Desert Museum
At daily shows and demonstrations, wildlife experts will help you learn about the museum's more than 100 wildlife creatures "• from porcupines, golden eagles and owls, to bats, lizards, snakes and spiders.
High Desert Museum wildlife show schedule
The museum is located at 59800 S. Highway 97 in Bend. It is only 10 minutes from the Old Mill in Bend on South Highway 97. Many of the area's key destinations are within short driving distance from the museum.
Madras Area
Haystack Reservoir, Crooked River National Grasslands, is 10 miles south of Madras can provide a good opportunity to see waterfowl such as common loon, horned grebe, red-necked grebe and eared grebe that stop here during migration.
Directions to the Haystack Reservoir, Crooked River National Grasslands and list of wildlife
Prineville Area
Local reservoirs offer viewing of waterfowl and shorebirds as they feed, rest and prepare for fall migrations. Large flocks of Canadian geese and ducks have been using the mudflats at the eastern end of Ochoco and Prineville Reservoir. Ochoco Reservoir is visible from Hwy. 26, eight miles east of Prineville.
The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area offers opportunities to see a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors including bald and golden eagles and osprey, furbearers such as beaver, otter, and raccoons. The early morning or late afternoon offer the best viewing times, and visitors should use the north side access road. The road is unimproved so a high clearance SUV or pickup is recommended. There is access by canoe or kayak which offers a wonderful opportunity to see areas not accessible by foot or vehicle.