Krumbo Reservoir, southeast of Burns, is well known for producing limits of rainbows, but it can also produce some good bass fishing as well. And the best bass fishing is along the bank, as Paxton Eicher learned when he tempted this largemouth with a plastic bait.

Last year, a note came in from a reader named Patty from Central Oregon.

“Hello Gary L., Every week I read your article in The Bulletin and every week I dream of fishing the lakes and streams that you reference. However, I do not fly-fish nor do I own a boat. With these two things missing from my life I become very discouraged.”

Patty, an Oregonian since 1980, said she has fished her whole life, but since moving here, she has struggled to find places to fish “because most of my fishing friends aren’t available when I can go, which is most of the time. I would love to read an article about the best places — lake, stream, or reservoir — to fish from the bank and some tips on fishing without flies or expensive lures.”

Patty, you’re probably speaking for more than 50 percent of the anglers who live in our state. But without a boat and without a fly rod, you’re not up a creek. Here are some early-season hotspots for bank anglers.

Century Gravel Pit is located off the road between Big Cultus and Little Cultus lakes. Nearby, try Sprague Pit, a shallow lake close to Crane Prairie Reservoir. Stocked with trout throughout the season, the fishing in both lakes gets better after the water warms.

If you need to take the kids fishing (17 and under), it’s hard to beat Shevlin Pond, west of Bend. Nestled in the pines in the Tumalo Creek drainage, Shevlin has an average depth of about three feet and is completely accessible all the way around. Fish will move from one end of the lake to the other depending on depth, shade and feed conditions.

Another good bet for the family is the new Pine Nursery Pond east of Bend. Trout are stocked here throughout the year.

In north Central Oregon, Pine Hollow Reservoir is set in a grove of pines and oaks, west of Tygh Valley. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife makes sure there are plenty of trout in Pine Hollow, including a number of brood stock rainbows 30 inches and bigger. From the bank, fish either side of the east shore boat ramp. At the south shore boat ramp, the bank access is west of the ramp.

In the Cascades, one of the best fishing lakes is Detroit Reservoir. With 32 miles of shoreline it is hard to imagine that some of the best fishing can be had from the bank. Try the inlets of the North Fork Santiam River, Breitenbush River, Tumble Creek and French Creek arms or fish beneath the Highway 22 Bridge or at the dam.

Headed east, my favorite spots are Krumbo Reservoir and Burns Pond. Burns Pond is located just east of Burns. Stocked in the spring, it is a sure bet for bank anglers.

A lot of people like Krumbo, a shallow desert lake, for the fly-fishing, but there is good bank access, particularly around the launch and picnic area. Anglers can walk from the ramp to one of two rocky points that look out over some of the lake’s deeper water.

For the novice, it’s hard to beat the fish-catching magic of a nightcrawler. Cut 24 inches of 4-pound line to use as a leader and connect it to the main line with a swivel. Tie a No. 10 single hook to the end of the leader. The float will attach to the main line above the swivel.

Another popular rig employs Power Bait from Berkley. Try this easy setup: Slide a bullet sinker on your main line. Tie on a barrel swivel, then tie on a 40-inch leader terminated at a No. 14-16 treble hook. Pinch off a fingernail-sized piece of Power Bait and mold it over the treble hook. The bait should float, suspended 3 feet off the bottom. Prop the rod against a forked stick and wait for the bite.

If you are after crappie, the best fishing is at Prineville Reservoir. The lake is loaded with fish. Two of the best spots are in the Bear Creek arm and near Prineville Reservoir Resort. Make sure there is plenty of line on the reel. You need to cast a long ways to cover more water. Tie on a red, yellow or chartreuse jig and set the bobber about 3 feet up from the jig. Tip the hook with a Power Bait Crappie Nibbles grub.

Cast out and let the jig sit for a few minutes, then bring the bait back little by little. Stay on the move till you find the fish. When you hook one, you can usually catch another by casting to the same place. When the crappie bite is hot, you can catch a bucketful.

Throw out a tasty bait, sit back and wait. There’s nothing like that first bite on opening day. Early in the season, the best fishing is within an easy cast of the shore where trout cruise the shallows. After a long winter, they’re hungry. You can bank on it.