Central Oregon fishing report
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 2, 2016
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Be prepared for hazardous road conditions as snow and ice may limit accessibility.
BEND PINE NURSERY: Open to fishing all year. Limit is two fish per day.
CRESCENT LAKE: Open to fishing all year.
CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: Fishing has been slow. The flows will be fluctuating as the outflow is adjusted according to the inflow as the reservoir is filled. Fishing is usually slow for a few days after the flows have stabilized. As a reminder, all trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead and must be immediately released unharmed. Please report any tagged fish to the Prineville ODFW office at 541-447-5111.
DAVIS LAKE: Open to fishing all year. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch and release for trout.
FALL RIVER: Open to fishing all year. Anglers report mid-day hatches and fair fishing. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Forest Service Road 4060 is not maintained during winter months. Trail access is improving as the snow is melting.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is ice free. The west-side campground/boat ramp is closed until April 1. Parking is allowed near the handicap fishing pier and walk-in access around the reservoir is permitted. Parking in front of the gate or along the road is not permitted. For more information call the Bureau of Reclamation at 541-389-6541.
HOOD RIVER: Fishing for bright winter steelhead has been excellent with good numbers of fresh fish continuing to enter the river. Anglers will want to pay close attention to river levels, and to avoid runoff conditions.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Metolius River Arm was scheduled to open March 1, but the Deschutes and Crooked River arms are open year-round. Trout limit may include one bull trout with a 24-inch minimum length limit. Rainbow trout over 20 inches and kokanee over 16 inches must be released unharmed. There are no limits on bass or brown trout. Fishing has been good lately, especially for kokanee. Opportunities for bull trout are expected to be good this year. Anglers are reminded there are small numbers of spring chinook and summer steelhead in Lake Billy Chinook as part of the reintroduction effort. Please release these fish unharmed.
LAKE SIMTUSTUS: Open year-round.
METOLIUS RIVER: Open to fishing all year. Anglers report midday hatches and fair fishing. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: Lake is currently fishless. North Twin Lake will be closed until ODFW can access the lake to assess recent treatment to remove illegally introduced catfish. Contact Erik Moberly at 541-388-6145 if you have any questions.
OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures only; two trout per day with an 8-inch minimum length. Trout 20 inches and greater must be released unharmed.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Fishing has been fair for trout averaging 16 inches in length. The reservoir is free of ice. The boat ramp is open.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Pine Hollow should offer excellent winter fishing, as the lake has received its winter stocking.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: The State Park and Powderhouse Cove boat ramps are open.
PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: Fishing will pick up as the weather warms and the fish become more active.
ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: Recent rains should improve water levels and fishing in the lake.
SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: Open to fishing all year. Pond will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Limit is two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length. Fishing restricted to anglers 17 years old and younger.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Open to fishing all year. Lake may be frozen during extended cold weather. Check road conditions prior to driving to lake.
SUTTLE LAKE: Open to fishing all year.
TAYLOR LAKE (Wasco County): Taylor Lake should offer excellent winter trout fishing opportunity, as the lake has received its winter stocking allocation.