Central Oregon fishing report
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 9, 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 and will continue to be so in the recent high flows. 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.
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 free of ice. The westside 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: 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 for kokanee. Anglers are having the best luck trolling at 80 to 90 feet. Bull trout fishing has been fair. The best luck has been early in the day using a herring plug.
METOLIUS RIVER: Open to fishing all year. Anglers report mid-day 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 RESERVOIR: Fishing has been fair for trout averaging 16 inches in length. The reservoir is free of ice. The boat ramp is open.
ODELL LAKE: Open to fishing all year. All tributaries to Odell Lake are closed to fishing.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Pine Hollow should offer excellent winter fishing, as the lake has received its winter stocking.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Trout fishing has been fair near the dam. 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. 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.
WALTON LAKE: The lake is still covered in ice. The road is plowed to the gate but is still covered in snow from the gate to the lake.