Only once have I been concerned pulling the boat down and that was due to super frosty conditions. Central oregon conditions look pretty iffy this week. Limit is 2 fish per day. Anglers setting out to catch bull trout on the Metolius arm of Lake Billy Chinook or who are planning to catch rainbow trout on the Lower Deschutes later this spring now have a new way to buy a . If you've never fished here before these are great places to start. The lake is closed to all fishing from the signed point upstream, approximately 350 yards, to the cable . The west bank of the river along the Warm Springs Reservation is closed to fishing and access, but certain sections are accessible to anglers if they purchase a tribal angling permit. With less than a week to go for several trout openers some lakes are still snowed in and frozen, including Wickiup, Crane Prairie, North and South Twin, Laurance Lake, Lost Lake, Clear Lake, Kingsley Lake, Frog Lake, many others in the Mt. The flies we've listed below are some of the locals favorites for this section of the water. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: Recent reports of fair fishing for rainbow, brown trout and mountain whitefish. Stocking in these locations will be delayed until they are accessible to the stocking trucks. I am wanting to go myself but I am forcing myself to do those chores on the boat and the camper that need to be done. This half of the reservoir tends to be warmer than the Metolius Arm, and warmer water favors the bass. As soon as they cast into a group of small, jumping kokanee, Ryans secret lure sank about five feet and then BAM a massive strike! Open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Experienced paddlers will enjoy the solitude on the two-mile stretch south of the bridge. It is a preferred area for fly-fishing, this section is not open to bait fishing; however, lures are permitted. Soft plastics and crankbaits imitating prey such as smaller fish and crayfish are good bets. 25-28) Lake Billy Chinook, Culver - 46 mi., 75 min. Open to fishing all year. METOLIUS RIVER: rainbow trout, bull trout. Try trolling faster or slower, deeper or shallower. The 2023 return year will have the bulk of the 2021 release year cohort (2 salt fish). Share sensitive information only will reopen April 22, 2023; however, reports of deep snow drifts and ice coverage may delay access. Last updated 11/30/22. If anyone is there Friday and sees a silver Alumaweld Columbia say hi. The Deschutes River opened to fishing from Northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation upstream to the Pelton Regulating Reservoir dam on April 22. Lure anglers do very well and sometimes catch the bigger fish. Madras, Oregon 97741 website belongs to an official government organization in the Sorry we didn't connect. Need more reasons to apply? The reservoir is currently 85 percent full. Find more fishing spots in Jefferson County. Now these canyons are flooded to a depth of 800-900 feet by Lake Billy Chinook behind Round Butte Dam. Popular Types of Fish at Billy Chinook Lake, Highly Recommended Bait, Tackle & Gear for Rainbow Trout, The Outdoorsman Fishing Lakes, Reports & Guides, Southern California Fishing Lakes & Rivers, Orange County Community Fishing Lakes & Ponds, Rancho Santa Margarita Lake Fishing Guide, Website Built & Managed by Phoenix Web Design If you're seeing reports from local fly shops and guides please take some time to visit their shops or websites! If you want to avoid recreational boaters, fish in the winter, spring and fall. Lake Billy Chinook Kokanee Fishing Tips. There's nothing better than community based reports from people that are on the water! Trout limit may include one bull trout, 24 inch minimum . From the trailhead to the top of the high platue the trail gains 600 feet in elevation and is moderately strenuous. Each rod produced about equal. Boating is not possible due to low flows and frequent waterfalls farther downstream. Lower Deschutes Day-use Area closes in the winter. Besides the states recreational facilities, the U.S. Forest Service operates Perry South Campground on the western end of the reservoir, with access to the Metolius Arm. OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass. The pond is located mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Action was so fast barely had time to pour a cup of coffee. Lake trolls and flashers are often used above the lure to attract kokanee. Last updated 4/26/23. The old limit for kokanee here was 25 but was lowered following the opening of fish passage to the lower Deschutes River in 2010. 1.2 mph. Let me tell you about this wild adventure on April 8 when Ryan Mejaski and Joe Wilhite were out on the Deschutes arm of Lake Billy Chinook, trying to catch some . rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee. Kokanee fishing can be good anywhere in the lake, especially during the winter when this reservoir is one of the best spots to catch kokanee because higher lakes are closed or less accessible. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Open March 1- October 31. (541) 416-6500 Fishing at Lake Billy Chinook - Best Fishing in America If you are coming from 3 hours away you will be going over roads much more likely to have bad conditions than the drop down to the lake. Brrrrr, Fishing in snowflakes update 4/10/22 - The Fly Fishers Place Tyler James. Lake Billy Chinook Kokanee Fishing Tips - Best Fishing in America The lake level remains extremely low and developed boat ramps are unavailable for launching boats. Kokanee used to be so easy to catch here that ODFW allowed anglers to keep 25 of them. Public ownership in this stretch of river is primarily a combination of BLM, USFS land, and three state parks. On April 8, 2023, Ryan Mejaski caught a potential record bull trout in the Deschutes arm of Lake Billy Chinook. United States. 2021 Lake Billy Chinook | IFish Fishing Forum North and South Twin were stocked with trout in mid-August and trophy trout in late August. WICKIUP RESERVOIR: kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass. Reservoir levels are above the state park, Jasper Point, and Powderhouse Cove boat ramp elevations. Laurance Lake. Trout fishing is a year-round pursuit at Prineville, with the best catches in winter and spring, but anglers fish deeper areas . Additional land was obtained by purchase from the State Land Board, Jefferson County and private owners between 1941 and 1961. On April 8, Ryan Mejaski and Joe Wilhite were fishing for kokanee on the Deschutes arm of Lake Billy Chinook without much luck when they decided to move spots. At Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes joins the Crooked and Metolius rivers. Boat rentals and other services available at Cove Palisades Resort and Marine (541) 546-9999. Thank you for the reply. Early in the year, before the Metolius arm opens, look for fish in shallow shelves where they feed on aquatic insects, and out in open water. Metolus Arm Regulations include all regulations below. It is easily accessible from Highway 97 or Highway 26. Open to fishing all year. Last updated 4/19/23. The latter two also have accessible kayak launches. Open to fishing all year. The river is open to fishing all year above Fall River Falls and open to fishing May 22 Sep 30 below the falls. Learn more. Cant wait to go. As the river leaves Bend, it passes the last man-made obstruction for 40 miles and becomes a wild, canyon river. Do you need this information in an alternative format or language? Lake Billy Chinook is fed by three rivers, the Crooked, Deschutes and Metolius. Catch-and-release for trout including bull trout. These naturally reproducing salmon can range from 12 to 16 inches and be as big as 1 lb. There will be no spring Chinook season on the Deschutes River this year due very low forecasted returns of wild spring Chinook to the river. Anglers fishing the reach below the Dam should expect water levels to rise by 250 cfs on Monday April 17, remain at that level through Wednesday, April 19 and then decrease on Thursday. Fishing has been fair near Ochoco Dam with reports of nice size rainbow trout. Rain on snow events cause dynamic flows on the Hood River throughout winter and spring. -. rainbow trout, black crappie, smallmouth bass. Within these three large arms is 72 miles of shoreline surrounding 3916 acres, average depth of 102 ft., with a maximum depth of 415 ft. This reservoir is unique in shape, as it has three long arms created naturally from the Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius Rivers. Tam-A- Lau translates to big rocks on teh ground. kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass. The Wetlands Nature Trail is an easy, flat, quarter mile - loop trail. The "Cove" refers to an outcropping half way down the Crooked River Canyon wall which was visible before the dam pool was formed. Rock Creek Reservoir was stocked the week of April 17 with 3,150 legal-size and 403 trophy trout. This is also a great spot to explore the park in a different light and take a night hike. No recent reports. Vary the sink time to work different depths in the water column to find where the fish are suspending. Lake Billy Chinook - US Forest Service (3)No bag or size limit on bass and brown trout. The fish tend to be found in different locations at different times of the year, but they are usually willing biters. Geoff Hill, Brooke Snavely, and Raven Wing. The other top fishery at Lake Billy Chinook are the kokanee, which are a landlocked sockeye salmon. Fished from the crooked river launch to the deschutes. The Cove Palisades State Park - Oregon State Parks Go back. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Deschutes County Road Department will aim to remove snow and open both Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road prior to Memorial Day. Springs below Lower Bridge help to stabilize water levels, as does inflow from Whychus Creek. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 Slater Turner, Grassland & Lookout Mountain District Ranger, Ochoco National Forest Thanks, Can you fish any of the Metolius arm without a tribal permit, or do you even need to bother with that arm? http://www.sun-pub.com, Slater Turner, Grassland & Lookout Mountain District Ranger, Ochoco National Forest Warm Springs tribal fishing permits, other information now offered Im really confused by the regs at LBC. They also are common in the middle reaches of the Deschutes River, from the reservoir clear up to above Wickiup Reservoir, a stretch that includes the Bend and Sunriver areas. While downriggers are not required to catch kokanee trolling, they certainly help by allowing controlled-depth fishing. Steelhead Falls is about 5 miles below Lower Bridge. Last updated 4/26/23. There aren't many places in Oregon where you can specifically target Bull Trout - but this is one of them. See ODFW regulations for a description of the boundaries of the Metolius arm. This diverse fishery affords anglers the opportunity to catch catfish, bass, perch, crappie and a variety of trout species. Please check road department website for updates in advance of opening and closing target dates. Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Last updated 4/26/23. Will only be fishing Friday. Nymphing has been the most effective method. He has been blogging since 2011 & created That Oregon Life as a passion in 2013. A couple of guys were pulling out as I was launching. The reservoir is currently 85 percent full. Three deluxe cabins are located near the marina with lake views. North and South Twin were stocked with trout in mid-August and trophy trout in late August. Haystack is a solid bet for wading anglers near the dam on leeches under an indicator or stripped on a camo intermediate line. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Lake Billy Chinook is located southwest of Madras, very close to the agricultural community of Culver. Gonna have to try it again. C606906B-5271-4A61-9F9D-4C756EC69951_1610760074627.jpg. Open to fishing all year. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Can you fish any of the Metolius arm without a tribal permit, or do you even need to bother with that arm? Anglers report good winter kokanee and excellent bull trout fishing. The river received its first stocking for 2023 the week of April 10-14. The fish was 33.5 inches long with a 26-inch girth and maxed out the fishing scale at 25 pounds. Map, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ochoco/recreation/fishing/recarea/?recid=71990&actid=42, Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland, Physical Characteristics: Size: 3997 acres; Depth: Max 415'; Elevation: 1945'. Thanks! Last updated 4/26/23. But I never go unless temp is going to get over 40 and little or no wind. Open to fishing all year, anglers should stillexpect some ice coverage at North and South Twin lakes. The reservoir is accessible and ice has melted. Turns out, it was a huge bull trout measuring 33.5 inches long with a 26-inch girth! When hiking at The Cove, remember to always take water, check the weather before you go, wear sturdy hiking shoes, dress in layers, stay on the trail at all times, keep dogs on leash and have a great time! Lava Lake was last stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in June. Kokanee is also a very popular fishery on this lake. This time of year bull trout can be caught from both boat and bank. This time of year bull trout can be caught from both boat and bank. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, anglers in Rogue and South Coast rivers will need the new steelhead validation and harvest tag to fish for and harvest wild winter steelhead. A family is defined as a husband and wife and children under the age of 14 years of age. Last updated 4/19/23. Last updated 4/19/23. The lake is closed to all fishing from the signed point upstream, approximately 350 yards, to the cable crossing on the Metolius River. A bull trout caught on a crank bait is brought to the boat while fishing the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook in 2019. You will often catch bass near rocky shorelines, but they move a little deeper after the spring spawn. on official, secure websites. These are locatednear where the Deschutes and Crooked rivers enter the reservoir on the southeast side. The current state record bull trout is 23 lbs., 2 ounces, and the world record is 32 lbs. Watch for the wind forecast before you decide to go. One is pet-friendly. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? For information, clickhere. Last updated 4/26/23. These fish provide a rare opportunity for anglers to catch a trophy-size rainbow trout. Small spoons, such as Luhr-Jensens Needlefish or Shasta Tackles Cripplure can be effective as times. Last updated 3/29/23. No bag or size limits on brown trout and bass. If you're interested in learning to tie these flies, we've included links to show you how! Can I walk to the water from the Crooked River Campground (E Loop), Mar 1 Youll find lots of noise-producing and wake-making activity here, especially during the warmer parts of the day. It's located in Ganghwado province which is above Seoul, 1 or 2 hours from the center of Seoul. Fishing Lake Billy Chinook - Central Oregon | Rifflemap LockA locked padlock The Oregon coast from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. Paddlers of all experience levels can explore the 6-mile Crooked River Water Trail on the Crooked River arm of the reservoir. Learn more of the story. Thanks. Fly-fishing only, barbless hooks required. ODELL LAKE: lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout. Let me tell you about this wild adventure on April 8 when Ryan Mejaski and Joe Wilhite were out on the Deschutes arm of Lake Billy Chinook, trying to catch some kokanee. Fishing conditions on the mainstem and North Umpqua are looking good this week, and a few Chinook are being caught. Now these canyons are flooded to a depth of 800-900 feet by Lake Billy Chinook behind Round Butte Dam. These Billy Chinook Lake videos highlights some of the most watched Billy Chinook Lake fishing videos. Pine Hollow was stocked the week of April 17 with 2,625 legal-size and 60 trophy trout. Crooked River Rim Trail: Along this 2-mile trail that begins near the Crooked River Campground, enjoy spectacular views of the Cascades and the Crooked River arm of the reservoir, with glimpses of the Deschutes arm in the distance. Billy Chinook Lake offers great fishing for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass . Brian Russell lives between La Pine and Sunriver and has been fishing for kokanee since 1996. These fish provide a rare opportunity for anglers to catch a trophy-size rainbow trout. Today was rough. and best known for its bull trout fishery. After taking the class, I went out and stocked up on some stuff to catch them Have a can of that special corn that's been sitting in the bed room 8 or 10 yrs now! Spring monitoring showed good numbers of trout in addition to the stocking in April. On the way up you will pass through areas that are rich in wildlife and unspoiled native vegitation; as well as three unique geological formations. Also see: Best Kokanee Fishing in Central Oregon Best Kokanee Fishing in Oregon (Outside Central Oregon) Lake Billy Chinook is fed by three rivers, the Crooked, Deschutes and Metolius.. Billy Chinook is among the lowest-elevation kokanee fisheries in Central Oregon and is known for its large population of these land-locked sockeye, which find ideal spawning conditions in the Metolius River. A $108 million selective water withdrawal (SWW) tower started up in December 2009. These were just what I had on. And while most of the cold water species are best caught by boat, the bass often hang out just off shore and can be easily reach by bank anglers, although a boat will let you fish more territory. Artificial flies and lures only. Rain on snow events cause dynamic flows on the Hood River throughout winter and spring. Kokanee fishing tends to be best in the cooler Metolius Arm during warmer weather, but you also will find them elsewhere. Map, Crooked River National Grassland DIRECTIONS: From Redmond: Head north to Culver and follow the Cove Palisades State Park signs for approximately 8 miles to the lake. Closed to all fishing from the cable car crossing on the Metolius River to a signed point approximately 350 yards downstream. Here are a few. Please seee-regulations. Begin in the Deschutes Campground (6 miles round-trip) or the Upper Deschutes day-use area boat trailer parking lot (7 miles round-trip). Composting toilets are located just a short walk from the docks. Razor clamming closed from Columbia River to CA border. One of the best ways to find kokanee at Lake Billy Chinook is to look for jumpers. Try a different color, different dodger or different bait. During the warm months the water skiing, wakeboarding and Jet Ski boats take over, so plan your fishing day to avoid mid-day heat. Last updated 2/1/23. Bikini Pond was stocked March 23 with 350 legal size and 25 trophy trout. is closed until May 22 to protect spawning redband trout. Swimming, fishing and boating are popular activities at the park. Remember there is a 10 mph speed limit in each of the arms above the bridges. The lake is situated within a 500-foot-deep canyon framed by towering basalt cliffs that have been formed during millions of years by volcanic activities, weathering, and water erosion. The U.S. The followingregulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the 2023 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. Submit your fishing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com. No limit on size or number of warmwater fish. Bull trout are present below Steelhead Falls, and profuse numbers of whitefish are available throughout the river. They commented on the increased size of fish for this time of year. A forum community dedicated to anglers and fishing enthusiasts. I was trolling your way, when you pulled up your electric trolling motor headed for the docks. Water levels fluctuate greatly with the irrigation season. Click on the link above for more information. PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill. Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities. If a lure set-up has not produced a fish in over 30 minutes and fish are being marked, change things up. Kokanee are most often caught by trolling small lures, such as spinners, spoons and hootchies. The reservoir, with nearly 4,000 surface acres when full, is the only place in Oregon where anglers can keep a native bull trout. The reservoir is low at 39 percent full. Before fishing, check the ODFW website linked below for definitions of where the Metolius Arm is located, where river regulations take effect at the top of the arms, and other important details. I just went down in first gear keeping below 20 mph. The park consequently serves many more people with larger campgrounds, day-use picnic areas, boating facilities, as well as concession areas. If you would like to contribute to the fishing reports for this please Register or Login today! While the lakes elevation is just below 2,000 feet, it is in a canyon and ice can be present on the boat ramps during the winter months. Last updated 4/26/23. A chance to draw an additional deer, elk or pronghorn tag with a months-long season. Restricted to fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. OldRanger -- I thought that was you and your wife out there Thursday. Anglers report good trout fishing near the dam. Russell likes Shasta Tackles Sling Blade and Vances Tackles Herring Dodger, for examples. Thats when it hit them this couldve been a state or even world record. Therefore, large lures that imitate smaller fish are most often used to catch them. Fall and winter is a great time to hike at The Cove. The original park land in the Crooked River Canyon was acquired by lease agreement with the U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1940. Haystack Reservoir received several hundred rainbow trout broodstock the last week of March. In addition to being the premiere location to catch bull trout and kokanee, there are also rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and other species in the lake. Lake Billy Chinook is popular water recreation destination. Ryan even mentioned it couldve been around 30 pounds. If there is snow the road will get plowed. Last updated 12/15/21. However, the agency also has noted that there are potential health concerns from eating too many bass due to naturally occurring mercury that builds up in longer-lived fish. ODFW is not stocking Lake Billy Chinook at this time. One lake trout per day, 24-inch minimum length. Spring monitoring showed good numbers of trout in addition to the stocking in April. ContactODFW's public service representative at odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov. Turn at Cow Meadow sign off USFS Rd 40. Two down riggers fished 80 to 85 feet deep and one flatline with 2 oz of lead out 45 feet directly behind the boat. Opening Weekend Fishing Report 4/23/23 The Fly Fishers Place CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee. Haystack Reservoir, Pine Nursery Pond and Shevlin and Prineville youth and disabled angling pond have freshly stocked trout. The world record from Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho in 1949 tipped the scales at 32 lbs. Lake Billy Chinook is open year round to angling except the Metolius arm, which is open from March first to October 31. This large reservoir gathers in the fish-laden waters of the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked rivers to form one of the best and most unique fishing spots in Central Oregon. PDF Oreg Department On Of fish anD WilDlife Dozens of waterbodies in the Willamette Zone are being stocked with trout this week, and several more were stocked last week. Cabins are open seasonally and can be reserved through the Cove Palisades Resort. The reservoir is currently 65 percent full. The thing maxed out Wilhites fishing net scale at 25 pounds. The marina also includes a caf and store that sells fuel and ice. Open. Open year-round for trout. Large 3,900-acre reservoir popular for fishing, boating and waterskiing. Thanks. Having a variety of jig colors is important. Find more fishing spots in Jefferson County, ODFW Weekly Fishing ReportODFW Trout Stocking ScheduleOregon Fishing RegulationsNational Weather Service. Cocolalla Lake - 3,300 rainbow trout. Smallmouths, especially the little ones, are easily caught with worms and nightcrawlers. Crayfish are common. Wetland Nature Trail Loop: This flat -mile trail in the Crooked River Campground loops through an ongoing wetland restoration project at the site of a 2015 wildfire. Last updated 11/16/22. The Deschutes National Forest is planning to reconstruct the non-paved portion of Forest Road 16 through the spring and early summer, limiting access to Three Creeks Lake and the surrounding trailheads until July 21. Central Oregons best fishing lakes north of Bend, Bass Fishing: Simple How-To Techniques and Tips. Be sure to check the Fishing Regulations and Emergency Rules for this area. RELATED: 2023 Sport Fishing License, Tag and Permit Fees in Oregon, Ryan said, Im a little bummed out we didnt keep it so we could get the official record, but it was the right thing to do at the time. DAVIS LAKE: largemouth bass, rainbow trout. All persons must have a permit to fish in Area 2 regardless of age. LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull, brown and rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass. Billy Chinook is among the lowest-elevation kokanee fisheries in Central Oregon and is known for its large population of these land-locked sockeye, which find ideal spawning conditions in the Metolius River. Chinook season on lower Columbia extended, Ocean salmon remains closed through May 15, Rogue-South Coast steelhead validation starts Jan. 1. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Mejaski wondered if he might have caught a state record, or even world record, fish right after he released it. More modest numbers of native redside rainbow and non-native German brown trout round out the most common gamefish found here. Copyright 2023 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Get the Central Zone Fishing Report in your inbox. Open seasonally (mid-May through mid-Sep), 3 group tent sites overlook Crooked River arm of the lake (25 people max in each site), Fenced, off-leash pet exercise area is in Deschutes Campground. Anglers are catching a few striped bass in the upper sections of tidewater on the Coquille River. 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Also see:Best Kokanee Fishing in Central OregonBest Kokanee Fishing in Oregon (Outside Central Oregon).