Central Zone weekly fishing report

ODFW news release

As of Thursday, April 25, 2013

CENTRAL ZONE FISHING

Central Zone

Weekend fishing opportunities:

Spring chinook on the Hood River opened on April 15.

Pinehollow and Rock Creek reservoirs have been stocked recently and fishing should be good for rainbow trout.

If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed

It’s probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improves.

Send us your fishing report

We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports -- the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the Weekly Recreation Report.

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: trout

The roads leading to the reservoir are clear. Fishing has been fair due to the turbidity but anglers are reporting catching large trout.

BEND PINE NURSERY POND: trout

Although the most recent stocking was in late September, it is likely that many fish overwintered.

BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout

Closed to fishing until spring.

BIKINI POND: rainbow trout

The pond has been stocked this spring and should provide bank anglers with good spring fishing opportunity.

CLEAR LAKE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Snow will limit access.

CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, kokanee, largemouth bass

Crane Prairie opens to fishing April 27.

CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee

Opportunities for rainbow and brown trout are good.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish

Fishing will probably be slow with the current flow conditions. Fishing will be better once the flows are lower and stable during the irrigation season. The trout may be spawning now so anglers are reminded to be careful if wading so as to not trample the redds. The use of bait is prohibited until May 2013. Trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead and must be released unharmed.

Flows below Bowman Dam.

A sample of redband trout and mountain whitefish are tagged with a numbered floy tag protruding from the back. Anglers who catch a trout or whitefish with a floy tag are encouraged to release the fish with the tag intact after recording the tag color and number, fish length and location caught. Anglers can send the information to ODFW at (541) 447-5111 ext. 24 or timothy.k.porter@state.or.us.

CULTUS LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout

No recent reports.

DAVIS LAKE: redband trout, largemouth bass

Inaccessible due to snow.

DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, redband trout

Mouth to the Pelton Regulating Dam: steelhead, redband trout, whitefish

Trout fishing remains good for trout downstream from the Warm Springs Reservation Boundary. Best trout fishing typically occurs around midday, as the best light reaches the canyon floor. Fly anglers will find best success with nymphs along with egg patterns for trout and whitefish. Anglers are reminded trout fishing is closed upstream from the Warm Springs Reservation Boundary.

Anglers, who catch a tagged hatchery steelhead with an orange anchor tag, are encouraged to report catch information to ODFW at 541-296-4628 or via the internet. Anglers catching a tagged wild fish should release it immediately without recording any information.

Anglers can check the trap the seasons catch at Sherars Falls as an indicator of fish movement in the Deschutes online. The Sherars Falls trap went offline for the season Nov. 2.

Lake Billy Chinook to Bend: rainbow trout, brown trout

Flows have increased with the end of irrigation season. This will make the river more difficult to wade but often triggers trout to feed more heavily and seek out new territories. Rainbow trout average 10 to 16-inches, while brown trout up to 26-inches are available. Anglers will find better access downstream of Lower Bridge. Remains open year round; however, gear is restricted to artificial flies and lures only.

EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, Atlantic salmon, kokanee

Opens to fishing April 27.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout

The river above the falls is open all year; the river below the falls opens May 25. Fishing is restricted to fly fishing only with barbless hooks.

FROG LAKE: rainbow trout

Snow will limit access.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee

Fishing has been excellent for large trout and kokanee.

HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead, winter steelhead, spring chinook

Anglers are catching good numbers of winter steelhead; the fishing will continue to get better as the spring gets into full swing. Anglers are reporting the best success on bait due to the cold water temperatures.

Spring chinook season opened on the Hood River on April 15, 2013 and will remain open until June 30, 2013. Anglers may retain two adipose fin clipped adult chinook and five fin clipped jack Chinook.

HOSMER LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brook trout, rainbow trout

Inaccessible due to snow.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass

Fishing for bull trout has been good. Catch rates are up compared to this time last year. The Metolius Arm is open to fishing again and there are good numbers of legal-sized bull trout. A tribal angling permit is required in the Metolius Arm. Please check the special regulations for this area.

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.

LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

No recent reports.

LOST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout

Inaccessible due to snow. Anglers should check with the USFS Hood River Ranger Station for 541-352-6002 concerning access.

METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout

Trout fishing has been good. Insect hatches should offer lots of opportunities for good dry fly fishing. Angling for post spawning bull trout should be excellent. Large streamer flies fished in the deeper pools and slots are the best bet.

The mainstem above the Allingham Bridge closed to fishing Oct. 31.

NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout

No recent reports.

OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout

Fishing for trout has been good for trout averaging 8 to 10 inches.

Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures only; two trout per day with an 8-inch minimum length. Trout over 20 inches are considered steelhead and must be released unharmed.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Fishing for trout has been good. Anglers are reporting trout up to 18 inches long.

ODELL LAKE: kokanee, lake trout, rainbow trout

Fishing season opens April 27.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Fishing season opens April 27.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

The reservoir has been stocked and should offer anglers a great chance to catch recently stocked legal and brood size rainbow trout.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout and largemouth bass

Fishing has been slow but the trout that were caught were large.

PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout and largemouth bass

No recent reports but the trout are active.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

The reservoir has been stocked and should offer anglers a great chance to catch recently stocked legal and brood size rainbow trout.

SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout

Shevlin Pond is fishing well and typically fishes well throughout winter if not iced over.

SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout

Fishing season opens April 27.

SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

No recent reports

TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout and largemouth bass

Taylor Lake has been recently stocked, and has provided consistent catches of rainbow trout.

The Dalles Chronicle