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32 • THINGS TO DO 2013
Perfect
waters to
drop your
fish hook
C
entral Oregon is a great place to wet a line. Never
mind that its lakes and streams won’t make a
national top-ten list anytime soon.What makes it
great is the variety, and several tout trophy-level fishing.
Virtually any freshwater experience desired can be
found within a stone’s throw of any city in the tri-county
area.
Got kids? Central Oregon offers several fishin’ holes
where the young‘uns can hone their budding craft,
several of which are for kids, only. If you’re in Bend, give
Shevlin Pond a try.
To get you started, here’s a compilation of some of the
more popular fisheries in the region, with basic
information about each to at least get you going in the
right direction, including coordinates to plug into your
car’s GPS. Additional information that would be helpful –
and this should be at the top of the list – can be found in
Oregon’s sport fishing regulations. You can find these
online at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s
website,
or pick up a hard
copy where you bought your license. You do have a
license, haven’t you?
This ODFW website also has a wealth of other fishing
information, including everything from where to fish to
how to clean your catch. If you’re into trout, their new,
interactive trout stocking maps will amaze.
Also, Fishing Central Oregon, a book edited and
published by Geoff Hill, is a must-have resource for local
anglers. Nearly 150 lakes and streams are described in
detail, including maps, a list of species, and the best
techniques to catch them.
Where to take your kids
The
Prineville Youth Pond
, at Rimrock Park on South
Main Street, is stocked with rainbow trout and
largemouth bass. You must be a youth (17 and under) to
fish this less-than-an-acre pond. No facilities are on site,
but a restroom is located in the nearby parking lot.
(44.29220, -120.84867)
South Twin Lake
is a natural, 100-acre lake along South
Century Drive, west of La Pine. Rainbow trout is the
primary species and can be caught from boats without
motors. All facilities (campground, boat launch, and
resort) are on site. (43.7152, -121.7651)
Rainbow trout, bass, and bluegill can be found at
Bend
Pine Nursery Pond
. A restroom is the only facility at this
two-acre reservoir. (44.0922; -121.2642)
Fireman’s Pond
, in southeast Redmond, is for those 13
and under or the disabled. This three-acre warm-water
fishery sports bluegill, bass, crappie, and bull trout. There
are no facilities. (44.26713, -121.17017)
Rainbow trout is the target species at
Shevlin Pond
, four miles northeast of
Bend. Again, you have to be a youth to fish this half-acre pond. There are no
facilities on site. (44.1321, -120.7336)
Walton Lake
– east of Prineville in the Ochoco National Forest – has been a
favorite of locals for years. Rainbow trout can be caught from either shore or
boat (electric motors only), and there is both a campground and boat launch at
this 20-acre reservoir. (44.43609, -120.33497)
The
Crooked River
– about 10 miles south of Prineville, along SR 27 – has
become a favorite for fly fishers, yet remains a great river for the novice. Several
campgrounds are along the eastern side to provide a place to stay while
seeking the elusive redband trout and whitefish. This fishery is a popular place
to keep your fly fishing skills sharp through the winter months. (44.1354, -
120.8354)
Lakes
It’s the lakes – as well as the verdant forest and snow-capped Cascades – that
are the draw along the Cascades Lakes Highway, and at least a half-dozen
deserve some ink. They’re listed in the order you’ll encounter them along the
highway from Bend. All have campgrounds and boat launches. Big Lava and
Cultus lakes also have resorts. You can’t miss ‘em.
Sparks Lake
– the 400-acre water body just past Mt. Bachelor – is popular for
