Fish On!
Oregon's Top Fly Fishing Holes for Beginners
A Great Place to Start
Get Fishing Today!
Whether you’re looking for a place close to town and convenient to reach or don’t mind a manageable drive to find something quieter and more undisturbed… we’ve compiled this list of 10 great places, generally well suited to beginner anglers and even a couple that are just for the kids!
FIRST STREET RAPIDS
Located along both the east and west sides of the Deschutes River where the Deschutes River Trail runs northward all the way to SAWYER PARK.
Fish
REDBAND TROUT, BROWN TROUT, MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
FAREWELL BEND PARK
Located along the Deschutes River, with the best fishing starting near the base of the Bill Healy Memorial Bridge. The Deschutes River Trail wanders from the park upstream 1.18 miles where it crosses the river and then stretches downstream the same distance on river left.
Fish
REDBAND TROUT, BROWN TROUT, MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
SAWYER PARK, BEND
A large park stretching along both sides of the Deschutes River that allows fishing year-round.
Fish
REDBAND TROUT, BROWN TROUT, MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
FALL RIVER
This beautiful spring-fed river is FLY FISHING ONLY, has crystal clear water, and is regularly stocked with trout near Fall River Hatchery to support the population of wild reproducing redband trout. The trail from the hatchery and near the waterfall for which the river is named, provide access to several miles of river.
Fish
REDBAND TROUT, HATCHERY RAINBOW TROUT, BROWN TROUT, BROOK TROUT
DEVIL’S LAKE
A beautiful 23-acre shallow lake with exquisite turquoise color and scenic views. Easy access, fishable shoreline, and stocking of catchable rainbows make this lake a delightful place to visit for travelers and families with children. In addition to the stocked rainbows there is a natural reproducing population of brook trout. Formed by a lava flow that lies as a mass of jumbled volcanic rock at the lake’s east end, this shallow lake has an average depth of just over 3 feet and a maximum depth of 10 feet.
Fish
RAINBOW TROUT, BROOK TROUT
CROOKED RIVER
One of the most productive streams in Central Oregon. The best fishing is along the 10+ miles of water from Castle Rock Campground upriver to Bowman Dam. Numerous pullouts and several BLM campsites can be found along this stretch.
Fish
REDBAND TROUT, MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR
This large desert reservoir on the Crooked River supports rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Fish for trout year-round from boat or shore with the best of the fishing found during the winter months. Bass, catfish, and crappie fishing is best between May and October
Fish
RAINBOW TROUT, LARGEMOUTH BASS, SMALLMOUTH BASS, BLACK CRAPPIE, CATFISH
EAST LAKE
A large lake located atop the Newberry Volcanic National Monument. This popular fly fishing lake is best fished from a boat, pontoon, or float tube… but has several hundred yards of walkable/wadable beach that offers plenty of fishing on foot. Boat rentals and other services are available at East Lake Resort (541) 536-2230.
Fish
RAINBOW TROUT, BROWN TROUT, KOKANEE
Fun for the Whole Family
Best Fishing Holes for Kids
SHEVLIN PARK
Restricted to anglers 17 years and younger and their parents or guardians. Most of the rainbow trout in Shevlin Pond average 8 to 10 inches in length, but sometimes the pond is stocked with bigger fish.
Fish
RAINBOW TROUT
BEND PINE NURSERY PARK
Located in the middle of Bend Pine Nursery Park and contains stocked fish varieties.
Fish
BLUEGILL, BASS, RAINBOW TROUT