Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook (Area 4) All anglers are required to print and carry 2023 Fishing Permit Regulations Season-3-1 . Did change in limit affect size of fish? The daily bag limit is one hatchery adult Chinook salmon and five hatchery jack salmon per day. DESCHUTES RIVER, Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout. An official website of the Contact 503-947-6042 orclick here. Everyone they showed the photos to was amazed by the size of that fish. Mejaski said they continued fishing that day and caught a second massive bull trout only slightly smaller than the one they had released. Composting toilets are located just a short walk from the docks. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Oregon Resources 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. A chance to draw an additional deer, elk or pronghorn tag with a months-long season. Crane Prairie will reopen April 22, 2023; however, reports of deep snow drifts and ice coverage may delay access. Good day jigging all around CR arm, 4 limits all on pink gibb's about half the fish came with no corn most fish 10 - 40' deep. Pulse flows are intended to encourage steelhead smolts to migrate downstream. ) or https:// means you've safely I was trolling your way, when you pulled up your electric trolling motor headed for the docks. An official website of the One is pet-friendly. The latter two also have accessible kayak launches. Fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only upstream of Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). Lake Billy Chinook with a 72-mile shoreline was created in 1964 when Portland General Electric . Haystack Reservoir, Pine Nursery Pond and Shevlin and Prineville youth and disabled angling pond have freshly stocked trout. Scheduled to be stocked this week: Cottonwood Pit, Antelope Flat Reservoir, Ochoco Reservoir, Shevlin Pond, Metolius Pond, Recently stocked:Pine Hollow Reservoir, Rock Creek Reservoir, Taylor Lake, Baker Pond, Prineville Fishing Pond, Middle Fork Pond, Check out the 2023 trout stocking schedule. ( A reminder to anglers that new regulations are now in effect for Fall River. Around Lower Bridge, 25 miles below Bend cattails and sedges dominate. Boating is not possible due to low flows and frequent waterfalls farther downstream. Please check. Artificial flies and lures permitted below Bridge 99 (Lower Bridge). The lake is closed to all fishing from the signed point upstream, approximately 350 yards, to the cable crossing on the Metolius River. 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. The reservoir, with nearly 4,000 surface acres when full, is the only place in Oregon where anglers can keep a native bull trout. Mejaski wondered if he might have caught a state record, or even world record, fish right after he released it. Vary the sink time to work different depths in the water column to find where the fish are suspending. The area was modestly developed for camping and day use. Sorry we didn't connect. They werent having much luck, so they decided to change spots. The Wetlands Nature Trail is an easy, flat, quarter mile - loop trail. 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! Main Phone (503) 947-6000 The Cove Palisades Resort and Marina also is located within the state park and offers lots of boat rentals, a store, restaurant and other amenities. Have never caught one in Oregon! Lake Billy Chinook holds largemouth, and Smallmouth bass, rainbow, brown and bull trout, kokanee salmon, whitefish, and a handful of suckers, minnows and dace. I feel sorry for the guy that has never been loved by a dog! Sign up for monthly emails full of local travel inspiration and fun trip ideas. Prineville, Oregon 97754 His medium-lightweight rod was bending like crazy, almost snapping in half. See our Recreation Guide for a map of the park including hiking trails and paddling routes. Anglers who catch a bull trout should release it unharmed and report their catch to the US Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov. The park consequently serves many more people with larger campgrounds, day-use picnic areas, boating facilities, as well as concession areas. You will often catch bass near rocky shorelines, but they move a little deeper after the spring spawn. No recent reports. Steelhead Falls is about 5 miles below Lower Bridge. In each newsletter we'll share upcoming events, new things to do, hot dining spots and great travel ideas. The reservoir is low at 39 percent full. Last updated 4/26/23. Expect stocking to be delayed until things thaw out. Sure seems like there are just as many if not more fish than I used to mark. The pond is located mile west of the junction of USFS Rd 46 (Century Drive) and USFS Rd 4635. Open year-round for trout. White shoepeg corn in the most popular bait, but Berkley Gulp! When kokanee are spotted jumping, jigging is easily the best method. Nymphing with stonefly, mayfly, or caddisfly nymphs or has been effective for trout and streamers are a good bet for bull trout. Traveling over gentle hills and shallow gullies, these trails are perfect for those family strolls and quick trips to and from the lake. The Deschutes County Road Department closed the Cascade Lakes Highway and Paulina Lake Road for the winter season on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Be sure to check the Oregon State Fishing Regulations for the most current seasons and restrictions. Water Temperature. The Metolius River above Allingham Bridge is closed until May 22 to protect spawning redband trout. kokanee count as trout. During summer low flows, it swirls slowly past the same rocks. The reservoir is low at 39 percent full. JavaScript is disabled. The regs say 5 Kokanee in addition to 5 trout. Extra vehicles:Each campsite fee includes parking for one vehicle and a tow vehicle. Trout fishing has been good on the Deschutes around Maupin, and trout fishing re-opens on the entire lower Deschutes on Saturday, April 22. Billy Chinook Lake is a reservoir located in Jefferson County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Fish early in the mornings to help avoid much of the hubbub. Anglers should use caution on the river margins where shelf ice may be present. Open to fishing all year, anglers should still expect some ice coverage at North and South Twin lakes. Kokanee used to be so easy to catch here that ODFW allowed anglers to keep 25 of them. A tribal angling permit is also required to fish the Metolius arm as well. The lake is closed to all fishing from the signed point upstream, approximately 350 yards, to the cable . Instream structure in the form of rocks, woody debris, and occasional weedbeds are plentiful throughout the canyon. Boaters should use caution as floating debris will be present following high runoff. Wifi is available at The Cove Resort and Marina. Access to the lake through deep snow from the campground gate or Walton Sno-Park may require a to 1 mile trek on snowshoes or skis. Youll find lots of noise-producing and wake-making activity here, especially during the warmer parts of the day. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Open to fishing all year, anglers should still expect some ice coverage at North and South Twin lakes. 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. 2021 was the final release for hatchery winter steelhead smolts in the Hood River. Slater Turner, Grassland & Lookout Mountain District Ranger, Ochoco National Forest is closed until May 22 to protect spawning redband trout. Last updated 3/29/23. Open to fishing all year, anglers should stillexpect some ice coverage at North and South Twin lakes. Central oregon conditions look pretty iffy this week. Prineville, Oregon 97754 Now these canyons are flooded to a depth of 800-900 feet by Lake Billy Chinook behind Round Butte Dam. Find more fishing spots in Jefferson County. Other Permits 1 Day Permit, Areas 1-4 $ 17.00 per day. The reservoir is currently 65 percent full. Anglers should use caution on the river margins where shelf ice may be present. These Billy Chinook Lake videos highlights some of the most watched Billy Chinook Lake fishing videos. At Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes joins the Crooked and Metolius rivers. Last updated 4/26/23. No limit on brown trout. Now if I could just get my wife to clean the fish she catches! Like many Central Oregon lakes, part of Billy Chinook is open to year-round angling. I have opinions on this subject but will save that for another blog and focus on the trout and whitefish fishing on the Crooked now. Any problems launching a 20 ft boat in winter there ? Most of the public land is included in the Deschutes River Recreation Area within the Crooked River National Grasslands, administered by the Ochoco National Forest. The river is open to fishing all year above Fall River Falls and open to fishing May 22 Sep 30 below the falls. Yesterday was another beautiful calm day at LBC. Bull Trout fishing has been good on Streamers. A reminder to anglers that new regulations are now in effect for Fall River. Last updated 10/6/21. Varying the amount of line let out will change the fishing depth. No limit on size or number of warmwater fish. Additional lands were acquired in 1966 and 1977. No recent reports. The Cove Palisades includes a great expanse of central Oregon semi-arid plateau dissected by the deep cutting river channels of the Crooked, and Metolius rivers as they meet to form the larger Deschutes River. We really didnt think about keeping it, we were so excited.. Try trolling faster or slower, deeper or shallower. 25039 Views 85 Replies 31 Participants Last post by Sugarsdaddy, Nov 25, 2021. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. In 2015 a 280-acre wildfire burned through the area; since then, there are impressive examples of primary and secondary successive growth. 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. Dozens of waterbodies in the Willamette Zone are being stocked with trout this week, and several more were stocked last week. Theres a lot of fish out there go catch some. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries will implement a pulse flow in the Crooked River downstream of Bowman Dam April 17-20. Last updated 4/19/23. North and South Twin were stocked with trout in mid-August and trophy trout in late August. Mejaski wondered if he might have caught a state record, or even world record, fish right after he released it. Want to go Friday but dont want to waste 3 hours of driving to not even be able to get to the boat launch. Now these canyons are flooded to a depth of 800-900 feet by Lake Billy Chinook behind Round Butte Dam. The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Billy Chinook Lake on the map, which is located in the Oregon state (Jefferson). If you have a blog that covers fishing reports for this please contact us! for updates in advance of opening and closing target dates. If a lure set-up has not produced a fish in over 30 minutes and fish are being marked, change things up. Billy Chinook Lake fishing reports offers a wide variety of fish for Anglers such as Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Bull Trout, Black Crappie and Whitefish. The reservoir is accessible and ice has melted. Where can I find information on boat/watercraft rentals? Bull trout are caught throughout the reservoir but typically are most common in the Metolius Arm, which is cooler and fed by the Metolius River, where these bull trout go to spawn and feed. Thanks. PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill. Pine Hollow was stocked the week of April 17 with 2,625 legal-size and 60 trophy trout. DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: The Deschutes River from Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake closed to fishing for the season on Sept. 30. Metolius Arm: Tribal angling permits are required. Anglers may keep one bull trout at least 24 inches long as part of their limit. Can I walk to the water from the Crooked River Campground (E Loop), Mar 1 Stocking in these locations will be delayed until they are accessible to the stocking trucks. When jumpers are spotted, casting to the school and employing a jigging retrieve is often a great approach. Last updated 4/26/23. LockA locked padlock Last updated 4/19/23. Lake Billy Chinook is one of the only areas where you can legally retain a bull trout. 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Some reports indicate that largemouth bass may also inhabit the lake. I just went down in first gear keeping below 20 mph. ContactODFW's public service representative at odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov. The reservoir is accessible and ice has melted. 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 . For information, clickhere. We don't have any guide or fly shop sponsored reviews for Lake Billy Chinook. Currently there are no size or number limits on invasive brown trout and smallmouth bass. The reservoir is currently 65 percent full. Due to high levels of domoic acid, razor clamming is closed along the entire Oregon coast. Another important detail about the Metolius Arm is that it is only legal to fish there seasonally, from March 1 through October 31, while theremainder of the reservoir is open year-round. The current state record bull trout is 23 lbs., 2 ounces, and the world record is 32 lbs. Crayfish are common. The 2023 return year will have the bulk of the 2021 release year cohort (2 salt fish). Lake Billy Chinook is popular water recreation destination. 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. Fishing conditions on the mainstem and North Umpqua are looking good this week, and a few Chinook are being caught. kokanee, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass. After casting into a group of small kokanee that were jumping to the surface, his secret 30 Apr 2023 01:00:12 If the fish are very active, especially at first or last light, you might find them willing to come up and strike a topwater lure, which is always a fun way to catch bass. ( Share sensitive information only Flat water, sun came out, eager biters, and a quick limit. DESCHUTES RIVER, Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brown trout. 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. Thank you for the reply. Pine Nursery was recently stocked with rainbow trout and anglers report excellent fishing. The park offers two seasonal campgrounds. (541) 416-6500 Lake Billy Chinook is located southwest of Madras, very close to the agricultural community of Culver. See the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs information. OldRanger -- I thought that was you and your wife out there Thursday. The reservoir is currently 88 percent full and ODFW stocked additional fish the week of April 10-14, Spring Chinook, winter steelhead, rainbow and cutthroat trout. The area is rich in wildlife. Crooked River anglers may encounter bull trout now that there is volitional passage at Opal Springs. 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. On April 8, 2023, Ryan Mejaski caught a potential record bull trout in the Deschutes arm of Lake Billy Chinook. Coordinates: 44.57480254, -121.32957766. Last updated 4/19/23. Catch-and-release for all species. Ryan later chatted with Fish Biologist Jerry George from the ODFW Bend office, and they agreed the trout couldve been a record breaker but was now free to spawn and grow even bigger. The Deschutes River from Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake closed to fishing for the season on Sept. 30. The bull trout, part of the char branch of the trout family tree, are a giant trout that have struggled significantly across most of the West, where they are almost universally protected. The season for the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook is reopened March 1; tribal angling permits are required. O. . 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. 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. Haystack Reservoir received several hundred rainbow trout broodstock the last week of March. 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. If kokanee are schooled up near the bottom, vertical jigging is very effective. Small spoons, such as Luhr-Jensens Needlefish or Shasta Tackles Cripplure can be effective as times. In the winter, the river rushes over big boulders. Subscribe to receive email updates. A bull trout caught on a crank bait is brought to the boat while fishing the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook in 2019. What the heck, I learned how to catch crappie! ODFW is not stocking Lake Billy Chinook at this time. Map, Crooked River National Grassland Open to fishing all year. It is currently 10 percent full. Last updated 4/12/23. Catch-and-release for trout. Last updated 3/29/23. Swimming, fishing and boating are popular activities at the park. Limit is 2 fish per day. Restricted to fly-fishing with barbless hooks only. Some popular colors are pink/pearl, orange, green and chartreuse. Most serious bull trout anglers troll crankbaits in pursuit of the trophy-sized fish. The lake level remains extremely low and developed boat ramps are unavailable for launching boats. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Last updated 11/16/22. This tower is the cornerstone of anadromous fish restoration to the Deschutes headwaters, designed to create surface currents over Lake Billy Chinook that guide juvenile salmon and steelhead into collection facilities at the Round Butte Dam for transport downstream. Lava Lake was last stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in June. Last updated 4/26/23. Additional vehicles may not be allowed in the park overnight. will reopen April 22, 2023; however, reports of deep snow drifts and ice coverage may delay access. Odell Lake will reopen April 22, 2023; however, reports of deep snow drifts and ice coverage may delay access. Another thing to note is that Lake Billy Chinook is quite the playground for the power-boating and house-boating crowd. Houseboat rentals offer a luxurious overnight stay right on the water. Anglers are catching a few striped bass in the upper sections of tidewater on the Coquille River. If you are there in the summer, plan to fish early and late to avoid the pleasure boaters. Open to fishing all year. During the warm months the water skiing, wakeboarding and Jet Ski boats take over, so plan your fishing day to avoid mid-day heat. The largest concentration of wild fish is from about a mile below Lower Bridge to Lake Billy Chinook. A $108 million selective water withdrawal (SWW) tower started up in December 2009. Last updated 4/19/23. Although the bull trout is listed as a threatened species with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, current state angling regulations allow for one bull trout to be kept over 24 inches. Laurance Lake. Take first left at first dirt road and follow road to pond. Haystack is a solid bet for wading anglers near the dam on leeches under an indicator or stripped on a camo intermediate line. Click on the link above for more information. Last updated 4/26/23. Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook (Area 4). This half of the reservoir tends to be warmer than the Metolius Arm, and warmer water favors the bass. The only navigable expanse is in the Deschutes Arm of Lake Billy Chinook. Ryan quickly adjusted his drag to let the fish run, but they had to follow it in their boat. More modest numbers of native redside rainbow and non-native German brown trout round out the most common gamefish found here. Crooked River arm right off the boat ramp as soon as the water got deep. Real-life footage of bugs (mainly a praying mantis and a caterpillar) tells the story of their life in the rain forest.