What Are The Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Oregon?
Bass fishing in Oregon is an adventure that takes anglers to some of the most diverse and productive freshwater locations. From coastal lakes to high-altitude reservoirs, Oregon offers ample opportunities to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass. To make the most of your bass fishing experience, it’s essential to know where to go, what makes these lakes prime for bass fishing, and how to adjust your techniques for each location.
The Top 5 Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Oregon
- Siltcoos Lake
- Tenmile Lake
- Davis Lake
- Crane Prairie Reservoir
- Prineville Reservoir
Oregon’s top bass fishing lakes are spread across the state, each offering unique characteristics and fishing conditions. Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot or a well-known lake, Oregon’s waters are filled with prime opportunities. Let’s take a closer look at the best lakes for bass fishing in Oregon, offering insights into their features and expert tips to maximize your bass fishing experience in the Beaver State.
Learn more below about each body of water mentioned and what makes them the best bass fishing lakes in Oregon.
Siltcoos Lake
Siltcoos Lake, located near the coastal town of Florence, Oregon, spans over 3,100 acres, making it one of the largest lakes on the Oregon coast. This shallow lake has an average depth of 15 feet and a maximum depth of 25 feet, which creates ideal conditions for largemouth bass. The lake is rich in aquatic vegetation and submerged logs, providing abundant cover for bass to hide and hunt. Largemouth bass thrive in Siltcoos Lake, offering anglers the opportunity to catch trophy-sized fish, especially during the warmer months. The lake’s proximity to the Siuslaw National Forest adds to its appeal, offering not only exceptional fishing but also scenic views and a tranquil environment.
Siltcoos Lake is a popular destination for both local and visiting anglers due to its productive bass fishery and easy access from nearby Florence, which is just a 20-minute drive away. With miles of shoreline to explore, this lake provides anglers with diverse fishing environments, from weedy coves to open-water areas where bass often feed.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Siltcoos Lake: Focus on using topwater lures like frogs and buzzbaits near the weed beds during early morning and late evening hours. Casting into areas with submerged vegetation can also produce great results, as bass tend to hide in these spots.
Tenmile Lake
Tenmile Lake, located near Lakeside, Oregon, is a top destination for largemouth bass fishing, covering approximately 1,600 acres. This large, naturally-formed lake offers a variety of habitats, including shallow flats, deeper channels, and weed-lined shorelines. Tenmile Lake has an average depth of 20 feet, with some areas reaching a maximum depth of 40 feet. Its warm, nutrient-rich waters create an ideal environment for largemouth bass, which grow to impressive sizes here, often exceeding 5 pounds. The lake’s complex structure, including submerged logs, docks, and weed beds, provides ample cover for bass to hide and hunt, making it a favorite for both recreational and competitive anglers.
Tenmile Lake is situated just a short drive from the town of Lakeside, which provides easy access to boat ramps, camping, and other amenities. This lake is known for producing some of the largest bass in Oregon, making it a must-visit for serious bass anglers looking for a rewarding day on the water.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Tenmile Lake: Target largemouth bass around submerged timber and docks using crankbaits and soft plastics. Fishing around weed beds in the early morning and late afternoon can also yield great results, especially with spinnerbaits or jigs.
Davis Lake
Davis Lake, nestled in the Cascade Mountains of central Oregon, spans roughly 3,000 acres and is a unique destination for both largemouth bass and trophy trout fishing. The lake has an average depth of 9 feet, with a maximum depth of 15 feet, making it a relatively shallow body of water. This shallow depth allows the lake to warm up quickly in the summer, creating optimal conditions for largemouth bass to thrive.
The lake’s western shoreline is lined with weed beds and rocky structures, offering perfect cover for bass to hide and ambush prey. Davis Lake is particularly popular among fly fishers targeting bass near the abundant aquatic vegetation. Due to its high elevation and scenic surroundings, Davis Lake offers both a tranquil setting and prime fishing opportunities.
Located just west of the town of La Pine and within the Cascade Lakes Highway corridor, Davis Lake is easily accessible, making it a convenient and appealing spot for anglers throughout the region. It’s known for producing quality largemouth bass, often weighing in at 3 to 5 pounds, making it an attractive destination for both novice and experienced bass anglers.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Davis Lake: Focus on using topwater lures and weedless plastics near the lake’s weed beds, especially in the early morning and late evening. Fly fishing with streamers can also be effective in targeting bass around shallow areas.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
Crane Prairie Reservoir, located in central Oregon near the town of Bend, covers approximately 3,400 acres and is one of the premier spots for largemouth bass fishing in the state. With an average depth of 10 feet and a maximum depth of 20 feet, Crane Prairie offers vast shallow areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, making it an ideal habitat for largemouth bass.
The reservoir’s nutrient-rich waters and numerous submerged tree stumps provide excellent cover for bass to hide and feed. Crane Prairie’s reputation as a hotspot for trophy-sized largemouth bass is well-known among anglers, with bass frequently exceeding 4 pounds. The combination of calm, shallow waters and a variety of hiding spots creates perfect conditions for bass to thrive.
Located within the Deschutes National Forest, the reservoir’s scenic surroundings make it a popular destination not only for anglers but also for outdoor enthusiasts. The proximity to Bend, which is about 45 minutes away, makes Crane Prairie easily accessible, drawing both local and visiting anglers to its productive waters.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Crane Prairie Reservoir: Focus on fishing around the dense weed beds using soft plastics or jigs. Early morning and late afternoon are the most productive times for targeting largemouth bass, especially when they are actively feeding in the shallow areas.
Prineville Reservoir
Prineville Reservoir, located in central Oregon’s high desert near the city of Prineville, spans over 3,000 acres and is well-known for its productive smallmouth bass fishery. The reservoir has an average depth of 30 feet, with certain areas plunging to a maximum depth of 50 feet.
Prineville’s rocky shorelines and underwater structures, such as ledges and boulders, make it an ideal habitat for smallmouth bass, which thrive in these cooler, clear waters. The nutrient levels in the reservoir promote the growth of healthy bass populations, often reaching sizes of 2-3 pounds, with some trophy catches surpassing 5 pounds. Smallmouth bass are highly active here, especially in the spring and fall, when they move into shallower waters to spawn and feed.
Prineville Reservoir is easily accessible from the nearby town of Prineville and offers various recreational opportunities, including camping and boating, making it a popular destination for anglers seeking both smallmouth bass and other species like crappie and trout.
Expert Bass Fishing Tips for Prineville Reservoir: Use jerkbaits and tube jigs along rocky shorelines and underwater ledges to target smallmouth bass. Focus on deeper waters during the day and shift to shallower areas in the early morning or late evening for the best results.
Why You Should Consider Bass Fishing In Oregon
Oregon is an often-overlooked destination for bass fishing, but its diverse water systems and thriving bass populations make it a prime choice for anglers. The state offers excellent opportunities to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass, with over 1,400 lakes and reservoirs, including renowned spots like Siltcoos Lake and Crane Prairie Reservoir.
Oregon’s mild climate allows for nearly year-round fishing, with peak bass activity in the warmer months. Largemouth bass, often weighing between 4-6 pounds, are commonly found in coastal lakes, while smallmouth bass thrive in the rivers and reservoirs of central and eastern Oregon.
Recent developments include increasing attention from the bass fishing community, as Oregon’s lakes are proving to yield larger bass each year due to favorable conditions and sustainable management practices. The state’s natural beauty also adds to the appeal, offering scenic backdrops as you fish, whether in the mountains, valleys, or coastal regions. Oregon is quickly becoming a top choice for anglers seeking both a peaceful and productive bass fishing experience.
