Recreation report: Warmer weather brings more fishermen, but the fish aren’t impressed yet

By ROB DEHARPPORT/for The Herald  —  Fishing season has been open now for a bit more than three weeks in the Cascades. Access to some Campgrounds continues to be limited, boat docks at USFS ramps are not in place at this time. A campground report will also appear in this issue of the Highway 58 Herald from the Deschutes National Forest.

However, the recent change from cold, rainy and snowy weather to sunny weather has seen increases in anglers hitting the lakes. Success has not been guaranteed. Is it ever? For many others and me, simply getting on the water in the early season is a blessing, catching fish is a bonus as is enjoying a sunny day full of fresh mountain air.

My friend Clay Jones and I gave Wickiup Reservoir a shot on Saturday. The fact that many fish were flushed through the dam and into the Deschutes River 3 years ago has kept many long time Wickiup anglers away the last couple of years. Clay and I tried it once last year with dismal success. One Kokanee hooked and lost at the boat. This year, in 6 plus hours of fishing we hooked three and land two nice fat 16″ Kokanee. Reports from more successful anglers encouraged us to try it again. Clay had fished it on the opening two days of the season, landing 4 nice Kokanee. Nowhere near the success or catch rate that we all enjoyed prior to the lake being drained.

I believe I will wait a couple more years before I go back. In my opinion not enough Kokanee survived the lake being drained to successfully spawn and repopulate what was one of, if not the, finest Kokanee fishery in the state. Each fall I have looked into the Sheep Bridge spawning grounds to see how many Kokanees were reproducing. It has been far fewer since the lake was drained.

Catch rates have not been incredible yet at Odell for Kokanee although with time and effort on the lake success is possible. Lake Trout, aka Mackinaw, numbers in recent years seem to have flourished at Odell. One of the Mackinaws favorite meals is Kokanee. Large schools of Kokanee are tougher to locate and stay with as the Macks are chasing and feasting on them. Folks targeting the big Macks have had increased success. Maybe this will be the year that someone breaks the state record Mackinaw at Odell? The record fish was 40lbs and 8 ounces from Odell Lake in 1984.

Crane Prairie has been producing some nice creels of Kokanee and Rainbows. Diamond Lake is also producing nice Rainbows along with Large German Browns and Tiger Trout. The Brown’s and Tiger Trout were planted at Diamond after the lake was treated by ODFW to kill off the invasive Tui chubs that had overpopulated the lake. Browns and Tiger Trout must be released so that they can continue to keep the clubs in check.

The Two Rivers Store located in the Two Rivers development southeast of Crescent Lake Junction is sponsoring their second fishing tournament this weekend. Details can be found on the Two Rivers Store Facebook page. I’m assuming that the Cultus Lake Resorts annual Mackinaw Tournament is scheduled for the same weekend, call to confirm as I see no info has been updated on their Facebook page. Cultus Lake Resort was open for a Mother’s Day dinner. Hopefully I’m correct to assume the date of their Mackinaw Tournament.

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway continues to be closed at the Elk Lake Resort entrance. Lava Lake Resort is open. The entire Cascade Lakes Highway is scheduled to be opened on Wednesday May 15th. Access to many side roads and campgrounds will continue to be limited due to snow for a while. Paulina Lake road is scheduled to open on Tuesday May 21st. Access to the boat ramps and campground will likely be severely limited by snow. The same will be true of East Lake. I’m not sure when either East Lake or Paulina Lake Resorts will be open at this point. Paulina usually opens a bit sooner than East Lake Resort.

Closer to my home at Crescent Lake, Davis Lake is accessible. Crescent Lake remains mostly inaccessible at this time.  The exception being Crescent Lake Campground and the resort. The resort is closed until Memorial Day weekend. However, boats can be launched at the resort as well as at the low water ramp at Crescent Lake Campground. It’s not advisable to pull a boat and trailer beyond Crescent Lake Campground as the snow continues to block the road a couple of miles past the campground.

The seven-day forecast predicts sunny days ahead. Highs up to near 70 on a few days with nighttime lows dipping into the thirties. Warmer days have created a few mosquitoes hatching out, as well as other bugs to fatten up the fish and harass campers. It’s best to be prepared for them!

Spring weather seems to be here, let’s hope it stays! Get out and explore and enjoy it!