Recreation Report for July 18, 2019
/Highlights From The Week's Recreation Report
Stock Photo
Fishing
Attention Anglers, ODF wants your photos. Whether you’re out after trout or bass, steelhead or salmon, surfperch or rockfish, we’d love to see photos of your adventure. When you submit your photos to ODFW they could appear on our website or signs, or in social or brochures. What a great way to share your experience with others! Submit here
Weekend Fishing Opportunities:
Fish Lake in the Wallowa Mountains has been stocked with more fish than in recent years, so anglers can expect fishing to be very good.
Phillips Reservoir has been stocked with approximately 14,000 legal-size and 4,500 trophy-size rainbow trout this year. ‘Nuf said.
The trail to Blue Lake in the Gearhart Wilderness is open and fishing was excellent this past weekend.
Campbell and Deadhorse Lakes will be stocked this week and fishing should be good.
This time of year, trout fishing on the Blitzen and Chewaucan rivers should be good.
Deadhorse Lake, Fourmile Lake, Twin Lake, Campbell Lake, Miller Lake and Eagle Creek are all scheduled to be stocked this week.
BLUE LAKE (Gearhart Wilderness)
hatchery rainbow trout
Access is available and fishing was excellent this past weekend. A lot of fish in the 8- to 1-inch range were caught using flies. There was surface action the entire day. The trail has been cleared and hiking a few miles into the wilderness is an excellent way to warm up the ol’ ticker. Best option to catch a ton of trout is with a float tube or other flotation device. Fly anglers can troll wooly buggers, prince nymphs and cast dry flies such as damsels. This is an excellent time to fish with damsels and water boatman. Bait and lure anglers also can do pretty well. These fish are really looking at natural forage, which means fishing with flies can be fantastic! This is one of the best lakes to fish in Lake County at this time of year. Bring mosquito repellent!
CAMPBELL LAKE
hatchery rainbow trout, brook trout
This lake will be stocked this week with 2,250 legals and 300 larger rainbow trout this week. Fishing from the bank and boat have been very productive recently. Trolling and casting lures from a boat were catching both rainbow and brook trout in the 6- to 18-inch range. Bait fishing on the bottom and under a bobber were also producing plenty of fish. There were lots of sub-legal rainbow trout planted last winter that should be a lot of fun now for kids and fly-anglers. These fish are very aggressive and tend to bite on everything. Try casting towards the downed trees to catch brook trout. If you don’t have any luck at Campbell Lake try Deadhorse Lake only a mile away.
CAMPBELL RESERVOIR
redband trout, largemouth bass, crappie
Crappie fishing is slow. Best fishing is from a small boat. Larger boats cannot be launched at the reservoir as there is no boat ramp. Best fishing is near the dam and near the overhanging willows. The southeastern part of the reservoir is on BLM property. The reservoir is also fed by water from Deming Creek. Access is available off the FS 34 (Dairy Creek road) and 335 roads near Bly. Much of the reservoir is on private property so please respect this area.
Game
KLAMATH COUNTY
Spring bear season closed May 31.
Cougar hunting is open. Populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base. Don’t forget successful hunters must check-in cougars within 10 days after harvest; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open so that field staff can quickly process the animal and get you on your way. The reproductive tract is required for any female cougars taken.
Coyote hunting opportunities are available throughout the district. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and open season limitations exist for these species. Please consult the annual Big Game hunting regulations for further information.
Ground squirrel hunting is good on nicer days. Best prospects are in pasture and hay fields. Be sure to ask permission before entering private land.
Test your identification skills with ODFW’s new Coyote and Gray Wolf ID Quiz.
LAKE COUNTY
Bear-The South Central spring bear hunt closed May 31.
Cougar hunting is open. Cougar populations are healthy throughout the District. Predator calls can be an effective cougar hunting method though bobcats and bears may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species. Hunters should be prepared for predators other than cougar to respond.
Hunters are reminded that hunter harvested cougars MUST be checked into an ODFW office, by appointment, within 10 days of harvest. Please prop mouth open at time of harvest and either wait to freeze or thaw the skull before your appointment. The reproductive tract is required for any female cougars taken.
Coyote populations are good and hunting is available throughout the district. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and season limitations exist for these species. Hunters should be prepared for predators other than coyotes to respond. Coyote hunters need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes. Test your identification skills with ODFW’s new Coyote and Gray Wolf ID Quiz.
Ground Squirrels are above ground and active, hunting is good on nicer days. Best prospects are in pasture and hay fields. While hunters can assist landowners with agricultural damage they are reminded they need to obtain landowner permission prior to hunting to avoid trespassing and landowner conflicts. Please respect private property. Weasels and coyotes hunt ground squirrels too so check with landowners regarding harvesting these species. Hunters need to be aware burrowing owls nest in abandoned burrows in agricultural and hay fields. Hunters need to take extra care to identify their target prior to shooting.
Information provided by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Recreation Report is brought to you by the Klamath County Fair.
Midland, Jon Wolfe, and Lonestar all perform at the 2019 Klamath County Fair. TICKETS ON SALE NOW.