Allen Creek Reservoir, Oregon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Oregon, Allen Creek Reservoir falls inside Wheeler County. The bank is 4,701 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 81 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The bank runs about 1.7 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Of the waters listed here in Wheeler County, this is the largest. Nearest town is Prineville, 34 miles off. Then Terrebonne, 50 miles, and Redmond, 51 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Allen Creek Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Records held for Wheeler County cover smallmouth bass, bridgelip sucker, rainbow trout, brown bullhead and black crappie. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Allen Creek Reservoir light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 24°F in January up to 60°F in August. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. The lid tends to go about early April and return around early December. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. The season on Allen Creek Reservoir follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Peterson Creek Reservoir, 1.6 miles out. None of that is settled for Allen Creek Reservoir in what we hold.