Arcadia Lake near Nyssa: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Arcadia Lake lies in Malheur County, in Oregon. The country here is sage and rock. Small at around 18 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Nyssa, is 3 miles distant. It is 44 miles to Boise, the nearest city. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking. Most people fish the same few areas, which leaves the rest quiet.

• Where to Fish on Arcadia Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Reported across Malheur County: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, common carp, flathead catfish and channel catfish. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Arcadia Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 73°F in July and bottom out at 28°F in January. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Plan any trip to Arcadia Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Four Points Reservoir, 17 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at Arcadia Lake as something to verify.