Fishing at Blowdown Lake, Deschutes County, Oregon

• Overview

  Set in Deschutes County, Oregon, this is Blowdown Lake. The bank gives way to open valley. This is a pocket water of some 3 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Deschutes County are larger. For supplies, Three Rivers is 24 miles out. The big place round here is Eugene, 60 miles distant. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Blowdown Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Deschutes County include rainbow trout, brook trout and mountain whitefish. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Blowdown Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 56°F and December near 27°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Blowdown Lake fishes to that pattern most years. After heavy rain, give the water a day to settle.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, West Hanks Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. For Blowdown Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.