Bull Run Lake near Mount Hood Village: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  In Oregon, Bull Run Lake belongs to Hood River County. The water sits 3,205 feet up. At 444 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The perimeter runs near 3.9 miles, so plan the walk before you start. By surface area it heads our Hood River County listings. The town to know is Mount Hood Village, 10 miles out. It is 29 miles to Gresham, the nearest city. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Bull Run Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Hood River County records list Coho salmon, Chinook salmon and largemouth bass among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Bull Run Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 30°F in January up to 60°F in August. In milder years the surface never sets. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Plan around that when you fish Bull Run Lake. The first warm week of the year changes everything here.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. This is a reservoir by origin, with the deepest water near the dam. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Lost Lake at 2.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Bull Run Lake before loading the car.