Fishing at Cold Springs Reservoir, Umatilla County, Oregon

• Overview

  Within Umatilla County, Oregon, you have Cold Springs Reservoir. It sits at 600 feet above sea level. At some 1,440 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. You are looking at roughly 5.5 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. Nothing else we list in Umatilla County covers more water. Nearest place of any size is Stanfield, 6.5 miles away. Hermiston is 6.8 miles and Umatilla 9.9 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Cold Springs Reservoir

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Species logged across Umatilla County include rainbow trout, bridgelip sucker and Chinook salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Cold Springs Reservoir the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 73°F, the coldest about 34°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Cold Springs Reservoir runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Walchli Reservoir is 1.6 miles off. Treat Cold Springs Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.