Colvin Lake, Oregon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Lake County, Oregon, this is Colvin Lake. Land around it is farm and woodlot. At about 43 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Oregon listings. Some 23 miles away sits Lakeview, the nearest settlement. After that come Alturas at 72 miles and Altamont at 82 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Colvin Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Fish documented in Lake County include rainbow trout, Sacramento sucker and warner sucker. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Colvin Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 31°F and August at about 64°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. That is the shape of the year on Colvin Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Priday Lake sits 1.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Colvin Lake before loading the car.