Craig Lake, Oregon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Craig Lake lies in Lane County, Oregon. It sits at 5,135 feet above sea level. Sisters lies 14 miles from the water. Further out sit Bend (29 miles) and Deschutes River Woods (30 miles). In the same area: 2.3 miles out stands Campers Lake, Hand Lake 2.4 miles away, 2.7 miles out stands Lava Camp Lake, North Matthieu Lake 2.9 miles away and 3.4 miles out stands South Matthieu Lake. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Craig Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Lane County cover rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, largescale sucker and Coho salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Craig Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 56°F in August and bottom out at 28°F in December. A long season, with weather mattering more than the month. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. On Craig Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Campers Lake at 2.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Craig Lake before loading the car.