Devils Lake near Sunriver: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Within Deschutes County, Oregon, you have Devils Lake. The surface lies 5,453 feet up. It covers about 22 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Sunriver sits 19 miles from the bank. After that come Deschutes River Woods at 20 miles and Sisters at 21 miles. No border sits close enough to matter. The shoreline gives more room than the map suggests.

• Where to Fish on Devils Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish and brown trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Devils Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 54°F and December reads 25°F. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Devils Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Park at Devil's Lake Trailhead, half a mile from the water. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Sparks Lake, 1.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position on Devils Lake before loading the car.