Dexter Reservoir in Lane County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Dexter Reservoir is a Lane County water, in Oregon. Country round the bank runs to oak and grass. The water covers around 884 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. Some 6.6 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. On our Lane County list it sits near the top for size. Lowell at 0.4 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Eugene is 17 miles off. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Dexter Reservoir

  56 ft is what our records show. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Across Lane County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, largescale sucker and Coho salmon. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Dexter Reservoir responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 39°F in December and 65°F in August. Cooler months are the productive ones on most of this water. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Dexter Reservoir more years than not. Autumn cools the shallows first, so work deeper as it goes on.

• Tackle & Baits

  This one is recorded as open to the public. The slipway at Lowell Boat Ramp is half a mile away. A marina half a mile from here covers launching and moorings. Overnight stays are possible 0.9 miles away. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Fall Creek Lake at 4.2 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Dexter Reservoir before loading the car.