First Lake Fishing in Benton County, Oregon

• Overview

  This water sits in Benton County, Oregon. This is oak and grass ground. The water measures roughly 10 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. The town to know is Albany, 1.8 miles out. The nearest city of size is Salem, 21 miles away. If this one is busy: 0.4 miles away is Second Lake, Waverly Lake at 0.6 miles, 1.1 miles away is Timber-Linn Lake, Thornton Lake at 2.4 miles and 3.7 miles away is Wilson Lake. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on First Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Benton County names largescale sucker, bluegill, cutthroat trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Read First Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 67°F and January near 40°F. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to First Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. There are picnic tables recorded roughly half a mile off. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Second Lake is 0.4 miles off. Check the position at First Lake before loading the car.