Hicks Lake in Hood River County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Hood River County, Hicks Lake is an Oregon water. It sits at 3,881 feet above sea level. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. Our Hood River County list holds plenty of bigger water. Cascade Locks sits 6.6 miles from the bank. Gresham sits 30 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Hicks Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Hood River County include Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, largemouth bass and bluegill. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Fish Hicks Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 60°F, the coldest about 31°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It holds true on Hicks Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Overnight stays are possible 0.9 miles away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Wahtum Lake, 1.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. What applies at Hicks Lake may have changed since it was mapped.