Fishing at Jackson Reservoir, Washington County, Oregon

• Overview

  Set in Washington County, Oregon, this is Jackson Reservoir. The ground around here is oak and grass. Small at around 8 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Oregon listings. Some 5 miles away sits Aloha, the nearest settlement. Hillsboro sits 6.2 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Jackson Reservoir

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Across Washington County, recorded fish include common carp, yellow perch and brown bullhead. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Jackson Reservoir as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 40°F to 66°F. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Expect Jackson Reservoir to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Burkhalter Reservoir, 3 miles away. Confirm before you fish Jackson Reservoir.