Fishing at Kauer Reservoir, Yamhill County, Oregon

• Overview

  Kauer Reservoir belongs to Yamhill County, Oregon. It sits 39 miles in from the sea. At roughly 7 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It lies lower than most water we list in Oregon. Some 2.9 miles away sits McMinnville, the nearest settlement. For a city, Salem is 17 miles off. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Kauer Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. County-wide records name largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie, brown bullhead and black crappie. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. The shape of Kauer Reservoir decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 66°F; by December the average is down near 40°F. Cold never closes this one. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It holds true on Kauer Reservoir more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Stockhoff Reservoir is 2.8 miles off. Where Kauer Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.