Lake Simtustus, Oregon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Simtustus is a Jefferson County water, Oregon side. The surface lies 1,581 feet up. The water covers around 553 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. At about 14 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Size puts it in the front rank of our Jefferson County list. The closest town, Madras, is 6.5 miles away. Gresham is the closest city, 81 miles away. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lake Simtustus

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Across Jefferson County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, bull trout, smallmouth bass and sockeye salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Lake Simtustus fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 69°F, while January sits near 34°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Lake Simtustus fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Pelton Regulating Reservoir, 4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at Lake Simtustus as something to verify.