Lemish Lake, Oregon: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Oregon holds Lemish Lake, in Deschutes County. It stands 5,154 feet above sea level. At roughly 16 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. La Pine lies 22 miles from the water. Three Rivers is 22 miles away, with Sunriver at 24 miles. Within a short run: Strider Lake after 1.2 miles, 1.3 miles out stands Raft Lake, Jay Lake after 1.6 miles, 1.7 miles out stands Harlequin Lake and East Hanks Lake after 1.7 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Lemish Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Deschutes County include rainbow trout, brook trout and mountain whitefish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Lemish Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 57°F and December near 27°F. The calendar is generous: something works in nearly every month. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. On Lemish Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Strider Lake, 1.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. What applies at Lemish Lake may have changed since it was mapped.