Little Wildhorse Lake in Harney County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Harney County, Oregon, is where Little Wildhorse Lake sits. The setting is open valley on every side. A pocket of water where every cast reaches cover. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Harney County. For supplies, Hines is 69 miles out. For a city, Boise is 139 miles off. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Little Wildhorse Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name rainbow trout, bridgelip sucker and mountain whitefish. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Little Wildhorse Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 26°F and August at about 60°F, the water has a wide range to work through. In milder years the surface never sets. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. That is the shape of the year on Little Wildhorse Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. The water borders Little Wildhorse Lake Area of Critical Environmental Concern, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Wildhorse Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the current arrangement for Little Wildhorse Lake.