Fishing at Lodgepole Lake, Deschutes County, Oregon

• Overview

  Deschutes County, Oregon, is where Lodgepole Lake sits. It sits in rolling hill country. Small at around 3 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Nearest place of any size is Three Rivers, 23 miles away. Beyond it, La Pine at 23 miles and Sunriver at 25 miles. Neighbouring water: Merle Lake within 0.2 miles, Kinnikinnic Lake 0.3 miles away, Phantom Lake within 0.4 miles, Harlequin Lake 0.6 miles away and Kershaw Lake within 0.6 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lodgepole Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Deschutes County include rainbow trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish, brown trout and largemouth bass. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Lodgepole Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 56°F, the coldest about 27°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Anyone fishing Lodgepole Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. The nearest car park we can see is 0.9 miles out, so expect a walk with your gear. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Merle Lake is 0.2 miles off. Rules at Lodgepole Lake are worth checking on the day.