Lower Empire Lake Fishing near North Bend, Oregon

• Overview

  Lower Empire Lake is one of the Coos County listings for Oregon. It sits at 89 feet above sea level. At 22 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is low-lying compared with other Oregon water we list. 2 miles away sits North Bend, the nearest town. Coos Bay follows at 3 miles, then Barview at 3.9 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lower Empire Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Coos County include Coho salmon, largemouth bass, rainbow trout and brown bullhead. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Fish Lower Empire Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year August sits at 60°F and December at 46°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lower Empire Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Upper Empire Lake, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Nothing on Lower Empire Lake should be assumed from this page alone.