Mile Lake in Deschutes County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Deschutes County, Oregon, sits Mile Lake. The water sits 5,112 feet up. At roughly 6 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Sunriver is the closest town at 23 miles. For a city, Eugene is 60 miles off. Not far off: Platt Lake within 0.3 miles, Park Lake lies 0.4 miles on, East Fisher Lake within 0.4 miles, Herb Lake lies 0.4 miles on and West Fisher Lake within 0.4 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Mile Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Deschutes County records list rainbow trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish, brown trout and largemouth bass among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Mile Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 56°F for August and 27°F for December. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Mile Lake that shapes the whole year. Overcast days spread the fishing across more hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Platt Lake, 0.3 miles away. None of that is settled for Mile Lake in what we hold.