Fishing Raft Lake in Deschutes County, Oregon

• Overview

  You will find Raft Lake in Deschutes County, Oregon. The country here is farm and woodlot. About 7 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Nearest place of any size is Three Rivers, 22 miles away. After that come La Pine at 22 miles and Sunriver at 24 miles. Neighbouring water: Strider Lake just 0.2 miles, Jay Lake at 0.4 miles, Harlequin Lake just 1.1 miles, Deer Lake at 1.1 miles and East Hanks Lake just 1.2 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Raft Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Deschutes County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout and mountain whitefish. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Fish Raft Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 57°F at the top of summer and 27°F at the bottom of winter. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Time your trip to Raft Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Strider Lake, 0.2 miles out. Ask locally about Raft Lake if anything is unclear.