Rainbow Lake in Multnomah County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Rainbow Lake sits within Multnomah County in Oregon. Height above sea level is 69 feet. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is low-lying compared with other Oregon water we list. The nearest town is Scappoose, 6.3 miles away. It is 9.9 miles to Vancouver, the nearest city. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Rainbow Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. County-wide records name Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, rainbow trout and common carp. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Rainbow Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 64°F and January near 39°F on the long-run figures. The year never really closes; it just gets uncomfortable in summer. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Time your trip to Rainbow Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping records boats as not allowed here, so plan to fish from the bank. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Sand Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Rainbow Lake carry more weight than any list.