Fishing at Red Butte Lake, Linn County, Oregon

• Overview

  The Linn County end of Oregon holds Red Butte Lake. It sits at 5,203 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Sisters, is 22 miles distant. Further out sit Culver (32 miles) and Warm Springs (34 miles). The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Red Butte Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Survey and observation records for Linn County include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and bluegill. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Red Butte Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 57°F, the coldest about 29°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan any trip to Red Butte Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Jorn Lake is 0.4 miles distant. For Red Butte Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.