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

• Overview

  Look for Reese Lake in Deschutes County, Oregon. The bank is 6,490 feet above sea level. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. It is a small entry by Deschutes County standards. Some 18 miles away sits Sisters, the nearest settlement. Then Deschutes River Woods, 24 miles, and Sunriver, 24 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Reese Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Reported across Deschutes County: rainbow trout, brook trout, mountain whitefish and brown trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Reese Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between December at about 23°F and August at about 51°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Look for the thaw near late May; the fishing lifts straight after. From about late May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Reese Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. You can camp about 80 yards away, going by the mapping. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Should this one be busy, Husband Lake is 1.9 miles off. Nothing on Reese Lake should be assumed from this page alone.