Rotten Lake Fishing Guide, Wasco County, Oregon

• Overview

  Rotten Lake is a Wasco County water, in Oregon. The surroundings are sage and rock. It covers about 7 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The town to know is Madras, 39 miles out. The big place round here is Gresham, 101 miles distant. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Rotten Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Wasco County cover largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Read Rotten Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 70°F; by January the average is down near 34°F. Fishing continues through most of the calendar, with quiet spells rather than closures. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Expect Rotten Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Big Lake, 0.7 miles away. Signs at Rotten Lake carry more weight than any list.