Round Lake Fishing near Oakridge, Oregon

• Overview

  Set in Lane County, Oregon, this is Round Lake. It lies 4,846 feet above sea level. Small at around 24 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The nearest town is Oakridge, 20 miles away. After that come La Pine at 29 miles and Three Rivers at 30 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules. The far side sees far fewer people than the near one.

• Where to Fish on Round Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Lane County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, largescale sucker and Coho salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Round Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, August reads 57°F and December reads 29°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Round Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The water borders Waldo Lake Wilderness, so reserve rules are likely to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Upper Eddeeleo Lake, 0.3 miles out. What applies at Round Lake may have changed since it was mapped.