Skull Creek Reservoir Fishing in Malheur County, Oregon

• Overview

  Malheur County in Oregon is where Skull Creek Reservoir sits. This is open dry country ground. Small even by pond standards, it rewards one careful line. Marsing lies 65 miles from the water. Homedale is 67 miles and Nampa 70 miles. Nearest other option: Eiguren Reservoir 2 miles, Upper Dry Lake Number 1 a shade over 3.9 miles, Short Creek Reservoir 4.2 miles, Upper Dry Lake Number 2 a shade over 5 miles and Rock Creek Reservoir 5.2 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Skull Creek Reservoir

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. County-wide records name rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, common carp and flathead catfish. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Anyone new to Skull Creek Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 28°F in January and 69°F in August. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. On Skull Creek Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing. A steady wind fishes better than a still, bright day.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapped as intermittent, it fills after rain and shrinks between. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Eiguren Reservoir is 2 miles distant. Signs at Skull Creek Reservoir carry more weight than any list.