Taylor Lake Fishing near Chenoweth, Oregon

• Overview

  Taylor Lake lies within the bounds of Wasco County, Oregon. The bank is 82 feet above sea level. With some 30 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Oregon listings. The town to know is Chenoweth, 2.1 miles out. Beyond it, Dallesport at 2.2 miles and The Dalles at 3.5 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Taylor Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Wasco County list largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and walleye. The county list is broader than any single water. On Taylor Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 72°F, the coldest about 35°F. Whether it freezes depends on the year. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. That shapes the year on Taylor Lake. Early and late in the day beat the middle for most of the year.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Foley Lakes Reservoir at 1.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Taylor Lake before loading the car.