Fishing Timber Lake in Marion County, Oregon

• Overview

  Oregon holds Timber Lake, in Marion County. Around the bank it is rolling hill. About 18 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. On our Marion County list it sits near the top for size. Some 26 miles away sits Warm Springs, the nearest settlement. The nearest city of size is Gresham, 57 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Timber Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Marion County cover bluegill, largemouth bass, largescale sucker and rainbow trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Timber Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 55°F, the coldest about 28°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Cover comes and goes, so treat it with suspicion rather than trust. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It sets the rhythm of the year at Timber Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Eloise Lake, 0.4 miles out. The position on Timber Lake is worth confirming on the day.