Horsethief Lake Fishing near Dallesport, Oregon

• Overview

  Horsethief Lake lies in Wasco County, Oregon. The setting is open valley on every side. At about 79 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. It ranks high for size among our Wasco County listings. The closest town, Dallesport, is 4.2 miles away. The Dalles lies 5.1 miles off, Chenoweth another 6.9 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Horsethief Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Wasco County cover largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Horsethief Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 35°F in January to roughly 72°F in August. In milder years the surface never sets. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Horsethief Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The slipway at Columbia Hills State Park Boat Launch is half a mile away. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. Mapping shows a campsite some half a mile from the water. A rest area sits about half a mile from the water. There are toilets mapped about half a mile away. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. For a change of water, Little Spearfish Lake is 1.7 miles distant. Treat Horsethief Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.