Lower Deschutes River Fishing Regulations Open all year for trout and hatchery steelhead. 2 rainbow trout per day, 10 inch minimum and 13 inch maximum length. Open for Chinook salmon upstream to Sherars Falls Aug 1 โ Oct 31.
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What flies to use on the Deschutes River?
Due to the small size of the stream, we use smaller flies than in larger sections of the river. Midges and small mayflies work very well here, both on the surface and below it. Blue-winged olives (Baetis) are a super common mayfly. Small stoneflies and caddis pupa can also be effective here.
Where is the best fishing on the Deschutes River?
LOWER DESCHUTES RIVER The Lower Deschutes is likely Oregon’s most well known and most sought after spot to fly fish for both Wild Trout and Steelhead. With trout populations running over 3500 trout per mile, the first 50 miles below Pelton Dam offers some of the finest trout opportunities in the state.
Is steelhead fishing open on the Deschutes River?
Steelhead and salmon fishing are open on the lower Deschutes from Moody Rapids upstream to Pelton Dam.
What is the daily limit for trout in Oregon?
The daily bag limit in Oregon for trout is five fish of any combination of trout species measuring between eight and twenty inches in length. One harvested trout per day can measure over twenty inches. Bull trout are prohibited from harvest.
What fish are in season right now in Oregon?
- Dungeness Crab: December to August.
- Sturgeon: April to August.
- Pink Shrimp: April to October.
- Albacore Tuna: June -October.
- Pacific Halibut: Short seasons in summer, until catch quotas met, set at June 22-24, July 6-8, July 20-22, and Aug 3-5.
How do you fish the lower Deschutes for trout?

What is the salmon fly hatch Deschutes?
Salmonfly & Golden Stonefly Hatch on the Lower Deschutes River. The stonefly hatch (also known as the salmonfly hatch) begins early in May on the Lower Deschutes River and provides nearly a month long opportunity to target the river’s wild redsides with huge dry flies.
What is considered lower Deschutes River?
Different Sections of the River: The last 100 miles of the Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to the mouth of the Columbia is considered the Lower part of the Deschutes. It was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970 and a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988.
Can you use lures on the Deschutes River?
Bait/Lure Fishing Method: Crayfish, night crawlers, spinners, and plugs. Benham Falls to Lake Billy Chinook are restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Insect Hatch/Flies to Use: Check the Middle Deschutes River Major Hatches chart below. The use of dry flies has been successful.
Can you use bait on the Deschutes River?
Deschutes River Salmon Fishing Also, ODFW allows bait fishing in a limited area below the falls, and bait is often the most effective way to catch salmon in the river. Check the regulations for details before fishing with bait, or you’re likely to get a fat fine for using bait in the wrong areas.
Can you fly fish in Bend?
Rated by Fly-Fisherman Magazine as one of the Top 10 โfly fishing towns in the United States, Bend is truly a fishing paradise.
Is the Middle Deschutes open for fishing?
Middle Deschutes River Fishing Regulations Open all year for trout.
Why is the Deschutes River so low?
The low water flows are due to an irrigation diversion and a leaky dam.
What fish are in the Little Deschutes River?
Little Deschutes River is a stream near Bend. The most popular species caught here are Rainbow trout, Brown trout, and Brook trout. 66 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Please use your best judgement when determining where you can fish, and make sure you follow local regulations.
How many rods can you fish with in Oregon?
Two rods or lines while angling in standing water bodies such as lakes, ponds and reservoirs, including Snake River impoundments above Hells Canyon Dam. Five rods or lines only when ice fishing. Only when authorized, the two-rod validation may be used in specified streams.
What is the best bait for trout?
For catching trout, many anglers turn to natural baits. Nightcrawlers and other types of earthworms are an excellent choice. Salmon eggs, mealworms and locally available baits can also be very successful and often are similar to food sources in the environment.
Is night fishing legal in Oregon?
Oregon fishing laws prohibit fishing after dark for salmon, steelhead and trout, but no such restriction is in place for most other species.
Are barbed hooks illegal in Oregon?
Barbed hooks allowed for salmon, steelhead, trout fishing in the Columbia River beginning June 1. SALEM, Ore. โODFW today adopted temporary rules to allow anglers to use barbed hooks when fishing for salmon, steelhead and trout in the Columbia River beginning Saturday, June 1.
Can you fish for trout all year-round in Oregon?
Oregon’s year-round fishing spans the state from native redband trout in eastern deserts to rockfish and halibut in ocean waters โ with lots of salmon, steelhead, trout and warmwater fishing in between.
Can you keep native rainbow trout in Oregon?
Oregon Hatchery Trout Limit You can catch as much hatchery trout as you like in Oregon but you are not allowed to take everything home. The rules clearly state that anglers should only take home 5 small trout that are between 8-20 inches long.
Can you fish the Deschutes River in Sunriver?
Deschutes River, Upper And while the lower river is more famous, there’s plenty of fishing up here. The county’s section of river has native redband rainbow trout throughout, and sections also contain two species of non-native trout.
Can you fish the Deschutes in Bend?
The reel deal. The Deschutes River is home to many species of prized native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in public Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Can you fish from a boat on the Deschutes?
You cannot fish from a boat, even if it is parked. Any time you put a floating device (boat, raft, innertube, SUP, kayak, float tube, pontoon boat, etc.) in the water, you are required to purchase a Deschutes River Boater Pass from a website called recreation.gov.
How do you fish a salmon fly hatch?
