World’s Best Streaming Services

Long before Bend became famous as a self-propelled sports enthusiasts’ destination, it was known for its fishing.

Besides year-round fishing for trout and steelhead, Bend boasts nationally-renowned rivers, streams, and lakes providing anglers with a mind-boggling abundance of world-class fishing.

Rated by Fly Fisherman Magazine as one of the top 10 fly fishing towns in the U.S., Bend is truly a fly fishing paradise. Cast your line over the fast-flowing Tumalo Creek below Tumalo Falls, the gin-clear Fall River south of town, or stretches of the Deschutes River right in town.

There is no one “best season” for stream and river fishing, as sections of the Deschutes are open to fly anglers throughout the winter. In early summer, there’s a significant salmon fly hatch and, come fall, many big browns begin their migration from the Deschutes into smaller feeder streams.

When it comes to lake fishing, the Cascade Lakes region is noted for its good-sized rainbows, especially in Crane Prairie Reservoir. For the ultimate challenge, try Hosmer Lake, home to large brookies and landlocked Atlantic salmon.

Brush up on your skills at the 12-hole casting course in the Old Mill District. It’s the first permanent casting course in the country, and you can grab a brochure at the Ticket Mill. Except where otherwise noted, Bend area streams, rivers, and lakes are open to bait and spin fishing generally for rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Bass fishing, while limited mostly to ponds, is popular on Crane Prairie and Wickiup Reservoirs, and on Davis Lake.

Whether you feel like taking your fishing to the next level or just want to take the hassle out of scouting for the best spots, you can book a fishing tour with several local outfitters. Choose from half-day outings or multi-day fishing adventures, and get access to all the best gear and tips.

And if you’re looking for a simple way to introduce the kids to fishing, the Bend Park and Recreation District offers two kid-friendly fishing ponds in Bend. The ponds are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and allow a limit of two fish per day with an eight inch minimum. Shevlin Park Pond features rainbow trout and is open to youth 17 years and under. At Pine Nursery Park, the pond is open to all ages and stocked with rainbow trout, blue gills, and bass.

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