From the Cascade Mountains to the Oregon High Desert, Oregon is famous for its vast lakes and stunning scenery. Combine this with Oregonians’ general love for fishing, and you have the perfect environment for some ice fishing during the winter months.
The best ice fishing lakes in Oregon include:
- Diamond Lake
- Fish Lake
- Lake of the Woods
- Trillium Lake
- Prineville Reservoir
- Thief Valley Reservoir
- Hyatt Lake
- Wolf Creek Reservoir
- Chickahominy Reservoir
Each of these nine lakes has something unique to offer winter anglers. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before your next ice fishing trip!
What to Know Before You Go Ice Fishing in Oregon
As an ice angler, there are a few things you should know before you venture out to one of Oregon’s many lakes for a day of ice fishing. First and foremost, understand that you’ll need to leave the spear at home. Spearfishing is only legal in Oregon’s saltwater bodies, and all the lakes we’ve listed here are freshwater.
Other than that, make sure you adhere to general possession limits and Oregon state regulations:
- With two-rod validation, you can only use up to five lines.
- Any holes you drill in the ice must be 12 inches or less in diameter.
- Using live fish as bait is strictly prohibited.
Play by the rules and follow the general ice fishing safety guidelines, and you’re ready to go!
1. Diamond Lake
Located within Umpqua National Forest in Southwest Oregon, Diamond Lake offers some of the best ice fishing in Oregon — especially if you’re looking for trout. This 3,000-acre lake is open year-round and easily accessible during the winter months. Plus, you’ll get some awesome mountain views!
Diamond Lake is stocked with 300,000 rainbow trout fingerlings, making trophy-sized rainbow trout this lake’s main attraction. You’ll also find tiger and brown trout in Diamond Lake, but because they prey on the lake’s invasive species, you can only catch and release them.
When to Ice Fish at Diamond Lake
In most years, the ice at Diamond Lake is thick enough for ice fishing by January. If you’re planning a trip here, we recommend taking advantage of Diamond Lake Resort near the northwest corner of the lake. They can tell you all about the current ice conditions and rent out equipment like ice augers and snowmobiles.
If you go out early in the season, find a spot you can walk to from the resort. Start in 20 feet of water or less, and check for rainbow trout just a few inches under the ice.
If you want to use a snowmobile, or if you aren’t finding anything in these shallower waters, wait to make your trip until later in the season. The longer you wait after temperatures drop below freezing, the safer it is to walk further out onto the lake.
What to Bring to Diamond Lake
Diamond Lake can get pretty windy, so most anglers bring along an ice hut to make their ice fishing experience more comfortable. As far as gear goes, shorter ice fishing rods, small jigging spoons, and tungsten jigs are generally best.
Most people find luck using pretty standard baits. Some of the best include:
- Waxworms
- Mealworms
- Nightcrawlers
- Chartreuse or rainbow-colored PowerBait
The key here is to keep your bait small. Roll up small balls of PowerBait, or cut larger worms into smaller pieces.
2. Fish Lake
Move a little further down the map and you’ll find Fish Lake, located less than an hour east of Medford, Oregon. This 480-acre reservoir is found at the foot of Mt. McLoughlin and is a popular trout fishing location all year long. The species you’ll find here include:
- Brook trout
- Tiger trout
- Rainbow trout
- Chinook salmon
Like Diamond Lake, Fish Lake is stocked with tiger trout to reduce the population of invasive fish species. So, you’ll need to release any you catch.
While Fish Lake is a pretty solid ice fishing destination in the winter season, conditions can suffer during drought years. Call the experts at Fish Lake Resort before you head out to ensure a successful trip!
When to Ice Fish at Fish Lake
Early mornings or late evenings in January are the best times to head down to Fish Lake. Ice can reach a 24-inch thickness in the prime of the season, but six to 10 inches is more typical.
Fish Lake Resort is open most weekends during the winter season, and we recommend starting your journey here. You can rent an ice auger if you don’t have your own, and they even serve food and drinks to hungry anglers. If you don’t have a state park pass, there is a fee to park at the resort. But, we think it’s worth it for the accommodations!
Once you head out onto the ice, focus on areas with depths between 10 to 20 feet. If you’re early (or late) enough in the day, you might even be able to find fish in eight-foot depths.
What to Bring to Fish Lake
Fish Lake is a freshwater lake, so spears are a no-go. You’ll have to use a fishing rod here. Other than that, different people have different takes on what’s best to use at Fish Lake.
Some say just a plain hook with a small split is the way to go, while others go for small jigging spoons or micro ice jigs. If you do want to use some kind of bait, the anglers here recommend PowerBait or nightcrawlers.
3. Lake of the Woods
Considered by many to be one of the best ice fishing lakes in the entire United States, Lake of the Woods is an incredibly popular destination for winter anglers. This 1,100-acre lake is found just west of Klamath Lake, halfway between Medford and Klamath Falls.
It’s nestled within the Cascades, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. If you want to make a weekend out of it, the nearby Lake of the Woods Resort is the perfect place to stay. And if you’re new to ice fishing, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife occasionally offers classes to help you learn the best techniques!
The most popular catch here is yellow perch, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Some of the other species you might be able to find here include:
- Crappie
- Brown trout
- Bullhead catfish
- Kokanee salmon
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
The rainbow trout stocked here often grow up to 16 inches, so get ready for some big catches!
When to Ice Fish at Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods is a good one if you’re looking for early ice. Ice is usually present by the end of December, but we recommend contacting Lake of the Woods Resort to check on the thickness before you make the trip.
Start your journey at the resort, then head north. Rainbow Bay is a good choice, but if the fish aren’t biting when you get there, look for shallow flats near deep water. Usually, you’ll get some good bites from the lake’s yellow perch just a short distance from the shore.
What to Bring to Lake of the Woods
Since Lake of the Woods has an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, it can get pretty cold — even in warmer winters. An ice hut and all the gear you need to stay warm are a must.
Lake of the Woods is another freshwater lake, so grab your ice fishing rod and leave the spear at home. Bait-wise, the anglers here agree that waxworms and small tungsten jigs are the way to go.
4. Trillium Lake
Mt. Hood is one of the most famous (and most picturesque) mountains in Oregon. If you want to spend your day on the ice with a gorgeous view of this active volcano, you won’t find a better destination than Trillium Lake!
Located just a few miles from Government Camp in the northern Cascades, Trillium Lake sits at a 3,600-foot elevation. It’s a small, shallow lake, just over 60 acres and with a maximum depth of 20 feet. It’s a pretty popular ice fishing destination but be prepared to hike a way to get there. Once you reach the lake, you can fish for rainbow and brook trout.
When to Ice Fish at Trillium Lake
You can usually trust Trillium Lake to freeze over entirely over the winter season. But you’ll probably need to wait a while before the ice is thick enough to walk on.
Unlike the lakes we’ve discussed so far, there aren’t many resources for winter anglers around Trillium Lake. Since you do have to walk quite a while to even reach the lake, it’s best to head up in mid to late winter when you can almost guarantee that the ice is thick enough.
What to Bring to Trillium Lake
Ice fishing at Trillium Lake truly is a journey. The snow can really pile up in the winter, so most people bring snowshoes or a snowmobile to make the trek easier. Pack plenty of snacks and water — you’ll need the energy to walk back to your car later on.
There are a few types of bait that’ll help you catch Trillium Lake’s famous trout. Some of the best are:
- Powerbait
- Nightcrawlers
- Salmon eggs
While Trillium Lake isn’t the easiest to get to, quite a few of Oregon’s ice fishing enthusiasts agree that the hike makes the trip even more satisfying.
5. Prineville Reservoir
Right by Bend and Prineville in Central Oregon, you’ll find a 3,000-acre reservoir called Prineville Reservoir. While rainbow and cutthroat trout are the main species that draw people to this reservoir, you can also find:
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Smallmouth bass
Just keep in mind that the crappie fishing here isn’t very consistent. Most are smaller in size, and the population varies year by year.
When to Ice Fish at Prineville Reservoir
Prineville Reservoir usually has thick ice by mid-January. For the best ice, stick to the coves on the western side.
If you’re looking for the reservoir’s smallmouth bass population, you’ll need to go deeper — up to forty feet deep. Look for rocks and gravel beds underneath the ice and set your tip-ups here.
What to Bring to Prineville Reservoir
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution at Prineville Reservoir. For the most successful fishing trip, you’ll need to decide what you want to catch and get the right baits and jigs ahead of time.
| Type of Fish | Best Baits & Jigs |
| Rainbow and cutthroat trout | Swedish pimple jigs tipped with wax worms |
| Smallmouth bass | Micro jigs tipped with small plastic grubs or rattle baits |
Like we mentioned above, crappie can be tricky to catch here. Aim for trout or bass, but if you’re dead set on crappie, bring along some electronics to find where they’re hiding. These fish usually travel close together in deeper waters.
6. Thief Valley Reservoir
Less than 20 miles south of Union, Oregon, you’ll find Thief Valley Reservoir off Powder River. Thief Valley Reservoir is found 3,000 feet above sea level, giving it a winter chill that makes it an incredibly popular ice fishing destination.
In most years, Thief Valley Reservoir spans 750 acres. At full pool, which increases to around 900 acres. It’s relatively shallow, with a 38-foot maximum depth.
The ODFW stocks Thief Valley Reservoir with 100,000 rainbow trout each year, leading to some great trout catches by the time ice fishing season comes around! Other species you can expect to find here include:
- Crappie
- Bullhead trout
- Largemouth bass
Ready to catch some big trout? Head over to Thief Valley Reservoir.
When to Ice Fish at Thief Valley Reservoir
Ice fishing at Thief Valley Reservoir can be tricky. You’ll want to look elsewhere during drought years, but barring a dry season, thick ice usually forms by January. But we still recommend checking ahead of time to make sure it’s safe. Every year is different, and in 2024, the ice completely melted by early February.
If it is a good year for ice fishing at Thief Valley Reservoir, you’ll find the best access near the east bank. There’s a boat launch you can park at, and you can usually find fish in the shallower waters close by.
What to Bring to Thief Valley Reservoir
Like many of the other lakes in Oregon, Thief Valley Reservoir gets windy and cold in the winter. To keep yourself warm enough for a long day of ice fishing, be sure to pack your ice hut.
Thief Valley Reservoir is full of freshwater, so you’ll need to use your rod to pull your catches through the ice. Attach a jigging rap to the end of the line, and tip it with PowerBait to entice a bite.
7. Hyatt Lake
Hyatt Lake isn’t the most popular ice fishing lake in Oregon, but that’s one of the main reasons we’ve included it here! Some people prefer ice fishing over summertime fishing because it’s quieter, more peaceful, and there’s less competition for a big catch. And if you choose Hyatt Lake as your ice fishing destination, you probably won’t encounter many other anglers.
Hyatt Lake is a 950-acre lake in the Rogue River Watershed. It’s located in Southern Oregon, just east of Ashland. The lake doesn’t always freeze over enough during the winter months, but in the years it does, you can expect to find:
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Rainbow trout
- Largemouth bass
- Brown bullhead catfish
But like most of the lakes in Oregon, the biggest draw here is trout.
When to Ice Fish at Hyatt Lake
The ice at Hyatt Lake can be pretty spotty. But during colder winters, it’s good for ice fishing (with a pole, not a spear) from December to late February.
Because it’s not as crowded as other lakes, there’s a pretty good concentration of fish. You’ll find fish at different depths depending on water temperature, but close to the bottom of the lake near fish-attracting structures is a good place to start.
What to Bring to Hyatt Lake
The few ice anglers who head to Hyatt Lake offer some great recommendations on what to bring. Smaller rods and red-headed jigs are best, and as far as bait goes, they recommend:
- Worms
- Grubs
- Crankbait
- PowerBait
One thing to note is that Hyatt Lake sits at a 5,000-foot elevation. It gets pretty windy when you’re this high up, so bring an ice hut in case you need it.
8. Wolf Creek Reservoir
While some of Oregon’s lakes can be pretty unreliable when it comes to ice fishing, Wolf Creek Reservoir stays consistent year after year. Even during drought years, when other reservoirs suffer, you can count on Wolf Creek Reservoir for a solid ice fishing season.
Located in Eastern Oregon between LaGrande and North Powder, Wolf Creek Reservoir is a 200-acre impoundment of the larger Wolf Creek. It’s relatively small and easy to access, but it doesn’t usually get too crowded. Plus, its location within the foothills of the Elkhorn Mountains makes it one of the more scenic ice fishing destinations in the state!
Wolf Creek Reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout. Other species you can find here include:
- Steelhead trout
- White crappie
- Black crappie
But again, trout are the biggest draw.
When to Ice Fish at Wolf Creek Reservoir
The best time to head to Wolf Creek Reservoir for a day of ice fishing is right in the middle of winter. The ice at the headwaters is pretty soft at the beginning of winter, which makes it difficult to access the rest of the lake. Wait until it gets thicker a little later in the season, and you’ll find solid ice close to the launch area where you can park your car.
Luckily for anyone who doesn’t want to walk very far, the trout here tend to stay in shallow waters. Even as they move toward deeper waters, they stay pretty close to the surface.
What to Bring to Wolf Creek Reservoir
Some of Oregon’s best ice fishing destinations are found near resorts with all the resources you could need. Unfortunately, Wolf Creek Reservoir isn’t one of them.
Make sure you bring along all the gear and equipment you could possibly need for a successful trip, and if you aren’t from the area, consider booking a stay in one of the nearby towns to maximize your time on the ice.
When you go to pick up bait, look for shoepeg corn. Attach it to your jig, and the trout around here will snap it up in a second!
9. Chickahominy Reservoir
Right off Highway 20 near the town of Riley, you’ll find the 530-acre Chickahominy Reservoir. Chickahominy is about 100 miles east of Bend, Oregon, located in the picturesque Oregon desert.
Chickahominy Reservoir is primarily a trout reservoir. But even though there’s not much variety here, the reservoir still draws in a ton of winter anglers looking to catch up to eighteen-inch rainbow trout!
When to Ice Fish at Chickahominy Reservoir
While the ice on Chickahominy Reservoir is usually safe enough to fish on by mid-December, we recommend waiting a little longer. Ice thickness can vary at different parts of the lake, and you always want to make sure it’s safe before venturing out.
Generally, the best time to ice fish at Chickahominy Reservoir is from late December to early February. But as always, bring something to verify the thickness before you go too far.
For the safest and most successful trip possible, stick to the reservoir’s south end. There’s a Bureau of Land Management access site here, and trout tend to stick to shallower waters. Parking at the access site means no long treks across the ice to get a bite!
What to Bring to Chickahominy Reservoir
Like a lot of lakes in Oregon, the wind around Chickahominy Reservoir can get pretty rough. Be sure to pack your ice hut to make the trip more enjoyable.
Because it’s yet another freshwater lake, you can leave your fishing spear at home when you head to Chickahominy Reservoir. Your typical trout baits will help you catch the big rainbow trout that call this reservoir home — Minnows work well, as do ice flies and jigging spoons.
A Day on the Oregon Ice
Oregon is a fisherman’s dream. With countless lakes to choose from, stunning views across the state, and a healthy community of other ice fishers to connect with, you couldn’t dream of a better state for wintertime fishing.
When choosing a lake for this year’s ice fishing trip, consider:
- The type of fish you want to catch
- The accommodations you’ll need
- Your level of experience
- Your desired location within the state
Keep these four things in mind when picking from these nine unique lakes, and you’ll leave with memories you can share for years to come!
