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Fishing Deschutes River (Lower): what the data says
Warm Springs to Maupin. native redside rainbows and the famous summer steelhead run. The river tops out around 10 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Deschutes River (Lower)
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 7.4): a current seam around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 10 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Steelhead fishing at Deschutes River (Lower)
Start shallow in spring: steelhead sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 1 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 7.4): a current seam around 6 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A orange dodger + fly high in the column or a thin spoon off boards covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon or spinner at the mouths, Jig + waxworm under float |
| Summer | 1 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Orange dodger + fly high in the column, Thin spoon off boards |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinner (silver/blue), Casting spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft | midday | Float jig (black/purple), Bead rig |
Notable structure
- Pelton Regulating Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.3): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 13.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.0): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.9): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 32.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 35.0): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 37.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 39.6): creek channel, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Deschutes River (Lower)?
Deschutes River (Lower) is about 10 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Deschutes River (Lower)?
Anglers target rainbow trout, steelhead on Deschutes River (Lower).
Where is the best fishing spot on Deschutes River (Lower)?
Current seam (mile 7.4) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Deschutes River (Lower)?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Rock Creek Reservoir · Haystack Reservoir · John Day River · Big Lake · Clear Lake · Hosmer Lake
See how Deschutes River (Lower) stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Oregon
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