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Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
7,291-acre lake near Plush. The lake tops out around 9 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Every species below gets its seasonal read from the same numbers driving the chart.
Traced from the shoreline, Hart Lake runs 7,232 acres with 25.5 miles of edge. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 2.1) — enough points and pockets to pattern. Nothing on this chart breaks 15 ft, which makes the whole surface littoral: weeds, bait and ambush cover everywhere. Tip to tip the water measures near 6.6 mi with a 2.8-mi widest point. The water lies in Lake County. For a second option, Catnip Reservoir lies 39 mi southeast.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 9 ft. Summer keeps them at 2 to 9 ft, and they winter in 2 to 9 ft. Spring rainbow trout concentrate at Creek inflow, a prime-rated inflow / creek mouth around 2 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Creek inflow (2 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Creek inflow (2 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Gravel shoal (2 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Break off the point (6 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: crappie in 2 to 8 ft. As the season builds they drop to 3 to 9 ft, wintering in 3 to 9 ft. Top water on the chart: Old creek channel, a creek channel in the 9 ft range, prime in fall. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Weed flat (2 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Old creek channel (9 ft) | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 20 ft | dawn | Old creek channel (9 ft) | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (9 ft) | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: smallmouth bass in 2 to 9 ft. The depth story barely changes: 3 to 9 ft through summer, 3 to 9 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 6 ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Gravel shoal (2 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (6 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (6 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 9 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Break off the point (6 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
12 pieces of structure are mapped here — Deep basin, around 9 ft, is the deepest of them.
Access data: Oregon State Marine Board — Boating Access. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Oregon waters are set by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to Hart Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Oregon fishing regulations →
Hart Lake is about 9 ft (3 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target rainbow trout, crappie, smallmouth bass on Hart Lake.
Creek inflow is the top-rated area: an inflow / creek mouth in about 2 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
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.
Fishing on Hart Lake is regulated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Check the official Oregon regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Catnip Reservoir 39 mi, NV · Gerber Reservoir 65 mi · Fish Lake 66 mi · Onion Valley Reservoir 75 mi, NV · Mann Lake 76 mi · Wall Canyon Reservoir 85 mi, NV · Upper Klamath Lake 107 mi · Agency Lake 108 mi · Squaw Valley Reservoir 110 mi, NV · Crater Lake 120 mi · Lake of the Woods 121 mi · Miller Lake 121 mi
See how Hart Lake stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Oregon · best crappie lakes in Oregon · best rainbow trout lakes in Oregon
Browse all Oregon fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.