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Fishing Malheur Reservoir: what the data says
1,027-acre reservoir near Ironside. The lake tops out around 105 ft. The depth chart is built from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the humps, channels and drop-offs you see are measured, not guessed. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Malheur Reservoir
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it First Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 14 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 | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Malheur Reservoir
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. Secondary point is the standout, a point at roughly 21 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 20 to 45 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 96 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 69 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 28 ft
- Shallow feeding flat: feeding flat, around 26 ft
- Shallow feeding flat: feeding flat, around 26 ft
- Secondary point: point, around 21 ft
- Old creek channel: creek channel, around 18 ft
- First Creek inflow: inflow / creek mouth, around 14 ft
- Back-bay flat: weed flat, around 13 ft
- Shallow bay flat: weed flat, around 9 ft
Common questions
How deep is Malheur Reservoir?
Malheur Reservoir is about 105 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.
What fish are in Malheur Reservoir?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout on Malheur Reservoir.
Where is the best fishing spot on Malheur Reservoir?
First Creek inflow is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 14 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 Malheur Reservoir?
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
Bully Creek Reservoir · Beulah Reservoir · Anthony Lakes · Strawberry Lake · Olive Lake · Cold Springs Reservoir
See how Malheur Reservoir stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Oregon · best rainbow trout lakes in Oregon
Browse all Oregon fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: state fisheries survey programs. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.