Crater Lake

Crater Lake sits in Oregon, United States and offers the kind of structure-driven lake fishing that suits both bank anglers and those working from a small boat or float tube. Fish on a stillwater like this don't move much during the heat of the day — finding shade, cooler thermoclines, or current from inflowing streams is the local trick. Most successful trips to Crater Lake come down to reading the water before tying on a lure.

Location

42.9415, -122.1073 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow troutLargemouth bassChinook salmonKokanee salmonBull troutSpotted bass

Fishing Techniques

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Largemouth bass

  Vary your retrieve speed and lure presentation until you find what the bass are keying on, as their preferences can change daily based on weather and water conditions.

• For Chinook salmon

  Vary your retrieve speed and depth until you find what the fish are responding to, as their preferences can change daily.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Crater Lake.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Crater Lake should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Oregon before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Crater Lake.

Nearby Spots in Oregon

See all fishing spots in Oregon →

Other Fishing Regions in United States