Bully Creek Reservoir - Vale, OR


Fish Spot Details

Surface Area:985 acres
Capacity:31659 acre ft.
Elevation:2500 ft.
Fish Species: Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, White Crappie, Yellow Perch
Bully Creek Reservoir, proximate to Vale in Eastern Oregon, functions as a valuable irrigation impoundment concurrently providing robust warmwater and coolwater fishing. Meticulously managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), it boasts strong populations of smallmouth bass and crappie, alongside opportunistically stocked rainbow trout.

The reservoir’s primary piscatorial assets are its abundant smallmouth bass, thriving in rocky habitats, offering spirited battles during warmer months. Complementing this, an excellent crappie fishery provides rapid engagement, particularly in spring. Channel catfish and various panfish further diversify the angling portfolio. Angling techniques are comprehensive: a wide array of lures for bass around structures; small jigs or live bait for crappie; bottom-fished natural offerings for catfish; and standard baits, spinners, or trolling for trout. Optimal warmwater fishing spans late spring through early fall; trout excel in spring and autumn. Access is generally good via a developed boat ramp and bank access, though water levels fluctuate. Anglers are unequivocally mandated to consult the latest ODFW regulations, ensuring absolute adherence to species-specific bag limits and gear restrictions for this versatile Eastern Oregon fishery.



Latest Fish Reports

Date Report Author
6-25-2025 Fishing for bass has been slow
The reservoir is 85% full and the boat... more »
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
6-5-2025 Fishing for bass has been slow
The reservoir is nearly full and the boat... more »
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
5-13-2025 The reservoir is nearly full and the boat ramp is usable
The reservoir is nearly full and the boat... more »
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-3-2025 The reservoir is nearly full and the boat ramp is usable
The reservoir is nearly full and the boat... more »
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
3-26-2025 The reservoir is around 74 percent full and the boat ramp is usable
The reservoir is around 74 percent full and... more »
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff


Detailed Map