Davis Lake - La Pine, Oregon

Davis Lake, located near La Pine, Oregon, within the Deschutes National Forest, offers a unique and engaging angling experience, predominantly for fly fishing enthusiasts. This expansive, shallow lake is particularly renowned for its substantial rainbow trout, which often exceed several pounds, providing a robust and challenging fight. Additionally, the lake sustains a healthy population of largemouth bass, thriving amidst its extensive submerged vegetation and intricate channels.

Successful angling on Davis Lake is highly dependent on fluctuating water levels and the dense weed growth. These conditions necessitate precise casting and the use of weedless presentations. For rainbow trout, fly anglers frequently employ floating lines with long leaders, presenting dry flies during hatches or subsurface patterns like nymphs and leeches over or around the weed beds. Bass can also be effectively targeted with flies, though conventional weedless lures are also quite successful within the heavy cover.

Access is typically via the Cascade Lakes Highway, with smaller, maneuverable craft such as float tubes, pontoons, or kayaks often preferred for navigating the lake's vegetated channels. Anglers must always consult the latest Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) regulations, as specific rules, including fly-fishing-only restrictions or catch-and-release mandates, are common to preserve the lake's unique fishery. Davis Lake presents a demanding yet deeply rewarding pursuit for those who appreciate technical angling in a beautiful Central Oregon setting.