Wickiup Reservoir is located about an hour’s drive south from Fly & Field Outfitters here in Bend, Oregon and offers some rare opportunities for fly fishing. This is a large holding water, the last major dam on the Deschutes River for approximately 75 river miles to Lake Billy Chinook. This lake is perhaps best known for the size of some of its trout. There are both brown and rainbow trout roaming around that are as long as your arm and bigger around.

There are also tons of Kokanee, the local landlocked salmon. They swim around in schools most of the summer and then begin a dramatic spawning ritual every fall in the Deschutes arm of the lake. We can go out there most days of the season and utilize various techniques and rigs to target specific fish in certain areas.

Everything from dry and dry-dropper rigs to large streamers quickly stripped on fast-sinking lines can work on any given day. Wickiup is a large, challenging body of water, but the knowledgeable stillwater angler with a flotation device has a chance for some big fish.

The water stored in Wickiup Reservoir is for irrigation use and so the levels vary dramatically throughout the season, which runs from April 22nd until October 31st. There are some particular regulations on certain arms of the lake as well as the other Cascade Lakes and so be sure to check your ODFW book before heading out, or just call the shop at 1-866-800-2812. For a lake with such large level changes, Wickiup Reservoir actually hosts an amazing population of trout and Kokanee. Both rainbow and brown trout roam its main body and the long channel arms. The Kokanee swarm throughout the lake before making spectacular spawning migrations into the river branches. But the trout are really the “show” when fly fishing at Wickiup Reservoir.

All it takes is one of these extra large fish to tip its head to you Callibaetis Cripple or savagely strike your streamer and you will understand why this lake has become an addictive force in so many lives! The huge, beautifully marked and ridiculously healthy brown trout get most active when the Kokanee and whitefish begin their spawn late in the summer.

We fish for the big browns from boats or pontoons with 6 and 7wt rods, throwing type 6 sinking lines with huge streamers. The fishing is physical, exciting, and fun! The average fish will push twenty inches and the big ones will go eight pounds and up.

It’s all about finding the fish at Wickiup Reservoir, and that’s where we come in! All of the professional Oregon fishing guides at Fly & Field are happy to offer the latest intel on what’s working and where to try it. Or better yet, let one of our lake specialist guides take you out on a purpose-built boat for a guided trip and really get after it!

Fly & Field Outfitters here in Bend, Oregon has lake guides that are the most dedicated in the business, focusing exclusively on our local still waters. As you probably know, figuring out big lakes can take a lifetime. Between our guides there are several lifetimes of experience – it’s why we’re here and it’s what we love to do. If you are interested in scheduling a fly-fishing trip at Wickiup Reservoir or the nearby Deschutes River, call us at 1-866-800-2812, or email info@flyandfield.com.