I'll be in Central Oregon at the end of March through the first 2 weeks of April. My old man is turning 60 and for a surprise I will be showing up un-announced on his birthday. Anyway I was thinking of bring the boat with me if it would be worth my while to haul it across the country. He lives in Bend, OR but while I am there I would be willing to travel to CA, WA or if someone knows some good spots in OR that would work too. Looking at being in the northwest March 29- April 16 or 17.

Thanks,

Jerrod

I would either go to Tenmile Lakes in Oregon, or Clear Lake California.  I was down at Tenmile during that time frame last year and did really well on the largemouth.  Either way, I think you would be happy.

WCCT,

The Clear Lake suggestion made up my mind.  The boat is going with me.  I remember the BASS tournament on the lake from 2 years ago.  Time to stock up on Swimbaits and will need to get another set up for dad.  I am excited now.

Jerrod

WCCT is right about Ten Mile, He and I fished it together last year and it is a largemouth paradise. We only had one day on it, but I would love to go spend a week or two. I think the one day tournament weight to win was nearly 22 lbs and it was snowing, hailing and the wind was not kind either. You know it's a heck of a lake when you can't wait to go back after severe weather.

Also, the locals were very friendly and helpful.

I would either go to Tenmile Lakes in Oregon, or Clear Lake California. I was down at Tenmile during that time frame last year and did really well on the largemouth. Either way, I think you would be happy.

Wow, that's exactly what i would have said.  But you forgot about WA.

Washington:

Silver Lake (in Cowiltz county, near Mt. Saint Helens) - best lake in the northwest for largemouth bass

Lake Washington - gigantic lake holding everything from smallmouth bass to sturgeon

Well I think I will do Clear Lake for a few days.  Run across the Cascades and hit Ten Mile.  And up to Washington somewhere to hit a lake for a few days.  I am looking at a total of 3 weeks in the NW so I have plenty of time to fish.  Keep the suggestions coming.

Being in Bend your only a couple hrs drive to the Columbia River most excellent small mouth fishing might give it a try as well

You wouldn't want to miss the Eastern Delta in central Cal, Spring striper run should be going. The Delta is amazing with over a 1000 miles of waterways!!!!

badog

badog,

Can you give me a town close by so that I can look it up on Google Earth?

Thanks.

I wouldn't put Silver Lake in Washington in the same league as Tenmile or Clear Lake.  Silver used to be outstanding, but it is not the same lake it used to be, that is for sure.  If you were set on coming up to Washington, then I would recommend the Columbia.  It is a smallmouth paradise.  Another option is the Umpqua River for smallmouth.  This happens to be on the way to Tenmile.  

In Washington, Columbia at Tri-Cities or the Dalles would be good choices for big smallies.  If you're willing to drive further, then Potholes is a choice for both smallmouth and largemouth.  Both fisheries offer great walleye fishing too!

There's Prineville reservoir in central Oregon too.  I've never fished it, but understand it's pretty good.

I live near Florence Oregon and I've fished Tenmile lake all last year and you guys are right. It's bass heaven. I've caught bass there every time I fished it with almost everything I caught between 3 and 5 pounds.

I didn't get into bass fishing until early last year but I spent last year fishing all the lakes on the central coast of Oregon. If you have a few days, I would make a point to fish Tenmile. If you have 3 weeks, I'd try to make it during the week if possible but I promise you, you won't be disappointed. The only thing that could be a problem is the weather that time of year. There just is no "typical" weather patterns in Oregon. It could be 70 degrees with no wind or it could be in the low 40's with blowing, sideways rain. Such is the Oregon coast.

There are several motels and RV parks close to or on the lakes around here so accomodations shouldn't be any problem.

There are many other lakes in the area that are great bass lakes as well. Tachenitch is a great lake and it will not be crowded at all. Never is.

Several smaller lakes that I've done well in are in Florence. Just a short drive from Tenmile and Tachenitch. Sutton lake is a small coastal lake just north of Florence. Mercer lake is another nice lake although the boat ramp sucks. Munsel lake has produced some nice bass although not great numbers. At least for me but others have done well there. Tons of structure in Munsel so I'm betting a more experienced angler would do well there.

If you like smallmouth, you can't go wrong with the Umpqua river located 20 minutes south of Florence in a town called Reedsport.

A few lakes I haven't done well in are Woahink and Siltcoos. I've caught nothing in Woahink although I understand others have done OK. Siltcoos used to be "THE" lake for bass but it hasn't produced at all the last few years so they have stopped having tournaments on that lake to let it recover. I fished it for quite a few days but I only caught one bass. A 5 pounder but that's the only thing I've caught there.

If you like variety, then you can't go wrong on the Oregon coast with all the lakes and rivers and it's not far from Bend. Maybe a 3.5 hour drive give or take. If you don't want to fight the crowds on Clear Lake and/or don't want to make that drive to California, the central Oregon coast would probably be the ticket for you.

If you want any more information on the waters around here, just PM me.

All these waters are within a 30 minute drive of eachother so there is plenty to choose from.

If you for some reason you can't get your boat here, your welcome to use mine. It's not pretty but it's been a good boat to me. It's a 16 foot Bayliner Trophy bass boat. Fish finders on the consol and up front, 2 live wells, etc. It's just an 85 horse on the back so it only tops out around 30 but it will get you on the fish like anything else.

I've had some people on this forum that were very kind and generous to me so I'm just "paying it forward" so to speak.

If you need anything, just let me know. Any guy that would drive across the country for his fathers birthday is alright in my book.

The picture below is pretty typical for the bass in Tenmile but I've seen others pull out some big'uns out of there as well. My best out of Tenmile is a 5 pounder but there are MUCH larger fish in there for sure.

           

Thanks for the info. and the offer BassChump. Clear Lake is a go and so is Ten Mile. I have yet to decide on The Delta. I've got plenty of time so will see. Definitely bringing the boat with me. I will be looking for some fishing reports so I may send you a PM or 2.

Jerrod

North Idaho Baby!

Give me some places in Idaho. Coming up I-84 and cutting across Central Oregon on Hwy. 20/Central Oregon Highway on my way to Bend.

Jerrod

Or you could just be smart and fish Northern California the whole time ;D ;D

Since everyone wants to show off their states fish, we might as well have some california fish present

All of those with the exception of the one with the worm on her face were from march and arpil '08.

Fourbizz

Very nice pic's!!!!!!  

NORCAL.

clearlake

Sooo much water to fish and so little time.  All of the lakes mentioned are fun to fish.  If you are going to be in Bend, OR.  Crane Prarie lake is less than 1 hr from bend.  That time of year offers plenty of action.  The lake is most popular for the Rainbows and a oversight by most bass fisherman.

Coeur D'Alene Lake and River, Dworshak Resevoir and Lake Pend Oreille.

BTW those Cal fish are PIGS... Good work!!!

I have never fished Tenmile but I have heard a lot of good things about that lake from our pro staff. Clear Lake is tough to beat during that time of year too. I'll beheading up there at the end of March to fish CL for a few days this year with my buddy Wade Curtis

The Columbia River is an awesome fishery too. I fished it in April a few years ago and it was full speed on reaction baits and tubes. We had a lot of smallies in the 2-4 pound class. The Dalles, Hood River, Solighlo (sp?) are all good pools to fish. Tri Cities has some big ones too.

The Delta could be good too, but I would rather focus on Clear Lake personally especially if you do not know the Delta that well. Its a lot of water and it can be tough to figure out. I would also rather catch big bass on big baits instead of cranks and chatterbaits Make sure you post a report after you get back.

Potholes and Moses lake are good lakes, less than a mile apart. i hear the snake river is a great spot to target smallies. Couer d' alene lake is a good one. Pend Oreille is a bit of a drive but it is a great lake. Dworshak is great. the Dalles is great. the JOHN DAY RIVER is a smallmouth metropolis. fish it with lipless cranks, chartreuse curly tails grubs, and of course, worms. Tell me if you catch sometin'

Tight lines ;D

fourbizz and chris fenk are really making my mouth water every time I see those pictures. I just hope they are on for the 3 days were are going to be there. Thanks for the other suggestions from everyone else. I plan on hitting as many places as I can on this trip. Been counting the days till I leave. Leaving on the March 26th. That's 55 days from today. I just hope the weather is good for the days I am driving across country and don't get a blizzard going across the midwest.

Jerrod

P.S.  I know about those blizzards.  sat for 2 days in Limon, CO at a Flying J truck stop just ideling and keeping the truck and me warm.  Eat, sleep and fill up the truck.  Really sucked.  i would have drove if Kansas had not shut down the interstates.

Clearlake and any of the norcal lakes will be pretty good by then.Bring your swimbaits and jigs.