Big Y Fly Fishing Blog

Where to Fish in the Hood River area - High Mountain Lakes, Hood River County
There is a series of little lakes along the ridge that rises on the west side of the Hood River Valley and runs south to Mount Hood. There are a dozen or so lakes that dot the landscape. About half of them are accessible directly by car, the other half require a hike. None of the hikes are terribly long or hard. These lakes typically have very few anglers over a year, especially the smaller lakes that require hiking.
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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Laurance Lake
Laurance Lake is another locals' favorite. It has great views of Mt. Hood and wonderful fishing. While Lost Lake has all sorts of amenities, Laurance has a few designated camp sites and a couple of Forest Service outhouses. Because there are few camp sites and a small parking area, the lake can get crowded during the summer. By August, the lake level usually drops low enough to accommodate more day-use parking than in the early season.
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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Little White Salmon (above Drano Lake)
The Little White Salmon is famous for a couple of things, trout fishing is not one of them. First and foremost, the Little White is what feeds Drano Lake, the most famous salmon fishery on the Columbia River system. It is also known for a gorgeous waterfall called Spirit Falls that is near the town of Willard. After that it is know as one of the most epic kayaking runs in the world. Fishing is way down the list.

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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Goose Lake
Goose Lake is one of the locals' favorites. It is also a favorite of anglers that live far away. This little lake buried up in the forest between Mt Adams and Mt St Helens really has it all.
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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Sandy River
The Sandy River is close to Portland, but it is hard to tell when you are on the river. This is the closest river to our home base that we can easily float in a raft and chase a winter steelhead. It is certainly our favorite winter steelhead river to float in the area. The scenery is outstanding and the chances of catching a chrome winter steelhead are good enough that I am willing to get into a raft in sub-freezing temperatures in the middle of the winter.
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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - Klickitat River
The Klickitat is lovingly referred to as the "Klick" by locals. This wonderful stream meets the Columbia River about 11 miles upstream of Hood River on the Washington side, near the town of Lyle.

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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - White Salmon River
The White Salmon is a very unique river in the area. Extremely cold, clear water are not actually as commonplace here as we wish. The Hood and the Klickitat can become too muddy to fish during the summer, and the Deschutes can reach dangerously warm temperatures. Having a little cold, clear stream is nice during the hot summer.

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Where to Fish in the Hood River area - The Hood River
The Hood River is a small stream that begins in three different forks, flowing off of Mt. Hood. The mountain is 35 miles to the south of the river's confluence with the Columbia River in the town of Hood River. This picturesque river is one of the places that we fish the most, and here is what you might need to know if you are visiting.

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Where to Fish in the Hood River area- Eagle Creek (near Cascade Locks, OR)
Eagle Creek is one of the prettiest creeks you will ever see. A famous waterfall called Punchbowl Falls (a different Punchbowl than the one on the Hood River) lies about 3.5 miles upstream, accessed by a popular trail that follows the creek. The trail allows some excellent access to the creek, plenty to keep someone busy for a day. Eagle Creek drains out of Whatum Lake, which is also a favorite mountain lake in the Hood River area.

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