East Lake is located in Central Oregon, 22 miles south of Bend and 18 miles east of Highway 97 on Road No. 2129. Situated in Newberry Crater, an extinct volcano 6,371 feet above sea level, the lake is fed by snow melt and underground springs. Its waters are nutrient-rich and a large population of freshwater shrimp, aquatic bug life and Tui chubs give the German brown, Atlantic salmon, kokanee and rainbow trout plenty to feed on.
East Lake has a maximum depth of 175 feet, but 65% averages under 150 feet. It offers approximately 1,000 acres of open water.
With three forest service campgrounds, there are nearly 200 campsites available, each having an easily-accessible boat ramp. East Lake Resort offers well-equipped cabins and an RV park with all hook-ups, a well-stocked store and cafe, rental boats with or without motors, a laundromat, public showers, gasoline and just the right bait and tackle to make your trip enjoyable .
This lake offers one of the finest fisheries in Oregon with German browns averaging 14 to 25 inches in length and rainbows running 10 to 19 inches, with some larger fish available. Atlantic salmon have reached more than 20 inches. The lake record fish is a 22 1/2-lb. German brown caught in 1981.
Kokanee have been stocked for several years and catchable fish of 14 to 15 inches are now available. This delicious-tasting species may attain lengths of 20 inches or more under favorable conditions.
ICE-OUT, EARLY SEASON
Because it is located at such a high altitude, East Lake is often ice-covered right up to the opening day of fishing season, usually the third week of May. Early season compares with many high lakes which freeze over each winter. The ice begins to recede in the southeast corner where underground hot springs slowly warm the water. This open water provides an excellent area to fish for all species of trout residing in the lake, and offers the angler the best chance of catching a large German brown. Fish are found in large numbers along the ice's edge until the lake has thawed, at which point they disperse more evenly throughout the lake.
Casting lures or using floating bait near the hot springs can be very effective. Minnow-type lures such as 3- to 3 1/2-inch P.J. Shiner or 1/4- or 3/8-oz. Krocodile spoons imitating chub patterns, cast and retrieved in this shallow water are excellent producers.
As the ice melts, revealing more open water, other techniques become effective. Still-fishing with Velveeta cheese, Berkley Power Baits, worms, single eggs, or fresh salmon or steelhead roe works extremely well. To enjoy good success, your boat should be anchored from both ends facing into the wind to reduce its movement. Also, try to keep your bait just off the mossy, weed-covered lake bottom, thus allowing the fish to find it more easily.
Trolling is effective this time of year as the fish become more active in the warmer water. Luhr Jensen Ford Fender and Bear Valley lake trolls make excellent attractors. Probably the most critical aspect of setting up your trolling outfit is to use a rather long leader from the attractor to the lure or bait. Because of East Lake's water clarity, a leader length of at least four to five feet is recommended. Six- to eight-foot leaders may be more appropriate at times when the lake is calm and the sun is bright. Size 60 and 70 Hot Shot� plugs and size K4 and K5 Kwikfish� in Frog or Black patterns are extremely effective. Number 1 and 2 Needlefish and 1/8-oz. Hus-Lures are also productive. Garden hackle trolled slowly works well, too.
Trolling along the shoreline with a P.J. Shiner or a Krocodile spoon can produce browns both early and late in the day.
SUMMER
Hot summer days push the fish into deeper water but fishing remains good if you concentrate your efforts over the areas where they congregate. A productive trolling lane is found by lining up the white pumice slide on the west end of the lake with the large rocky outcropping on the mountain side above and just north of East Lake Resort. This path will put you along the edge of deeper water which fish prefer in summertime.
FALL
Fall fishing finds cooler water conditions and more active fish as winter approaches. This is the time of year that German browns and brook trout prepare to spawn. Concentrate your efforts again in shallower water using brighter and flashier lures. Krocodilesand Super Dupers work very well. Fish at this time of year become very irritable and protect their territory by lashing out at anything that passes near them.
KOKANEE TECHNIQUE HINTS
Troll using a Jensen Dodger for an attractor. The new 4/0 model is perfect for kokanee trolling. Most anglers find trolling a Jeweled Bead Spinner, Needlefish, Kokanee King, Midge Wobbler, Super Duper or Hot Shot 18" to 60" behind a lake troll a very effective kokanee technique when fish are near the surface in spring and fall. Flat-lining, a technique whereby a small troll, lure or lure tipped with bait is let out behind the boat and trolled close to the surface, in the top 10 feet of water with little or no weight attached. It is particularly adaptable to light tackle where 4- to 8-lb. test main line commonly is used. It can also be used in conjunction with floating or slow-sinking fly lines with good results, utilizing 15 to 25 feet of 4- to 6-lb. test mono as leader.
Trolls are especially effective for kokanee in medium to deep water or on overcast days. Small trolls can be flat lined with the larger models geared for deeper running. The "Kokanee Trolling Rig" Ford Fender troll, snubber, leader and No. 1 Rainbow Needlefish) Beer Can or Dave Davis trolls are deadly for kokes and should be rigged as illustrated below. A troll appeals to several fish feeding instincts, providing flash and visual attraction and, particularly in the case of kokanee, representing other kokanee feeding. When trolled, the blades act as attractors, kokanee follow the sound and flash to the source, spot the trailing lure and attack it.
When fish schools can be located, maintain your position directly above them and use Crippled Herring or Nordic minnow-imitating jigs. This technique can be extremely effective when weather conditions permit. Use a short twitching motion of the fishing rod for best results.
NOTE: Kokanee have very delicate and tender mouths, much like crappie. Care must be taken in making sure the shock of the initial strike is absorbed (with a snubber or rod having a sensitive tip), they are played carefully and are landed with the aid of a net to prevent hooks from tearing out.
For Up-To-The-Minute Fishing Information or Cabin Reservations, call John Hofferd at East Lake Resort 503-536-2230.