Question about Dexter Reservoir

[venetafisher]

Haven't fished it yet, but plan to. Do the stocked trout tend to stay put in the western part of the lake, on the west side of the covered bridge, or do they wander into the eastern portion, between the bridge and the Lookout dam? Thanks.

 

[plumbertom]

While I only occasionally fish Dexter, I've found that I do best while trolling the south shore.

 

[troutdude]

I've only been there twice. But it depends on water temp. If the water temp is high, they'll hunker down in a deep pocket a couple of hundred yards from the dam. On the north side. Park at the marina ramps lot, and follow the trail west if you're on foot.

The smallies should be pretty active right now. So work the rip rap, if you want to chase 'em. Near the bridge.

 

[oldretiredguy]

Haven't fished it yet, but plan to. Do the stocked trout tend to stay put in the western part of the lake, on the west side of the covered bridge, or do they wander into the eastern portion, between the bridge and the Lookout dam? Thanks.

I wouldn't even bother, a few miles more and Hills creek reservoir offers much better fishing, with a chance at large trout. Dexter to me has never been more than a place I test the boat out at.

 

[plumbertom]

That's more when I've fished than not, but once the boat is on the water, I'm gonna wet a line.
But it's a 25 mile drive to launch at Dexter, so when the water is high enough to launch, Fern Ridge is only a 5 mile drive from my house, so I even occasionally fish it a little.

 

[oldretiredguy]

That's more when I've fished than not, but once the boat is on the water, I'm gonna wet a line.
But it's a 25 mile drive to launch at Dexter, so when the water is high enough to launch, Fern Ridge is only a 5 mile drive from my house, so I even occasionally fish it a little.

Dexter has tons of squawfish, stunted kokanee, and a ODFW planters, not much draw for me. Hills Creek lots of very sizeable wild rainbows, leftover planters that get pretty big, a few cutthroat, Bull trout you have to throw back, and if your lucky BIG landlocked Chinook, its worth a little extra driving, the ramp is open all year at Packard creek, and the scenery beats Dexter hands down.

 

[troutdude]

and if your lucky BIG landlocked Chinook

Did someone say Chinokanee? Nice!

One of our OFF'ers netted a 10 pounder several years ago, at Green Peter (@ThrobbitShane). But I didn't know that Hills Creek has them too.

 

[oldretiredguy]

Did someone say Chinokanee? Nice!

One of our OFF'ers netted a 10 pounder several years ago, at Green Peter (@ThrobbitShane). But I didn't know that Hills Creek has them too.

Lots of them, mostly in the very deep areas of the main lake, few people target them.

 

[troutdude]

Sorry @venetafisher we hijacked your thread.

Have you made it out to Dexter? Or did you head up to Hills Creek and give it a go?

 

[venetafisher]

Sorry @venetafisher we hijacked your thread.

Have you made it out to Dexter? Or did you head up to Hills Creek and give it a go?

I was gonna say, @troutdude ... I didn't see much input on the original question about how fishing is between the bridge and the Lookout dam. I did go to Dexter last Monday. I skipped Hills Creek for now, since 1) "a few more miles" is actually about 30 miles each way; and 2) fishing from a paddle kayak as I do, that's a lot of water to try to figure out if you don't know the lake. At Dexter, caught three stockers trolling roostertails along the south bank of the main lake, and never made it to the part I was asking about, as the wind came up from the east and created a hell of a chop which led me to call it a day after only two hours.

 

[oldretiredguy]

I was gonna say, @troutdude ... I didn't see much input on the original question about how fishing is between the bridge and the Lookout dam. I did go to Dexter last Monday. I skipped Hills Creek for now, since 1) "a few more miles" is actually about 30 miles each way; and 2) fishing from a paddle kayak as I do, that's a lot of water to try to figure out if you don't know the lake. At Dexter, caught three stockers trolling roostertails along the south bank of the main lake, and never made it to the part I was asking about, as the wind came up from the east and created a hell of a chop which led me to call it a day after only two hours.

After you driven those few miles for 50 years, they seem less consequential, after all Odell, is "only a few miles" east of Hills Creek.

 

[plumbertom]

I was gonna say, @troutdude ... I didn't see much input on the original question about how fishing is between the bridge and the Lookout dam. I did go to Dexter last Monday. I skipped Hills Creek for now, since 1) "a few more miles" is actually about 30 miles each way; and 2) fishing from a paddle kayak as I do, that's a lot of water to try to figure out if you don't know the lake. At Dexter, caught three stockers trolling roostertails along the south bank of the main lake, and never made it to the part I was asking about, as the wind came up from the east and created a hell of a chop which led me to call it a day after only two hours.

Yep, that sounds like Dexter to me.
I get what you're saying about those few exrta miles to Hills Creek.
On my fixed income and not great mileage in my tow vehicle, that tramslates into an expense it's hard to cover to test out unknown waters.

 

[oldretiredguy]

Yep, that sounds like Dexter to me.
I get what you're saying about those few exrta miles to Hills Creek.
On my fixed income and not great mileage in my tow vehicle, that tramslates into an expense it's hard to cover to test out unknown waters.

Lookout point used to be a option, but since the deep drawdown's its pretty much useless now.

 

[kemfish]

to your original question, I've caught trout on both sides (?) of the lake. It is a long haul in a kayak from either launch to the east side though. If you're feeling robust, you can launch off the causeway, but it is work. During stocking season I've had good luck on the west side of the causeway right in front of the fishing access spot. Stay out of casting range and watch out for the regatta buoy anchors if you're trolling near the bottom. Most popular technique is definitely trolling the south side along the highway, some people close to shore others farther out