Crane Prairie Reservoir

Home of the famous “cranebows”, Crane Prairie Reservoir is one of the top producing rainbow trout fisheries in Central Oregon. Rainbow trout here average 2 inches of growth a month during the summer. The record rainbow to date weighed over 19 pounds, with abundant rainbows in the 4 to 10 pound range. Crane Prairie Reservoir is a Wildlife Management Area. Osprey, bald eagle and many waterfowl frequent the area.

Crane Prairie Reservoir is located on the Deschutes National Forest and is a large, shallow impoundment on the upper Deschutes River approximately 30 miles southwest of Bend and is accessible from Century Drive (Forest Service Road 46), and Forest Roads 40, 42, and 4270. Crane Prairie was a natural meadow in which the Deschutes River, Cultus River, Cold Creek, Quinn River, Deer Creek, and Cultus Creek Converged. Crane Prairie Reservoir was first created in 1922 by rock filled dam and reconstructed by Bureau of Reclamation in 1940. The inundated trees and five square miles of shallow water coupled with cool water inlets makes Crane Prairie Reservoir a very rich and productive aquatic system producing numerous trophy size rainbow trout.

Crane Prairie Trout Fishing

ODFW Management Policies for Crane Prairie Reservoir
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife currently manages rainbow trout at Crane Prairie Reservoir for natural and hatchery production consistent with the Featured Species Fish Management Alternative for trout. Mountain Whitefish, brook trout, and kokanee are managed for natural and hatchery production consistent with the Basic Yield Management Alternative for trout. Largemouth bass shall be managed for natural production consistent with the Basic Yield Management Alternative for warmwater fish.

Source:Upper Deschutes River Subbasin Fish Management Plan, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Upper Deschutes Fish District, October 1996.

Vehicle Access: From Bend the most scenic route is to take Century Drive (Forest Service Rd 46).
Fishing Access: Crane Prairie fishing map under construction
Launch Points: Float tube launch points are: Rocky Point, the end of road 4270-470 and at Rock Creek. Boat ramps are located at Crane Prairie Resort, Crane Prairie Campground, Rock Creek Campground, Quinn River Campground, off FS Road 4285, and small boat launch at Cow Meadow Campground.
Fish Species Present: Rainbow trout (to seven pounds and more), brook trout, mountain whitefish, kokanee, largemouth bass, black crappie, tui chub and three-spined stickleback
Physical Characteristics: Size: 3420 acres, Depth: 11'-20'. Elevation: 4,445 feet
When/How to fish: Best months are June, July, and August. Get a weekly fishing report from ODFW. Another site with information.
Popular Fishing Methods: Bait, Lures and Flies
Bait/Lure Fishing Method: Trout anglers often fish in the channels using, power bait, worms, dragonfly nymphs with a bobber or floating the bait up with a marshmallow. Trout anglers often troll lures, plugs, and flies in the channels successfully. Bass anglers fish with lures, by trolling, jigging or casting.
Fly fishing methods: Fly anglers usually fish in the channels with a 6-weight rod using a intermediate sinking line or a floating line.
Insect Hatch/Flies to use: Check the Crane Prairie Reservoir Major Hatches chart below.
Camping Information: Crane Prairie Campground, Rock Creek Campground, Quinn River Campground, and Cow Meadow Campground
Resort Information: Crane Prairie Resort

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