Other recreational activities
Page 2: Getting wet
Rafting and floatingThe Deschutes River provides a wide range of rafting experiences. Whitewater is found on the upper Deschutes, in the Cascade mountains southwest of Bend, and in the lower Deschutes, where the river rushes through scenic canyons on its last 100 miles before emptying into the Columbia River. Maupin, about 90 mi north of Bend, is the center of rafting activity on the lower Deschutes. An estimated 80,000 people participate in whitewater rafting on the Deschutes every year.
Many outfitters and raft rental companies do a thriving business in Bend and Maupin. Novices are encouraged to use the services of an experienced river tour operator. Several of these package rafting trips into a broader vacation experience that includes camping, fishing and/or lodge accommodations.
Even areas of the Deschutes not associated with the more popular whitewater rafting reaches can produce unexpected river hazards. Casual floaters should be watchful for unexpected rapids and keep an eye out for warning signs. Flotation gear should be worn.
A river experience of a more leisurely type can be found in Bend, where an irrigation diversion dam and a no-longer-used sawmill log pond dam slow the Deschutes to inner tube speed as it flows toward placid Mirror Pond in the heart of town. This is a popular summertime venue for slow-speed drifting.
Fishing
Sections of the Metolius and Deschutes rivers are world-class fly-fishing streams, and the many mountain lakes are rich with opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. Check with the Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife for regulations.
Coldwater native fish include bull trout, Chinook salmon, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, redband trout and sockeye/kokanee. Rainbow trout and sockeye/kokanee are stocked in several lakes by ODFW. Paulina Lake holds the Oregon record for sockeye/kokanee.
Coldwater introduced fish include Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout and lake trout. Atlantic salmon are stocked by ODFW in Hosmer and East lakes. State records claimed in Central Oregon include brook trout, 9 lb, 6 oz in Deschutes River below Little Lava Lake, and brown trout, 27 lb, 12 oz in Paulina Lake. East and Paulina lakes have produced brown trout of 20 lb; brown trout up to 15 lb have been taken from the Deschutes River.
Warmwater species found in Central Oregon include black crappie, brown bullhead catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
Boating
Central Oregon’s many lakes are the result of its volcanic topography and glacial action. In addition, reservoirs behind stream management, hydroelectric power and irrigation dams support boating and fishing activities. There are 22 lakes in Deschutes County, 12 in Jefferson County and three in Crook County. Many are off limits to motorized watercraft and speed limits apply to others. The larger reservoirs are popular boating and water skiing areas. They include:
Haystack Reservoir, in Jefferson County.
Lake Billy Chinook, in Jefferson County.
Lake Simtustus, in Jefferson County.
Ochoco Reservoir, in Crook County.
Prineville Reservoir, in Crook County.
Suttle Lake, in Jefferson County.
Wickiup Reservoir, in Deschutes County.
Speed limits apply to designated areas within these lakes, and in some cases at specified times.
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