Fishing Diamond Lake
Southern Oregon
Follow Hwy. 62 turn left on Hwy. 230, take Hwy. 230 till it ends, turn left on Hwy. 138. Diamond Lake is about 80 miles North of Medford following this route. The route itself really kicks! In my motorcycle days I would go out of my way to drive this stretch. Hwy. 62 turns into a nice two lane road lined with tall trees just after the Prospect turn off. For a nice break there is a small cafe that serves good pie at Union Creek. There are several campgrounds on the Rogue River as you drive along this stretch, watch for the signs. Just after Union Creek you might want to check out the Gorge, a very scenic spot on the upper Rogue. Just after Union Creek the road divides, left for Hwy. 230, right to Crater Lake. After you turn onto Hwy. 230 you follow the North Fork of the Rogue River. When you reach the end of Hwy. 230 turn left, the lake will be in view.
Diamond Lake opens on April 27 and stays open till October 31. If we have a real cold winter you will not be able to get there until some time in May. Speed limit on the lake is 10 MPH, no skiing. Just like most lakes at this elevation be ready for heavy winds to come up during the middle of the day. If you confine fishing to early morning and late in the day you will be able to avoid the wind. For something to do while the winds are heavy you will find many trails around the lake for hiking. Stop by the lodge on the NE end of the lake and pick up a map.
The lake is at elevation 5100 ft. and has some fantastic scenery close by. Mt. Thielsen, elevation 9000 ft, is prominent in the eastern sky . Diamond Lake at just over 2800 acres, is one of the larger natural lakes in Oregon . The lake has abundant natural food and trout put on weight quickly. Except for late summer, when the lake turns over the water is a great deep blue color.
Fishing is good all season with the first month after ice out the real ticket. Look for some great action this time of year near the inlets, as spawning fish gather. There is a good hatch about the same time of the year so fly fisherman can do real well with midges. Fly fisherman can do well all summer fishing the inlets and the weed bed at the south end of the lake with small dark colored nymphs.
The real ticket for fishing Diamond is still fishing. You will probably catch fish trolling, but they normally are quite a bit smaller. Check out the map of Diamond, the small clusters of dots indicate good still fishing spots. The hole on NE shore is called the Velveeta Hole, the hole on the SW shore is the Shrimp Hole, I don't know if there is a name for the hole near the center of the lake. Use light leaders, under four pound test, with small hooks, as the fish at Diamond are leader shy. cheese bait, Power Bait, eggs, and worms all work well. If your into it try drifting a worm over the weed beds on the south end of the lake. Weed beds are always fun to fish, but the big fish love them. The deepest part of the lake is in the 50' range. Fish the area where there is a drop-off from the 15' to 30' depths.
There are many Forest Service campgrounds at the lake, three out of four campgrounds have boat ramps. The Forest Service fish cleaning stations are located at the north and south ends of the lake by the boat ramps. A resort at the NE end of the lake has food, restaurant, gas, fishing supplies, boat ramp and lodging. Drop by the fishing supply building to check out conditions and ask which hole is doing best. If you stay at one of the campgrounds you can park your boat on the shore line, I would bring some kind of marker to save your parking spot. There is a Pizza place on the SW end of the lake.
To sum up Diamond Lake; If you like a lake with a beautiful setting, good still fishing and the convenience of nearby facilities don't miss this one.
1997 Update!
Illegal live chubs have infested Diamond Lake!!!
People have used live chubs, illegal in most Oregon waters as bait at Diamond Lake. These chubs have escaped their hooks and are doing well. The trout in Diamond have been unable to compete with the chubs for food. The fishery has gone way downhill with ODFW talking about poisoning the lake at the cost of a cool one million! Maybe they should put Walleye in this lake! Southern Oregon has lots of trout lakes and Walleye love chubs.
ODFW stocked some Klamath Lake Rainbows for at least the second time. These Rainbows which love chubs have been growing very quick! KLR's ( Klamath Lake Rainbow) over 20" have already been caught. Keep you posted.
2006
Lake is low as it is pulled down to kill everything in the lake this fall. The chubs have gone into the millions, 10's of millions! The large chub eating Rainbows were put in too late to do much good. With any luck we won't see chub's here again, but don't bet on it.
2007
Lake has had all the fish killed last winter. New fish have been planted and the fishing should be good later this year, hope they keep those people from using illegal bait and messing it up again.
The fishing for big fish has been good. Water quality is great, 2008 should be a killer year.