Upper Deschutes River Fishing Report

Closed from Benham Falls upstream of Bend all the way to Little Lava Lake.

Reported location: Benham Falls upstream to Little Lava Lake

Walk and wade sections and float sections are both fishing well. Whitefish, redbands, and brookies are being caught on perdigons and nymphs, with fish also responding to dries including PMDs and terrestrials.

Reported location: upriver from Road 40 Bridge; float section Tenino to Bull Bend

Hatches in this report: PMD, BWO.

The Upper Deschutes is now closed for angling as of October 1, 2026. No fishing until next May.

The Upper Deschutes River from Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake closed to angling on October 1 to protect spawning and overwintering fish during the irrigation storage season. It will reopen May 22, 2027.

Reported location: Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake

Final few days to fish the upper river before seasonal closure on September 30th. Drifting is possible at 900 cfs from the dam; good water available from Crane Prairie up to Little Lava.

Reported location: Crane Prairie to Little Lava; LaPine State Park to Big Bend CG drift

Fishing is good from Wickiup down, with productive dry fly action on PMDs, caddis, and terrestrials, plus an exciting streamer bite along the banks and logs.

Reported location: Wickiup to Crane Prairie (headwaters stretch)

Hatches in this report: PMD, Caddis.

The Upper Deschutes is in its fall pattern with fish spread throughout the system. Subsurface fishing is steady and streamer fishing is productive around deeper structure; seasonal closure above Benham Falls begins October 1.

Reported location: above Benham Falls

Hatches in this report: BWO, PMD, Trico, Mahogany Dun, Caddis, Ant, Beetle.

Fishing has been epic with incredible dry fly action and active BWO, PMD, and caddis hatches throughout the Upper Deschutes. Below Wickiup has been especially productive on dry-droppers, streamers, and nymphs; brook trout and browns are responding well to streamers around undercut banks and logs.

Reported location: Headwater stretch (Crane Prairie to Little Lava), Cow Meadow, Bridge 40, below Wickiup; section between Gull Point and Sheep's Bridge closed as of 9/4/2026

Reported water clarity: clear

Hatches in this report: BWO, PMD, caddis, stonefly.

Excellent fishing in the headwaters reach for redband trout, brook trout, and mountain whitefish; good brown trout fishing in the Wickiup Tailwater reach. River above Benham Falls closes to angling on October 1.

Reported location: Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake; Wickiup Tailwater reach; Riverbend Park; Riley Ranch

Some areas are closed; floats from Wickiup downstream and walk-wade from Crane Prairie toward Little Lava are productive with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Check regulations carefully.

Reported location: Wickiup downstream floats; walk-wade from Crane Prairie to Little Lava

Hatches in this report: Trico, BWO, PMD, Mahogany Dun, Caddis.