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Oregon · Fishing
Adel sits in the remote Warner Valley of south-central Oregon, and the fishing around it reflects that isolation — you're not going to run into crowds here.
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Adel sits in the remote Warner Valley of south-central Oregon, and the fishing around it reflects that isolation — you're not going to run into crowds here. The four stillwater options in the area are Horsehead Lake, Mud Lake, M C Reservoir, and Greaser Reservoir, all of which are lake or reservoir fisheries rather than stream fishing. This is high-desert water, which means conditions can shift fast: surface temperatures climb quickly in summer, water levels fluctuate depending on snowpack and irrigation draws, and access roads that look fine on a map can turn to mud or washboard after any weather. That said, anglers willing to make the drive out of Adel and do a little scouting are rewarded with genuine solitude. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in much of the Warner Valley, so planning ahead matters more here than it would closer to a town with infrastructure. If you're coming from outside the region, build in flexibility — these are working landscapes and conditions change.
All four fisheries in the Adel area — Horsehead Lake, Mud Lake, M C Reservoir, and Greaser Reservoir — are stillwater (lake and reservoir) fisheries. There is no stream or river fishing represented in the current listings for this area, so plan your gear accordingly.
Spring and early summer are generally the most productive window for high-desert stillwater fishing in this part of Oregon, before water temperatures peak and oxygen levels in shallower lakes drop. Fall can also be solid as temperatures cool back down. Midsummer midday fishing on smaller, shallower water like Mud Lake tends to slow significantly.
Horsehead Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Mud Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
M C Reservoir
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Greaser Reservoir
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Moon Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Jack Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Crump Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Jacobs Reservoir
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Crump Lake
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Crump Lake
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Reservoir Lake
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Coleman Reservoir
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NV.
Early morning and evening are your best bets, particularly in summer. High-desert sun is intense and fish in these exposed stillwaters push deeper or go off the bite during midday heat. Arriving at the water at first light gives you the best shot at active fish near the surface.
A medium-action spinning or fly rod suited for stillwater works well across all four locations. Float tubes or small inflatable watercraft can be useful on Horsehead and Mud Lake if shore access is limited, but confirm current conditions before hauling one out. Bring more terminal tackle than you think you need — the nearest full tackle shop is a significant drive from Adel.
Roads to these reservoirs and lakes are typically unpaved and can become impassable after rain or during spring thaw. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and four-wheel drive is worth having. Check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or BLM's Lakeview District office before your trip for current road and access conditions, since this area sees limited maintenance.
