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Oregon · Fishing
Fishing around Bandon, Oregon centers on a collection of small lakes and ponds tucked into the coastal hills and lowlands south of Coos Bay.
8 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 8 spots
Fishing around Bandon, Oregon centers on a collection of small lakes and ponds tucked into the coastal hills and lowlands south of Coos Bay. The lineup includes Laurel Lake, Muddy Lake, Dahl Log Pond, Hawley Reservoir, Fahys Lake, Croft Lake, and Bradley Lake — most of them quiet, shore-accessible spots that don't require a boat to fish productively. These are not trophy destination waters, but they're genuinely good options for a half-day outing, especially for anglers who want to avoid the crowds and logistics of the bigger coastal rivers. The area's mild, wet climate means you're fishing in a different headspace than inland Oregon — fog is common in the mornings, and the shoulder seasons here don't feel as punishing as they do further east. ODFW stocks several of these lakes with hatchery rainbow trout on a rotating schedule, so checking the current stocking report before you go is worth the two minutes it takes. Access varies by site, but most of these lakes have basic parking and a walkable bank. If you're traveling with kids or newer anglers, this cluster of still-water spots is one of the more forgiving setups on the southern Oregon coast.
ODFW stocks hatchery rainbow trout in several of these lakes, including Fahys Lake and Bradley Lake, on a rotating seasonal schedule. Check the ODFW trout stocking report at myodfw.com before your trip — it's updated regularly and will tell you exactly which water was stocked and when.
Shore fishing is practical at most of these spots. Laurel Lake, Muddy Lake, Dahl Log Pond, Fahys Lake, and Croft Lake all have fishable banks without requiring a watercraft. If you do bring a small kayak or float tube, you'll have more flexibility, but it's not a requirement.
Bradley Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Dahl Log Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Hawley Reservoir
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Hawley Reservoir
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Laurel Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Muddy Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Croft Lake
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Fahys Lake
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Johnson Log Storage and Storing Reservoir
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Henderson Marsh
~45 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Bluebill Lake
~48 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Horsfall Lake
~49 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
A light to medium spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations at these still-water lakes. For stocked trout, PowerBait on a slip-sinker rig or small spinners like a Rooster Tail are reliable go-tos. If you're targeting bass or panfish in the warmer months, small soft plastics and inline spinners work well from shore.
Early morning is consistently the most productive window, especially in summer when midday temperatures push fish deeper and into shade. The coastal fog that sits over Bandon most mornings actually helps — low light and cooler surface temps keep fish active longer than you'd expect. Evening can also be solid, particularly for bass.
A valid Oregon fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older. Some of these lakes may have specific rules around bait type, bag limits, or seasonal closures, so it's worth pulling up the ODFW Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the Southwest Zone before you go. Regulations can change year to year and vary by water body.
