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Oregon · Fishing
Fishing near Sisters, Oregon centers on a handful of alpine lakes tucked into the Three Sisters Wilderness, and the three listed here — Black Crater Lake, Torso Lake, and Camp Lake — are all lake fisheries, which shapes everything about how you plan a trip. These aren't drive-up reservoirs.
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Fishing near Sisters, Oregon centers on a handful of alpine lakes tucked into the Three Sisters Wilderness, and the three listed here — Black Crater Lake, Torso Lake, and Camp Lake — are all lake fisheries, which shapes everything about how you plan a trip. These aren't drive-up reservoirs. Reaching any of them means hiking in with your gear, so you're looking at a pack rod, a small tackle kit, and a willingness to earn the water. The payoff is fishing in a setting most anglers never bother to reach, with far less pressure than the roadside spots along the Cascade Lakes Highway. Because all three are high-country lakes, the season is compressed — ice-out typically runs late spring to early summer depending on snowpack, and the window closes again in fall. A basic Oregon fishing license is required, and wilderness regulations apply to camping near the lakes. If you're based in Sisters, the town sits at a convenient jumping-off point for the trailheads that access this cluster of lakes, making it a reasonable base for a multi-day backcountry fishing trip rather than a quick afternoon outing.
All three listed fisheries — Black Crater Lake, Torso Lake, and Camp Lake — are lake fisheries in the high Cascades. You're fishing still water, not moving water, so techniques like still-fishing with bait, casting small spinners, or fly fishing with dry flies and wet flies along the shoreline are all practical approaches.
High-country lakes in this part of Oregon are typically ice-free from late June through October, though that window shifts earlier or later depending on winter snowpack. Early season right after ice-out and again in September tend to be the most productive times, when fish are active in cooler water temperatures. Midsummer midday fishing can slow down as surface temperatures rise.
Black Crater Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Suttle Lake
~20 min drive
Easy
Hosmer Lake
~32 min drive
Moderate
Metolius River - Camp Sherman
~34 min drive
Hard
Scott Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Crane Prairie Reservoir
~56 min drive
Easy
Camp Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Odell Lake
~1h 25m drive
Easy
Torso Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Hand Lake
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Dark Lake
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Watson Reservoir
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near OR.
Also worth it near here
All three require hiking in on foot — none are accessible by vehicle. Trailheads are reachable from the Sisters area, but you should confirm current trail conditions and any wilderness permit requirements with the Deschutes National Forest before heading out, as access details and permit systems can change seasonally.
A pack rod or a two-piece rod that fits in or on a backpack is the practical choice. Small spinners, PowerBait or similar floating bait, and a selection of small flies cover most situations in alpine lakes. Bring a valid Oregon fishing license, a small tackle box, and enough layers for afternoon weather changes — conditions at elevation near Sisters can shift quickly.
The fishing itself is approachable for beginners — lake fishing with bait is straightforward and forgiving. The bigger consideration is the hike in, which requires reasonable fitness and proper footwear. If you're new to backcountry travel, go with someone who has experience navigating wilderness trails, and check trail length and elevation gain for whichever lake you're targeting before you commit.
