Lake and Pond Fishing

Lake and Pond Fishing Areas

• Florence to Coos Bay

  The landscape changes south of Florence, although the most dramatic change, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, is often hidden from view.

  The 47-mile long and one-mile wide sandbox has areas designated for bird watching and dune riding. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, more than 31,000 acres, offers a place for everyone. You can camp, arrange a tour, take an exhilarating off-highway vehicle ride, walk along tranquil lakes, forest trails and beaches, and much more.

  Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a destination site, drawing people from around the Northwest and across the country. Highway 38 offers connections to the southern Willamette Valley and the city of Eugene, or on to Roseburg via Highway 138.

• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

  The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a special place. One of the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world, the stark, mist-shrouded views of dunes, forests, and ocean in such close proximity to one another are rare and hauntingly beautiful. Many plants and animals, including some found in few other places, call this area home. In 1972, Congress designated this 31,500-acre portion of the Siuslaw National Forest as a National Recreation Area in recognition of its unique values. Learn more about the geology of the dunes here.

  Adventure and solitude await! Among the tree islands, open dunes, wetlands, and beaches you will find Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding (experience it with Google Trekker), hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, birding, camping, picnicking, sand play - the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has it all.

  Be a Friend to Snowy Plovers! Share the Beach March 15 – September 15

  During snowy plover nesting season (March 15 - September 15) we coordinate with Oregon State parks and beachgoers to protect these threatened birds during a very sensitive time. By following nesting season restrictions and sharing the beach, you can help ensure plover chicks survive to adulthood.

  Dunes areas from north to south

  • South Jetty: South Jetty provides day use access to beach and dunes, with separate areas for OHV and non motorized use.
  • Siltcoos: Along the Siltcoos River are traditional campgrounds and easy trails along the river and to the beach. OHV users will find developed and dispersed camping opportunities.
  • Oregon Dunes Day Use: Miles from OHV recreation, this area provides exceptional opportunities to explore the dunes on foot.
  • Tahkenitch: With easy access off Hwy 101, traditional campgrounds provide lake access for boaters and dune access for hikers only.
• Siltcoos Area

  

  Along the Siltcoos River are two traditional campgrounds.

  Stagecoach Trailhead provides access to several trails, including the accessible Lagoon trail and the longer Waxmyrtle trail, which meanders through the coastal shore pine forests and along the river to the beach.

  OHV users will find a direct sand access campground as well as dispersed OHV Sand Camping available by permit. Please see OHV Rules for Riding before heading out.

  For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visithttp://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation

• Carter Lake Boat Ramp
• Carter Lake Campground

  Carter Lake Campground is a family favorite in the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area. Part of the campground is located on the dunes where children love to play in the sand, and the other half is located on Carter Lake, perfect for fishing and boating. Campsites are nestled among shore pine, sitka spruce, Douglas fir and native rhododendron. Drinking water and flush toilets are available and each site has a campfire pit and picnic table. Parking aprons are paved.

  Hiking the Carter Dune Trail, fishing for rainbow trout, canoeing and kayaking, and off-road vehicle riding are all nearby activities.

• Lagoon Campground
• Spinreel to Horsfall Area

  

  Predominantly used by off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, this is the Oregon Dunes' largest and most diverse riding area. South of Horsfall Beach Road, areas are open only to horse back riding and hiking. Horsfall Beach Road leads to both motorized and non-motorized opportunities.  At the road’s end, beach viewing and access are available.

  Horsfall Beach Campground provides OHV camping, day use and parking for beach access.  Bull Run OHV Staging Area and Old Bark Road OHV Staging Area provide direct sand access, as well.  Spinreel, located at the northernmost end of the Horsfall OHV riding area, has direct sand access and designated OHV Sand Camping sites as well as an OHV campground and day use staging area.

  Designated OHV routes lead riders through coastal forests and open dunes to the beach. OHV beach riding areas are located south of the Tenmile OHV Trail beach access point.

  

  Wild Mare Campground, day use and trail, Bluebill Campground and trail and Sandtracks Day Use are all located within non-motorized areas. Wild Mare Campground, day use and trail are managed for equestrian use.

  A wheelchair-accessible viewing platform at Horsfall Beach Day Use provides a 360 degree view of the dunes, beach and ocean.

• Bluebill Campground
• Tahkenitch Area

  

  Within easy access of Highway 101 Tahkenitch area, which is closed to OHV use, offers two traditional campgrounds, two boat launches and two trailheads are directly adjacent to Highway 101 and Tahkenitch Lake. The lake provides opportunities for bass fishing.

  Tahkenitch Creek and Tahkenitch Dune trail provide opportunities to hike through the coastal forest, as well as access to the dunes and beach.

• Tahkenitch Lake Boat Ramp
• Tahkenitch Landing Campground

  On the shores of Tahkenitch Lake sits Tahkenitch Landing Campground, 9 miles north of Reedsport, Oregon. Sites that fit tents or small campers sit on the rim of the lake, while larger sites that accommodate RVs are up the hill overlooking the lake. The grassy campground is hugged by coastal trees and shrubbery, including mixed pine and cedar. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and a fire ring with grill. Vault toilets are onsite and families can enjoy picnicking in the day-use picnic area. Sites 1 - 8 have no turnarounds and are limited to tent camping or small campers. No drinking water is available, so campers should bring a sufficient amount.

  The 2,118 acre lake welcomes boating, swimming and fishing for bass and trout. Tahkenitch Dunes Trail is nearby. Wildlife watching is a popular pastime for campers. Portions of the nearby estuary are protected nesting areas for the snowy plover, a small shorebird with a tan tail and snowy white underside.

• Tahkenitch Landing Boat Ramp
• Threemile Lake North Trail #1338
• Threemile Lake South Trail #1356
• Umpqua Dunes Area

  

  The Umpqua Dunes area provides something for everyone!

  Hikers will find areas to explore the dunes, walk the beach, and view the ocean. An easy walk from the Umpqua #2 and #3 OHV staging areas brings you to a stretch of beach closed to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. You can also explore the area's largest and most expansive dunes at nearby John Dellenback Trail and Eel Creek Campground.

  OHV enthusiasts will find two large day use staging areas, reservable sand camping sites, and nearby OHV facilities managed by Douglas County Parks. Please see OHV Rules for Riding before heading out.

• Hall & Schuttpelz Lakes Day Use
• Newport to Florence

  The central section of the Siuslaw National Forest finds the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway (Highway 101) moving closer to the Pacific Ocean providing outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean and plenty of publicly owned beaches to explore.

  Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, located between Newport and Florence, offers the Forest visitor a chance to wander through old-growth Sitka Spruce, experience crashing surf, investigate tide pools, whale watch or take a guided hike.

  Check out a haunted lighthouse keeper’s home at Heceta Head. Try boating, fishing, hiking to waterfalls, berry picking and more.

  Inland are more recreational opportunities, including Marys Peak, in the Coast Range. Highways 20, 34 and 126 offer connections to the mid and southern Willamette Valley and the cities of Corvallis and Eugene.

• Alder Dune Campground
• Alder Dune Day Use (Dune Lake)
• Lily Lake Trail #1397
• Mercer Lake Boat Ramp
• Sutton Lake Boat Ramp
• Tillamook to Newport

  A visitor to the Siuslaw National Forest traveling from Tillamook to Newport will find farmland, rolling hills,  sand dunes at Sand Lake Recreation Area, and by choosing the Three Cape Scenic Loop, gorgeous headlands with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.

  Moving inland, the Forest is lush, wet and green. Visitors can hike, camp, picnic or ride their off-highway vehicle. Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, transports travelers from Tillamook to Newport with connecting routes of Highways 22 and 18 to Portland and Salem.

• Battle Lake Trail #1302
• Battle Lake Trailhead
• Mt. Hebo Area

  The Mt. Hebo Area provides visitors with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and coastal valleys, interpretive information, camping, hiking, horse back riding and fishing.

  The Mt. Hebo Area is host to the Oregon silverspot butterfly, a sensitive species that lives in  the meadows of Mt. Hebo. 

• Hebo Lake Campground

  Located on Mt. Hebo, this small, family campground has 12 campsites. Sites #3 and #4 may be reserved online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1.877.444.6777. At an elevation of 1,650 feet, the surrounding forest of western hemlock, Douglas fir and red alder make the area quite enjoyable on a hot summer day. Hebo Lake campground is ideal for those wanting a secluded, quiet camping getaway in the forest. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided but there is no drinking water.

  A historic picnic shelter built by the Civil Conservation Corps in 1937, and restored in 2016, is available for day use at the Hebo Lake Day Use site. The 1/2 mile Hebo Lake Loop Trail is a pleasant hike around the lake, and access to the Pioneer - Indian Trail is nearby. Anglers will find five accessible fishing docks around the popular three-acre lake, which is stocked with rainbow trout.

  Check out this video from Travel Oregon's "Grant's Getaways" for great views of the campground. (The Hebo Lake Campground footage is about halfway through the video.)

• Hebo Lake Day Use
• Hebo Lake Loop Trail #1311
• South Lake Dispersed Area