Recreation Region: Deschutes NF - Cascade Lakes Area

Crane Prairie Reservoir

This is one of central Oregon's premier wildlife viewing sites because it attracts so many nesting and/or migrating birds. The relatively shallow reservoir was originally dammed to store irrigation water managed by the Central Oregon Irrigation District. Most access to the shoreline is at recreation sites. Go to Osprey Point for interpretive signs about the local fauna, and to see artificial osprey nesting platforms erected after natural snags toppled from age.

Home of the famous “cranebows,” Crane Prairie Reservoir is also one of the top producing rainbow trout fisheries in Central Oregon. Rainbow trout here average 2 inches of growth a month during the summer. The record rainbow to date weighed over 19 pounds, with abundant rainbows in the 4 to 10 pound range. Crane Prairie Reservoir is a Wildlife Management Area. Osprey, bald eagle and many waterfowl frequent the area.

Motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on this body of water.

For boat launch information see Crane Prairie Boating Site, Quinn River Boating Site , Rock Creek Boating Site, Browns Mountain Boating Site & Crane Prairie Resort

Float tube launch points are: Rocky Point, the end of road 4270-470 and at Rock Creek.

Caution: The site is not accessible in winter due to deep snow.

Current Conditions

<strong>April 18, 2023</strong> <ul><li>Crane Prairie Reservoir and South Twin Lake are completely frozen over. Wickiup Reservoir is partially frozen. The road into North Twin Lake is impassable at this time so we don't have a report, but it is likely frozen as well.</li><li>The Forest Service does not plow or maintain roads or parking lots during winter conditions. Parking lots, including the Crane Prairie Boat Launch and Day Use parking area and South Twin Lake Day Use parking area, are still under significant snow.</li><li>Forest Service Road 4260 is accessible to the Twin Lakes area; however, it is still has significant snow and large, icy ruts beyond this area to the south. It would be very difficult to pull a trailer down this road, and as mentioned above, parking lots and boat launches are not plowed.</li></ul>

Getting There

Elevation

4445

Directions

From Bend: At Jct. of Third St. (Hwy. 97) & Greenwood Ave. (Hwy. 20), Travel south on HWY. 97 for 17.2 miles to Sunriver exit (Forest Road 40), Turn west onto Forest Road 40 for 21.3 miles to Forest Road 46, Turn south on Forest Road 46 for 3.5 miles, 4.5 miles, or 5.0 miles to Shoreline access at Quinn River Campground, Osprey Point, or Rock Creek Campground.

Total Distance: 42 miles. Estimated Time: 60 minutes