Todd Lake

Dogs need to be on-leash on trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness (Green Lakes, Moraine Lakes,

Dogs need to be on-leash in Three Sisters Wilderness on: Green Lakes, Moraine Lakes, South Sister, Soda Creek, Todd Lake and Crater Ditch Trails, from July 15 to September 15.

The lake was formerly called Lost Lake due to the difficulty in finding it. Citizens of Bend asked to have the name changed because of confusion with other Lost Lakes. The lake was renamed Todd Lake in 1922 to commemorate Uncle John Y. Todd, an early settler of central Oregon.

The lake is located in a glacial cirque which was probably last occupied by glacial ice about 13,000 years ago during the Canyon Creek advance of the Cabot Creek glaciation. The outlet stream from the lake is Todd Creek which flows into lavas from the Mt. Bachelor Volcanic Chain.

The lake is the first of many alpine lakes accessed from the Cascade Lakes Highway west of Mount Bachelor. At 6,150 feet, it is also the highest. Lying near the base of Broken Top mountain a half-mile off the highway, the 45-acre lake is encircled by alpine meadows and fir forests and is dominated by spectacular views of Broken Top and Mount Bachelor.

Motors are prohibited on this body of water.

Do not remove frogs or tadpoles from Todd Lake. Todd Lake is home for the western toad and Cascades Frog. Both of these species are threatened by loss of wetlands, habitat degredation, and environmental changes. They are protected by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and collecting of these species is illegal and punishable with a fine of $1250.00 (OAR 6330440130)

For more information see: Todd Lake Day Use Area.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Wilderness permits are not required to access/use Todd Lake. However, recreators who hike the nearby Todd Lake Trail are required to acquire a Central Cascades Wilderness permit in advance for both day use and for overnight use.
Permit Info:	The Todd Lake Trail enters the Three Sisters Wilderness. Should you plan to hike the trail, a day use or overnight Central Cascades Wilderness permit is required. This must be acquired in advance from Recreation.gov.
Restrictions:	Wilderness restrictions apply in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Dogs need to be on-leash on trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness (Green Lakes, Moraine Lakes, South Sister, Soda Creek, Todd Lake and Crater Ditch trails) from July 15 to September 15.
Closest Towns:	Bend, Oregon
Passes:	A valid Recreation Pass is required at Todd Lake Day Use area and trailhead May 1st - September 30th.
Information Center:	Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest

General Information

Directions:

From Bend, travel 24.0 miles west on Cascade Lakes Highway (46), then 0.5 miles north on Forest Road 4600 370 to Todd Lake Trailhead. It is a 0.5 mile hike to the lake.

Activities

Lake and Pond Fishing

Stocked brook trout are the only game here, but the angling can be invigorating. Fish average 8 to 10 inches with some as large as 15 inches. The best action is usually right after ice-out, a late event at this elevation, but it's also possible to hit some lively fishing anytime during the season.

Small spinners, bait, and flies are all effective on Todd Lake. It is a very pleasant experience to carry in a float tube or small raft and slowly troll around the lake on a warm summer evening. Fly fishers, try trolling green Woolly Buggers if nothing is rising.

Most of the shoreline of Todd has a very gentle slope and can be fished from shore or easily waded. Rock outcroppings are rare. No major obstacles occupy the water, and the nourishing weed beds are always a good place to fish. A decent trail runs around the lake. There is a small campground with four tent sites and a picnic area on the west shore of the lake. No fee is charged to camp here.

Motors are prohibited on the lake. Always check the current ODFW before fishing.

What To Expect

Vehicle Access: Todd Lake is located about 25 miles west of Bend off the Cascade Lakes Highway (Forest Service Road 46).
Fishing Access: Campground and from bank
Boating Regulations: NO MOTORS. See boating regulations.
Fish Species Present: Stocked with brook trout by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
Physical Characteristics: Size: 29 acres; Depth: 21'-60'; Elevation: 6151'
When/How to fish: Entire year but best after ice out. Get a weekly fishing report from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Popular Fishing Methods: Shore fishing, trolling from float tube or raft, and fly fishing.
Bait/Lure Fishing Method: Night crawlers, power bait, eggs, spinners plus bait and lures.
Fly Fishing Methods: Use of four-pound leader and tippets of 5X or less.
Insect Hatch/Flies to Use: Imitation flies of midges, callibaetis, and leeches. Hatch under construction.
Camping Information: Todd Lake Campground. This campground is tent only.