Most anglers who make the climb to Newberry Volcano head straight for Paulina Lake. That's a mistake—or at least, a missed opportunity. East Lake, Newberry Caldera's eastern twin, sits at 6,331 feet and offers some of the most productive summer fishing in central Oregon. The crowds thin out fast, the kokanee stack up in the thermocline, and if you know where to look, trophy brown trout push into double digits.
July and August are the money months. The snow is gone, the roads are open, and the fish are in their summer patterns. Here's how to make the most of a trip to East Lake before the fall crowds descend and the season closes.
The Fishery
East Lake holds three main species worth targeting: kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout. ODFW has stocked it aggressively over the years, and the fishery is in excellent shape. Kokanee are the most reliable summer target—you'll find them stacked between 25 and 45 feet once the thermocline establishes in early July. Rainbow trout run 12 to 18 inches on average, with some pushing 20. Brown trout are the trophy fish. The lake record is over 22 pounds, and browns in the 5- to 8-pound class aren't unusual for anglers who fish low-light windows with big hardware.
What makes East Lake unusual is the volcanic thermal venting along parts of the bottom. Warm mineral springs create nutrient upwellings that concentrate food and fish in certain areas, particularly along the east shore and near the hydrothermal seeps south of the resort. Find these zones and you'll find fish.
Kokanee Tactics for Summer
Kokanee at East Lake respond well to standard trolling setups. A dodger-and-wedding-ring combo in pink or red tipped with shoepeg corn is the go-to rig. Troll at 1.5 to 2.0 mph and use a downrigger or lead core to hit the 30- to 40-foot zone where fish show on the sonar. Pop-gear ahead of a small spinner also works, especially earlier in the season when fish are shallower.
- Target depth: 25–45 feet in July; push deeper (40–55 feet) by mid-August as the lake stratifies
- Best colors: Pink, red, chartreuse — bright in low light, natural tones on bluebird days
- Speed: 1.5–2.0 mph is ideal; slow down in cold fronts
- Top zones: Open mid-lake water over the main basin; avoid the shallows until evening
Kokanee are notorious for soft strikes. Use light monofilament (6 lb test or lighter) and set your drag light. They're also extremely sensitive to boat pressure—if you see fish on the graph and your action dies, circle wide and come back through from a different angle.
Rainbow Trout: Trolling and Shore Fishing
Rainbows at East Lake hit readily from shore in the morning and evening. Power Bait, nightcrawlers under a bobber, or small spinners (Panther Martin, Rooster Tail) all work from the campground and resort areas. Early July mornings, you'll often find fish within 10 feet of shore working the surface.
For trollers, a small Needlefish or Flatfish in rainbow trout patterns trolled at 2.0 to 2.5 mph covers water efficiently. Keep your offering near the top of the thermocline—rainbows stack just above where the kokanee are holding.
Brown Trout: Hunting the Big Fish
Brown trout at East Lake are a different game. These fish are predators, and they respond accordingly. The best brown trout action happens at first light and last light, when big browns move shallow to ambush smaller fish near the rocky points and drop-offs on the east and north shores.
Casting large swimbaits, big Rapala-style crankbaits, or trolling a large silver spinner close to structure in low light is your best bet. Use 10- to 12-pound fluorocarbon leader material—brown trout in clear water are leader-shy in full daylight, but less picky in the gray morning hours. If you're boat fishing, slow troll a big J-9 or J-11 Jointed Rapala in rainbow trout pattern along the steeper shoreline sections at 1.0 to 1.5 mph right at legal shooting light.
Regulations and Logistics
East Lake falls under ODFW's Central Zone regulations. The general trout season runs through October 31. Check the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for any special restrictions on brown trout—size and bag limits can change year to year. A valid Oregon fishing license and Combined Angling Tag are required.
East Lake Resort (541-536-2230) operates a small marina, boat rentals, RV sites, and a store stocked with basic tackle and bait. If you're trailering a boat, the launch is concrete and in good condition. Water depth in the caldera is significant—make sure your electronics are working before you head out, as the thermocline changes day to day.
Getting There
East Lake is accessed via Paulina Lake Road (Forest Road 21) off US-97, approximately 23 miles south of Bend. The drive from Bend takes about 45 minutes. The caldera road is paved but narrow in places—use pullouts when meeting trailers coming down. Cell service is nonexistent inside the caldera. Download your maps offline before you go.
If you've been sleeping on East Lake, this summer is the year to fix that. While the crowds stack up at Paulina two miles to the west, you'll have the caldera's best kokanee water largely to yourself. Pack light, launch early, and bring a net big enough for a brown trout that'll exceed your expectations.
