Ask most Oregon anglers where they're chasing kokanee in summer and you'll hear Odell Lake, Crescent Lake, Suttle Lake — the usual high-Cascades suspects. Lemolo Lake, tucked up in the North Umpqua country near Diamond Lake, rarely makes the list. That's your advantage. The 405-acre reservoir sits at 3,400 feet elevation in Douglas County and consistently produces bright, hard-fighting kokanee from late June through early September, with July and August being the prime window.

Why Lemolo Produces

Lemolo is a PacifiCorp reservoir on the North Umpqua River system, fed by cold, exceptionally clear water. Its depth — the main basin drops to around 90 feet — gives kokanee the thermal refuge they need as surface temperatures climb in July and August. When Odell gets crowded and fish go deep and finicky, Lemolo often fishes surprisingly easy. The kokanee here run 10 to 14 inches on average, with fish pushing 16 inches possible by late summer. Nothing trophy-sized, but consistent numbers and excellent table fare.

The lake also holds rainbow trout, brown trout, and some brook trout — making it a legitimate multi-species destination if the kokanee bite goes quiet.

Getting There

From Roseburg, take Highway 138 northeast toward Diamond Lake for approximately 74 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 2610 (Lemolo Lake Road) about 5 miles before Diamond Lake Junction. The Lemolo Lake Resort is about 4 miles down this road and offers boat rentals, a small marina, and basic supplies. There's also a Forest Service boat ramp on the south end of the lake. The drive from Eugene is roughly 2 hours; from Bend, about 2.5 hours via Highway 58 to Highway 138.

Trolling Setup for Summer Kokanee

Standard Lemolo kokanee trolling is straightforward if you run a disciplined setup:

  • Depth: In July and August, kokanee typically hold in the 30–50 foot range on the thermocline. Start at 35 feet and adjust until you mark fish on your sonar.
  • Speed: 1.6 to 2.2 mph is the sweet spot. Too slow and your dodger won't work properly; too fast and you'll miss the bite. Use a GPS speed readout, not just your engine tach.
  • Terminal gear: Run a 4- to 6-inch dodger (Dick Nite or Mack's Lure Wedding Ring dodger) followed by 12 to 18 inches of 6 lb fluorocarbon to a size 8 or 10 Wedding Ring spinner or a small Apex spoon. Pink, red, and orange patterns dominate at Lemolo.
  • Downriggers vs. lead core: Downriggers are ideal here — they put you at precise depths and let you release cleanly. If you're fishing a rental or small boat without downriggers, a 3-way swivel rig with a bouncer weight gets the job done, though depth control is harder.
  • Scent: Tip your trailer hook with a piece of cured corn kernel or a small piece of shrimp. Kokanee respond strongly to scent — it can double your strike-to-land ratio.

Best Areas on the Lake

The north end of Lemolo, near the inlet from the North Umpqua channel, tends to concentrate fish early in the season when water temps are more uniform. By mid-July, work the deeper mid-lake basin between the resort dock and the dam on the east side. Trolling parallel to the dam structure can produce surprisingly well, as kokanee stage in that cooler, deeper water through August. Avoid the shallower south and west arms during midday — the fish simply aren't there when it's warm.

Morning vs. Afternoon Bite

Like most kokanee fisheries, Lemolo fishes best from first light through about 10 AM. The fish are more aggressive early, and boat pressure is lower. By afternoon, surface chop often picks up from afternoon thermals, which makes precise depth control harder but can also trigger a short late bite around 4–5 PM as light angles change. Plan your day accordingly — morning on the water, midday at camp, optional late-afternoon run.

Regulations to Know

Lemolo Lake follows general Oregon statewide regulations for most species. Check the current ODFW regulation booklet for any year-specific limits or closures on the North Umpqua system — tributary closures can affect access to the inlet area. A valid Oregon fishing license and Combined Angling Tag are required. Kokanee are classified as trout for limit purposes.

Camp and Combine

Lemolo Lake Resort has cabins and RV hookups; Diamond Lake Campground and Broken Arrow Campground are 10 minutes away and offer tent sites with reservation access via Recreation.gov. The location makes it easy to combine a Lemolo kokanee trip with a morning of fly fishing on the North Umpqua or an afternoon hike to Watson Falls — one of Oregon's tallest waterfalls, just a few miles west on Highway 138.

If you've been grinding the same kokanee lakes for years, give Lemolo a shot this summer. The crowds are light, the scenery is first-rate, and the fish are there if you work the right depth.