Ask most Oregon anglers to name the best largemouth bass lake in the state and you'll hear Fern Ridge, Applegate, or maybe Siltcoos. Rarely does anyone mention Tenmile Lakes — a connected pair of natural lakes tucked between the dunes and the Coast Range just south of Coos Bay. That anonymity is both the problem and the perk. The fishing is legitimately excellent, the crowds are thin compared to valley reservoirs, and the scenery — forested hills rolling down to calm water — is hard to beat on a summer morning.
The Lakes at a Glance
North and South Tenmile Lakes are connected by a short channel and drain through Tenmile Creek to the Pacific at Lakeside, Oregon. North Lake covers roughly 1,270 acres; South Lake adds another 870. Both top out at around 20 feet in depth, with weedy shallows, submerged timber, and dock-lined shorelines that largemouth bass use heavily from late spring through early fall.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks rainbow trout in the cooler months, but in summer, it's a warm-water show: largemouth bass, yellow perch, crappie, brown bullhead, and occasional coho salmon that come in from Tenmile Creek. Bass push into the shallows by late May and stay aggressive well into September.
Peak Season and Timing
July and August are prime time. Water temps climb into the mid-60s to low 70s, bass are post-spawn and actively feeding, and the evening bite on topwater can be spectacular. Early mornings before the wind comes up are best for clear-water presentations along the weed edges. By midday, work deeper structure — dock pilings, channel edges around 8–15 feet — with slower plastics.
The fall transition in September and October is also worth targeting. Bass stack up on baitfish before winter, and some of the largest fish of the year come out in October when most anglers have put their gear away.
Best Spots on the Lake
- The channel between North and South Lake: Current draws baitfish and bass concentrate here, especially on an outgoing tide or after wind pushes water through.
- Dock rows on the north shore of North Lake: Residential docks provide shade and ambush points. Skip a jig or skirted creature bait deep under the dock planks in July — the bigger fish hide there.
- Weed edges on the east arm of South Lake: Sparse emergent vegetation lines the shallower areas near the inlet. Frogs and hollow-body toads worked over the pads in low light produce violent strikes.
- Submerged timber and brush: Both lakes have areas with standing dead wood holdouts. Fish these with Texas-rigged worms or a compact jig.
Productive Baits and Tactics
Tenmile bass are not line-shy — this isn't a clear reservoir where you need to drop to 6-pound fluorocarbon. A medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod with 15–20 pound braid and a 10–12 pound fluorocarbon leader is a solid all-day setup.
- Topwater: Poppers and walking baits from dawn until 8 or 9 AM. Heddon Zara Spooks, Rebel Pops, and hollow-body frogs all produce. The frog bite over vegetation is the most fun way to fish this lake.
- Jigs and creature baits: A 3/8 oz football or flipping jig in green pumpkin or black-blue is the workhorse. Slow-roll it along dock edges and drop it straight down next to pilings.
- Worms: A 7-inch straight-tail worm on a 3/0 offset hook with a 3/16 oz bullet weight covers water efficiently. Motor through the shallows and work any submerged grass or wood you see on the sonar.
- Crankbaits: A squarebill in shad or crawfish colors through 3–6 feet of water along channel edges is a confidence bait when bass are actively feeding.
Access and Launch Ramps
The Lakeside Launch Ramp on North Tenmile Lake off of North Lake Road provides the primary public access with a two-lane paved ramp. A second ramp on South Tenmile Lake off of South Lake Road gives you a closer starting point for the south end. Both have parking for trailers. Kayaks and canoes can be launched from multiple informal spots along the shoreline — this is a good lake for non-motorized fishing if you want a quieter experience.
The town of Lakeside, Oregon (population around 1,800) sits right on the lake. Basic supplies, bait, and fuel are available locally. Coos Bay is 15 miles north on Highway 101 for anything else you need.
Regulations and Limits
Tenmile Lakes falls under ODFW's Southwest Zone regulations. As of 2026, largemouth and smallmouth bass have a 5-fish daily limit with no minimum size restriction, though most serious bass anglers practice catch-and-release on bigger fish. Check the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet or myodfw.com for the latest — regulations can shift season to season.
Make the Trip Worth It
Tenmile Lakes is most rewarding as an early-start, half-day mission. Launch at first light, work topwater through the weed flats and dock rows until the sun gets high, then switch to subsurface tactics for the midday grind. If you're camping, Bluebill Campground at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is 12 miles north — you can pair a bass morning with an afternoon on the dunes or the ocean. It's one of those under-the-radar Oregon fishing destinations that rewards anyone willing to look past the more well-known water just up the highway.
