The reservoir is stocked regularly in the spring and summer with tens of thousands of one-pound hatchery trout.  Currently the water level is back down at its lowest level to maximize flood storage, which means that there are no boat ramps available to launch boats from trailers. Anglers can bank fish from access points such as Mongold State Park or Detroit Flats Day Use area.

In general, water levels are kept low this time of year to provide flood storage capacity. It’s always a good idea to check the water levels at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website before using the boat ramps. For the latest information on water levels at Detroit Reservoir check with the Army Corps of Engineers’ website for more information. 

Detroit Reservoir is one of the premier kokanee fisheries in the state. But this is the time of year when the adults have already spawned and died. Kokanee fishing for the next generation usually heats up in March or April and continues through the summer. 

Trout fishing can be good all year. Pretty much all techniques will catch fish, but it might take some experimenting to find out what is most effective on the day you’re out there. This time of year, trout fishing can be excellent, and with the crowds thinned out, anglers can find solitude as well.

As a reminder to anglers, fishing for and harvesting Chinook in the lake and the rivers above is prohibited. Any Chinook caught in Detroit must be released unharmed.

Anglers are encouraged to report their catch on an on-line form. Remember to indicate whether the fish you catch have their adipose fin or not. This information will allow ODFW to manage the fishery for the benefit of both recreational anglers and the resource.