FYI
ODFW has released the data on insect populations on the bottom of the lake: October 2006 = 11 pounds per acre; October 2007 = 201 pounds per acre; and October 2008 = 168 pounds per acre. What does this mean?
1. The removal of Tui Chub has allowed the regeneration of the food chain and eco system of Diamond Lake.
2. Rainbow trout are insect feeders and lots of insects means lots of big, fat trout for you to catch.
The Oregon State Police are aggressively following leads that have come in following the reward for information leading to the person or persons who dumped Golden Shiners into Diamond Lake increasing to over $8000.00. If you have any information about the shiners you are asked to contact the OSP right away
ODFW stocked 200,000 fingerling trout (3 to 4 inches) in Diamond Lake in 2008. These fish grew at a rate of 2 inches a month on abundant insect hatches and by October they were 9 to 11 inches in length and weighed 3/4 of a pound. Most of the 200,000 will survive under this winter's ice and be 13 to 15 inches this spring. Also remember that 80,000 trout for 8 inches to 8 pounds were stocked in 2007 with another 80,000 from 8 to 18 inches stocked in 2008. Not all of these fish were caught so there are carry over trout that have been growing bigger and stronger. Someone is going to catch a 10 pound trout !
Future stocking at Diamond Lake are planned to increase to 300,000 ~ 350,000 each spring as long as the lake's food chain continues to support the increased numbers.
DIAMOND LAKE FISHING REPORT
July 1, 2009
Stable, good weather has turned on the bite at Diamond Lake. There are swarms of insects hatching every day and the trout are gorged with larva swimming up through the water column to hatch. The bite is moving around depending on where the insects are hatching the heaviest.
The past few days have been good near the center of the lake between Diamond Lake Resort and Thielsen View Campground in 40 feet of water. Burkley Power Bait in Rainbow and Chartruse, and a night crawler-marshmallow combination are the best baits. The water temperature has warmed to 64 degrees and is clear enough to 20 feet down into the lake.
Trollers using lake troll flashers trailed by a chunk of night crawler are catching fish all day long. Trolling F-4 frog colored Flatfish and Red and Fire Tiger Needle Fish are also tempting trout to strike.
Trolling a #8 black fly, on ultra-light gear, late in the afternoons is becoming more and more popular.
Fly fishermen take note, many trout caught are gorged with Dragon fly and Damsel fly larva. Wooly Buggers, leaches, and emerger patterns are working well.
Last years stocked fingerling trout are now over 12 inches long now and weigh one pound +. Looks like ODFW is right on the mark with their Diamond Lake Management Plan. We have lots of healthy trout and an eco system that continues to improve.
2009 Winners of the Annual Diamond Lake Kid's Free Fishing Derby
#1 Jessie Van Blaricum of Sisters, Oregon proudly shows her limit of fat Diamond Lake Trout. May
#2Chris Wright of Roseburg holds 4 beautiful trout caught Saturday, May 16th.
#3 Darren Tappin used Power Bait to tempt this 4 & 3/4 pounder over Memorial Weekend.
#4 The Lucky Duck Fishing Team: Neil, Rich, Scott, Randy, and Chris. Now that's a stringer of trout!
#5 Lucky Duck Jr. Team Member Alex with a nice trout at sunrise.
#6 Christian, also a Lucky Duck Jr. Team member shows off his trout.
#7 Owen Hornbeck, Grants Pass, Oregon. Yep! ,That's a thumbs up fish.
#8 Trevor Lawrence fished the south end of the lake and filled his limit with this 20 inch fish.
#9 Carly & Roxanne O'Neal, Kaitlin & Jessie Van Blaricum, and Jodie Reoch made the trip from Bend, Maupin, and Sisters . Fishing was a little tough but smiles are what count!!
From left to right:
1. Mike Deardorf, of Junction City, did not let a snow covered road stop him from getting to the south end of the lake. His reward? This limit of beautiful "Diamond Lake Size Trout".
2. Kyle and Cynthia Mc Garvey (brother & sister) along with fishing partners Lindsay Davies, Lance Drivon, and Kris Faulkner all from the Roseburg area proudly show a portion of their limits on Sunday April 26th. The group rode ATVs to the south end of the lake to fish near the Pizza Parlor. Night crawlers dangled just under the ice were just too much for the trout to resist.
3. Dawni Hutchison of Grants Pass is all smiles with an 18 inch Rainbow. Gals rule!
4. Connor Davenport traveled all the way from Springfield with his Dad. Nice job Connor!
5. LLoyd Graves shows why he drove from Forest Grove to Diamond Lake for the second year in a row to ice fish.
Matt, Dustin, Kyle, Mikey, Joel, and Gator brought their boats up just in case.
They are a good seat to get off the cold snow and ice.
I asked if the ice chest was for their fish? I think it was already full of something else.
2008 Pictures
Ward Prater holds his new "post treatment" Diamond Lake record trout. A 25 inch, 7 and 3/4 pound Rainbow.
A night crawler floated off the bottom in ten feet of water did the trick.
Big smiles all around for Sarah, Mari, and Baron Adams as they show off a beautiful stringer of trout caught on August 9th.
McKayla Johnson proudly holds her 4 pound trout.