Devil’s Lake, Oregon: A Lakeside Getaway With Year-Round Fishing
Between Lincoln City’s neighborhoods and the forested foothills just east of Highway 101, Devil’s Lake is one of the Oregon Coast’s most versatile freshwater escapes. Though it sits just minutes from sandy beaches, salt-air restaurants, and the bustle of town, the lake feels worlds away—calm, sheltered, and edged with cattails, lily pads, and quiet coves where herons stalk the shallows.
A Lake With Personality
Stretching roughly three miles from north to south, Devil’s Lake is a mix of open water, wetlands, and winding channels bordered by summer cabins and campsites. Its sheltered nature makes it one of the coast’s best spots for boating—even when the ocean is too rough or the wind is kicking up sand on the beach. Early mornings are often glassy and still, perfect conditions for anglers who want the lake to themselves before the day’s recreation picks up.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife manages the lake as a warm-water and stocked trout fishery, creating a rare hybrid: a coastal lake where you can chase rainbow trout one minute and largemouth bass the next.
What to Fish for at Devil’s Lake
Rainbow Trout
Devil’s Lake is stocked heavily with rainbow trout each spring and sometimes again in fall, giving shore and boat anglers excellent odds. The trout tend to concentrate near deeper areas and along drop-offs, especially around the middle and southern portions of the lake.
Best Techniques
- From shore: PowerBait, worms under a bobber, or small spinners
- From a boat or kayak: Trolling small spoons or wedding-ring spinners
- Early season tip: Look for trout near creek inflows when the water is coldest
Where to Try
- Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area (shore fishing)
- Holmes Road Park (good for families)
- Boat anglers often work the central channel for nice limits
Largemouth Bass
If trout get most of the attention in spring, bass take over in summer and fall. Devil’s Lake has excellent largemouth habitat: reed beds, docks, fallen timber, and warm shallows. You’ll find aggressive prespawn bass in April and May, and some surprisingly big summer fish hiding in the weeds.
Best Techniques
- Soft plastics: Senkos, creature baits, and Texas-rigged worms
- Topwater: Frogs and poppers at dawn and dusk
- Weedless swimbaits along lily pads
Hotspots
- Northern coves around Thompson Creek
- Weed lines near Sand Point
- Docks along the west shoreline
Yellow Perch
Devil’s Lake has a strong population of yellow perch—great for beginners and perfect for a family fishing afternoon. These fish are abundant, school tightly, and readily take simple baits.
Best Techniques
- Worm pieces on small hooks
- Small jigs tipped with bait
- Light spinning gear is all you need
You’ll often catch perch by the bucketful in 10–20 feet of water once you locate a school.
Crappie & Bluegill
Sunfish species thrive in the warm, sheltered bays. Crappie and bluegill make for fun ultralight fishing and can be surprisingly active even on post-summer cloudy days.
Best Techniques
- Small jigs or crappie tubes
- Bobber-and-worm setups
- Mini spinnerbaits
Crappie often school near submerged branches and docks. Bluegill prefer shallow weed beds.
Catfish & Bullhead
Catfish are a quiet staple of Devil’s Lake. Evening fishing can be excellent for brown bullhead and the occasional larger channel catfish.
Best Baits
- Chicken liver
- Nightcrawlers
- Cut bait on the bottom
Night fishing from a dock is a local tradition, especially in warm summer months.
Best Seasons for Fishing Devil’s Lake
Spring
- Excellent for rainbow trout thanks to seasonal stocking
- Prespawn largemouth bass are active and aggressive
- Cool temperatures keep fish shallow and easy to access
Summer
- Peak season for bass, yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, and catfish
- Warm water pushes fish into predictable weed lines and structure
- Great time for topwater bass action and family-friendly panfish fishing
Fall
- Some of the biggest bass of the year feed heavily before winter
- Often another round of trout stocking
- Perch fishing stays strong
- Fewer crowds and some of the calmest lake conditions
Winter
- Quieter season with occasional trout and steady perch action
- Cold but peaceful, great for anglers who enjoy having the lake to themselves
Access Points & Amenities
Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area
One of Oregon’s most unique campgrounds—right in town but surrounded by trees and quiet pathways. Great boat ramp, kayak access, and family-friendly shoreline for fishing.
East Devil’s Lake State Park
Nice day-use area with a boat launch, picnic spots, and good shoreline access.
Holmes Road Park
A local favorite for kids: easy parking, restrooms, docks, and space to cast.
Regatta Park
A beautiful park with a fishing dock, playground, and summer events. Good bank access and a favorite for perch.
Boat Rentals
Several shops in Lincoln City rent kayaks, canoes, and small fishing boats if you don’t bring your own gear.
Other Things to Do Around Devil’s Lake
When you want a break from the rod and reel, the area has plenty to offer:
- Kayak the wetlands at the northern end for wildlife viewing
- Visit Lincoln City’s beaches just minutes away
- Explore the outlet malls and local restaurants
- Hike at nearby Drift Creek Falls or Cascade Head
- Enjoy kite flying, a signature pastime of the Oregon Coast
It’s ideal for families, anglers, nature lovers, and anyone wanting a mellow coastal retreat with freshwater adventure. Devil’s Lake is a perfect Oregon Coast escape: close to everything but quiet enough to feel like your own little fishing paradise.
