Lake Billy Chinook
Trophy bull trout on the fly beneath towering basalt palisades.
A crow’s foot of canyon water.
Lake Billy Chinook is a vast reservoir in the heart of Central Oregon, spanning roughly 4,000 acres and plunging to depths over 400 feet.
Fed by the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked Rivers, the lake’s deep canyon arms stretch like a crow’s foot across the high desert. Around every bend you’ll find towering palisade cliffs, a dramatic backdrop for a memorable day on the water.
The prized bull trout.
Lake Billy Chinook is home to Bull Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee and Smallmouth Bass. But it’s the prized Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) that draws anglers from far and wide. While the species is considered threatened across much of its northwestern range, it thrives here thanks to the cold, pristine water of the Metolius River.
These apex predators are aggressive and hard-fighting, an exciting challenge on the fly. We primarily target them with streamer patterns that imitate juvenile fish and kokanee, though other methods can be effective too. Bulls typically range from 2 to 8 pounds, and double-digit giants are not uncommon.
Early spring is prime time.
The bull trout season on Lake Billy Chinook can begin as early as February, depending on weather and water temperatures. The prime window runs from early March through mid-April, when warming water draws these big predators into the shallows to hunt baitfish. It’s your best chance to connect with a trophy as they feed aggressively, and some of the most exciting fishing of the year.
Plan around the weather on the Fishing Calendar.
Full Day
- Lunch and all tackle included
- 2 anglers per boat
Double-digit giants are not uncommon.
The prime window is short. Reach out early to get the dates you want.