CENTRAL OREGON
Every other year, ODFW stocks book trout into more than 400 backcountry lakes by helicopter. The last planting took place in 2003. Survivors should be in the 10- to 12-inch range this year. Department samplings and creel surveys indicate that many of these lakes hold brook trout and rainbows that are 20 inches long. Most hike-in lakes receive very little pressure. The trails clear in late June or early July.

Before the snow clears you can fish 240-acre Pine Hollow Reservoir, a scenic, popular irrigation reservoir set west of Tygh Valley in a forest of mixed pines and oaks. It's less than two hours' drive from Portland or Bend, and less than an hour from The Dalles. The ODFW makes sure there are plenty of trout in the water, including a number of big brood stock rainbows. Trout average 10 inches, with holdovers running to 16. The lake has produced 32-inch rainbows. Anglers have success trolling Thomas Buoyant spoons and small Kwikfish in rainbow, tiger and silver/blue patterns. The best fishing from the bank is on either side of the east shore boat ramp. More bank access is found west of the south shore boat ramp.

Thirty-acre Badger Lake is deep in the head of a canyon between two high ridges on the southeast slope of Mt. Hood. Known for its aggressive rainbows and brook trout, the lake is popular on summer weekends, despite the long, rough road leading to it. The road is generally open by the first of July. By mid-summer, Badger's holdover rainbows run between 13 and 17 inches.

Catchable rainbows are stocked regularly by ODFW into 60-acre Kingsley Reservoir (also known as Green Point Reservoir). The best access is at the dam, where the water averages 20 feet deep.

If seclusion is what you want, head to 180-acre Mink Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness in mid July. Barrett Dash of Oregon Llamas (888-PAC-LAMA) runs pack trips into the backcountry in the summer and fall. Mink's rainbows and brook trout average 8 to 10 inches, but there are plenty of fish in the 20-inch range. If you go, bring a float tube, as bank access is limited. Leeches, chironomids and callibaetis patterns will produce throughout the summer.

Crooked River anglers will find good numbers of trout (4,000 per river mile) in the 8-mile stretch below Bowman Dam. The productive tailwater will turn out good-sized trout for spring fishermen.

July 15 marks the date of a regulation change at Wickiup Reservoir. From an ODFW marker at West South Twin boat ramp, upstream angling here will be restricted to flies and lures only. A two trout limit is in effect. This section closes Sept. 1.

At Crane Prairie Reservoir, anglers may keep five trout per day, with only one fish over 16 inches. In the Deschutes River above Crane Prairie, anglers must release all rainbow trout but may keep brook trout.

In Cultus Lake, the daily catch limit has been changed to include only one lake trout.

SOUTHEAST
It's hard to imagine a more pleasant place to fish than Campbell or Dead Horse lakes in the Fremont National Forest. Small enough to keep the fishing intimate, these lakes are large enough to let the few anglers spread out. With ample shallows, muddy bottoms, submerged grass and fallen timber in the water, insect production is good. Rainbow trout provide the most action, with brook trout and kokanee also available. Fingerlings and catchables are stocked regularly. Hatchery-grown trophy trout and holdovers provide a little more excitement. These lakes are accessible from July through October in most years. Call the Paisley Forest Service office (541-943-3114) to check on the road's opening. When you go, bring a small boat, raft or float tube.