Near Medford, Applegate Reservoir is stocked with an annual supply of 120,000 legal rainbows and 50,000 fingerling chinook. This lake varies from a pool of 350 surface acres to almost 1,000 acres, with a maximum depth of 225 feet. Boat ramps, wheelchair facilities and plenty of camping make it great for the trout opener.

For brown trout, head to Lake of the Woods on the east slope of the southern Oregon Cascades. Many big browns are caught each season.

Fish Lake, in the Rogue watershed, has 440 surface acres and an ODFW-enhanced willing trout population. Trout in the 5- to 8-pound range are not uncommon. Cabins, camping, boat rentals and a restaurant make this a great place for families.

Galesville Reservoir is a 640-acre reservoir in the South Umpqua system. Rainbows are stocked, and landlocked coho are on tap as well.

Powers Pond is a 23-acre former mill reservoir that is a bit off the beaten path, but is well stocked with legal and trophy-size rainbows.

Hit this one in the spring before the weeds get started.

CENTRAL
Rainbow trout and kokanee are the main attraction at Lake Simtustus. This is a narrow, deep reservoir seven miles long. Bring a boat or rent one. Fish the Narrows, a mile and a half below Round Butte Dam. Wind-drift with a night crawler. You’ll need a tribal permit, which you can purchase in Culver or Madras.

Wickiup Reservoir, Paulina Lake and East Lake are the places to prospect if you want really big brown trout. These toothy predators thrive on numerous kokanee and chubs. Cast a Fish Belly Twitch Bait or an Acme Kastmaster early in the year when the browns are cruising the shoreline. For hatchery rainbows at Paulina and East Lake, fish the shallows and the weedbeds.

Head to Ochoco Reservoir east of Prineville for rainbows that average 10 to 16 inches. Cast Rooster Tail spinners from rocky points or wind-drift with PowerBait.

At nearby Walton Lake, you’ll find good bank-fishing, but a float tube helps you reach more ‘bows.

Other good bets in north central Oregon are 60-acre Kingsley Reservoir near Hood River and Pine Hollow Reservoir west of Tygh Valley.

For peace and quiet, head to 100-acre Laurance Lake on the east slope of Mount Hood, where hatchery rainbows, native cutthroats and bull trout are the main catch in this reservoir.

Only fin-clipped trout may be kept. Bulls must be released. Bait-fishing is not permitted.

Crescent Lake is especially good for kokanee and lake trout, but it’s often overlooked for the big browns. Target the browns early in the season or late in the fall when everyone else is in deer camp.

Duncan Reservoir is a great early-season bet. Chances are you’ll be the only one on the water. Fish can grow big in this 33-acre desert impoundment near the town of Silver Lake.

SOUTHEAST
Do you want to fish the salmonfly hatch with less competition from other anglers? Head south. The Klamath River is home to the big bugs and the big rainbows that eat them. The Klamath usually comes into play about the first week of June in the Wild and Scenic stretch or the Keno Reach.

Keno Reach fish are bigger. Last time I fished it, I lost a 6-pounder that spit the hook six feet from the bank. The Keno section closes on June 15.