If you want the water to yourself, fish the Wild and Scenic section. The long dirt road and rattlesnakes keep out most anglers. The Keno Reach fishes best when the flows are 1,000 cubic feet per second or less. Downstream from J.C. Boyle, the best flows are 1,500 cfs or less.

Call 1-800-547-1501 for up-to-date information.

The Chewaucan flows northwest out of the Fremont National Forest to the town of Paisley, and then southeast into the Chewaucan Marsh and Abert Lake. It’s a clear-running forest stream with slow, shallow pools, swift runs and waterfalls.

Good streamside habitat protects trout and provides insect production. Bring hiking boots instead of waders. Managed for native redband rainbows, the fish average six to 10 inches, but there are a surprising number of 14- to 20-inchers.

Early in the year, blue-winged olives make their appearance. Later in spring, watch for the march brown hatch, and carry soft-hackled Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ears, Prince Nymphs and March Brown Sparkle Duns.

Campbell Lake is a quiet, pretty lake nestled in the lodgepole pines, high in the Chewaucan watershed. It has 20 surface acres and a maximum depth of 20 feet. Rainbow trout make up most of the catch, but you might catch a brook as well.

Dead Horse Lake, one mile away, is Campbell’s twin. It’s hard to imagine a more pleasant place to fish. At 29 acres, it’s large enough to let the few anglers spread out. With ample shallows in both lakes, muddy bottoms, submerged grass and downed timber, insect production is good -- which translates to a healthy fish population. When headed up to the lakes, call the Forest Service office in Paisley at (541) 943-3114 to check on local road conditions.

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.

NORTHEAST
The 75-mile Imnaha River heads in the Eagle Caps and empties into the Snake. Much of the lower river is bordered by private land on both banks, but there is public access. Look for the signs. Early in the season, fish beadhead nymphs. In August and September, bring hopper patterns. Bull trout must be released.

Catch the road to Magone Lake outside of Prairie City. At 50 acres, it runs to 100 feet deep and is stocked with rainbows and brook trout. Bring a boat, a float tube or fish from the shore. Magone is open all year, so you can fish through the ice as well.

Wallowa Lake, the largest natural lake in the northeast Oregon, is home to lake trout, kokanee, bull trout and rainbow trout. Rainbows are the main catch, and most anglers pursue them on the southern shoreline.

Boat rentals, launch facilities and ample camping and lodging make this a great destination.

Pack your fly tackle when the snow melts in the mountains. Base-camp at Wallowa Lake and spike it in to fish Ice Lake, Aneroid, Frances or Prospect lakes for brook trout that haven’t seen a hook in nine months.

Find more about Washington-Oregon fishing and hunting at www.WOgameandfish.com