Contact Info
Madras, OR 97741
Basics
- Size:
- 792 acres / 1.2 sq. miles
- Max. Depth:
- 211 feet
- Elevation:
- 4668 feet
- Season:
- May/June; September/October
Description
Cultus Lake is a popular lake in a beautiful setting and is wellknown for producing trophy size lake trout (mackinaw). Many lake trout in the 10 lb. range are taken each season. A 17.5 lb. lake trout was weighed in at Cultus Lake Resort in 1996. In addition stocked rainbow including larger holdovers and an occasional brook trout are caught near the mouth of Winopee Creek.
Cultus Lake is a natural glacier-formed lake located on the Deschutes National Forest off of Century Drive approximately 48 miles southwest of Bend. It lies at the base of the North of Cultus Mountain. Cultus is a recreational lake and is also popular for water skiing, sailing, jet skiing and boating.
Fishing
Fish:
Lake Trout (Mackinaw)
Rainbow Trout
Whitefish
Fishing Methods:
Details
Size:
Max. Depth:
Elevation:
Season:
Water Access:
Camping Info
Additional Details:
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife currently manages rainbow trout and brook trout at Cultus Lake for natural and hatchery production consistent with the Basic Yield Species Fish Management Alternative for trout. Mountain Whitefish and lake trout are managed for natural production consistent with the Featured Species Fish Management Alternative for trout.
Bait/Lure Fishing Methods : Rainbow trout anglers often fish the southwest corner of the lake using power bait or worms. Also working the shelves along the northwest shoreline could be productive. Lake trout anglers often troll flashers with flatfish or plug type lures near drop-offs.
During the first few weeks after ice-out it is possible to catch lake trout in the shallows with dragonfly or leech patterns.
Amenities
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Bend the most scenic route is to take Century Drive (FS Road 46) to the Cultus Lake turn off.
