Quick Summary:

  • What makes Oregon’s lakes special?
    • Oregon is home to some of the deepest, widest, clearest, and most spectacular lakes in the United States, offering breathtaking scenery and outdoor recreation.
  • What are some of the most notable lakes in Oregon?
    • Crater Lake is famous for its clear, deep blue waters, while the Lake of the Woods is known for its spectacular setting surrounded by dense forests.
  • How can visitors enjoy Oregon’s lakes?
    • Visitors can enjoy activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in and around these beautiful lakes.
  • Where can I buy a fishing license in Oregon?
    • You can purchase a fishing license before your trip by visiting this link.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Applegate Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Applegate Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of nblxer - Fotolia.com

2. Cascade Lakes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Cascade Lakes | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Christopher Boswell - Fotolia.com

3. Crater Lake

Category: Activities
Crater Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of srongkrod - Fotolia.com

4. Upper Klamath Lake

Category: Activities
Upper Klamath Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Maciej Olszewski/stock.adobe.com

5. Detroit Lake

Category: Activities
Detroit Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Rex Wholster - Fotolia.com

6. Devils Lake

Category: Activities
Devils Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of thecolorpixels - Fotolia.com

7. East Lake

Category: Activities
East Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of kvdkz - Fotolia.com

8. Emigrant Lake

Category: Activities
Emigrant Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of jakezc - Fotolia.com

9. Fern Ridge Lake

Category: Activities
Fern Ridge Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of kvdkz - Fotolia.com

10. Fishhawk Lake

Category: Activities
Fishhawk Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Maksim - Fotolia.com

11. Green Lakes

Category: Activities
Green Lakes | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of fotofrol - Fotolia.com

12. Hells Canyon Reservoirs

Category: Activities
Hells Canyon Reservoirs | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Venera - Fotolia.com

13. Lake Celilo

Category: Activities
Lake Celilo | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Siegfried Schnepf - Fotolia.com

14. Lake of the Woods

Category: Activities
Lake of the Woods | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of papinou - Fotolia.com

15. Lake Wallula

Category: Activities
Lake Wallula | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Leslie - Fotolia.com

16. Malheur Lake

Category: Activities
Malheur Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Michal - Fotolia.com

17. Matthieu Lakes

Category: Activities
Matthieu Lakes | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Nneirda - Fotolia.com

18. Odell Lake

Category: Activities
Odell Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of vlorzor - Fotolia.com

19. Olallie Lake

Category: Activities
Olallie Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of mehaniq41 - Fotolia.com

20. Paulina Lake

Category: Activities
Paulina Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Krystal - Fotolia.com

21. Sky Lakes Wilderness

Category: Activities
Sky Lakes Wilderness | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of kvdkz - Fotolia.com

22. Suttle Lake

Category: Activities
Suttle Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of estivillml - Fotolia.com

23. Crescent Lake

Category: Activities
Crescent Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Joshua Rainey - Fotolia.com

24. Waldo Lake

Category: Activities
Waldo Lake | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Ray Whittemore - Fotolia.com

25. Wickiup Reservoir

Category: Activities
Wickiup Reservoir | Lakes in Oregon: Where to Swim, Fish & Explore
© Courtesy of Will - Fotolia.com

Summary & FAQ Applegate Lake Cascade Lakes Crater Lake Upper Klamath Lake Detroit Lake Devils Lake East Lake Emigrant Lake Fern Ridge Lake Fishhawk Lake Green Lakes Hells Canyon Reservoirs Lake Celilo Lake of the Woods Lake Wallula Malheur Lake Matthieu Lakes Odell Lake Olallie Lake Paulina Lake Sky Lakes Wilderness Suttle Lake Crescent Lake Waldo Lake Wickiup Reservoir

Map:


Best time to fish in Oregon is June through September

Here is the weather at Crater Lake. Source: National Weather Service

Month Average High (°F) Average Low (°F) Average Precipitation (inches) Average Snowfall (inches)
January 28 13 5.1 55.5
February 31 15 5.5 55.1
March 35 18 4.5 49.6
April 41 22 2.9 34.3
May 49 28 2.9 18.9
June 59 35 1.7 4.7
July 69 41 0.6 0.2
August 69 41 0.7 0.0
September 62 36 1.4 0.8
October 49 29 3.3 11.0
November 38 22 6.6 39.4
December 31 16 7.2 51.6

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