It’s no exaggeration to say that Maupin is a world-class fly-fishing destination. The city of just 400 year-round residents is cut in half by the Deschutes River, sits in the midst of a khaki-colored canyon, and provides easy access to fishing holes up and down the Lower Deschutes.
It’s not just the town’s location, either, that makes Maupin such a great place to base your next fishing trip. You’ll enjoy easy access to the Deschutes River’s steady flows, blue-ribbon waters, prized species in all four seasons, soaring high-desert landscapes, and outfitters who are happy to plan and lead an epic adventure.
Here’s a bit more about what makes Maupin such a great angling outpost in the high desert:
Keep reading for more on how to make the most of Maupin fishing.
Top Fishing Spots Near Maupin
In all, the 252-mile-long Deschutes River is broken down into three stretches. The Upper Deschutes runs roughly from its headwaters at Little Lava Lake in the Cascade Range to the Bend area, the Middle Deschutes flows northward from Bend toward Lake Billy Chinook just outside Madras, and the Lower Deschutes River flows out of Lake Billy Chinook and through Maupin before emptying into the Columbia River at the northern edge of Oregon.
The entirety of the Lower Deschutes is considered the Wild & Scenic Lower Deschutes River—federally designated as such for the wide range of plant species that bloom along its banks, a fertile spawning and rearing habitat for several species of fish, and a connection to the area’s earliest residents—who inhabited the Deschutes River canyon area going back 10,000 years or more. Today, the Deschutes River is undeniably one of the most iconic rivers in Central Oregon—and its course through Maupin is a big reason why.
If you’re looking for a few choice spots for Maupin, Oregon, fishing, here are a few suggestions for where the fish might be biting on the blue-ribbon river.
Beavertail Recreation Site and Campground: Roughly 20 miles northeast of Maupin, the primitive Beavertail Recreation Site and Campground sits at a bend in the Deschutes and is surrounded by wide-open hillsides. You’ll find 15 tent sites and plenty of space for dry fly fishing. Fall steelhead runs around Beavertail are especially plentiful.
Macks Canyon Recreation Site: Further north, Macks Canyon Recreation Site resides on the site of a prehistoric village along the Lower Deschutes River. Summer steelhead and fall salmon runs are prolific, and 18 campsites invite overnight stays for longer fishing trips. Note that the road to Macks Canyon is partly gravel and is very rough—so travel only in a high-clearance vehicle, and never drive faster than 20 MPH.
If you’d rather someone else do the planning and find where the fish are biting, check out a list of Deschutes River guides and outfitters from Deschutes Angler Fly Shop. The Deschutes fly shop in Maupin is a cherished community resource and a wealth of information for anglers of all abilities.
Learn more about Deschutes River fly fishing from an angler and outfitter who knows the waterway well.
Fishing Regulations and What You Can Catch
What can you expect when fishing the Deschutes? It depends on when you visit. Here’s a breakdown of when you’ll have the best chance at a bite in each season, along with the passes and licenses you’ll want to have before visiting—and regulations you’ll want to know before casting a line.
What to catch—and when: You’ll find different species in the Lower Deschutes throughout the year. Peak season for the world-famous Deschutes Redside trout, for instance, comes between April and June—though the fish is present throughout the year. Summer steelhead start biting between mid-July and early fall—and are popular with catch-and-release anglers. Spring chinook salmon fishing reaches its peak May through July, and fall chinook runs arrive in September and October.
Passes and licenses: Make sure you have a valid fishing license from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife—along with a steelhead tag and Columbia River Basin Endorsement.
Catch-and-release: Steelhead runs on the Lower Deschutes include wild and hatchery-born fish. All wild steelhead must be released, and most anglers practice catch-and-release fishing with local trout—in some cases due to protections against harvesting.
Plan Your Fishing Trip to Maupin
Ready to cast a line? Here are a few helpful tips to help you plan the perfect escape to Maupin, Oregon—a world-class fly-fishing destination in the heart of Central Oregon.
Boating: It is not permitted to fish from any floating craft on the Lower Deschutes River. If you’re getting on the water with your own craft to reach a specific fishing hole or campsite along the river, you’ll need a Lower Deschutes River Boater Pass. If you’re bringing a paddle craft and are coming from out of state, you may also need a Waterway Access Permit or Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit.
Best times of year: Most species of fish pour into the Lower Deschutes in spring, summer, and fall—and that’s when you’ll experience the best weather. Highs in spring range from 65ºF to 80ºF, while summertime highs can easily reach 85º to 90ºF. If visiting in July or August, wake up early for more solitude and to enjoy cooler temperatures on the water. You’ll find local restaurants open most often and the highest number of services available between late spring and early fall—but stores, hotel rooms, and eateries are open year-round.
Local fly shops, guides, and outfitters: In the heart of town, Deschutes Angler Fly Shop is one of the top fly shops around—and provides all the tools you need for Maupin, Oregon, fishing. The shop sells flies, tools for fly tying, rods, reels, and more—along with links to trusted guides and outfitters who can help you have a memorable trip. For more local tips, learn about fishing near Maupin, Oregon.
Other activities: Since you can’t fish the entire time you’re in town, learn about all the fun at your doorstep when you visit Maupin—including thundering waterfalls, appetizing restaurants, and adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting trips.
Excited to see where else you can go angling in the region’s chilly pools and lazy waterways? Learn all about fishing in Central Oregon to get inspired for your next adventure.
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