Lost Lake Mt Hood

[mshall]

Does anybody know if it's open or an ETA on when the road will be clear?

Thanks!

[Wang]

I called the resort # today. They told me the road has been plowed and the lake has been stocked. Boats are available to rent. Still lots of snow at the lake and the campground is not open and no place to bank fish. Nothing else available. She told me they hope to be in full operation by July 4th.

[mshall]

Buddy you just made my day! I guess I could have called myself, but what fun would that be?

[cheeseburger]

I went there like two years ago. Stayed in the Cabins. I will never go back. The fishing stunk, the cabins were the worst i have ever stayed in. Full of ants, very dirty, you had to walk up a very steep hill to get to them, and they were like 60 a night. In my opinion there are a lot better places to camp and fish around here. (not to put down your plans, just wanted to give my opinion)

[Wang]

I've never been there before, but will probably head up that way to check it out sometime this summer. Looking at their website I see that they charge $18 for a regular campsite and $25 for a lake view site. Pretty expensive campsites!

Any primitive sites?

[JustSteve]

Any primitive sites?

Lost Lake is in the Mt. Hood National Forest. There is a trail that goes all the way around the lake. I'm betting you can find something primitive

[mshall]

I've fished there a bunch and caught plenty of planter trout. There is also a eagle nest where you can watch them go fishing. I've had nothing but good times.

[JustSteve]

Went to Lost Lake today (hood river county). I live about 30 miles away so it's not a bad venture.

Did someone say it's June? Can't tell by being there. The road is cut through snowbanks taller than the car. There is still a bit of an ice shelf extending about 50-75 yards off the far shore, opposite of the lodge.

I canoed around for about an hour pulling a chrome/orange Kastmaster, no real luck to speak of. I stopped in about 25 feet of water and jigged with the same lure just off the bottom and picked up one fresh planter. I suppose I could have tried different lures or techniques but it was just great to be out there. I was the only boat on the water and the breeze was barely noticable. Easy to paddle into but enough to push back to where I came from. Only spent an hour before I had to head back down the hill.

Canoes and rowboats are 12 bucks an hour to rent...parking will be going up to 7 dollars a day to park. No motors allowed..clarity is bottomless. It's gotta be at least 30 feet. I didn't visually spot one fish though except for a few dead ones over by the dock.

Air temp was proably mid forties, no real wind to speak of, overcast and gorgeous.

Steve

[trollin4trout]

Thanks Steve for the report. I think I'll head up there on Saturday and give it a try.

[Roostertail]

It's been a few years since I have been there. This is the lake that my Dad taught me how to row, and troll the Ford Fender with the worm. I will tell you what worked for us. This is a great place to camp! small RV or a tent. Never stayed in them cabins.
There are Brooks at the NW end of the lake. A small tributary is there. Anyway.
The troll is a zig zag pattern, slow and tapered on the speed. You want the fender to do it's slower vibrating dance which happens at the end of the turns. Any trout rod and reel will do. Use 6 to 8 pound main line, 4 pound leader, (Maxima ultra green) 18 to 24" leader. I use a worm threader to put on a whole worm on a worm hook, with the pointed hook sticking out a half inch from the end. The best time the bite happens is from sunrise to about 10:00 AM. After that plunk from the shore. The trolling worked best for me on the N. end of the Lake going out of the boat dock and go right. My best fish came on this for me. A 6 pound 26" Rainbow.
Fun place!

[trollin4trout]

Went Saturday- windy day for rowing. Water temp- 39 degrees. Anchored up most of the day because of the wind. Caught 22 -10 inch trout. About half on bait- the rest on lures- rapala minnow, bingo bug, panther martin. Heard one boat whooping and hollering down the lake that they had caught a monster.

Lots of snow in woods and campground. Several cabins were in use. Ramp and parking lot not plowed yet- had to launch at the rental "ramp".

Here's the road the last mile to the lake.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jnbradley3/lostlakeroadsnow.jpg

We had about 1 hour of calm like this in the morning.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jnbradley3/lostlakecalm.jpg

[mshall]

Thanks for the update! Is the Lodge still renting boats?

[trollin4trout]

Yes, there were several rentals rowing around during the day.

[mshall]

Sweet! I'll be up there on Monday!