Wickiup or Crane Prairie? with a dog?

[NWaddict]

Hey folks. This is my first post on the trout page.

My fiancee and I were going to float the john day in the drift boat next week but it looks like the river might be too high. I had some other drift boat ideas but most of those options are out to. Anyway, I just got a new sled and was thinking about spending the week at a lake in central oregon instead.

I've been to Crane a couple times, years ago, but never to wickiup. Are these the two main lakes to consider over there for this time of year? The odfw site said that odell has been good too?

Also, we've got a 5 month old lab and I really dont want to have to keep her tied up the whole time we're in camp. Can a guy just camp at an undeveloped site out of the boat? If so, what would be the best ramp to use and park at? Any suggestions for where to look for a spot to camp? PM's are welcome.

Oh yeah, any fishing tips would be great too! We'll probably do a little trolling and bottom fishing and bring the float tubes for some fly fishing too.

Thanks!

Dom

[mooshu]

Wickiup has a camp ground on the dam side of the lake called Wickiup Butte campground....I have camped there alot...nice campground, away from people....its a dry camp with the only portapotty at the launch ramp (at least that was how it was the last time I was there a year ago) I will be camping there myself the weekend of the 16-17.

[nevermiss]

I remember years ago (pre-LM bass introduction) my dad and I would make our own campsite along Crane Prarie. We usually took our chocolate Lab with us, and he'd go into the boat, too. He had a 14-foot boat and I cannot remember where or how he launched it, darn it! It HAS been several years. We normally did well on trout, but I haven't been there in at least a decade. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Paulina Lake in that same general area?

[fish-on-bend]

Wickiup has "dispersed" camping, (no fee, no official sites) along the Davis arm, just south of the Davis Creek campground and Crane has the same just south of Rock Creek campground. These areas are good for groups and being able to lay your toys around, and letting your dog run loose. Wickiup has boat camping as well as at the far end of Cultus.
Paulina and East campgrounds are still snowed in. Odell and Crescent have multiple Forest Service campgrounds. My choice would be Wickiup. The fishing is pretty good right now, and they taste a lot better than Crane.:twocents:

[NWaddict]

I really appreciate the response guys. Sounds like I should look a little closer at wickiup. The cultus arm sounds interesting.

thanks

Dom

[seadog]

I'm not positive but I think that the Cultus arm is on Crane Prarie isn't it?:anyone:

[fish-on-bend]

I'm not positive but I think that the Cultus arm is on Crane Prarie isn't it?:anyone:

The Cultus I was referring to is another lake, just up the hill from Crane. There is a big boat-in campground on the far end.

[lost_sailor]

There's a lot of wide open space around Crane. Crescent Lake has very nice campgrounds also. Plus, I might be at Wickiup.

Seems like there are a lot more restrictions on dogs up there now-a-days, which sucks if you ask me. We went to Little Cultus to go swimming, there's no one there, the camp host has to hassle us about keeping the dog on a leash. Arrg.

[fish-on-bend]

Personally, if I am in a pay campground I don't like to see dogs off leash. We own a 10 lb dog so its both a safety and a courtesy issue. If you want to have your dogs off leash, camp where that is allowed.:flowered:

[boatman]

I belive they have to be on leash in the NF. ?