cascade lakes this summer

[laxmike11]

I would like to make a trip down there this summer with my family. I have a few lakes on my list but I would like your guys' input on which ones i should hit. I'm not going to be chasing big browns or macks, just rainbows, kokes and brooks. By the way i do have a small boat but i might just rent one at some of the lakes instead of hauling it over there.
Some lakes i want to fish are south twin, craine prairie, east, lava, elk, and one day fish the deschutes.
Any help on where to go or what to use would be appreciated.

[Finny Business]

well you have a TON of options for central oregon! the ones you mentioned are good. s. twin is an easy lake to fish. elk is a boat show but can be produtctive for brookies. crane prarie has some absolute pigs in it, but you will need a boat for sure there and want to fish the channels with light line and id probably recomend getting some dragonfly larvae and use em under a bobber. other lakes to consider would be ochoco and prineville. both have above average fish and lots of bank access and can be successfully fished with standard trout tactics. you can also hit wickiup with your boat for kokes. the deschutes can be fun for browns and redbands and the crooked river can be real productive for redband trout as well below the dam. if you are up for a little bit of a drive id hit antelope flat res. ( its east of bend ) have not heard any reports this year yet but it can grow very large trout and has tons of bank access plus a small ramp for little boats. good luck

[Snapset]

Diamond is a beautiful lake and IMHO you have a better chance of catching more and bigger trout there than any of the other lakes mentioned. Plus, Crater Lake is right next door, and is an absolute must-see.