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Lake Information for Lost Creek Lake
Lost Creek Lake is an artificial lake (reservoir) on the Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon, USA. The lake is impounded by William L. Jess Dam. The dam and lake were constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1977 for flood control in the Rogue River basin. The lake and dam were the first completed elements of the multi-purpose Rogue River Basin Project, consisting of Lost Creek Lake, Applegate Lake and the Elk Creek Project. The lake is located approximately 27 miles (43 km) (straight line) northeast of Medford, Oregon.
Some camping is available, but no improved facilities exist. The lake offers public bank access around the entire lake. A boat launch is available for small boats.
Lost Lake supports a popular rainbow trout fishery. Legal-sized rainbow trout are stocked in the spring (March-May). Larger (approx.14 inch) trout are stocked in mid-June. Trophy trout (approx.18 inches) are stocked in mid-September. Surplus hatchery winter steelhead are stocked when available from December to February. These fish average about 6-8 lbs.
The Cole M. Rivers Fish Hatchery, one of the largest in Oregon, is just downstream of the dam. Built by the Corps of Engineers and operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the hatchery can produce 425,000 pounds (193,000 kg) of trout and salmon annually.
Productive techniques for trout include using floating baits suspended off the bottom (use a 2-3 foot leader above a sliding weight with a small hook and a pea- to marble size- piece of bait), or baits such as worms or salmon eggs suspended beneath a bobber (use a small bobber with just enough weight about 1-2 feet above the hook to cast the bobber out without sinking). Casting lures such as spinners and spoons will also catch fish. Fishing sand shrimp beneath a bobber can be productive for the surplus hatchery steelhead.
Lost Lake is accessible via forest roads in the Coast Range Mountains west of Hwy 26. Take Hwy 26 to Nehalem River Road. Follow Nehalem River Road south about 8 miles to Spruce Run Park. From Hwy 101, take Miami River-Foley Creek Road to Foss Road. Take Foss Road (becomes Nehalem River Road) northeast about 15 miles to Spruce Run Park. Turn east on Lost Lake Road and proceed about 5 miles to the lake.
Businesses Located Nearby
Boat Rental
- Beach-Break Vacation Rentals, LL
- 36480 Hwy 101 N - Nehalem, OR
- (503) 368-3865
- Jetty Fishery Marina & Rv Park
- 27550 Highway 101 N - Rockaway Beach, OR
- (503) 368-5746
- Northwest Boat Center
- 719 N Marine Dr - Portland, OR
- (503) 289-9338
Vacation Rental
- Pat Ordway Vacation Rentals
- 810 Avenue G - Seaside, OR
- (503) 436-0712
- Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals
- 741 S Downing St - Seaside, OR
- (503) 738-6691
- Sunset Vacation Rentals
- 186 Laneda Ave - Manzanita, OR
- (503) 368-7969
