Buchanan Reservoir

Buchanan Reservoir is a reservoir in Polk County, Oregon.

Without a dependable size figure for Buchanan Reservoir, weeds, rock, water color, and nearby depth are the best starting clues.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Buchanan Reservoir include Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Cutthroat Trout, and Largemouth Bass.

During an overcast morning near the outside weed line with a slow lure, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets for bluegill.

During the last hour of daylight near the mouth of a pocket before changing areas, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During a low-light period near scattered wood with a moving bait, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

How to Read the Water

During a bright afternoon near a shallow shelf while the water is rising, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.

Season by Season

During a bright afternoon near a creek-side turn close to shade, spring fishing starts with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace.

A Simple Tackle Plan

During the final pass near an open-water edge while the water is rising, a light spinning rod, thin line, a few small spoons, inline spinners, and jigs cover the listed trout; carry one slightly heavier setup when other fish or windy water call for more control.

During a steady fall day near a firm-bottom flat near visible bait, record the wind, water color, depth of the best pass, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.