Crater Lake

Crater Lake has rainbow trout and kokanee, but fishing isn't available during the Cleetwood Cove closure. The only legal route to the water is closed for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons. That rules out fishing, swimming and boat tours while the work is underway.

Lake facts

• Size: About 13,200 mapped acres in the Oregon Lakes Atlas
• Maximum depth: 1,943 feet, according to the National Park Service
• Fish present: Introduced rainbow trout and kokanee
• Access status: Cleetwood Cove is closed for rehabilitation during 2026, 2027 and 2028

The lake and its fish

The lake sits inside a volcanic caldera and reaches 1,943 feet deep. Its trout and kokanee were introduced, rather than being native to the lake. Steep walls separate the rim from the water, so there isn't another legal shore-fishing route to use while Cleetwood is shut.

Fishing after access reopens

When access reopens, read the park's fishing rules before carrying tackle down. They restrict bait and fishing methods to protect the water. The trail also involves a strenuous climb back to the rim, so a future fishing day needs time and energy for the return. Check the reopening announcement rather than assuming work has finished on a particular date.

Visiting during the closure

For now, plan a rim visit and leave the rods behind. Open overlooks give views across the caldera and toward Wizard Island, with road access changing through snow and seasonal closures. Check current park conditions before travelling. Stay on visitor routes instead of looking for a way down the cliffs; the rim scenery is the visit until legal lake access returns.