Howell Lake

Howell Lake in Multnomah County is a lake in Oregon.

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

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Howell Lake include Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, and Largemouth Bass.

During a steady fall day near the edge of deeper water with a slow lure, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets for bluegill.

During a methodical search near a protected point where food is present, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During an overcast morning near a shallow shelf before changing depth, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

How to Read the Water

During a cold winter outing near a rocky edge after a cold night, start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.

Season by Season

During a careful second pass near the mouth of a pocket in clear water, Early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

During a steady fall day near a narrow cove away from empty shoreline, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

During a calm morning near a rocky edge where food is present, record the wind, water color, depth where fish were holding, 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.