Mills Reservoir

Mills Reservoir is a reservoir in Crook County, Oregon.

Use the shape you can see at Mills Reservoir: check the best cover, the first drop, and one open-water line before moving.

Fish and Baits

Fish listed for Mills Reservoir include Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Tui Chub.

During a methodical search near a protected point after a cold night, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During a low-light period near the mouth of a pocket away from empty shoreline, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

During the first hour near the first break before changing areas, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water for rainbow trout.

How to Read the Water

During a low-light period near a shallow shelf 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 low-light period near the first break in clear water, 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 an overcast morning near a small drop before changing depth, 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 the last hour of daylight near the edge of deeper water with a slow lure, record the wind, water color, depth of the working lure, 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.