Shaniko Ranch Reservoir

Shaniko Ranch Reservoir is a reservoir in Wasco County, Oregon and holds roughly 32 acre-feet.

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

Fish and Baits

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

During a slow shoreline pass near a soft-to-hard bottom change with stable weather, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During a methodical search near a creek-side turn while the water is falling, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

During a return to the best bank near a narrow cove near firm bottom, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water for rainbow trout.

How to Read the Water

During a methodical search near a shallow shelf before changing areas, 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 warm summer afternoon near a clean gravel patch after warm rain, shallow water is worth a careful look in spring and again during fall; bright summer days favor shade, weeds, or deeper breaks; under ice, a small depth change can be more useful than a long move.

A Simple Tackle Plan

During a slow shoreline pass near a shaded bank near firm bottom, 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 careful second pass near a rocky edge near firm bottom, 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.