Watson Reservoir

Watson Reservoir in Crook County is a reservoir in Oregon.

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

Fish and Baits

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

During a short evening pass near a narrow cove with a slow lure, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During a check of nearby water near the mouth of a pocket with a moving bait, use a worm on the bottom in a warm, quiet pocket during low light for brown bullhead.

During a steady fall day near a channel bend close to shade, cast a small spoon, inline spinner, light jig, or fly through cool water for rainbow trout.

How to Read the Water

During a warm summer afternoon near a protected point close to shade, 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 check of nearby water near the downwind side in stained 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 bright afternoon near a soft-to-hard bottom change with stable weather, 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 short evening pass near a shallow shelf with a slow lure, record the wind, water color, depth that produced twice, 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.