Whittier Lake

Whittier Lake is a lake in Columbia County, Oregon.

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

Fish and Baits

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

During the first hour near a narrow cove after warm rain, use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets for bluegill.

During a warm summer afternoon near a firm-bottom flat near visible bait, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover for largemouth bass.

During an overcast morning near a windblown shore with stable weather, 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 creek-side turn with stable weather, 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 short evening pass near a rocky edge in stained 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 the final pass near a rocky edge beside useful cover, 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 the start of a weather change near a small drop while the water is rising, 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.