Floras Lake, OR

Floras is a large, deep 250-acre freshwater lake isolated from the ocean by a sand-dune barrier. Its outlet at the southern end forms the New River and provides a nice deep channel for trout anglers. Trout and largemouth bass are this lake's main attractions. Some anglers in the know can catch winter steelhead, fall salmon, and sea-run cutthroat working their way into the tributaries. The lake is stocked every year with legal-size rainbows; some holdovers can get quite large. Largemouth bass, some as big as 6-7 pounds, are scattered throughout. Rainbows should be fished for in the deep parts of the lake and around the edges in the evening.

Try trolling with small bait patterns or spinners. Bass are best fished for around obstructions and weedy shorelines. Best access is from a boat, although bank anglers can find a few good access points to some deeper holes. For the anadromous runs, fish during fall when the fish are moving into the lake from the New River.

Because of the perpetual winds, Floras is popular with wind and kite surfers, sailboarders, and the occasional jet skier.