Lower River Public Access
Deschutes steelhead and trout country extends for 100 miles from Pelton Dam by the town of Warm Springs (about 10 miles west of the town of Madras) to its junction with the Columbia River east of the town of The Dalles. About half of that water is accessible on foot. The remainder is available only by boat. River sections and access points are listed below.

The Deschutes River has plenty of elbow room for those willing to hike or bike away from the popular access points. A boat is also a good way to see the river, and get to less-fished water, but can be used for transportation only. Fishing from a boat is not permitted.

Riverside railroad tracks provide an easy trail for moving quickly across the terrain.

When steelheading, etiquette demands that if someone is already in that section, you either pick another area to fish, or wade in above the other angler. Because of the wet-fly tradition in this steelheading, you should never wade in below the other angler. When trout-fishing, most anglers are working their way upstream, and the opposite is true, and you should avoid wading in above them. To avoid problems, just be observant and polite. if you can't tell what direction the other angler is moving, just ask. In any case, give him plenty of room. The river is huge, and common courtesy and common sense can make it enjoyable for everyone.

Pelton Dam to Mecca Flats. The water just below Pelton Dam is bordered on the west by Warm Springs Indians tribal land, and on the east by private property. It has no public launch sites. There is a popular public launch above the Warm Springs bridge where Highway 26 crosses the Deschutes. The launch area has limited fishing access, and there is some public access at Highway 26. The launch area is popular because it's the put-in spot for many multi-day trips and for the popular run to Trout Creek. Because of the limited access and the roar of traffic on Highway 26, this is not prime water, but it is worth fishing if you're short on time.

You're better off going to Mecca Flats, downstream from the Warm Springs bridge, via a dirt road between a trailer park and a gas station on the river's east side. You may hike or bike downstream from Mecca Flats campground about seven miles to Trout Creek campground. There is some access upstream from Mecca Flats, but you must stay off the private property. This is excellent trout and steelhead water.

Trout Creek. Access to Trout Creek is via paved road to the village of Gateway (no services), then a steep, twisting gravel road to Trout Creek campground. You can fish above Trout Creek but not below it (it's private property). You can fish across the river on the Indian side upstream to Dry Creek, but not downstream of Trout Creek. Trout Creek campground is one of the most popular areas on the Deschutes because of the walking access to prime water upstream. Also, the nearby launch is the prime put-in for multi-day trips to Maupin and the takeout for the Warm Springs-to-Trout Creek float.

Fishing Tribal Land. You may fish tribal land only from Dry Creek campground downstream until you are across from Trout Creek campground. It's about six miles of water and it is marked with signs. You must obtain and carry a tribal fishing permit. You reach Dry Creek north of the town of Warm Springs via the paved road that goes toward Kahneeta Hot Springs Resort, then a dirt road that peels off from the highway. There is less fishing pressure on the Indian side. It is excellent trout and steelhead water.

South Junction. Halfway between Madras and Maupin, you can access South Junction campground by the gravel road that originates near the intersection of Highways 97 and 197. Parts of the gravel road are steep with sharp turns. There is about a mile of river access at South Junction. You can hike upstream or downstream on the railroad tracks until you reach a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sign. These hikes range from a mile to two miles--carry water or an efficient water purifier. Don't trespass on private land. This is excellent trout and steelhead water.

Maupin. At Maupin you can take a rough gravel road on the east side of the river upriver for seven miles to a locked gate that prohibits vehicles traffic beyond that point. There is plenty of public access and several BLM campgrounds on this stretch. You can hike by the road upstream, but stay off private land.

Downstream from Maupin a paved road runs along the river for eight miles, almost all of which is accessible. The float from Maupin to just above Sherar's Bridge is the most intensely rafted water in the state, but in the wee hours of dawn and in the fading light of evening, you'll be able to fish without distraction. There are several BLM campgrounds along this stretch. It is excellent trout and steelhead water.

Sherar's Bridge to Macks Canyon. At Sherar's Falls, just above Sherar's Bridge, you can watch Indians as they net salmon and steelhead in their traditional way from platforms stretched out over the river. Just downstream from Sherar's Bridge, a gravel road follows the river for 17 miles to Macks Canyon, where there are several boat launches, BLM campgrounds, and lots of public access. This is excellent trout and steelhead water. You can work your way downstream from Macks Canyon, but the going is rough.

The Mouth of the Deschutes. You can hike or bike up from the public land on either side of the Deschutes where it meets the Columbia, and there is a large state campground on the east side (access is via a service road off I-84). The trout fishing is only fair, but this bottom stretch of the river is popular because all the Deschutes steelhead swim through this area, so your chances for success with steelhead are better.

Some of the jumbo Clearwater River steelhead that weigh into the teens sometimes ease their way up the Deschutes temporarily because it has cooler, oxygen-rich water. While vacationing away from the Columbia, these hunks of red-striped chrome may nail your fly and consume backing you haven't seen since you installed it on your reel.

Navigation and Regulations
The Deschutes has numerous rapids, some Class III to Class V. It's navigable except for Sherar's Falls (Class VI). Each boater must have a boating permit, and no angling is allowed from a floating craft, including inflatables such as float-tubes or pontoon boats. Because of user conflicts between jet-sleds and drift boats, they now split river days. Jet-sleds are allowed only on certain days and on certain stretches of river; unpowered craft are allowed on the rest.

Because the Deschutes has a boisterous nature, don't float it alone until you've floated it with an experienced boater and know the water well. For boating information, call the Oregon State Parks, (503) 378-6305. Local area and river maps include the Lower Deschutes River Map (Frank Amato Publications, 1998) and the Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer (DeLorme Mapping Company).