Diamond Lake is a 3031 acre alpine lake located 5 miles north of Crater Lake National Park.  It is stocked annually with over 300,000 rainbow trout.  It is also stocked with Brown trout and Tiger trout, the latter a hybrid of Brook and brown trout developed to control the Tui Chub population.  Both Brown and Tiger trout can grow to be quite large and are catch and release only.

The South end of the lake is the usual target of fly fishermen, especially the stretch  between the South Shore Pizza Parlor and Silent Creek. 

From Salem drive south along I-5 for 60 miles.  Take exit 188 for OR-58 toward Oakridge/Klamath Falls.  Continue on OR-58 for 86 miles, then merge onto US-97 S.  Continue for 17.9 miles, then turn right onto OR-138 W.   Continue for 22 miles then take the Diamond Lake Loop.  The Diamond Lake Campground, Diamond Lake Resort, and Diamond Lake South Shore Boat Launch are all further down this road.

This campground has 238 sites, as well as its own boat launch in a central location.  Fishermen desiring to tie up on shore near their campsite should choose campsites south of the entrance/boat launch. Reservations are a necessity between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  From Labor Day to end-of-season only the north-side sites are open and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Click here for reservations 

Located close to some of the best fly fishing on the lake, the RV park has cabins, tenting sites, and RV sites with full hook-ups.  The South Shore Pizza Parlor is a short walk away and has a dock and boat mooring for a fee.  Next to the restaurant there is also a primitive slide which can launch a float tube or pontoon with mild difficulty.  The South Shore Boat Launch is also within walking distance.

Click here for their website 

Diamond Lake Campground Boat Ramp

South Shore Boat Ramp (South Shore Pavilion)

Diamond Lake Resort Boat Ramp

Diamond Lake East Shore Boat Ramp

Diamond Lake has some of the state's best fishing--big fish, big lake, big views.  It is open year round (including ice fishing) with some of the best fishing of the year after ice-out in April, May,  and June.  Fall fishing is also excellent.

The best fly fishing is along the south shore, especially between Silent Creek and the pizza parlor.  Brown trout and Tiger trout are catch-and-release.  Check with ODFW for rainbow trout limits.