Odell Lake, Oregon, USA

Six miles long and one and a half miles wide, Odell Lake sits under the scenic shadow of Diamond Peak in the Deschutes National Forest, offering wonderful outdoor recreation and fantastic fishing. Both summer and winter outdoor diversions can be enjoyed by visitors. Odell Lake is more than 280 feet deep with many bays, inlets and coves. It provides an ideal habitat for trophy sport fishing, great…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Odell Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Odell Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About Odell Lake, OR

Lake Locations: USA - US West Region - Oregon - Central Oregon -

Six miles long and one and a half miles wide, Odell Lake sits under the scenic shadow of Diamond Peak in the Deschutes National Forest, offering wonderful outdoor recreation and fantastic fishing. Both summer and winter outdoor diversions can be enjoyed by visitors. Odell Lake is more than 280 feet deep with many bays, inlets and coves. It provides an ideal habitat for trophy sport fishing, great boating, superb cross-country skiing and great wildlife viewing. Some of the outdoor activities available are:

Swimming, Water-Skiing and Windsurfing
Boating: Moorage, Motorboat, Canoe and Rowboats Rental
Fishing: Lake and Stream, Fly Fishing, Pole Rentals
Bike Rentals & Hiking: Trail System and Maps Available
Ski on groomed cross country ski trails
Downhill skiing, Willamette Pass Ski Area (six miles)
Bird watching: Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Herons
Hunting: Excellent location for fall hunting deer/elk
Quiet Relaxation

Odell Lake is a trophy trout fishery treasure of the U.S. Forest Service who manages the lake primarily as a fishery and for outdoor recreation. The Lake covers 3600 surface acres and reaches a depth of nearly 300 feet. Located a little over an hour’s drive southwest of Bend, Oregon, Odell Lake is open from late April to October 31. Fishing is prohibited within 200 feet of the mouth of Trapper Creek from September 1 to October 31.

For the angler pining for a trophy, Odell Lake is THE place. The last two Oregon State record lake trout were caught here, with the current record of 40 pounds, 8 ounces. Now that’s a fish! Kokanee Salmon, Mackinaw Lake Trout, and native Rainbows are high on most angler’s list. Bull Trout reside in the lake, but as a threatened species, cannot be caught. Be sure and check with the Oregon Department of Fishing and Wildlife for the current regulations and catch limits. Moorage, launch and boat rentals are available at the resorts, as boating is the most effective method of fishing (watch for high winds). There are five boat launching points on the Lake.

Beautiful campsites in secluded forests are the norm at Odell Lake. There are four campgrounds that are open from May through October (Trapper Creek, Princess Creek, Sunset Cove, and Odell Creek), some with water and some without water. There are toilets and boat launch areas at all. In addition to the campgrounds, there are two year-round resorts on Odell Lake (Odell Lake Resort and Shelter Cove Resort) offering supplies, lodging, boat rentals and resort activities. For the avid geocachers, there are many caches in a five mile area; this activity is a great way to explore the outdoor areas.

For the intrepid angler, Odell Lake is a jewel in central Oregon. Plan on stopping there for your attempt at a record lake trout!

Things to Do at Odell Lake

These are some activities in the Odell Lake, OR area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Canoeing
  • Water Skiing
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Hiking
  • Downhill Skiing
  • Cross-Country Skiing
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • National Forest

What Kind of Fish Are in Odell Lake?

Odell Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Bull Trout
  • Kokanee Salmon
  • Lake Trout
  • Salmon
  • Trout
divider

Find Places to Stay at Odell Lake

If you’re considering a Odell Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a Odell Lake Vacation

Our interactive Odell Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

Odell Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

Water Level Control: U.S. Forest Service

Surface Area: 3,562 acres

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 4,786 feet

Average Depth: 132 feet

Maximum Depth: 282 feet

Drainage Area: 302 sq. miles


More local lakes to explore in this area:

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop Odell Lake Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More Odell Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The Odell Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New Odell Lake photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this Odell Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: