Diamond Lake

Diamond Lake lies at about 5,200 feet between Mount Thielsen and Mount Bailey, just north of Crater Lake. It covers about 3,000 acres and is mostly shallow, with rich water that grows rainbows quickly. In 2006 the state drained it down and treated it to remove the tui chub that had taken over, then restocked it with trout. Tiger trout were added later to keep the chub down. Tiger and brown trout must both be released.

Chironomids under an indicator, and leeches and scuds on a slow-sinking line, do most of the work. The south end, where Silent Creek comes in, and the weed beds along the shore fish best early, and fish move deeper as the lake warms in summer. Blue-green algae blooms can close the lake to contact in late summer, so check the health advisory before a trip. Fall brings the fish back shallow. The lake is open all year, and some anglers fish through the ice.