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Deschutes National Forest
1001 SW Emkay Drive
Bend, OR   97702

(541) 383-5300

Ochoco National Forest
3160 N.E. 3rd Street
Prineville, OR   97754

(541) 416-6500

Crooked River National Grassland
813 S.W. Hwy. 97
Madras, OR   97741

(541) 475-9272

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Wildlife

Viewing Sites

Site #38 -- Suttle Lake

Parking IconRestroom IconDrinking Water IconHandicap Accessible IconCamping IconPicnicing IconBoat Ramp IconSmall Boat IconLarge Boat IconBlank SpacerWildlife Viewing IconWalking Trail Icon
Deschutes National Forest - Sisters Ranger District

Foot bridge at west end of Suttle Lake.

Bound on all sides by mixed conifer forest, the lake is deep and clear. The west end is best for seeing waterfowl because it's sheltered from the prevailing wind. Link Creek, which empties into Suttle Lake, is shallow and clear enough to view spawning fish. Yellow, orange, or red hues from vine maple proclaim the arrival of autumn in September or October.

  

This is an excellent place to observe waterfowl, especially in autumn and winter. Pacific loon, common loon, red-necked grebe, lesser scaup, surf scoter, white-winged scoter, common goldeneye, Barrow's goldeneye, hooded merganser, and red-breasted merganser have been sighted. Long-tailed duck (formerly known as oldsquaw), rarely found inland from the Pacific coast, has wintered here when the lake is not frozen. Three species of gull (Bonaparte's, California, and Sabine's) sometimes linger during migration. Bald eagle and osprey nest here, the former remaining into winter, the latter departing in September. In September or October, watch for kokanee salmon or brown trout spawning at the Link Creek bridge.

Context Map for Metolius Area
Wildlife Header Graphic

FEATURED WILDLIFE GROUPS:

 

HABITATS:

FACILITIES:

  • Parking
  • Restroom
  • Drinking Water
  • ADA-accessible
  • Campground
  • Picnic
  • Trail
  • Boat Ramp
  • Small Boats
  • Large Boats
  

SITE DESCRIPTION:

  • Phone for Info: (541) 549-7700
  • Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/
  • Dimensions: 253 acres
  • Elevation: 3,440'
  • GPS Latitude: 044°25'18.5" N
  • GPS Longitude: 121°44'20.4" W

OTHER ATTRACTIONS:

Insect pests defoliated and killed extensive areas of Douglas fir forest west and north of here in the 1990s. These areas are great place to see woodpeckers.

 

CAUTION:

Cabins are privately owned and trespass is prohibited. Campgrounds close for winter as early as October.

HOW TO GET THERE:

  1. From Sisters
  2. Travel WEST on HWY. 20 for 13.0 miles to F.R. 2070
  3. Turn SOUTHWEST onto F.R. 2070 for 0.9 mile to Blue Bay Campground entrance and Suttle Lake
  4. Continue WEST on F.R. 2070 for 0.1 mile to South Shore Campground entrance and Suttle Lake
  5. Continue WEST on F.R. 2070 for 0.2 mile to Link Creek Campground entrance and Suttle Lake
  6. Continue WEST on F.R. 2070 for 0.1 to mile Link Creek
  7. Continue NORTH on F.R. 2070 for 0.2 mile to Suttle Lake boat ramp
  • Total Distance: 14 miles
  • Estimated Time: 20 minutes


 

USDA Forest Service - Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Last Modified: Monday, 29 March 2004 at 16:41:49 EDT
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