Umatilla National Forest

BULL PRAIRIE LAKE

Location:  

4000' -  Bull Prairie Lake is 36 miles south of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 2039.

Access:

From Heppner: travel south on State Highway 207 for approximately 36 miles.  Follow signs to Bull Prairie Recreational Area on FS Road 2039.

Attractions:   

Bull Prairie Lake is a very popular fishing, hunting, and camping area.  There is also a campground located at the lake with 28 tent/trailer sites, 16 day use sites, drinking water, restroom facilities, and waste disposal.

The Bull Prairie Trail #3056 circles the lake, which a hiker can encounter various plant and animal life, there are bridges to cross, and docks to fish from.

Bull Prairie Lake is 28 acres (1/4 mile long by 1/8 wide and is 20 feet at the deepest point).  There are NO BOAT MOTORS ALLOWED, but fishing is plentiful with Brook and Rainbow Trout within the lake. 

CUTSFORTH PARK

The ponds at Cutsforth Park is 20 southeast of Heppner, Oregon, off of Willow Creek Road (County Road 678).

Access:

The ponds are located in the park behind the meeting lodge.

Attractions:  

Cutsforth Part is one of two County Parks located on the way into the Heppner Ranger District.  The adjoining campground is easily accessible, campsites are available, as well as restrooms, playground equipment, and a meeting lodge.  Several trailheads are located near or around the campground.  For more information, please call Morrow County Road Department (541)989-9500 or http://www.heppner.net

The biggest pond is approximately 120 feet wide by 250 feet long by 9 feet deep.  The second pond is approximately 60 feet wide by 100 feet long by 4 feet deep.  These ponds are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with Rainbow Trout.

DITCH CREEK

Location:

Ditch Creek runs along the east side of the road.

Access:  

Take Willow Creek Road (County Road 678), just south of Heppner.  Travel approximately 23 miles to FS Road 21.  Travel down FS Road 21 and Ditch Creek runs along there.

Attractions:

Ditch Creek Guard Station is a National Historic Landmark.  The Civilian Conservation Corps completed the Guard Station in 1934.  Outside the station is a small pond where anglers can expect to catch Brook and Rainbow Trout.

PENLAND LAKE

Location: 

4950' -   Penland Lake is 28 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 2103.

Access:

From Heppner, travel on Willow Creek Road (County Road 678) for approximately 23 miles.  Turn on to FS Road 21 and go 3 miles until you reach FS Road 2103.  Follow 2103 for 2 miles to Penland Lake.  

Attractions: 

Penland Lake is owned by both Forest service and private landowners.  Picnic and restrooms are available but camping spaces are very limited.  There are no electrical or water hookups.  Penland lake is stocked with Rainbow Trout.

Considerations: 

Access to the lake may be hindered in spring due to muddy roads, specifically FS Road 2103.  Electric Motors Only are allowed on the lake.

ROCK CREEK

Location:

Rock Creek is 26 miles south of Heppner, Oregon along State Highway 207.

Access:

Rock Creek runs along State Highway 207.

Attractions:

Rock Creek fishing consists of Rainbow Trout.

Considerations:

In the summer months water flow decreases to a bare minimum, making fishing somewhat limited.

UPPER MALLORY CREEK

Location:

Upper Mallory Creek is 30 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon, along FS Road 2104.

Access:

Take Willow Creek Road (County Road 678), just south of Heppner.  Travel approximately 23 miles to FS Road 21.  Go 4 miles on FS Road 21 until you reach FS Road 2104.  FS Road 2104 will continue for 2 miles to Upper Mallory Creek.

Attractions:

The main attraction of Upper Mallory Creek is Mallory Spring, which lies at 4700 feet in elevation.  Upper Mallory flows south in the North Fork John Day River.  Rainbow Trout are what the majority of anglers catch in the creek.

WILLOW CREEK

Location: 

Willow Creek originates by Coalmine Hill, just south of Cutsforth Park, and flows west along Willow Creek Road (County Road 678) towards Heppner.

Access:

Willow Creek can be fished along its banks from Cutsforth Park to Blake's Ranch, after this point, the creek flows through private land until it reaches Willow Creek Lake.  The creek then flows through the middle of Heppner and can only be fished by children in town.

Attractions:

Willow Creek provides irrigation for the ranches along Willow Creek Road (County Road 678) and also enables Willow Creek Lake to have fresh water flowing into it year-round. 

The average elevation of Willow Creek is 2000 feet and Rainbow Trout is the primary species that anglers catch.

WILLOW CREEK LAKE

Location:

Willow Creek Lake lies directly southeast of Heppner on Willow Creek Road (County Road 678).

Access:

Main access to the lake is along Willow Creek Road (County Road 678), which leads to the main boat ramp and parking facilities.

Attractions:  

WINELAND LAKE

Location:

Wineland Lake is 43 miles southwest of Heppner, Oregon.

Access:

From Heppner: travel south on State Highway 207 for approximately 32 miles until you reach FS Road 21.  Turn right onto FS Road 21 and continue on for approximately 11 miles to Wineland Lake.