Detroit Lake

Boat Ramps: 6
Access Points: 6
Species: 6

Detroit Lake is a 3,500-acre reservoir located in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, approximately 46 miles southeast of Salem. Created in 1953 by the Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, this popular fishing destination features 32 miles of shoreline, reaches depths of up to 440 feet, and stretches 9 miles long with a width of about 1 mile. Situated at an elevation of 1,565 feet, the lake serves multiple purposes including flood control, power generation, and water supply while offering outstanding recreational opportunities for anglers throughout the year.

Oregon licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Detroit Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Kokanee Salmon

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Steelhead

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Detroit Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Detroit Lake Marina

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Know where you can legally fish on Detroit Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Oregon licenses and regulations

Oregon Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Oregon Fishing License

An Oregon fishing license is required for residents and non-residents, age 12 and over. You must carry your fishing license at all times while fishing in the State. Make sure you have the correct tags, catch cards and endorsements for the water bodies and species you are targeting.

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Oregon Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. This river is prone to emergency regulations. Stay up to date on specific river regulation changes. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Oregon Stream Access Laws

The people of Oregon are the owners of the submerged and submersible land (“beds and banks”) underlying all navigable and tidally influenced waterways. In most cases, this ownership extends to the line of ordinary high water or high tide, but ownership can be mixed, even along the same waterway. The Department of State Lands is responsible for management of publicly owned submerged and submersible land. The public has rights to use the beds and banks of navigable waterways for any legal activity, such as boating, fishing and swimming, including pulling your canoe or kayak onto the bank.

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Take Detroit Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Detroit Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Detroit Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.