Davis Lake

Davis Lake straddles the border between Deschutes County and Klamath County in the U.S. state of Oregon. A relatively large and shallow lake in the Deschutes National Forest, it is located toward the south end of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, near Oregon Route 58 and U.S. 97. The lake is known as one of Oregon's best bass lakes.HistoryDavis Lake was formed by a lava flow within the nearby volcanic field blocking Odell Creek. The blockage results in the lake, which can cover over 3000acre acres in the winter months. In the summer, however, the inflow from Odell and Ranger creeks cannot fill up the lake as fast as the water escapes through the lava blockage, resulting in the lake covering a much smaller area. It is unknown where the water goes that escapes through the lava dam.Davis Lake is known for its fishing. Only fly fishing with artificial flies is permitted. Rainbow trout are planted to assist natural reproduction. The piscivorous trout, native to the lake, feeds on the invasive Tui chub.In the 1980s and 1990s, years of drought lowered the levels and warmed the waters of the lake, affecting the trout, which thrive during high-water years. In 1995, largemouth bass were illegally put into the lake, feeding off of the smaller trout. Now, the bass population is greater than the trout population.