April 17, 2007
Henry Hagg lake is a huge manmade lake west of Hillsboro, OR. For East
Portlanders, like myself, it is quiet a trip to get there; nearly an hour's
drive. The lake does not look very manmade, except at the damn. The
grass, trees and bushes have grown in nicely around the edges since the 70s when
the lake was made so it does not have that stark quality that some manmade lakes
have.
The lake is huge and the first time I went there I only made it as far as the first boat ramp. The second time to the other end of the damn. The third time I finally drove all the way around the lake which takes roughly 10 minutes.
The lake has "easy angling" regulations for trout suitable for families with small children or the casual fisherperson.
The lake has fair bank angling for trout, according to my Bible, the "Fishing in Oregon" book, the latest edition. Like with bass fishing, points, channels and bays are the best spots to fish for trout here.
The clerk at GI Joes sporting goods in Hillsboro claimed that he limited out with trout every time he fished at Hagg Lake. He did not say if he had a boat or not. There was also a report of people limiting out at Hagg Lake after the extensive 2007 ODFW Stocking in the fishing newsletter that was sold at GI Joes. I saw a number of people on the bank at Elks Picnic area catching fish the second time I was there but no one was getting any bites the second time.
Family Fishing At Hagg Lake near Sain Creek Picnic Area
On my 3rd trip, I checked out 3 of the main bank fishing areas:
Sain Creek Picnic Area
The Fishing Pier at Recreation Area C
Scoggins Creek Picnic Area.
All 3 areas were nice in their own way.
Wooden benches to sit on while fishing at Sain Creek Picnic Area
Sain Creek Picnic Area had nice bathrooms, parking and scenery. It also boasted picnic tables and benches to use while fishing. There were enough trees and lake access around that you could have a fairly private spot but still be within hearing distance of the next fishing party.
View from the Fishing Pier at Recreation Area C
Repeat fisherwoman at Hagg Fishing Pier
The fishing pier was nice too. It gets you out into deep water which makes for easy casting for young fishers. It is very safe and there is room for at least 5 fishing parties.
Creek at Scoggins Creek Picnic Area
Great picnic tables with scenic view of creek
The Scoggins Creek Picnic area is at the far end of the lake. It was a bit too remote for me since I was the only one there on a spring weekday and my phone did not get reception there. The creek was high and you could not get down all the way to the lake. There also are no restrooms. On the plus side, there is creek angling there and a beautiful view of the creek while you picnic.
Added 5/31/07 Here is an interesting excerpt from the Oregonian regarding Hagg Lake and warmwater fish vs. trout:
Henry Hagg Lake, despite its excellent warmwater fishery, began its early years with trophy trout rivaling Diamond Lake's lunkers. But someone decided to drop smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, bullhead catfish and others into the lake, and now only cool springtime waters offer a respite for trout anglers seeking cookie-cutter, pan-sized hatchery rainbows.
West Salish Pond First Impressions
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