Best trout fishing spots near Hillsboro, Oregon

Comprehensive guide to the best trout fishing hotspots – with seasonal tips, gear suggestions, and local insights.

Located just north of Hillsboro—stocked each spring with hundreds to thousands of legal-size rainbow trout
About 10 acres, with paved pathways and shoreline access. Best fishing in March–May right after stocking. Great for beginners and families. .

A 10-acre former quarry pond in Beaverton with cold, deep water keeping trout active longer seasonally
Regularly stocked in spring. Ideal for spin or fly anglers. Quiet and peaceful finish.

Another Washington County park near Beaverton offering trout along with panfish. ADA‑accessible and nice for kids.
Stocked seasonally—check ODFW stocking schedule.

Nearby Reservoirs and Mountain Lakes

One of the most heavily stocked lakes in the region—over 60,000 trout annually, with fish averaging 10 inches and occasional trophy bows above 5 lbs.
Excellent for trolling, casting spoons, spinners, PowerBait, and fly fishing. Great from March through June, with a fall resurgence as water cools.

North Fork Reservoir is stocked May–September with legal rainbows; released wild trout species upstream must be released.
Oak Grove Fork has rainbows, brook, cutthroat, and brown trout. Only artificial lures and flies allowed, barbless hooks. Great fly-only trout fishing.

Scenic and remote, offers rainbow trout, wild cutthroat, brook trout, browns, and kokanee salmon. Fly or spin fishing is productive at inlets and south shore areas.

These Class 1 mountain streams near Hillsboro host native cutthroat trout. Often fly/artificial only zones with catch-and-release rules
Access is spotty—bridge crossings and road pullouts provide entry. Expect smaller but wild, feisty trout.

A remote tributary reached via modest hiking. Holds wild trout in scenic surroundings. No migratory fish above waterfall barrier. Primarily catch-and-release fishing on public forest land. .

Season	Best Waters	Notes
Spring (Mar–May)	Bethany Lake, Progress Lake, Hagg Lake	Post-stocking trout are active in pond and lake venues
Early Summer	Reservoirs, inlets at North Fork & Timothy	Fly and cast tackle effective as water warms
Fall (Sep–Nov)	Hagg Lake, Timothy Lake	Cool water improves trout feeding
Summer Creeks	Upper Tualatin tributaries	Early morning and evening dry-fly sessions

Urban ponds offer consistent early action in spring. For wild trout, late summer or fall is best in mountain streams.

Stocked ponds/lakes: Ultralight spin gear, PowerBait, nightcrawlers, small spoons or spinners.
Reservoirs & larger lakes: Medium spinning or fly rods—troll small spoons, inline spinners, or cast with salmon eggs.
Fly fishing: Use dry flies, nymphs, and streamers in creeks and tributaries. In Oak Grove Fork, fly-only rules apply.
Creek streams: Small #12–16 midges, caddis larvae, Muddler minnows; stealthy presentation is key.

Oregon fishing license required for anglers age 12+; trout tags not needed for stocked lakes.
Catch limits: Typical daily trout limit is 5 fish in stocked waters. Creeks may have stricter rules (e.g., catch-and-release, barbless hooks). .
Check ODFW stocking maps and weekly fishing report to time your trips and confirm openings or restrictions.

Best for easy access & quick action:
- Bethany Lake, Progress Lake, and Commonwealth Lake—stocked, family-friendly, and close to Hillsboro.
Best for bigger trout & diverse species:
- Henry Hagg Lake, North Fork Reservoir, Oak Grove Fork, and Timothy Lake offer larger rainbows and wild trout options further afield.
Best wild trout experience:
- Shoot for upper Tualatin River tributaries or South Fork Clackamas for native cutthroat and wild rainbows in quieter settings.