Oregon Fishing Reports ยท Central Region
From Warm Springs down past Maupin, the lower Deschutes runs through a desert canyon with wild redband rainbows and fall steelhead.
Looking for the latest Lower Deschutes River (Maupin) river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Deschutes River โ Warm Springs to Maupin.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Lower Deschutes River (Maupin) fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge near Madras reads around 3,900 cfs, a normal fall release, and the water is clear.
Fall steelhead are spread through the canyon. Swing flies through the tailouts early and late, and nymph the edges for redbands, with BWOs on cloudy afternoons.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Warm Springs to Maupin, bring: Woolly Bugger #4-6, Pat', s Rubber Legs #6-10, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, JuJu Baetis #18-20, Parachute Adams #16-20, Egg #10-12, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lower Deschutes River (Maupin) details
| Access | Access roads along the river upstream and downstream of Maupin, plus boat ramps at Warm Springs, Trout Creek and Maupin. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,000 to 1,400 ft |
| Nearest town | Maupin, Oregon |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Fish | Wild redband rainbow trout and steelhead |
| Regulations | Fishing from a boat is not allowed on the lower Deschutes. Steelhead and salmon rules change often in season. Check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and in-season changes before you go. An Oregon angling license is required for anglers 12 and older, plus a combined tag for steelhead and salmon. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet for trout, sink tips for steelhead |
| Camping | BLM campgrounds along the river |
| Kids | Partly. Easy access near Maupin, but a big, powerful river. |
| Good to know | No fishing from a boat. Watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges and quiet days.
Spring
Stoneflies and BWOs.
Summer
Salmonflies, caddis and summer steelhead.
Fall
Fall steelhead and BWOs.
How to get there
From Portland, take US-26 east over Mount Hood to Warm Springs, or US-197 to Maupin.