Lake Billy Chinook

History of Billy Chinook

Lake Billy Chinook has existed since 1964 when
Portland General Electric constructed the Round Butte
Dam. The lake was named for Billy Chinook, a well known
Wasco Indian scout from the Warm Springs
region who traveled with explorer John Fremont in
1843.
PGE operated the Round Butte Hydroelectric Project
until 1999 when it entered into an agreement with The
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to co-manage
the hydroelectric facilities. The project generates approximately
800,000 megawatts electricity per year for
residents in the Portland metropolitan area.
Surrounded by mostly public lands, Lake Billy Chinook
includes 72 miles of shoreline and a surface area of
4,000 acres. Its deepest point is 400 feet at Round Butte
Dam. The reservoir stays full, or within one foot of full,
from June 15-September 15.

Lake Billy Chinook’s varied catch includes Kokanee (sockeye
salmon), small and largemouth bass, and many trout species.
The lake is especially well known for its bull trout fishery. Both
a tribal angling permit and a state of Oregon fishing license are
required to fish on the Metolius arm, which has a limited season.
You can buy tribal angling permits at The Cove Palisades
Marina or from local convenience stores. The Crooked River
and Deschutes arms of the lake are open year-round. Craw fishing
is also popular. An ADA accessible fishing platform is
located at the Crooked River Day-Use Area. Two floating
restrooms for boaters and anglers are anchored off the Kettle
Falls area near the Round Butte Dam and along the Deschutes
arm downstream of the Lower Deschutes Day-Use Area.


Well another day in beautiful Central Oregon till next time