Hello once more !This week we are off to explore and relax at "Henry Hagg Lake" a short 30 minute drive from our home town of McMinnville , Oregon and a stones through from Forest Grove, Oregon.
Henry Hagg lake is a Nice Fishing and recreation lake , it features some of the best small mouth bass fishing around as well as a dedicated high speed boating area , and by high speed the top limit is 30MPH.
There is a great hiking / biking trail that completely surrounds the lake 2 boat launch areas with a nice bathroom and picnic table areas , there is tons of access to the lake even if you don't have a boat and even food available at one of the launch areas.
The daily fee is $6 or you can get an annual pass too the area is day use only.
One of the great things besides it proximity to us and Portland are all the things you can do at this 1113 acres lake! There are over 15 miles of hiking trails and the lake is stocked with , Bluegill , Small & Large mouth bass as well as crappie , if you are like me and a little A.D.D. trolling is great year round here .
The water was over 70 degrees already and its only June .Now there are some drawbacks and pluses to a visit here .
In the summer weekends it gets busy the water sports end of the lake gets like a choppy bathtub from all the boats in the afternoon , get to the lake early and pick a spot and your good , it seems like most of the sports boaters come in the late morning or early afternoon.
One tip if if you re like us and trying to eat better , don't pack a ton of food for your trip just bring the food you plan to eat it pretty much removes temptation and not having a full bag of chips sitting there is a diet plus , you ll find it makes swimming more enjoyable not being stuffed anyway .
If it does get to choppy for you you can always pick a spot on the no wake side of the lake , the fishing is great on both ends though.
You can fish from short but in the hot months it tends to not be so great , out in your boat close to the bottom does better in summer and you can check out this map for where the fish are .
So if your looking for a close place to spend the day take a spin out this way , you can even stay in McMinnville or one of the many B & B's in the area and do some wine tasting after the lake closes down. Or even call one of the local Limo services like Willamette Valley Limo have them take you to and from the lake and on a great tour of the local wineries .
Remember sun screen and a blanket and a good book and your all set !
(Click the links and photos for more great info and pictures on Flickr)
We'll be talking soon,
Bye for Now Tim & April
