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Little Lava Lake

La Pine, Oregon · Deschutes County · Facility

Little Lava's biggest claim to fame may not be it’s fishing, but that it is the source of the mighty Deschutes River. The state record brook trout, weighing at 9 pounds, 6 ounces, was taken from the river below the lake in 1980.Little Lava Lake is a small, forest lake about a half-mile south of "Big" Lava Lake. This 13…

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43.91025, -121.75629
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About Little Lava Lake

Little Lava's biggest claim to fame may not be it’s fishing, but that it is the source of the mighty Deschutes River. The state record brook trout, weighing at 9 pounds, 6 ounces, was taken from the river below the lake in 1980.Little Lava Lake is a small, forest lake about a half-mile south of "Big" Lava Lake. This 130-acre lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet and supports planted rainbow trout average of 6 to12 inches, some brook trout, and self-sustaining populations of whitefish and tui chub. The fishing here is not as good as at Lava due to competition from the tui chub population. However, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife started control of the tui chub in 1997.Motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed on this body of water. For boat launch information see Little Lava Lake Boating Site.

Plan Your Visit to Little Lava Lake

Heading to Little Lava Lake? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Little Lava Lake?

No central reservation system listed for Little Lava Lake. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/237120) for the latest entry policy and availability.