Empire Lake Upper - Coos Bay, OR

Empire Lake Upper, located in John Topits Park within Coos Bay, Oregon, is a highly accessible urban lake managed for consistent trout fishing. It primarily features rainbow trout, regularly stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW), including impressive 2-4 pound trophy trout. Excess hatchery steelhead are also released, regulated like trout.

Fishing conditions are generally excellent due to frequent and generous stocking, particularly in spring. Anglers are finding good success catching both regular and trophy-sized trout. Effective methods are straightforward: bait fishing with PowerBait or worms, and spin fishing with small inline spinners or spoons, are highly productive.

Access to Empire Lake Upper is excellent, with a paved trail encircling the lake providing easy bank access for all abilities. No specialized gear like boats is typically needed for bank fishing. Conservation efforts focus on providing a sustainable recreational fishery through stocking. Anglers must strictly adhere to all ODFW regulations, including bag limits and proper fish handling. Empire Lake Upper offers a convenient, accessible, and reliably fun fishing experience, ideal for quick outings or introducing new anglers to the sport in Coos Bay.