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.

All fishing methods work here: bait, lures, flies, still fishing, and trolling which is the most effective. As in Big Lava Lake, lead or sinking lines are needed. The shoreline is similar to big Lava Lake, with bull rushes and some lava outcroppings. The best spot to fish from shore is just north of the boat ramp, but most people fish from a boat. There is a 10 mph speed limit on the lake.

There is a small Forest Service campground Little Lava C. G. with a hand pump, out-houses, and a small concrete boat ramp. This is a good lake for small boats and rafts. It also has a shallow wading area for children near the boat ramp

Basic Directions