After weeks of being cooped up in the RV during Oregon’s COVID-19 lockdown, I was more than ready to hit the water with my fly rod. Florence, Oregon, might just be a hidden gem for lake lovers—there are a dozen lakes within a short drive of town, each offering something a little different. But one in particular kept popping up in conversations with locals and in my own research: Cleawox Lake.
Tucked inside Jessie M. Honeyman State Park and bordered by the massive Oregon Dunes, Cleawox Lake isn’t just scenic—it’s also a hotspot for rainbow trout fishing, especially in spring when the lake is freshly stocked. I loaded up the Hobie kayak, grabbed a few leech patterns, and set out for a day of fly fishing on this quiet little lake just south of Florence.
What followed was one of those picture-perfect Oregon coast days—overcast skies, cool air, and steady trout action. If you’re an angler traveling the coast or full-timing in your RV like we are, fly fishing Cleawox Lake is well worth your time.
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Discovering Cleawox Lake
Since the COVID-19 outbreak had us grounded in the Florence, Oregon area, Lisa and I found ourselves kayaking local spots like Siltcoos Lake, Tahkenitch Lake, and Mercer Lake. But up until this point, we hadn’t wet a line. With Oregon beginning to ease Stay-at-Home orders, lake access was opening up again—and I was itching to break out my fly rod.
With 12 lakes within a 12-mile radius of Florence, picking just one to fish wasn’t easy. After a bit of local research and scoping things out, Cleawox Lake stood out. It’s close to town, stocked with trout, and offers great access for kayaks and bank fishing alike.
Where Is Cleawox Lake?
Cleawox Lake sits just 4 miles south of Florence in Jessie M. Honeyman State Park, nestled between Highway 101 and the towering Oregon Coast sand dunes.
At 82 acres, the lake is relatively small, but it’s scenic, peaceful, and well-suited for all kinds of fishing. There are multiple fishing docks, plenty of bank access, and clear, deep water ideal for trout.
Float tubes, kayaks, and even small boats can launch from several easy-access spots along the shore, making it a great place to paddle and cast a line.
What Can You Catch in Cleawox Lake?
This lake gets stocked with rainbow trout from February through early June, and they’re the main draw for most anglers.
You’ll also find:
- Crappie
- Bluegill
- Yellow perch
- Brown bullhead
- Largemouth bass
It’s a solid multi-species lake, so whether you’re tossing a fly, spinning gear, or bait fishing, there’s something here for everyone.
I’ve heard Cleawox Lake offers pretty good trout fishing. Trout are stocked regularly from February through early June. Crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullhead, and largemouth bass are available year-round. All lake fishing techniques can be productive in Cleawox Lake.
My goal was to get out on the water and try my luck fly-fishing for Rainbow Trout. I arrived and saw a few people fishing from float tubes, kayaks, and from the docks.
I got my kayak in the water and headed West into the lake. My plan was to fish chironomids since I’ve never really given them much of a shot. But the wind was a bit too strong to hold still and fish them.
My Fly Fishing Trip on Cleawox Lake
Armed with my fly rod and Hobie Mirage Outback kayak, I launched on a cool morning and headed west across the lake.
My initial plan? Try chironomids. I hadn’t given them a serious effort before and figured it was a good opportunity. But a stiff breeze made it tough to hold position and fish vertically, so I had to switch strategies.
The Local Intel Pays Off
As I drifted by a guy in a float tube, I watched him hook up and land a trout. I asked what he was using, and he told me: black leech pattern. That was all I needed to hear—I swapped out the chironomid and tied on a black conehead woolly bugger.
A few minutes later, I ran into another float tuber who echoed the same advice—black or olive leech patterns were working well. Just as I finished chatting with him, my rod bent and I landed a beautiful 12-inch rainbow trout that gave me a solid fight.
That fly wasn’t coming off anytime soon.
Trolling Up Rainbows
I trolled that black woolly bugger for about 90 minutes and hooked into five rainbows, missing at least five more. They were hitting steadily as I pedaled my kayak in lazy laps around the lake.
Eventually, I decided to switch it up and test an olive woolly bugger. While I had a few strikes, I didn’t land any fish on it. Black definitely seemed to be the hot ticket that day.
Why You Should Visit Cleawox Lake
Cleawox Lake isn’t just a great fishing spot—it’s a peaceful place to paddle, explore, and just enjoy the coastal scenery. Being right next to the dunes, you can fish in the morning and then hike or photograph the sands in the afternoon. It’s a great destination for RVers, anglers, and kayakers alike.
Other Things to See and Do on the Oregon Coast
Final Thoughts
If you’re staying near Florence, Oregon, and looking to do some fishing—especially fly fishing—put Cleawox Lake on your list. The access is great, the fish are cooperative, and the setting is classic Pacific Northwest.
Whether you’re trolling from a kayak, casting from shore, or floating in a tube, chances are good you’ll hook into something.
Got questions? Or maybe your own Cleawox Lake story to share? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear how it went.
Thanks for reading, and tight lines!
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