Mercer Lake

Mercer Lake, a 341-acre body of water located just 15 minutes north of Florence, offers excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, rainbow trout, yellow perch, and bullhead catfish. While lesser-known compared to nearby Siltcoos Lake, Mercer Lake is considered by some anglers to be equally productive for bass fishing, with seasonal trout stocking enhancing its appeal to fishing enthusiasts.

Amenities

Mercer Lake Resort is located on the edge of the lake and offers a variety of amenities, including:

Cabins and RV sites
Boat rentals
Moorage
Sandy beach
Convenience store with ice, bait, and snacks
Laundry facilities
Groceries and ice on site
Swimming pool

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Largemouth Bass Hotspots

Mercer Lake offers excellent largemouth bass fishing opportunities, with several prime hotspots for anglers to target:

The long Dowell and Dahlin arms provide ideal bass habitat with numerous coves and points to explore
Fallen trees and docks along the shoreline create prime cover for bass to ambush prey
The lake’s stained waters allow bass to hide in surprisingly shallow areas, especially during spring and summer spawning seasons
Deeper areas near shoreline structures often hold bass, particularly outside of peak spawning times

Anglers have success using soft plastics, crankbaits, swimbaits, and jigs around these structures. In warmer months, topwater lures can be effective, especially during low light conditions at dawn and dusk.

While much of the lake is surrounded by private property, Mercer Lake County Park on the southeastern shore provides some bank access and a boat launch, allowing anglers to reach the most productive bass fishing areas.

Trout Stocking Schedules

Mercer Lake receives seasonal trout stocking to enhance fishing opportunities. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) typically stocks the lake with rainbow trout in spring, with recent schedules indicating plantings in March and April.

In 2024, the stocking plan includes:

March 11-15: 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout
April 15-19: 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout

These stocking events provide excellent chances for anglers to catch freshly planted trout. The best fishing often occurs shortly after stocking, but some trout may hold over in the lake’s cool waters, potentially offering opportunities in fall as temperatures drop.

Anglers should note that stocking schedules can change due to various factors, and it’s advisable to check the ODFW Weekly Fishing Report for the most up-to-date information.

This regular influx of hatchery trout complements Mercer Lake’s year-round fishery, adding variety to the angling experience alongside the lake’s popular bass and panfish populations.

FLORENCE

Perch Fishing Tips

Mercer Lake offers excellent opportunities for perch fishing, particularly for yellow perch. Here are some effective tips for targeting perch in this Oregon lake:

Use light tackle with 4-6 pound test line for better sensitivity to detect subtle bites.
Small jigs tipped with worms or minnows are highly effective for perch.
Try fishing near underwater structures like fallen trees or weed beds where perch tend to congregate.
In early spring, focus on shallow areas where perch spawn when water temperatures reach the mid-40s to low 50s Fahrenheit.
Employ a slow, steady retrieve when using soft plastics like small grubs or swimbaits.
When using live bait, wait until you feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook, as perch often tap the bait multiple times before fully committing.

For the best results, fish during early morning or late evening when perch are most active. Trolling slowly with small lures like Rooster Tails or Kastmasters can also be productive for locating schools of perch in Mercer Lake.

Sources:

Best Fishing in America

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