Hosmer Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hosmer Lake |
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Hosmer Lake and Mount Bachelor
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 Hosmer Lake
Location in Oregon
Hosmer Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°57′49″N 121°46′49″W / 43.96361°N 121.78028°W |
| Lake type | Natural, mesotrophic, with dam |
| Primary inflows | Quinn Creek |
| Primary outflows | None on the surface |
| Catchment area | 13 square miles (34 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 198 acres (80 ha) |
| Average depth | 3 feet (0.9 m) |
| Max. depth | 12 feet (3.7 m) |
| Water volume | 600 acre-feet (740,000 m3) |
| Shore length1 | 5 miles (8 km) |
| Surface elevation | 4,964 feet (1,513 m) |
| Settlements | Bend |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Hosmer Lake is a beautiful natural lake in the middle of Oregon's Cascade Mountains. It sits high up, almost 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above sea level. This lake is part of a volcanic area about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Bend. You can find it along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
In 1962, the lake's name was changed from Mud Lake to Hosmer Lake. This was done to honor Paul Hosmer, a naturalist who lived in Bend.
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Where is Hosmer Lake Located?
Hosmer Lake is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of Mount Bachelor. It is located within the Deschutes National Forest. Other lakes nearby include Elk Lake, Sparks Lake, Blow Lake, Doris Lake, Lava Lake, and Little Lava Lake.
What is Hosmer Lake Like?
Over time, plants are slowly growing into Hosmer Lake, turning it into a marsh. The bottom of the lake is made of mud and a spongy material called peat. Many mosses and water plants grow there, which makes the open water areas smaller. You can also see lots of water lilies and bullrushes around the lake.
Fun Things to Do at Hosmer Lake
Hosmer Lake is a great place for outdoor activities, especially fishing!
Fishing for Salmon and Trout
Years ago, the lake had many "trash fish" like carp. But in 1957, the lake was treated to remove these fish. Then, it was restocked with Atlantic salmon. This experiment worked very well! Today, Hosmer Lake is known as one of the best fishing spots in the Deschutes National Forest.
The lake is home to "very large" brook trout and "deep-bodied" salmon. If you want to fish here, you must use only fly-fishing methods with barbless flies. Also, if you catch a salmon, you must release it back into the lake.
Boating and Camping
You can explore Hosmer Lake in boats with electric motors, but they must go slowly. Canoes and other boats without motors are also welcome.
There are two campgrounds near the southwest end of the lake: Mallard Marsh Campground and South Campground. The United States Forest Service manages them. Together, they offer about 36 campsites. There is also a paved boat ramp, making it easy to launch your boat. You can also find trails for hiking and horse riding nearby.
Visiting in Winter
During the winter months, heavy snow can block the roads to the lake. Sometimes, the snow can stay as late as June! So, it's best to check road conditions before you plan a trip in spring.
