Shining Lake Fishing in Clackamas County, Oregon
Three Lynx Area

We tried to drive to the trailhead for this lake, as the hike in from the trailhead is supposed to be only half of a mile. We made it along the 5 miles of very rough road to Frazier Fork and the campground there. You definitely need a vehicle with a high clearance, and do not expect to drive over 10 mph. However, the road that leads from the campground the last 3 miles to the trailhead for Shining Lake is not passable by vehicles. There is a HUGE hole in the road next to Frazier Fork campground. If you are willing to hike the extra 3 miles along the road, it may be worth it for the fishing, but we could not reach the trailhead by car.

I have made the hike many times to Shining lake to camp and fish. The fishing is superb in mid to late summer. The area holds snow sometimes to mid June. We pack in rafts and troll the lake slow and deep lake only 32,35 feet deep, with large Dave Davis flashers or Ford Fenders, 18 inch leader and worms. The rainbows range from 10 to 26 inches and are aggressive at the end of summer. Three or four primitive campgrounds spaced around the lake. Peace, quite and awesome views with few if any folks around most trips. It's a three mile hike from Fraiser Forks area and the last three quarters of a mile are switchbacks and a 400 or more foot drop in elevation. Even have shared the lake with a young Elk out for a swim.

I've been in to Shining Lake twice now. THE HIKE - Indian Ridge Rd is closed at the Frazier Turnaround. It is 4 miles or so along Indian Ridge Rd. to the trail head. This can be biked (the road is still decent) or hiked. The trail itself is a mile or so and quite steep. CAMPING - there is not a trail all the way around the lake and I really feel there is only one decent campground at the lake. There is also an area you can camp at the trailhead. FISHING - the lake is deep and has a good population of crawdads. We did okay casting spinners from shore. Take shoes you can wade in and you can walk the shore line in the water. As with most mountain lakes you will need a tube or raft for fly fishing. I don't think it gets a lot of pressure. It would get less if those with ATV's didn't illegally go around the blockades put up on Indian Ridge Rd. Take licenses down and report them if you see them.