At 7,100 feet in Oregon's Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, the Anthony Lakes basin is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you waited so long to visit. The cirque lakes are cold, clear, and loaded with brook trout — and on a weekday in August, you might have a shoreline to yourself. If you're driving through Baker City and haven't made the 35-mile detour up Forest Road 73, you're leaving fish on the table.

The Lakes, the Layout, and What's Living in Them

Anthony Lake is the centerpiece — about 54 acres, stocked annually by ODFW with brook trout and rainbow trout. It's the most accessible water in the basin, with a paved boat ramp, campground access, and shoreline that's fishable from nearly every angle. Expect brookies in the 8–12 inch range, with the occasional 14-inch fish that's been around long enough to know better than most lures.

Black Lake sits a short walk above Anthony, smaller and shallower, with less pressure and better evening action on dry flies. The inlet stream between the two lakes is worth working with a small Elk Hair Caddis or Parachute Adams during the late-afternoon hatch. Mud Lake is the sleeper — it's weedy, it's warm by alpine standards, and it holds surprisingly fat brook trout that have never seen a fly rod. If you can get a cast into the clear lanes without spooking fish, the take is usually violent.

The Hoffer Lakes, a short hike to the east, are the reward for putting in some boot leather. These small, tucked-away waters get far less pressure than Anthony and hold cutthroat trout in addition to brookies. Bring a lightweight pack rod and leave the spinning gear behind — these fish are educated enough that presentation matters.

When to Go and What to Expect

The road to Anthony Lakes typically opens in late June or early July depending on snowpack. By mid-August, you're in the sweet spot: water temperatures are dialed in, hatches are active through the evening, and the worst of the mosquito season has passed. This is also when you'll start seeing families camped at the lower sites, so arrive on Thursday or Friday if you want first pick of the campground.

Evening is when the basin comes alive. Brook trout that sulk in deep water at midday move to the shallows to feed as the shadows lengthen. Work the inlet and outlet zones first, then move along the rocky northern shoreline where submerged boulders hold fish.

Gear That Works Here

• Spinning: Small Panther Martins (#2 or #4) in gold and yellow are the local standby. Don't overthink it — these fish haven't seen a lot of different presentations. A slow retrieve along bottom structure in 6–10 feet of water produces consistently.
• Fly fishing: A 4-weight with a floating line handles everything in the basin. Carry Elk Hair Caddis (#14–#16), Parachute Adams (#14), black Woolly Buggers, and a handful of bead-head Hare's Ear nymphs. The evening caddis hatch on Anthony Lake is worth sitting through.
• Bait: PowerBait in chartreuse floats off the bottom effectively in Anthony's deeper holes. A size-14 single hook, 2-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a small split shot about 18 inches up is the classic rig. Fish are stocked regularly, and fresh plants hit hard on PowerBait for the first few days.

Getting There and Staying

From Baker City, take I-84 north to the North Powder exit, then follow the signs west on Anthony Lakes Highway (CR 1146) for about 17 miles to Forest Road 73. The last stretch is paved to the campground. Anthony Lakes Campground has 37 sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and a boat ramp — no hookups, no reservations, first-come-first-served. The campground fills on summer weekends, but weeknight availability is generally good through late September.

Bring layers regardless of the forecast. At 7,100 feet, evenings get cold fast even in August. Afternoon thunderstorms are common — they usually pass quickly, but get off the open water when lightning appears. The exposed granite above the lakes offers zero shelter.

Regulations

The Anthony Lakes basin falls under ODFW's general statewide trout regulations. A valid Oregon fishing license with Combined Angling Tag is required for anglers 14 and older. The daily bag limit is 5 trout with a 8-inch minimum length. Check the current ODFW regulations for any basin-specific restrictions before you go — rules for Hoffer Lakes occasionally differ from the main basin.

The Drive Is Worth It

Baker City is an underrated hub for eastern Oregon outdoors. If you're passing through on I-84, the Anthony Lakes detour adds less than two hours to your day and gives you some of the best accessible alpine fishing in the state. The scenery alone — granite peaks, wildflower meadows, and the quiet of a high-country lake at dusk — is worth the fuel. The fish are a bonus.