Elk Lake (Oregon)
{{Short description|Lake in Oregon, United States}}
{{Other places3|Elk Lake (disambiguation){{!}}Elk Lake}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Elk Lake
| image = Elk Lake and South Sister, Oregon.jpg
| caption = The lake with South Sister in the background
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = Deschutes County, Oregon
| coords = {{coord|43|58|27|N|121|48|09|W|type:waterbody_region:US-OR_source:gnis|display=inline,title}}
| lake_type = Natural, oligotrophic
| inflow = Snowmelt, seepage
| outflow = None on the surface
| catchment = {{convert|13|mi2|km2}}
| basin_countries = United States
| length =
| width =
| area = {{convert|405|acre|ha|lk=on}}
| depth = {{convert|12|ft|m}}
| max-depth = {{convert|62|ft|m}}
| volume = {{convert|7000|acre-feet|e6m3|lk=in}}
| residence_time = 1 year
| shore = {{convert|5.1|mi|km}}
| elevation ={{convert|4882|ft|m}}
| islands =
| cities = Bend
| pushpin_map = Oregon#USA
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Elk Lake in Oregon, USA.
| pushpin_map_caption =
| website =
| reference={{cite book|last=Johnson|first=Daniel M.|author2=Petersen, Richard R. |author3=Lycan, D. Richard |author4=Sweet, James W. |author5= Neuhaus, Mark E., and Schaedel, Andrew L. | title=Atlas of Oregon Lakes|publisher=Oregon State University Press|location=Corvallis|year=1985|pages=74–75|isbn=0-87071-343-4}}{{cite web|title=Atlas of Oregon Lakes: Elk Lake (Deschutes County) |url=http://aol.research.pdx.edu/?q=lake/356|publisher=Portland State University|year=1985–2012|accessdate=January 2, 2013}}{{cite web | url ={{gnis3|1141778}} | title = Elk Lake | work=Geographic Names Information System|publisher = United States Geological Survey|date=November 28, 1980 |accessdate = January 2, 2013}}
}}
Elk Lake is a natural body of water in the central Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Oregon. Nearly {{convert|4900|ft|m}} above sea level, the lake is part of a volcanic landscape about {{convert|25|mi|km}} west-southwest of Bend along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
Elk Lake is about {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} west of Mount Bachelor in Deschutes National Forest.
Nearby lakes include Hosmer, Sparks, Blow, Doris, Devils, Lava, and Little Lava.{{cite web | author = United States Geological Survey (USGS) |title = United States Geological Survey Topographic Map | publisher = TopoQuest | url =http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=43.974167&lon=-121.8025&datum=nad83&zoom=4| accessdate = January 2, 2013}}.
Heavily used for recreation, the lake is among the most popular of the Cascade Lakes. Its name stems from the large number of elk that formerly frequented the area in summer. During winter, Elk Lake freezes, and access roads are usually closed by snow until late May.
The popular fishing game Russian Fishing 4 added Elk Lake as its first non-Russian fishing map in June 2025, featuring a variety of bluegills and gars.{{cite web |title=Elk Lake |url=https://rf4game.com/news/patchnotes-16-06-2025/ |website=rf4game.com |access-date=16 June 2025}}
Recreation
The United States Forest Service manages campgrounds, boat launches, and picnic sites at various locations around the lake, also served by a private resort with cabins. Lake activities include sailing, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing.{{cite book|last=Sheehan|first=Madelynne Diness|year=2005|title=Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide|edition=10th|location=Scappoose, Oregon|publisher=Flying Pencil Publications|pages=222–23|isbn=0-916473-15-5}}
The lake supports populations of brook trout generally ranging from {{convert|7|to|14|in|cm}} and kokanee averaging {{convert|8|to|9|in|cm}}. Hiking trails leading to other high-elevation lake groups, such as those in the Mink Lake basin, begin at Elk Lake.