CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
7
CULTURE & HERITAGE
Don’t judge
a fishing spot
by its name
Cheryl Hoefl er/Go! Magazine
Poison Creek Reservoir off ers fi shing, birdwatching and some peace and quiet.
OCTOBER 6�13, 2021
By Cheryl Hoefl er
Go! Magazine
S
ENECA — Anything with “poison” in its name hardly
sounds inviting.
But the fi sh don’t care, and neither should visitors to
this peaceful fi shing hole.
Poison Creek Reservoir is just off Highway 395 about
halfway between John Day and Burns. Sitting on about
27 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, the reser-
voir is nestled among sagebrush, marshes and rimrock
outcroppings.
A trail partway around the reservoir off ers plenty of
private spots to drop a line.
Not into fi shing? The reservoir attracts an assortment
of birds, not to mention rabbits and other critters, so
bring your binoculars and a camera.
This pleasant little wayside off ers a local history les-
son, too.
A couple of interpretive signs share information about
the Silvies Valley. For centuries the area was home to
Northern Paiute American Indians. Named in 1826 for
trapper Antoine Sylvaille, the valley became a vital source
of lumber and livestock after the 1862 discovery of gold
near Canyon City several miles north.
Another sign tells about the restoration of historic
buildings in the area, such as the Gibson and Bulkeley
cabins and the one-room Trout Creek Schoolhouse,
built in 1905.
Poison Creek Reservoir is 11.5 miles south of Seneca,
or about 30 miles north of Burns. Turn east on County
Road 73 — also called Silvies-Hopper Ranch Lane — at
the green sign for Rock Springs Campground and Drews-
ey. After about half a mile, turn left at the sign for “Poison
Creek Reservoir.” A short gravel road leads to the water.
There’s a vault toilet onsite and plenty of parking, but
no garbage service, benches or tables, so pack out your
trash and bring a chair or a blanket so you can relax for a
bit in the quiet.
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