Paulina Lake
View of Paulina Lake from Paulina Peak
Paulina Lake Show map of Oregon Paulina Lake Show map of the United States
Location	Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Coordinates	43°42′48″N 121°16′29″W / 43.71333°N 121.27472°W / 43.71333; -121.27472[1]
Type	Crater lake
Primary inflows	Seepage
Primary outflows	Paulina Creek
Catchment area	17.1 sq mi (44.3 km2)[1]
Basin countries	United States
Surface area	1,531 acres (619.6 ha)[2]
Average depth	163 ft (49.7 m)[2]
Max. depth	250 ft (76.2 m)[2]
Water volume	249,850 acre⋅ft (308,185 dam3)[2]
Residence time	46 years[2]
Shore length1	6.7 mi (11 km)[2]
Surface elevation	6,331 ft (1,930 m)[2]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Paulina Lake is one of the twin crater lakes in Newberry Crater, central Oregon, United States (the other being East Lake). It is located 6,331 feet (1,930 m) above sea level in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument near La Pine. The lake's primary inflow is seepage from East Lake, snow melt, and hot springs, and its outflow is Paulina Creek, a tributary of the Little Deschutes River. It has an area of 1,531 acres (619.6 ha), a volume of 249,850 acre-feet (308,185 dam³), a maximum depth of 250 feet (76.2 m), a shore length of about 6.7 miles (11 km), and a residence time of about 46 years.^[2] The lake is classified as mesotrophic, with a transparency of approximately 13.1 feet (3.99 m).^[2] It is about 40 feet (12 m) lower and one mile west of its twin, East Lake.

Paulina Lake sits within the Newberry Crater, formed from over 500,000 years of volcanic activity.^[3]

The lake bears the name of Paulina, a Snake Indian.^[4]

Recreational Activities

Paulina Lake supports a number of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding. A 10 mph speed limit on the lake prohibits motorized high speed watersports such as waterskiing and jet skis, which protects the lake as a popular fishing destination.

Once devoid of fish, the lake is now regularly stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,^[2] and is known for its large number of kokanee salmon and brown trout. Other fish found in the lake include rainbow trout, tui chub, and blue chub.^[3] The largest brown trout caught on record in the State of Oregon – a whopping 28 lb., 5 oz. fish – was caught at Paulina in 2002, eclipsing previous records set at the same lake. [1]

Paulina Lake from Little Crater Campground boat dock