Brownlee Reservoir is a springtime classic for Idahoans and Oregonians, who share this 15,000-acre, 50-mile-long body of water.

It attracts anglers, campers and day trippers, who flock to the area for its mild climate and good camping and boating facilities.

1. MCCORMICK PARK

Sites: 34 RV sites with water and electricity. Tent camping is in a nearby area and offers electricity.

Other amenities: Picnic areas, boat ramp and dock, RV dump station, accessible restrooms with showers, pay phone and limited parking for vehicles and boat trailers.

Fees: $16 a night for RVs and $10 for tents.

Information: (541) 540-7209

2. WOODHEAD PARK

Sites: 124 RV sites with water, fire pits, electricity, and picnic tables; 15 tent sites with water, fire pits and picnic tables.

Other amenities: Two boat ramps, pay phones, accessible restrooms with showers, RV dump station, overnight truck and boat trailer parking and day-use picnic areas.

Fees: $16 a night for RVs and $10 for tents.

Information: (541) 540-7209

3. HEWITT PARK

Sites: 47 RV spaces with electricity, water, fire boxes, picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms and showers.

Other amenities: Firewood, ice, a fish-cleaning station, playground, basketball hoop and three boat ramps and moorings.

Fees: RVs (with hookups), $17; tents or RVs (no hookups), $11.

Information: (541) 893-6147 or http://bakercounty.net/parks&recreation/parks.htm

4. STECK PARK

Sites: A developed campground with RV and tent sites.

Other amenities: Restrooms, drinking water, boat ramp and dump station.

Fees: RV, $8; tents, $5; day use $2.

Information: 384-3300; www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/four_rivers/recreation_sites_/steck_park.html.

5. SPRING RECREATION AREA

Sites: 35 with picnic tables, outhouse and fire rings.

Other amenities: Boat ramp and fish-cleaning station.

Fees: $5 a night camping; $2 day fee.

Information: U.S. Bureau of Land Management Vale District, (541) 473-3144

6. FAREWELL BEND

Sites: 101 electrical sites, 30 tent sites; a hiker/biker camp; two cabins; one reservable group tent area.

A loop remains open through the off season. Reservations available from May 1 through Oct. 15.

Fees: $3 daily fee. For camping, starting May 1, electrical/water hookup, $17; tent site, $15; hiker/biker, $4; rustic cabin, $38; group tent, $65. (Winter rates are ineffect now.)

Information: (541) 869-2365 or (800) 551-6949 or www.oregonstateparks.org; reservations, (800) 452-5687

FISHING AT BROWNLEE RESERVOIR

Brownlee is famous for its warm water fishing and is one of the most popular spots in Idaho.

You can catch everything from palm-sized bluegill and crappie to giant sturgeon, catfish and carp. Bass probably are the most popular, followed by crappie.

The 15,000-acre reservoir has plenty of room for anglers, and numerous boat launches are available on both sides of the reservoir.

One of the things that makes Brownlee so popular is the relative simplicity of catching fish there.

During April (after it warms up) May and June, it's as close to guaranteed good fishing as you're going to find. The crappie bite is legendary, and if you can hit the water with a worm, you're likely to catch a bass.

Anything that resembles a crawdad is popular for bass. Rubber worms, grubs and other "plastics" work well. Crankbaits and other traditional bass lures also are effective.

If you're a trout angler trying for bass, a Roostertail or Panther Martin spinner often will catch smallmouth.

You can catch bass with bait, but watch any tournament bass anglers getting ready for a competition and you're not likely to see a tub of nightcrawlers.

To find bass habitat, look for any kind of a rocky area, like a point, bluff or rocky shoreline. Just remember that smallmouths like rocks.

For crappie and bluegill, bring a selection of different colors of jigs. You can cast and retrieve them like lures or hang them under a bobber and put on a crappie nibble or similar bait.

One tip: If you're more interested in catching fish than what type of fish you catch, use smaller tackle. You're likely to catch a bass on a crappie jig, but unlikely to catch crappie or bluegill on a large plug designed for catching bass.

Catfish tend to prefer bait, but they also get caught on lures and jigs. You will hear lots of folklore about catfish bait - from chicken livers to doughballs, but they aren't real selective. If you want something more exotic than nightcrawlers, buy some commercial catfish bait.

FISHING RULES

Brownlee borders Idaho and Oregon, and anglers with a valid fishing license from either state can fish in the reservoir and launch and retrieve boats from either state. But anglers may not fish from the shore or a dock or other structure unless they have a license from the state in which they are fishing.

Oxbow and Hells Canyon reservoirs are directly downstream and offer similar fishing opportunities. April, May and June are prime months for fishing and camping. Summers are blistering hot, and good fishing resumes in the fall.