Easy angling in the Southwest Zone

Table of contents

Part 1: Easy Angling Oregon - An Introduction
Part 2: Easy Angling Oregon - Northwest Zone
Part 3: Easy Angling Oregon - Southwest Zone (you are here)
Part 4: Easy Angling Oregon - Willamette Zone
Part 5: Easy Angling Oregon - Central Zone
Part 6: Easy Angling Oregon - Southeast Zone
Part 7: Easy Angling Oregon - Northeast Zone

 

19 great places for families to fish in southwest Oregon

Featured Waters:

• Diamond Lake
• Cooper Creek Reservoir
• Loon Lake
• Umpqua River -- River Forks Park
• North Umpqua River – Whistler’s Bend Park
• Denman Wildlife Area Ponds
• Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs
• Selmac Lake
• Fish Lake
• Emigrant Lake
• Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir
• Lost Creek Reservoir
• Tenmile Lakes
• Saunders Lake
• Empire Lake
• Butterfield Lake
• Coos Bay Boardwalk
• Arizona Pond
• Garrison Lake

Diamond Lake

Often called the Jewel of the Cascades, Diamond Lake has outstanding fishing in a spectacular setting.

What to fish for:

Stocked regularly with rainbow trout, which can grow big and fat. Open for fishing year-round with some of the best fishing in April and May.

Fishing tips:

Trolling with a variety of spinners and lures – such as Rooster Tails, crocodiles and super dupers – is effective. When anchored near Silent Creek or Lake Creek, use flies (woolly-buggers, black ants) or PowerBait.

The best boat fishing is on the south end of the lake near Silent Creek and on the north end in deep water areas. There is good bank fishing near the resort, near Lake Creek, and throughout the US Forest Service campgrounds.

Facilities:

USFS Campgrounds:
Broken Arrow Campground: campground, accessible restroom, accessible shower, fee.      

Thielson View Campground: boat ramp, campground, accessible vault toilet, fee.

Diamond Lake Campground: boat ramps, campground, accessible restrooms or toilet, accessible shower, fish cleaning station, fee.

Diamond Lake Resort: boat rentals, accessible restroom, fee.

Getting there:

To reach Diamond Lake, follow Hwy 138 east from Roseburg or west from Hwy 97. Turnoffs to the lake are well-signed and easy to find. 

Cooper Creek Reservoir

A beautiful 160-acre reservoir nestled within a Douglas-fir forest. There’s plenty of good bank access thanks to an easy trail that encircles the lake.

What to fish for:

Stocked regularly with rainbow trout from March to May and again in August. Also known for large bass and panfish. Crappie are plentiful in the arms of the lake in spring and early summer.

Fish in Cooper Creek show high mercury levels. Before keeping and consuming fish, anglers should consult the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for consumption recommendations.

Fishing tips:

All standard lake-fishing techniques for trout and warmwater species can be effective.

Facilities:

Cooper Creek County (Douglas) Park: boat launch or ramp, fishing pier or dock, restrooms or toilet, picnic area.

Getting there:

From Sutherlin go east on Nonpareil Rd for 1.5 miles, turn right on Southside Rd. for two miles to boat ramp at west end of lake. Turn left on Cooper Creek Rd. for 1.4 miles to eastern boat ramp.

Loon Lake

Nestled in a beautiful forested setting, the Loon Lake offers good trout fishing in the spring and early summer as well as many other recreational activities such as swimming, water skiing, boating and camping.

What to fish for:

Rainbow trout, stocked from March through June, native cutthroat trout, largemouth bass.

Fishing tips:

All lake fishing techniques can be successful here. Easily fished from a boat, which can be rented at the Lodge.

Facilities:

Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort: campground, boat launch, boat rentals.

BLM Loon Lake Recreation Site: campground, picnic area, accessible flush toilets, boat launch.

Getting there:

From Reedsport take Hwy 38 west to County Rd 3 (Loon Lake Rd.). Take County Rd. 3 for 6 miles south to Loon Lake.

Umpqua River, River Forks Park

At the confluence of the North and South Umpqua rivers, this county park on the outskirts of Roseburg offers bank access to a half-mile of excellent water for year-round fishing.

What to fish for:

Chinook salmon, summer and winter steelhead, smallmouth bass.

Fishing tips:

Try casting large spinners for steelhead and salmon. Small spinners or rubber worms off the bottom can work for smallmouth bass.

Facilities:

River Forks County (Douglas) Park: boat ramp, picnic area, restrooms or toilet.

Getting there:

From Roseburg, travel 3 miles west on Garden Valley Blvd. Turn left on Old Garden Valley Rd. for 2 miles then left on River Forks Park Rd.

North Umpqua River, Whistler’s Bend County Park

This county park on the famed North Umpqua offers a mile of good bank fishing for Chinook salmon and steelhead.

What to fish for:

Spring Chinook, summer steelhead.

Fishing tips:

Fish for summer steelhead in July and August and then again in October and November (water temperatures peak in September and fishing usually slows). A simple technique is to cast and retrieve a size 4 spinner through riffles, tailouts and pools. Peak fishing for spring Chinook is May, June and July. You’ll want some heavier gear to throw large spinners.

Facilities:

Whistler’s Bend County (Douglas) Park: boat ramp, picnic area, campground, restrooms or toilet.

Getting there:

15 miles east of Roseburg off Hwy 138.

Denman Wildlife Area Ponds

The 1,858-acre Kenneth Denman Wildlife Management Area is in the heart of the Rogue Valley. Several permanent ponds in the area offer excellent fishing for warmwater species. A map showing the location of all ponds on the Denman Wildlife Area is available at the office. A permit is required to park on the wildlife area.

What to fish for:

Largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, brown bullhead and common carp.

Fishing tips:

All lake-fishing techniques can be effective. Largemouth bass will strike surface or shallow running lures fished around cover as the water warms in the spring.

Facilities:

Boat launch or ramp (electric motors only), restrooms or toilet, accessible, picnic area, parking, entrance or other day use fee.

Getting there:

From I-5 take exit 30 and head north towards White City on Hwy 62. Continue approximately 5 miles north and turn left on Agate Rd. Head north on Agate Rd. for one block and turn left (west) on East Gregory Rd. Continue on East Gregory Rd. approximately 1/2 mile until road makes a sharp left corner. The access to Whetstone Pond is located to the right. For the entrance to Denman Wildlife Area-Rogue District Office, continue straight (do not make sharp left corner) at 1495 East Gregory Rd., Central Point.

Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs

Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs are high elevation lakes near the urban centers of the Rogue Valley and Klamath Falls. Both offer excellent views of Mt. McLoughlin and offer good bank fishing access at the campgrounds.

White pelicans and sandhill crane sightings are common at both lakes.

What to fish for:

Both lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, but anglers also can catch warmwater species such as panfish, bass and bullhead catfish.

Fishing tips:

All lake-fishing techniques for trout and bass will work here.

Facilities:

Howard Prairie Jackson County Parks: Willow Point: campground, accessible restrooms or toilet, boat launch or ramp, picnic area, parking, entrance or other day use fee.

Grizzly Park Campground: campground, accessible vault toilet by boat ramp, boat launch or ramp, picnic area, parking, entrance or other day use fee.

Klum Landing Park Campground: campground, boat launch or ramp, accessible restrooms or toilet, picnic area, fee.      

Howard Prairie Resort: campground, boat launch or ramp, boat rentals, picnic area, restrooms or toilet.     

Hyatt BLM campgrounds: Hyatt Lake: boat launch or ramp, accessible fishing dock, accessible flush restrooms, accessible shower, fish cleaning station.                        

Wildcat: boat launch or ramp, restrooms or toilet.                       

Getting there:

Travel east on Hwy 66 out of Ashland. Turn left on Dead Indian Memorial Rd., follow the signs to mountain lakes. After approximately 17 miles turn right on Hyatt Prairie Rd. Howard Prairie is the first reservoir; Hyatt is a few miles down the road.    

Selmac Lake

Selmac Lake is the largest standing waterbody in Josephine County. Lots of good bank access makes it an excellent place for families with kids.

What to fish for:

Heavily stocked with catchable rainbow trout from February through May. Excellent fishing for warmwater species is available summer through the fall. Produces trophy-sized largemouth bass.

Fishing tips:

All lake-fishing techniques can be effective here. Look for largemouth bass around the stumps and overhanging brush. Black crappie and bluegill can be fished for from the pier and from several dikes located around the lake. Don’t cast too far into the lake; many fish are available close to shore.

Facilities

Josephine County Park (several locations around lake): picnic area, restrooms or toilet, boat launch or ramp, fishing pier or dock, parking, entrance or other day use fee

Lake Selmac Resort: campground, boat launch or ramp, boat rentals, restroom, shower.                       

Getting there:

From Grants Pass, follow Hwy 199 southwest about 18 miles. South of Selma, turn east on Lakeshore Dr., which reaches Selmac Lake in about 4 miles.

Fish Lake (Rogue watershed)

Located near the summit of Hwy 140 between Medford and Klamath Falls, this high elevation lake offers good trout fishing with views of Mt. McLoughlin and Brown Mountain. Fish Lake is open year round, although ice is typically not thick enough for ice fishing until January. In winter a valid Sno-Park permit between is required between Nov. 1 and April 30.

What to fish for:

Stocked with rainbow trout from April through July with trophy-sized trout released in September. Brook trout, spring Chinook salmon and tiger trout are also available.

Fishing tips:

There is good bank fishing access between the resort and Doe Point campground, and boat rentals are available at the resort.

PowerBait is a popular choice for many anglers. Bank anglers can also troll flatfish, wedding ring and worm combinations, or flashers and bait. A single streamer, such as a spruce fly, can be effective when the water is clear. Fall can be a great time to cast flies from a float tube.

Facilities:

USFS Fish Lake Campground: campground, boat ramp, vault toilet, fish cleaning station.                           

USFS Doe Point Campground: campground, vault toilet - seasonal flush toilet.                        

Fish Lake Resort: campground, boat rentals, boat launch or ramp, restrooms or toilet.

Getting there:

From I-5 take exit 30 (Crater Lake Hwy) go north to Rt. 140, turn right. Go 30 miles then turn right at Fish Lake sign.

Illegally introduced tui chub and fathead minnows have dominated the ecology of Fish Lake for years. However, spring Chinook salmon and, most recently, tiger trout are being stocked to feed on the exotic minnows and grow large enough to offer a quality fishing opportunity. Tiger trout must be released unharmed.

Emigrant Lake

This large reservoir just 5 miles from Ashland offers swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. Anglers might also encounter local rowing clubs that practice at the lake.

What to fish for:

Stocked with trout in cooler months and warmwater fish (bass, crappie and yellow perch) are available year-round.

Fishing tips:

All lake-fishing techniques can be effective here. Trout fishing is best in spring and fall; try the Emigrant Creek inlet and around the county park. In spring, fish the flooded willows in the Emigrant and Hill Creek arms for black crappie and largemouth bass. The dam face and dike structures can also be productive. Rocky shorelines can be good places to target smallmouth bass in the spring and early summer.

Facilities:

Emigrant Lake County (Jackson) Park: campground, accessible restrooms or toilet, picnic area, boat launch or ramp, fee.

Getting there:

From Ashland, follow Hwy 66 directly to the lake, about 5 miles

Fish, other than trout, in Emigrant Lake show high mercury levels. Before keeping and consuming fish, anglers should consult the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for consumption recommendations.

Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir

The Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. High in the Cascade Mountains, this is a great place to escape the summer heat of the Rogue Valley on a swift flowing, cascading stream with crystal clear water.

What to fish for:

Stocked rainbow trout in the mainstem Rogue; naturally reproducing brook, rainbow, brown and some cutthroat trout in the tributaries.

Fishing tips:

Focus on campgrounds and other public access sites where trout are stocked. Use light gear to fish with night crawlers, salmon eggs, small spinners or flies.

Facilities:

USFS campgrounds:
Natural Bridge, Union Creek, Farewell Bend, River Bridge: campground, restrooms or toilet.

Getting there:

Follow Hwy 62 north out of Medford past Lost Creek Lake. Above the lake Hwy 62 parallels the river with access a several campgrounds and pullouts.

Lost Creek Reservoir

This large scenic reservoir 45 minutes north of Medford is a good family vacation spot with fishing, boating, hiking, biking and swimming. Lots of bank fishing at several campgrounds and picnic areas. Trout fishing remains very good into the fall and winter at this reservoir.

What to fish for:

Rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, bluegill, black crappie, some brown trout and cutthroat trout. Spring Chinook salmon are also stocked in this reservoir to enhance the trout fishery. They count as part of your trout bag limit.

Fishing tips:

Trout anglers fishing from the bank use either floating bait (like PowerBait) or worms. Boat anglers use a wide variety of techniques, often trolling wedding ring and night crawler combinations behind a weight. Fly anglers can catch fish both trolling and casting.

Facilities:

Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area: campground: boat launch or ramp, picnic area, restrooms or toilet, showers.

Takelma County (Jackson) Park: boat launch or ramp, accessible restrooms or toilet, parking, entrance or other day use fee.

Lost Creek Marina: boat rentals, boat launch or ramp.                       

Getting there:

Take Hwy 62 north out of Medford.

Tenmile Lakes

North and South Tenmile lakes combine to create one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the state. Miles of intricate shoreline and shallow bays offer plenty of places to explore. The two lakes are connected by a canal.

What to fish for:

Stocked with catchable rainbow trout from March to early June. Excellent fishing for warmwater species, including largemouth bass that can reach up to 8 pounds.

Fishing tips:

Standard lake-fishing techniques will work here. Best fishing is in the late spring/early summer before heavy weed growth develops. The fishing dock at the County Park offers lots of action for kids fishing schools of small bluegill and yellow perch. To catch holdover trout, boaters troll spinners or spoons tipped with night crawler on a leader behind an attraction flasher. Anglers can also cast to rising trout when an insect hatch is on.

Facilities:

Tenmile Lake County (Coos) Park: boat ramp, accessible fishing dock, picnic area, accessible flush restrooms, campground, fish cleaning station, parking, entrance or other day use fee.

Other services available in Lakeside.

Getting there:

Located just east of Hwy 101 approximately 8 miles north of Coos Bay/North Bend.

Saunders Lake

Saunders Lake is an easily-accessed, pleasant place to take the family, have a picnic, and fish for trout and warmwater species.

What to fish for:

Stocked with rainbow trout from March through early June, and again in fall. Largemouth bass and bluegill also are available.

Fishing tips:

Standard lake-fishing techniques will work here. Target bluegill with a crappie jig tipped with a tiny piece of night crawler, under the smallest bobber you can find. To catch trout, boaters troll spinners or spoons tipped with night crawler on a leader behind an attraction flasher to catch trout. Anglers can cast to rising trout when an insect hatch is on.

Facilities:

Saunders Lake County Park: picnic area, boat launch or ramp, restrooms or toilet.

Getting there:

On the west side of Hwy 101, approximately five miles north of North Bend.

Empire Lakes

The Empire Lakes (lower and middle lakes), within the city limits of Coos Bay, offer great fishing without even leaving town. An extensive forested trail system around and between the lakes will help you forget you’re in the middle of the city.

What to fish for:

Rainbow trout are stocked regularly from March to early June. Bluegill and yellow perch also available.

Fishing tips:

In the late springtime, small bluegill and yellow perch can keep young anglers busy. Try fishing a tiny crappie jig tipped with a piece of night crawler, under the smallest bobber you can find. Good lakes for small, “cartop” boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoon boats -- electric motors only. Boaters troll spinners or spoons, or fly cast to rising trout.

Facilities:

John Topits City Park: restrooms or toilet, small boat launch (no motor boats allowed).

Getting there:

From Hwy 101 through North Bend and Coos Bay, take Newmark Ave. west 1.5 miles. The middle lake entrance to John Topits Park is a few blocks past the entrance for Southwestern Oregon Community College. Stay on Newmark Ave. another ¼ mile to the lower lake entrance.       

Butterfield Lakes

Located right next to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the best access to this small lake north of Coos Bay is through Coos County’s Riley Ranch Park.

What to fish for:

Stocked regularly with rainbow trout; largemouth bass also are available. Anglers at Butterfield Lake might also hook into a warmouth – an unusual fish that looks like crappie with a bass head. Anglers report the warmouth can be quite “scrappy” on the end of a fishing line.

Fishing tips:

Standard lake-fishing techniques for trout and bass can be effective. Good lake for canoes, kayaks and “cartop” boats that can be launched by hand. Restricted to electric motors only.

Facilities:

Riley Ranch Park: fishing pier or dock, campground, restrooms or toilet.

Getting there:

Located just west of Hwy 101 six miles north of Coos Bay/ North Bend.         

Coos Bay Boardwalk

A unique opportunity to bank fish for Chinook salmon in downtown Coos Bay. Students from Blossom Gulch Elementary School raise and release young Chinook smolts into Blossom Gulch that flows under the streets of Coos Bay. Adult salmon returning to the Gulch congregate at the tidegate where the piped stream flows into the bay.

What to fish for:

Fall Chinook salmon, late August through October. An occasional passing coho salmon, headed further up the bay.

Fishing tips:

Use large bobbers with bait (salmon roe clusters and/or sand shrimp) or cast large spinners to catch these fish. You’ll need a large dipnet to land them.

Facilities:

Downtown restaurants, shops, motels and grocery stores are nearby. The Coos Bay Area Visitor’s Center is across the street from the Boardwalk, and has public restrooms.

Getting there:

The Boardwalk is in downtown Coos Bay, at the foot of Anderson and Central Avenues, next to the northbound lane of Hwy 101.

Arizona Pond

Located approximately 15 miles north of Gold Beach at Arizona State Recreation Area, Arizona Pond is managed by Oregon State Parks and is open to anglers 17-years-old and younger.

What to fish for:

Stocked with rainbow trout in the spring and early summer. Open to fishing year-around, but the pond is lowered in the fall to help control aquatic vegetation.

Fishing tips:

Standard lake-fishing techniques will work here. The pond is small with good bank access. The most successful anglers move around trying several spots until they find the fish.

Facilities:

Arizona Beach State Recreation Area: accessible vault toilet, picnic area.

Getting there:

From Gold Beach, drive 15 miles north on Hwy 101 to Arizona State Park Recreation Area. From Port Orford, drive approximately 15 miles south on Hwy 101.           

Garrison Lake

This scenic lake located in the town of Port Orford offers good boat fishing with some bank fishing in the spring.

What to fish for:

Rainbow trout are stocked in the spring and fall with large carry over fish in early spring. Cutthroat trout and largemouth bass also are available.

Fishing tips: 

Standard lake-fishing techniques will work here. Best fishing is in the spring to early summer and fall/winter when aquatic vegetation is not as thick. Boat fishing is usually the best, but bank anglers can do pretty well in the spring before the aquatic vegetation gets bad. Good bank access at Tseriadum State Recreation Area.

Facilities:

12th Street Access: boat launch or ramp.   

Tseridaum State Recreation Area: restrooms or toilet, picnic area, parking, entrance or other day use fee.

Getting there:

In the town of Port Orford turn west on 12th St. and drive approximately 1 mile to the lake.

Header photo by Kathy Munsel