Southwest Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report
July 24, 2024
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Best bets for weekend fishing
- Even with the hot summer temperatures, anglers are still catching some nice fish Howard Prairie, Hyatt and Lost Creek.
- The upper Rogue is still producing Chinook with the summer steelhead fishery off to a good start.
- At Fish Lake, anglers continue to catch recently stocked trout and holdovers.
- Anglers continue to catch some large smallmouth bass in the mainstem Umpqua.
- On Diamond Lake, fishing for brown trout has been good (catch-and-release only) with some anglers catching fish in the 24-inch range.
- Anglers can catch rockfish around the jetties in the lower Coos Bay estuary.
- There are decent size largemouth bass cruising the edges of the weedlines in Lower Empire Lake.
- Anglers are still catching spring Chinook in the Rogue Bay.
- Late July/early August can be a good time to target sea-run cutthroats in the lower Sixes River.
Trout stocking
Stocked the week of July 29:
Rogue River above Lost Creek
Recently stocked:
Rogue River above Lost Creek
Check out the 2024 trout stocking schedule.
Trout stocking maps
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
Announcements
Don't spread the problem, clean your boats and gear
A summer continues, weeds are becoming a problem in many area waterbodies. After a day of fun on the water, be sure to clean your boat and gear of weeds and other debris. Some of these weeds may be unwelcome invasives, and harbor other destructive hitchhikers such as New Zealand mud snails and zebra mussels.
5 tips for fishing in hot water
With temperatures soaring to near 100 degrees this weekend, fish will start feeling the heat. Give them a break by following these warm weather fishing guidelines.
Fishing during blue-green algae (cyanobacterial) blooms
As temperatures heat up during spring and summer, be on the watch for harmful algae blooms when recreating in Oregon lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Before you go fishing, check water quality conditions at the Oregon Health Authority website.
Umpqua wild Chinook July 1 – Nov. 30
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained from July 1 – Nov. 30 in aggregate.
Sign up for the latest information on boater access
Marine Board's Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.
Updates by waterbody
AGATE LAKE: bass, carp, crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead
Agate Lake is 67 percent full and anglers fishing around the dam continue to catch bass and crappie. As the lake drops bank anglers will find opportunities for more fish as well. Anglers are encouraged to harvest any carp caught in the reservoir.
The Jackson County Park's day-use area closes after sunset and day use fees are charged. There is a 10-mph speed limit on this reservoir and electric motors only. Last updated 7/17/24.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, landlocked spring chinook, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, black crappie, bluegill,
Applegate's reservoir level is currently at 1,967 feet or 75 percent full. Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for flow and temperature information.
All boat ramps are open as well as Hart-Tish. Fishing has been good at Applegate throughout the lake with boat anglers trolling and still fishing picking up larger fish but there are plenty of options for bank anglers that will produce fish. Fishing near the dam in deep water and at the upper end of the lake where the tributaries enter are good bets. Powerbait, night crawlers and spinners are all good techniques.
One angler recently did well at Applegate using a night crawler without weight on the lake bottom and PowerBait with a 12-inch leader.
Bass fishing has also been productive for anglers fishing around submerged trees and boulders. Applegate has been stocked with 10,000 legal-sized trout numerous times this year and larger holdover trout are always available.
There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident species due to elevated levels of mercury. See Oregon Health Authority consumption guidelines or the 2022 sportfishing regulations for more information. Last updated 7/24/24.
APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam:
The Applegate River is open for trout fishing. This is mainly a catch-and-release fishery for cutthroat. Anglers will find them hanging out in the deep pools spread throughout the river but they're more numerous upstream of the town of Applegate where the water is colder. Only adipose fin clipped rainbow trout may be retained. All wild rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. Consult the fishing regulations for more information. Last updated 7/3/24.
ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout
Most of the pond is covered with aquatic vegetation. There are a few small pockets of open water that anglers can fish. The best fishing will be when the sun is off the water and trout are moving around. No additional trout will be stocked this season.
The pond is also an excellent spot to see wildlife like otters, beavers, and even elk. This is pond is managed by Oregon State Parks as a youth-only fishing pond. Last updated 6/12/24.
BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie
This should be a good time to fish Ben Irving. Bass should be getting active on warm days. The lake was stocked with legal rainbows the week of May 22. Last update 6/5/24.
CHETCO RIVER: cutthroat trout, Chinook
Lower flows and warmer water conditions in the mainstem of the Chetco have pretty much ended trout fishing on the mainstem Chetco. Anglers willing to explore some of the larger tributaries of the Chetco are finding some 12- to 14-inch cutthroat. Early morning is the best time to target these fish as the water temperatures are the coolest and the cutthroat are more active.
The regulations for the salmon in the Chetco River and mainstem until Sept. 1 are zone regulations. Starting Sept.1, the wild Chinook bag limit is reduced to 1 adult per day and 5 for the period. Anglers should always check for updated regulations prior to fishing. Last updated 7/24/24.
COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, coho and Chinook smolts
The reservoir was last stocked the week of May 22 with legal-size rainbows. Bass fishing should also be good. Water temperature was 75 degrees this last week, so early morning angling should be more successful. Boat anglers are having the most success. Last updated 7/10/24.
COOS RIVER BASIN: bottomfish, cutthroat trout, salmon
Anglers can catch rockfish around the jetties in the lower Coos Bay estuary. Best fishing is typically near slack tides with good fishing one day and fair fishing the next. A jig fished with a twister tail trailer is always a good option to catch bottomfish.
The 2024 daily general marine fish bag limit is 5 fish plus 2 lingcod with no retention of yelloweye or quillback rockfish. Anglers are allowed to harvest 1 cabezon per day as part of the general marine fish bag limit.
Salmon anglers are restricted to 2 wild Chinook per day and 10 for the season (July 1 – Dec. 31) in the Coos Basin. A few salmon anglers have been trolling in between the jetties with limited success.
Trout fishing opened in rivers and streams on May 22. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams above tidewater from May 22 – Aug. 31. With the recent hot weather river temperatures in the larger rivers/streams will be warm and the best fishing will be in the mornings when temperatures are cooler. Last updated 7/10/24.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: striped bass, smallmouth bass, cutthroat trout
Striped bass anglers are fishing the lower mainstem Coquille River but there are a few striped bass still above the town of Coquille.
Smallmouth bass are active in the mainstem Coquille River, South Fork Coquille and Middle Fork Coquille. Smallmouth bass can be found throughout the mainstem Coquille but are in higher abundance above Johnson Mill Pond. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass in the upper mainstem Coquille have been successful trolling spinners along the edges of deeper water or by casting and retrieving worms or small twister tail grubs.
There are lots of smallmouth bass in the South Fork Coquille in the deep pools. Most of the fish are under 8 inches long so anglers should use smaller hooks.
The use of spears/spear fishing to harvest smallmouth bass was recently approved and is allowed from June 1 – Oct. 31. Anglers may also use bait in the mainstem Coquille and tributaries from June 1 – Oct. 31.
Trout fishing opened in the rivers and streams on May 22. With the recent hot weather river temperatures in the larger rivers/streams will be warm and the best fishing will be in the mornings when temperatures are cooler. Last updated 7/17/24.
DIAMOND LAKE: trout
Anglers are doing well for rainbow trout. Most success has been on PowerBait.
Lure fishing for brown trout also has been good (catch-and-release only) with some anglers catching fish in the 24-inch range.
Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger and brown trout. Anglers targeting brown trout have been doing fantastic lately with high catch rates and some great brown trout being caught (and released). These fish are intended to assist in controlling illegally introduced tui chub. These trout are catch-and-release only and need to be released immediately and unharmed if caught. Last updated 7/3/24.
ELK RIVER: cutthroat trout
This is a good time of year to do a little exploring in the upper river. The upper river is mainly public property with ample access from the road that parallels the river. Fly-fishing and using spinners are both effective. Last updated 6/5/24.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout
Emigrant is 39 percent full and water is being released for irrigation season so the water level is steadily decreasing. The main boat ramp is usable. Fishing for bass and panfish is very good at Emigrant right now with good catches of bluegill, black crappie, and both smallmouth and largemouth bass. The water level has dropped below the water level at this point last year, but anglers may want fish near any willow patches that remain watered for best results.
Expect warmwater fishing to continue to be good now that summer is here.
In addition to warmwater fish, Emigrant has been stocked with 1,000 legal-size trout a few times late in the spring and fishing for these fish and holdover trout has been good. Anglers reported catching a lot of trout recently trolling and still fishing. Expect the trout to move into deeper water around the dam and in the arms with the extreme heat in the forecast.
There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident warmwater species in Emigrant for high levels of mercury. Consult the sportfishing regulations or the Oregon Health Authority for more information on consumption guidelines.
The most current elevations for Emigrant Reservoir and other Rogue Basin reservoirs can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation's website, here. Last updated 7/24/24.
EMPIRE LAKE: trout, bluegill, bass
Trout anglers in Upper Empire Lake will want to fish around the deepest part of the lake. Fishing will be best in the mornings when water temperatures are the coolest for the day.
There are decent size largemouth bass cruising the edges of the weedlines in Lower Empire Lake. Fishing topwater lures early in the morning or a Senko anytime of the day is a good way to catch bass. Last updated 7/10/24.
EXPO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie
Expo Pond is the pond at the Jackson County Fairgrounds located directly adjacent to the access road at Gate 5, at the Southern Oregon RV Park. Expo Pond has been stocked numerous times recently with catchable rainbow trout and anglers report good catches.
Expo and nearby ponds are producing good catches of bass and panfish. Expo also produced some good-looking rainbow trout for an angler in the last week despite the heat. Anglers looking for a quick trip for some summer trout might want to try casting a spinner like a small rooster tail, or a fly behind a bobber. Still fishing with bait (Powerbait, Pautzke eggs, or worms) is another option.
Please remember to park in the day-use parking area and walk into the RV park to access the pond. Do not park your vehicle within the RV park. A Jackson County parks day-use or season-long parking pass is required.
There are Chinese mystery snails in the most northern pond. They are highly invasive and were illegally dumped here. Please do not move these creatures and drain and dry any personal watercraft before using them in another waterbody. Last updated 7/17/24.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook
Fish Lake is 69 percent full and anglers continue to do well catching recently stocked trout and holdovers. Additionally, Fish Lake has been stocked with 5,000 legal-size trout numerous times during the spring/early summer so fishing should be good.
Any tiger trout caught should be immediately released unharmed. Anglers are encouraged to report their catch or any other fish stories to Rogue Fish District Staff 541-826-8774. Last updated 7/3/24.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
No direct reports from anglers. The reservoir was last stocked the week of May 22 with legal-size rainbows. Water levels are high. Bass fishing should be best around old trees and other cover located around the reservoir.
For trout anglers look for cooler temperature pockets in the water column where trout will be feeding.
In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon and steelhead are considered trout and are part of the five-per-day trout limit, with only one trout over 20 inches long allowed for harvest. Last updated 7/10/24.
HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS (Douglas County): trout
Both Lake in the Woods and Hemlock Lake are accessible now. Hemlock Lake was last stocked July 9 with legal rainbows. Fishing continues to be good for rainbow trout. Last updated 7/17/24.
HOWARD PRAIRIE: trout
Howard Prairie is 49 percent full. The boat ramp at the marina and the marina are now open. Klum boat ramp is also open as well as the improvised gravel boat ramp at the dam. As of last weekend, anglers continue to report catching 14- to 18-inch trout but a little less consistently now that summer has set in. Still fishing with PowerBait early in the morning worked well for one angler last week.
Techniques include using a green wedding ring spiked with a nightcrawler piece behind a small egg sinker still fishing and trolling. PowerBait, night crawlers and spinners have also been productive. Last updated 7/24/24.
HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass
Hyatt is currently 53 percent full. Fishing has been good so far this season at Hyatt and trout continue to bite even with the heat. Powerbait, night crawlers and spinners have all been productive for trout. Boat anglers have had success in the deeper water and bank anglers continue to do well fishing near the dam. Trolling with red or green wedding rings spiked with Power Worms was productive, but the use of a dodger helped.
Anglers are catching largemouth bass, so bass did survive the worst conditions of the current drought cycle a couple of years ago. Most of the bass are small. It will take time for older age classes to dominate the bass fishery again.
Please note that a line of weeds is present between the concrete ramp and the main channel of the lake. Weeds at the surface are generally creating problems for trollers.
Please handle fish carefully. ODFW has received reports of anglers at Hyatt wasting smaller trout due to poor handling at release. This is even more important during hot weather. Remember that smaller trout now are the big holdover trout next year.
Wildcat Campground boat ramp is open for sure, and BLM is allowing weekend access to one concrete boat ramp at the main campground. Last updated 7/17/24.
ILLINOIS RIVER:
The Illinois River reopened May 22 for trout fishing. Only adipose fin clipped rainbow trout may be retained. All wild rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. Consult the fishing regulations for more information and locations open to fishing as the East Fork and West Fork Illinois are CLOSED to angling. Last updated 5/22/24.
LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout, yellow perch
Lake Marie was stocked with rainbow trout the week of May 14. Most success should be for warmwater species now. No recent reports from anglers. Last updated 7/3/24.
LAKE SELMAC (Selmac Lake): trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
Selmac was stocked a while ago with 5,000 legal-size rainbow trout but with the warmer weather trout fishing is likely difficult. Largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie fishing are the best bet right now as these fish are more active with the warm weather.
Lake Selmac has its share of non-native aquatic hitchhikers. Boat anglers are asked to do their part to remove as much vegetation as possible before leaving the ramp, as well as drain and dry their vessel before boating in another waterbody.
Please help stop the spread of Oregon's aquatic hitchhikers! Last updated 7/17/24.
LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Kokanee in Lemolo are considered trout and therefore fall under the daily limit for trout of five per day with only one of those measuring over 20-inches. The reservoir will be stocked this week with legal rainbow trout. Contact Lemolo Lake Resort at 541-643-0750 for weather/road conditions and additional information. Last updated 7/17/24.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, landlocked spring chinook, bass
Lost Creek's current elevation is about 1,841 feet or 69 percent full and dropping. The Takelma and Stewart boat ramps are available for access by trailered boats.
Trollers have had good success at Lost Creek on holdover and stocked trout using a variety of gear: Apex lures, Brad's cut plug lures with scent, red hoochies, and wedding rings. Trout have been caught at the surface and down to about 50 feet with a downrigger. The lures are often fish behind dodgers, and can be spiked with corn, worms or power worms. Bank fishing on both sides of the dam can be very effective using PowerBait. Stocked spring Chinook are also available but they will be deep and mostly found around Peyton Bridge.
Anglers can get the latest reservoir details by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434. Last updated 7/24/24.
PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, surfperch, salmon
Fishing for bottom fish is open to all-depths year-round. The 2024 daily general marine fish bag limit is 5 fish with no retention of quillback or yelloweye rockfish. As of July 1, anglers are allowed to harvest 1 cabezon per day as part of the general marine fish bag limit. Anglers are reporting good catches of rockfish and lingcod near Charleston and Bandon when the ocean swells are small.
Anglers may choose to fish the offshore longleader fishery outside of the 40-fathom regulatory line, which is open year-round. The longleader fishery daily bag limit is 12 fish made of only yellowtail, widow, canary, blue, deacon, redstripe, greenstripe, silvergray, chillipepper, and bocaccio rockfishes. No other rockfish or lingcod are allowed on an offshore longleader fishing trip. Find information about longleader setup and rules here.
Ocean salmon fishing is open from Cape Falcon to OR/CA Border for Chinook salmon and the mark-selective coho season which started on June 15. Ocean salmon anglers are catching a few hatchery coho near Charleston and Winchester Bay. There is still approximately 90 percent of the of the quota remaining for the mark-selective coho season as of July 14.
The Central Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt) Spring All-Depth Halibut season is open seven days a week with 29 percent of the quota remaining as of July 7. The Southern Oregon Subarea (Humbug Mt to OR/CA border) Halibut season is open seven days a week with 83 percent of the quota remaining as of July 7. Anglers may harvest 2 Pacific halibut a day in the Central Coast Subarea and Southern Oregon Subarea.
Surfperch anglers are still finding redtail surfperch along the ocean beaches like Horsfall Beach, Bullards Beach and near Cape Blanco. Surfperch anglers are also catching striped surfperch along rocky shorelines. Anglers have been catching surfperch when the ocean swells are calmer, using sand shrimp, mole crabs or artificial sand worms. Ready to try surfperch fishing? Here are some tips to get you started. Last updated 7/17/24.
2024 sport bottomfish seasons
PLAT I RESERVOIR: trout, bass
No recent reports from anglers. It was stocked in April with over 600 trout. Most success should be for warmwater species now. Last updated 7/3/24.
REINHART PARK POND: trout, bass
No recent reports but trout fishing typically tapers off with the warmer weather. Last updated 6/26/24.
ROGUE RIVER
Rogue River, lower: steelhead, Chinook
Although summer steelhead are moving upriver this time of year, warmer water conditions make for some tough fishing. Anglers interested in summer steelhead fishing this time of year should fish early morning when water temperatures are the coolest for best success.
ODFW annually monitors the run of Chinook, steelhead, and coho at Huntley Park (approximate 8 miles upstream from the mouth) on the Rogue River. To learn more about the project, people can visit the ODFW website to receive this years' two-week updates and to see the historical catch.
Anglers targeting Chinook in the Rogue Bay are finding mixed success. The weather this year has kept anglers guessing on what the conditions are going to be in the Bay. Some days it may be flat, while other days cold, windy, and foggy. The best advice to anglers planning on trolling the bay is to check the weather and plan for the worst. Most anglers are trolling flashers and anchovies, but anglers trolling straight anchovies or putting a spinner blade in front of the anchovy are catching fish. Most of the angling pressure is from Hwy 101 downstream to the mouth.
Anglers fishing the Rogue Bay should always check regulations before heading out. This year the ocean is open to salmon fishing through Aug. 31. The regulations on gear type and legal salmon that can be kept is different in the ocean than the river. The two big differences and reasons anglers will get a game violation while fishing in the ocean are 1) fishing with more than two single point hooks in the ocean, barbed hooks in the ocean, and 2) having Chinook salmon under 24 inches in the boat while fishing in the ocean.
Anglers fishing with a guide should also understand and know the regulations. The licensed angler will be issued the violation, not the guide. A couple of the most common violations are failure to tag your fish prior to putting your fishing gear out again and continuing to fish after keeping your adult salmon bag limit.
Anglers that see a game violation can report the violation to *OSP (*677) on a mobile device or call 1-800-452-7888. Anglers can also file complaints or potential violations concerning guides to the Oregon State Marine Board. Last updated 7/17/24.
Rogue River, middle: steelhead, trout, Chinook
Flow in Grants Pass is about 1,600 cfs with a water temperature of around 66F.
Summer steelhead and trout are the best bets in this section of the Rogue right now as most spring Chinook are upriver and not many more are expected to come out of the canyon. A few more summer steelhead have been reported so fly-fishing or a Blue Fox spinner might catch one of those.
Anglers are reminded that trout fishing opened back up May 22. Only adipose fin clipped rainbow trout may be retained. All wild rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. Consult the fishing regulations for more information.
Current flow, temp and turbidity conditions for the Rogue can be found at the USGS stream gauges here, or checking the City of Grants Pass water page's river data here. Last updated 7/24/24.
Rogue River, upper: steelhead, trout, Chinook
A very strong season total of 8,900 hatchery spring Chinook have made it into the hatchery as of last week and more have shown up since then so now is a good time to try for a spring Chinook as the season will be ending in a week.
Spring Chinook fishing has been good for both boat and bank fishing over the last couple of weeks. Also, as of a few weeks ago 4,000 adult hatchery spring Chinook have been recycled back into the fishery at the Gold Hill boat ramp to provide anglers another opportunity to catch a spring Chinook in the upper Rogue. Additionally, more reports of summer steelhead being caught are coming in so that fishery is beginning.
The release from Lost Creek is 1,600 CFS and the river temperature is 54F.
Anglers can call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for an update on hatchery counts as well as flow and temperature information.
Make sure to check the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for each section of river before you head out.
For up-to-date river levels, check all the USGS Rogue gauges here. Last updated 7/24/24.
Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout
The Rogue above Lost Creek is open for fishing and with flows dropping fishing has been good. Stocking has taken place and will continue weekly but access to Minnehaha was blocked by downed trees so that site hasn't been stocked yet this year. Check with the Forest Service regarding open campgrounds.
The Rogue and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir remain open year-round, with a daily retention limit of 5 trout (no limit on brook trout). Last updated 6/12/24.
SIXES RIVER: cutthroat trout
July and early August is a good time to look for sea-run cutthroat in the lower river. The estuary can become bar bound in late summer due to lower flows and strong north winds, which turns the estuary into a large lake. It can be very windy this time of year, so anglers should check the weather before heading out. Mornings are usually the best. Spinners or fly-fishing are good ways to target these fish. Bait is not allowed upstream of tidewater. Good public access can be had at Cape Blanco State Park Last updated 7/24/24.
SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: steelhead, trout, bass
Striped bass fishing should be good in the tidewater areas.
Fall Chinook fishing on the lower Smith River usually picks up in September.
No recent reports from the Smith. The river upstream of Spencer Creek is open for catch-and-release trout angling with artificial flies and lures only. Closed for Steelhead above Spencer Cr. The mainstem above Sisters Cr.is open for trout 2 per day, 8-inch minimum length. Last updated 7/10/24.
TENMILE LAKES/TENMILE CREEK: steelhead, trout, bass
The water temperature in Tenmile Lakes was in the mid to upper 70s this past weekend. There are lots of small largemouth bass hanging around the shallow water with an occasional bigger fish. Many of the larger fish have moved to the deeper water along points, drop offs, and weedlines.
Topwater lures are catching bass in the early mornings, late evening and in shaded areas during mid-day. Deep diving crankbaits, drop shots, jigs, and wacky rigged Senkos are also producing bass throughout the day.
Trout fishing in rivers and streams will opened on May 22. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams above tidewater from May 22 – Aug. 31. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Anglers are catching trout while fishing for other species. With the warm water temperatures, trout fishing will be best in the mornings. Last updated 7/17/24.
UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
No recent angler reports. Anglers are encouraged to report their fishing trips to help guide future stocking rates.
Stocking these lakes will be a volunteer backpacking and horsepacking activity tentatively scheduled for mid-July. Stocking has been completed for this year with rainbow fry. Prospective volunteers should contact Levi.m.simmons@odfw.oregon.gov for more information. Last updated 7/17/24.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Steelhead, Chinook, surfperch, bass, shad
Anglers are catching pink fin perch in the bay.
Some anglers are reportedly getting some large smallmouth. Early warm days are a great chance to catch some great bass. There is no bag limit on bass caught in the Umpqua. There are a few reports of some striped bass being caught in the lower sections.
Open for catch-and-release only for trout.
The river remains open for hatchery Chinook and one adult wild chinook a day and five adult wild Chinook for the year from July 1 – Nov. 30. Last updated 7/3/24.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, Chinook
A few summer steelhead are crossing Winchester Dam but very few hatchery steelhead can be found on the North Umpqua. Fishing for all Chinook on the North is closed.
There is NO HARVEST OF WILD ADULT OR JACK SPRING CHINOOK in the Umpqua this year. There is a telemetry project on spring Chinook this year and any Chinook caught with a radio tag in it must be released. This will include a few hatchery fish. Last updated 6/26/24. 7/3/24
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead, bass, trout
The South opened May 22 for trout and bass fishing. Trout fishing is catch-and-release only. Anglers can catch lots of smallmouth bass in sections with some cover for them to hide. Last updated 6/5/24.
WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead, yellow perch
Willow Lake offers fishing for trout and a variety of warmwater species in a beautiful setting. Willow is now 90 percent full offering plenty of open water to fish and fishing for trout and warmwater fish has been good for boat and bank anglers recently. Willow Lake has been stocked numerous times this spring and these fish are providing a good opportunity for anglers.
For more information on camping and day use please visit the Jackson County Parks website or call 541-774-8183.
Anglers catching illegally introduced yellow perch are always encouraged to take as many of these as they want. This illegal introduction has only resulted in stunted perch and negative impacts to the bass and trout fishery in this lake and numerous others around the Southwest District. Last updated 7/17/24.
Regulation Updates
Regulation updates as of July 8, 2024.
The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.
Chinook jack limits remain as specified in 2024 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.
Chetco River
September 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish.
- No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
Coos River and Bay, South Fork Coos River, and Millicoma River (Mainstem)
July 1 – December 31: In areas open by permanent rule, no more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Coquille River (Mainstem), East Fork Coquille River, Middle Fork Coquille River, North Fork Coquille River, and South Fork Coquille River from the mouth upstream to the USFS boundary near Powers
June 1 - October 31: Spears and spear guns may be used to harvest smallmouth bass. Use of bait is allowed.
Elk River
July 1 – December 31: Closed to angling for and retention of all wild Chinook salmon.
Floras Creek and New River
August 1 - December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, no more than one adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Hunter Creek
October 1 - December 31: Closed to all angling.
North Umpqua River
February 1 - June 30: Retention of wild Chinook salmon (adult and jack) is prohibited.
Pistol River
September 1 – December 31:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish.
- No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
Rogue River
In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules, the Southwest Zone bag limits apply.
Sixes River
July 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish.
- No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
October 1 – December 31:
- Closed to all angling from the Hughes House Boat Ramp upstream to the mouth of Crystal Creek until the low water closure is lifted.
- Closed to all angling from Edson Creek upstream to the South Fork Sixes River.
Umpqua River (Mainstem), Smith River (Mainstem, Douglas Co.), and North Fork Smith River (Douglas Co.)
February 1 - June 30: In the Mainstem Umpqua River: Retention of wild Chinook salmon (adult and jack) is prohibited.
July 1 - November 30: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.
- No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.
Winchuck River
September 1 – December 31: In areas open for Chinook salmon angling by permanent rules:
- Daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish.
- No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
For more information, contact you local ODFW office:
- Central Point, Rogue Watershed District (541) 826-8774
- Charleston Field Office (541) 888-5515
- Roseburg Umpqua Watershed District Office (541) 440-3353
- Gold Beach Field Office (541) 247-7605