Recreation Report
Southwest Zone
Recreation Report
Sept. 27, 2023
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Best bets for weekend fishing
- The recent rain has Chinook salmon spread throughout the Coos Bay tidewater. Chinook can be found from the jetties at Charleston to the South Fork Coos and Millicoma rivers. Coho salmon are also spread out a little more from Charleston to Marshfield Channel.
- With recent rain and cooler temperatures, look for trout fishing to pick up in several popular locations like Diamond Lake, Ben Irving Reservoir and Lake Marie.
- Late season trout fishing in the Umpqua hike-in lakes should be good until snow limits access.
- Salmon anglers should consider Chinook and coho fishing in the lower and middle Rogue.
Recently stocked
Scheduled to be stocked this week:
No stocking scheduled for this week
Recently stocked:
Fish Lake
Trout stocking maps
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
Announcements
E-tagging tips for anglers
It's important for anglers to tag their salmon and steelhead immediately, which means you'll need to know how to navigate the MyODFW app outside of cell phone range. Here are some tips for e-tagging in the field.
Pitch in to keep water banks clean
We wish it didn't have to be this way. But as more anglers hit the water, more trash piles up on shore. We know it's not your job to pick up discarded beer cans, Slurpee cups, fishing line, hamburger wrappers and other trash that isn't yours. But if everyone pitched in and picked up what they saw, wouldn't it be a nicer place to fish?
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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 Reservoir is 13 percent full. For up-to-date reservoir levels click here. The boat ramp remains usable for small boats. There is also plenty of bank fishing access.
Anglers are encouraged to target and harvest carp—fishing with corn has yielded success recently.
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 9/20/23.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, landlocked spring chinook, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, black crappie, bluegill,
Applegate reservoir level is currently at 1,922 feet, and the surface temperature has dropped to 69oF. Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for flow and temperature information. The Copper and Hart-tish Park boat ramps are available.
Fishing for warmwater fish should be the focus for Applegate anglers. Fishing for bass remains fair, especially for smallmouth bass. Trout anglers will want to fish early morning and in deeper water but should be cautious with catch-and-release fishing as reservoir surface temperatures rise during the course of the day during stretches of hot weather.
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 9/20/23.
APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam: trout
The release from the dam is averaging 299 cfs, and the temperature at release is 59F. The Applegate offers trout fishing in summer, primarily a catch-and-release fishery for wild rainbow and cutthroat trout. Only hatchery rainbow trout may be harvested. Last Updated 9/20/23.
ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout
The pond has not been stocked since early summer. Anglers may want to hold off until later in the fall or winter when rains and cooler temperatures improve fishing conditions. Last update 9/13/23.
BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie
No recent reports, but trout fishing should be picking up with the cooler rains over the last week. Morning will still be the best for trout, but we should see fish biting later into the day. Bass and crappie should be good for now but try targeting them during the warmest part of the day. Last updated 9/27/23.
CHETCO RIVER: Chinook
The number of boats fishing the estuary for fall Chinook has picked up. Although this is just the beginning of the fall Chinook return, anglers are picking up a few fish. Most of the fishing pressure is near the mouth of the river.
Anglers are reminded that the ocean is closed to salmon and trolling from the estuary into the ocean is against the regulations. In addition, anglers that hook salmon in the estuary and end up in the ocean will also have to release the salmon. Anglers that see a fish or wildlife violation can report it to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line: 800-452-7888 or call *OSP (*677). Last updated 9/13/23.
COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, coho and Chinook smolts
Trout fishing is doing better at Cooper Creek this week. Landlocked coho and Chinook are considered trout. No reports of bass fishing, but it should still be ok for a couple of weeks. Last updated 9/27/23.
COOS RIVER BASIN: bottomfish, salmon, cutthroat trout
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 2023 daily general marine fish bag limit is 5 fish plus 2 lingcod with no retention of quillback rockfish. Anglers can harvest 1 cabezon per day as part of you 5 fish daily bag limit.
The recent rain has Chinook salmon spread throughout the Coos Bay tidewater. Chinook can be found from the jetties at Charleston to the South Fork Coos and Millicoma rivers. Coho salmon are also spread out a little more from Charleston to Marshfield Channel. Anglers are trolling cut plug herring or spinners behind a flasher to catch Chinook and coho salmon.
The daily salmon bag limit in Coos Basin is 2 salmon per day. From July 1 – Dec 31, wild Chinook salmon harvest in Coos estuary is restricted to 2 wild adult Chinook salmon per day and 10 for the season. The wild coho season in Coos Basin is from Sept. 15 – Oct. 10. Anglers will be allowed 1 wild coho adult per day and 3 for the season.
Trout fishing in streams and rivers are open through Oct. 31 and anglers can now use bait. River levels are very low for this time of the year, with warm water temperatures. But water temperatures should start to drop as we get longer, cooler nights. Last updated 9/27/23.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: coho salmon, striped bass, smallmouth bass, cutthroat trout
Coho salmon has been spotty on the lower Coquille River. The recent rain should help to bring in new coho to the lower river. Most salmon anglers have been fishing just upstream of the Highway 101 bridge to upstream of the Rocky Point boat ramp. Chinook salmon fishing is closed in the Coquille Basin this year.
The wild coho season is open from Sept. 15 – Oct. 10 from the Hwy 101 bridge upstream to Sturdivant Park and anglers are allowed to harvest 1 wild coho adult per day and 3 for the season.
The Port of Bandon boat ramp in old town Bandon is closed for repairs starting Sept. 18.
Striped bass are still being caught by anglers fishing around Riverton and Rocky Point in the lower river. Striped bass fishing is typically better after dark, but some fish can be caught during daylight hours.
Anglers are still reporting good smallmouth bass fishing in the South Fork Coquille. Most of the fish are small so anglers will want to use smaller hooks or lures.
A temporary regulation allowing anglers in Coquille River system to use spears and spear guns to harvest smallmouth bass continues through Oct. 31. Traditional rod and reel anglers can also use bait throughout the river system. This unique fishing opportunity is one of many efforts to reduce the impact of illegally introduced bass on Chinook populations.
Trout fishing in streams and rivers is open through Oct. 31.
Anglers can use bait but are also having success catching trout on small spinners or flies. Last updated 9/27/23.
DIAMOND LAKE: trout
No recent reports from Diamond Lake, but the trout fishing should really be picking up right now with the colder weather. Rainbow trout will be good to target throughout the day rather than just the morning, but morning should still be best for another few weeks.
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. Fly-fishing with leech patterns have been doing well. 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 9/27/23.
ELK RIVER: Chinook
Anglers will want to check the Anvil Fire daily updates and road closure information before fishing the river. Anglers can still access the mouth, but there is no access upstream of Hwy 101. Last updated 9/20/23.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout
Emigrant is 13 percent full, however the main boat ramp at the county park remains usable.
Fishing is fair for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. As reservoir levels drop, bass and other warmwater fish should are less likely to be active near shore and are more likely to be caught near the dam.
Legal rainbow trout were stocked in spring. Trout may become more active in the fall as temperatures cool.
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 9/20/23.
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.
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.
Fishing for bass and panfish is good. Trout are still occasionally being caught and are likely to become more active as cooler weather prevails.
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 9/20/23.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook
Fish Lake is 33 percent full. Both the resort and USFS boat ramps are open, but as the reservoir level continues to drop, the USFS ramp users should exercise extreme caution. The large pothole in the ramp is now a problem for launching, and stumps are getting closer to the water surface.
Current water temperature at Fish Lake is 51 degrees, and trout fishing has been very good. Anglers have had success trolling spinners but have also done well fishing with PowerBait, eggs, and worms.
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 9/20/23.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
Fishing should be great at Galesville and many anglers have been doing well targeting rainbow trout. Bait fishing should be great this week.
In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon are considered trout and are part of the five-per-day trout limit, with only one trout over 20 inches long allowed for harvest. If you catch any fish in Galesville with a hole punch in the operculum (plate over the gills), please e-mail Levi.m.simmons@odfw.oregon.gov. Last updated 9/27/23.
HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS (Douglas County): trout
There have been no recent reports, but trout fishing at Lake in the Woods and Hemlock should be good at this time. Last updated 9/13/23.
HOWARD PRAIRIE: trout
Howard Prairie is at 34 percent full. The resort ramp is now closed, as are the boat ramps at Willow Point and Klum Landing. Jackson County Parks has decided not to open the rock road near the marina. The gravel road at the dam may be too muddy for launching. So trailered boat access may not be available this fall at Howard Prairie.
If anglers are able to launch from shore with small boats or inflatables, they may be rewarded with good trout fishing as temperatures continue to cool. Last updated 9/20/23.
HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass
Hyatt is currently 40 percent full and should provide good trout fishing opportunities.
Access to the boat ramp within the picnic area is currently closed due to ongoing construction, however anglers can launch small watercraft from the north end of the Wildcat campground.
According to the BLM, the Wildcat campground will be open Friday to Sunday through September, however campers need to vacate the area by 11 a.m. Monday morning.
Anglers can also fish from shore or from small boats and inflatables that can be launched from shore. Bass anglers are encouraged to report catches to ODFW. Last updated 9/20/23.
ILLINOIS RIVER: trout
The Illinois provides primarily a catch-and-release fishery on wild rainbow and cutthroat trout. Only hatchery trout may be harvested, Artificial flies and lures only. Last updated 8/2/23.
LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout, yellow perch
Trout fishing should be good now as waters cool off and trout look closer to shore for food. No recent reports. Anglers are encouraged to share trip reports at Lake Marie. Last updated 9/27/23.
LAKE SELMAC (Selmac Lake): trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
Largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie fishing should be good. Many panfish can be caught close to shore at Selmac. Long casts are not necessarily needed.
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 8/9/23.
LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
There have been no recent reports from Lemolo, but trout fishing should be great. Try PowerBait for rainbows looking to pack on a little weight before winter and lures or flies for brown trout.
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. Contact Lemolo Lake Resort at 541-643-0750 for weather/road conditions and additional information. Last updated 9/27/23.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, landlocked spring chinook, bass
Lost Creek current elevation is 1,810 feet and the current surface water temperature has cooled to 69 degrees. Both boat ramps are available.
Trout anglers will want to fish deeper as the surface temperature remains relatively high, or fish the upper reaches of the reservoir above Highway 62. Trolling wedding rings spiked with nightcrawler behind an oval egg sinker is almost always productive, other lures or small spoons should be tried while trolling.
Fishing with PowerBait and wind drifting with nightcrawlers are both effective. Trout anglers are reminded to be cautious with catch-and-release fishing during stretches of hot weather.
Smallmouth bass fishing is good.
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 9/20/23.
MEDCO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie
Fishing for bass and panfish should be good, and stocked rainbow trout are available. Bluegill and other warmwater fishing from shore should be excellent and can be very fun for young anglers.
A small chironomid fly fished under a very small bobber can be very good for the bluegill and offers the added benefit of not having to bait hooks constantly. Add a few small split shot to help with casting if using a spinning rod.
Medco Pond is a private pond and access can be revoked at any time. Bank anglers should stay away from the east portion of the lake, again due to private property, and stay on the roadside of the gate with any vehicles (even if gate is open). To help keep access open, anglers should make sure to pick up their trash, as well as other trash when they are there.
The owners of Medco have restricted vehicle access to along the roadway because of vandals and dumpers. The small boat ramp at the south end of the lake is currently gated, and a sign has been posted that the pond is closed to all boats, including personal watercraft. If you see someone doing something that may risk access for everyone, please let ODFW know. Last updated 8/2/23.
PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, surfperch, salmon
Fishing for bottom fish is open to all-depths year-round. The 2023 daily general marine fish bag limit is 5 fish with no retention of quillback or yelloweye rockfish. Anglers may keep 1 cabezon per day as part of their daily 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 has been reduced to 10 fish made of yellowtail, widow, canary, blue, deacon, redstripe, greenstripe, silvergray, chillipepper, and bocaccio rockfish. No other rockfish or lingcod are allowed on an offshore longleader fishing trip. Find information about a longleader setup and rules here.
The ocean coho salmon fishing season from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. closes on Sept 30. is open for all salmon with the non-selective coho season which is open from Sept. 21 to 30 or until the quota is filled. Ocean chinook salmon harvest is still allowed through Oct 31 for 1 chinook per day from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. Be sure to know how to ID coho and Chinook. Starting Oct 1 salmon angling is only open shoreward of the 40 fathom management line. See the season details here (dates, places and other regulations).
Pacific halibut seasons from Cape Falcon to the OR/CA border close after Sept 30. Find season details here (dates, places and other regulations).
Surfperch anglers are still catching a few 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 9/27/23.
2023 sport bottomfish seasons
PLAT I RESERVOIR: trout
No recent reports for Plat I. Last updated 8/30/23.
ROGUE RIVER
Rogue River, lower: steelhead, Chinook, coho
Chinook fishing continues to be good in the estuary. Anglers are also starting to pick up a few coho. Boat anglers should identify their catch prior to netting it. Wild coho must be released and are easily identified while in the water. Most of the fishing pressure is near the mouth of river with only a handful of boats fishing upstream of Hwy 101.
Wild coho must be released. The best way to release a wild coho is to not net it. Pull the fish alongside the boat and either use pliers to pop the hook out or cut the line just above the hook. If an angler needs to net a wild coho, the net should be rubber coated or similar soft netting that is knotless. Netted coho usually loose scales. Last updated 9/20/23.
Anglers are reminded that the ocean is closed to salmon and trolling from the estuary into the ocean is against the regulations. In addition, anglers that hook salmon in the estuary and end up in the ocean will also have to release the salmon. Anglers that see a fish or wildlife violation can report it to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line: 800-452-7888 or call *OSP (*677).
Rogue River, middle: steelhead, Chinook, trout
Current flow has dropped to 858 cfs, and the average river temperature is currently ranging from 57-63 F, with cooler temperatures prevailing in the early morning hours.
Some anglers have reported catching Chinook between Hog Creek and the town of Rogue River, although overall catch rates have been low. Chinook fishing should continue to improve with the upcoming cooler weather. Rain is forecasted for early next week and may improve conditions before Chinook fishing closes above Hog Creek on Sept. 30.
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 9/20/23.
Rogue River, upper: steelhead, trout
The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is 1,057 cfs and temperature is 52F. River temperatures in the upper Rogue will stay fairly consistent, so this is a good area for catch-and-release fishing.
The focus on the upper Rogue continues to be summer steelhead and trout fishing. Summer steelhead are still moving into the upper river, and anglers report good success on trout. Last week 68 new summer steelhead entered the hatchery collection pond, bringing the total for the hatchery run to date to 2,214 fish.
Please note the annual regulation change effective Sept. 1:
- From the Fishers Ferry boat launch upstream to the Cole Rivers Hatchery Dam—gear is restricted to artificial flies only, with no added weights or attachments except a bubble or similar floating device attached to the line.
- This area is also closed for Chinook salmon beginning Sept. 1, but remains open for hatchery steelhead retention, and wild steelhead catch-and-release angling. Please see the regulations for additional information.
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 9/20/23.
Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout
Trout stocking will resume the first week of October, when 5,000 legal-size and 2,300 trophy-size trout will be stocked. A variety of techniques will catch fish: casting flies below a bobber or small spinners; drifting worms, or fishing with bait.
This is a great area for later summer and early fall fishing. Consider fishing upstream or downstream of known stocking sites to find fish away from crowds.
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 9/13/23.
SIXES RIVER: Chinook
Anglers will want to check for road and access closures upstream of Hwy 101 due to the Anvil Fire. Anglers can still access the mouth of the river. Last updated 9/2/23.
SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: Chinook, bass
The Smith is open for Chinook fishing up the head of tide at Spencer Cr. The recent rain will be getting the fish moving, but no recent reports to say how far they are up. Chinook are very likely to be moving up the lower reaches of the Smith River this week.
Anglers are reminded that only 1 wild Chinook and 5 per season can be kept in aggregate between the Umpqua, Smith and North Fork Smith. Last updated 9/27/23.
TENMILE LAKES/TENMILE CREEK: trout, bass
The lake surface water temperature is in the mid-70s but will start to drop as we get longer and cooler nights. As the aquatic vegetation starts to die off, largemouth bass will transition to wood cover or submerged rock.
Bass are hitting topwater lures in the mornings and late evenings. Jigs, crankbaits, drop shots or other finesse techniques are working throughout the day.
Trout fishing in rivers and streams is open through Oct. 31 and is open to the use of bait. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Last updated 9/6/23.
UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
There have been no recent reports on these lakes, but these lakes should be a great place to catch some trout while getting a late-season trip outdoors. Check weather and road conditions for the area before heading out since there is a possibility of snowy conditions coming up.
Most of these lakes have been stocked with the past couple of years, and anglers are encouraged to report their fishing trips to help guide future stocking rates. Last updated 9/27/23.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Chinook, steelhead, surfperch, bass
Chinook fishing has picked up in the lower river and anglers are catching some great looking fish. Fish will be moving over the next week, and anglers should have a good chance to get a Chinook. There have been no reports to indicate how far up they are, but some anglers have been spotted trying their luck above tidewater.
Remember, only 1 wild Chinook and 5 per season can be kept in aggregate between the Umpqua, Smith and North Fork Smith.
There is NO HARVEST OF WILD COHO in the mainstem Umpqua this year. Anglers have been catching and releasing many wild coho.
Until Sept. 30, 2023, fishing at the mouth of all Umpqua River tributaries is prohibited from Scottsburg Bridge upstream to River Forks boat ramp. Angling is prohibited within 200 feet from all portions of a tributary's mouth and the tributaries themselves from the mouth to 200 feet upstream. Last updated 9/27/23.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: CLOSED
All fishing on the North Umpqua River and its tributaries is closed July 31 through Nov. 30, 2023. Low numbers of returning wild summer steelhead prompted state fishery managers to enact the angling closure from the mouth to the marker below Soda Springs Dam. Last updated 8/2/23.
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: CLOSED after Sept. 15
The South Umpqua closes to fishing annually from Sept. 15 to Nov. 30.
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 56 percent full.
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. Anglers are reminded that using live fish as bait is prohibited. If you see someone transporting live fish from or into a waterbody, please get a photo and/or call OSP with this information. Last updated 9/13/23.