Southwest Zone

Oct. 2, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Announcements

E-taggers: Update your app

ODFW's Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and the MyODFW companion app got a major update on Monday, Sept. 30. Be sure to visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone and update your MyODFW app to version 4.0.

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 17 percent full, and the boat ramp remains usable. Numerous large carp have been caught recently at Agate, with corn being the most common bait. Warmwater fishing has slowed a little with the cooler nights, but fish are still biting if you can find them around structures.

Carp are an introduced fish that can harm water quality/clarity and productivity of waterbodies, so anglers are encouraged to harvest and remove any carp caught in the reservoir. Last updated 10/2/24.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, landlocked spring chinook, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, black crappie, bluegill,

Applegate's reservoir level is currently at 1908 feet or 24 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. The Copper boat ramp remains usable, and the Forest Service website is saying Hart-tish campground/boat ramp is still open.

Fishing should be good for bass and panfish and decent for trout. Trout anglers may want to try trolling at deeper levels with lures or bait fished behind dodgers/flashers and weights. Plunking with PowerBait or worms should also be effective. As the reservoir lowers bank anglers will be able to access fish more easily and spinners or bait should be effective.

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 10/2/24.

APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam:

The Applegate River is open for trout fishing but NOT salmon and this is the time of year fall Chinook are numerous in the Applegate 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 10/2/24.

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie

No recent reports from anglers. But with cooler weather anglers should be able to catch a few rainbow trout holdovers. Bass fishing will continue to be good in areas with some cover. It should be good before winter weather arrives. Last update 10/2/24.

CHETCO RIVER: Chinook

Good numbers of salmon are moving into and out of the estuary on each tide. Boat anglers have been doing well trolling anchovies and flashers from the mouth up to the harbor entrance. The tide is key to catching these fish as the estuary is small and the salmon will move back into the ocean when the tide is low. The wild Chinook bag limit is 1 adult per day and 5 for the period of Sept. 1 to Dec. 31. Anglers should always check for updated regulations prior to fishing.

Anglers are reminded that there is a bobber rule in effect from Sept. 1 – Nov. 3 from River Mile 2.2 to Nook Creek. Several anglers have been out fishing without bobbers and/or fishing licenses so always double check regulations and make sure to have your current fishing license and tag on you.

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 10/2/24.

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, and coho smolts

With cooling weather trout fishing should improve for holdover trout. Boat anglers are having the most success. Warm water fish species activity should be good before winter weather arrives. Last updated 10/2/24.

COOS RIVER BASIN: bottomfish, cutthroat trout, salmon, surfperch

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 adult Chinook per day and 10 for the season (July 1 – Dec. 31) in the Coos Basin. The wild coho season is open in the Coos Basin through Oct. 10. Salmon anglers are allowed 1 wild adult coho per day and 3 for the season (no more than 5 wild adult coho may be harvested per year in the Northwest and Southwest Zones with open wild coho salmon fisheries).

Salmon anglers are catching coho from Charleston up to Marshfield Channel. Chinook fishing has been slow with most of the harvest occurring in the Coos River near SOMAR and the Chandler Bridge. A few Chinook are being caught lower in the estuary by anglers trolling for coho salmon.

Boat anglers are catching walleye surfperch and pile surfperch using sand shrimp along old pilings or along the edges of eel grass beds.

Trout fishing is open in rivers and streams through Oct. 31. River temperatures are starting to drop and trout fishing will start to pick back up again, especially for sea-run cutthroat trout moving upstream into the larger rivers. Last updated 10/2/24.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: striped bass, smallmouth bass, cutthroat trout

The wild coho season on the Coquille River from the mouth upstream to the Highway 42S Bridge begins on Sept. 14 and goes through Oct. 15. Anglers are allowed 1 wild adult coho per day and 3 for the season (no more than 5 wild adult coho may be harvested per year in the Northwest and Southwest Zones with open wild coho salmon fisheries). The harvest of Chinook salmon (hatchery or wild) on the Coquille is prohibited. Coho salmon anglers are reporting success from the Hwy 101 Bridge to above Rocky Point Boat Ramp.

Striped bass anglers are having limited success fishing the lower mainstem Coquille River. Best fishing has been after dark and low light periods of the day.

Smallmouth bass are still 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.

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. As water temperatures continue to decrease more smallmouth bass will move into the deeper holes.

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 remains open through Oct. 31 in the rivers and streams. There are a decent number of sea-run cutthroat moving through the mainstem Coquille into the major forks of the river. Last updated 10/2/24.

DIAMOND LAKE: trout

Anglers are doing well for rainbow trout. The catch rate for rainbow trout is almost 2 trout per angler and over 3 trout per angler when including browns and tigers. Lure and fly fishing for brown trout also has been good (catch-and-release only) with some anglers catching fish in the 24-inch range.

Follow these catch-and-release tips for reducing fish mortality.

Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger and brown trout. 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 10/2/24.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout

Emigrant is 6 percent full. The main boat ramp is no longer usable. Even without a usable ramp, anglers can enjoy fishing from inflatables or other small watercraft, or fishing from shore.

Catches recently include largemouth bass on a wacky worm and ned rigs, smallmouth bass on a Vibrax bullet fly, black crappie on a crappie jig or panther martins, as well as yellow perch and a good-sized rainbow trout using worms. Fishing for bass and panfish should remain very good at Emigrant until cold weather starts.

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 10/2/24.

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 and nearby ponds are producing good catches of bass and panfish. Unfortunately catches of large carp are also being reported, mostly taken on corn. Carp are an introduced fish that can harm water quality/clarity and productivity of waterbodies, so anglers are encouraged to harvest and remove any carp from Expo Pond.

Some summertime catches of rainbow trout have been reported this year. Expo is stocked with trout early in the year before hot weather begins. The pond could be worth a try for trout for anglers looking for a quick trip

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 9/4/24.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook

Fish Lake is 47 percent full. Fishing should be good for stocked rainbow trout. Trolling is worth a try, but aquatic weeds may make trolling very difficult now. Stillfishing with PowerBait or worms should be good, as should casting flies.

Anglers are encouraged to report catches of tiger trout or any other fish stories to Rogue Fish District Staff 541-826-8774. 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. Last updated 10/2/24.

GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Cooling weather should improve trout fishing. Bass fishing should still be good but will slow when the winter weather arrives. Galesville holds trout well and anglers have reported large fish. Last updated 10/2/24.

HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS (Douglas County): trout

Anglers should check with the US Forest Service for fire closures in the area as conditions can change daily. Fishing for trout should be picking up and lots of trout were stocked this year in Hemlock. Last updated 9/18/24

HOWARD PRAIRIE: trout

Howard Prairie is 40 percent full. The reservoir level is about 3 feet higher than it was at this point last year, and the boat ramp at the marina is still open.

An angler did very well on trout casting a rooster tail near the dam recently. Bank fishing with PowerBait or casting spinners has also been successful. Trolling a wedding ring spiked with a worm or PowerWorm behind a small egg sinker should be productive, along with still fishing with PowerBait. Last updated 10/2/24.

HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass

Hyatt is currently 38 percent full. Hyatt is a bit lower than it was at this point last year. Trout anglers should do well fishing with PowerPait or worms near the dam for the next couple of months.

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 will become the big holdover trout next year. Last updated 9/11/24.

ILLINOIS RIVER: trout

The Illinois River is open for trout fishing. Only adipose fin clipped rainbow trout may be retained. All wild rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed.

Salmon fishing is NOT allowed on the Illinois River at any time of the year. 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 10/2/24.

LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout, yellow perch

Cooler weather should perk trout up. No recent stocking, but there should still be some holdovers from spring. Lake Marie can be a good place to try a variety of fish nearby in the Umpqua Bay. Last updated 9/18/24

LAKE SELMAC (Selmac Lake): trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie

Fishing should be good for bass and panfish.

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 9/4/24.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Anglers should check with the US Forest Service for fire closures in the area before going out. Last update was that the area around Lemolo was closed, but campgrounds and launches were open. Anglers can also contact Lemolo Lake Resort at 541-643-0750 for weather/road conditions and additional information. Trout fishing should pick up with recent cooler weather.

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. Last updated 9/18/24

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, landlocked spring chinook, bass

Lost Creek's current elevation is about 1,813 feet or 43 percent full and slowly dropping. The Takelma and Stewart boat ramps are available for access by trailered boats. Crowds have dropped allowing anglers to enjoy the very good fall-winter trout fishery provided at Lost Creek.

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. Copepods have been reported on trout recently. The fish are safe to eat if the copepods are scraped off and the fish are cooked to the recommended temperature. Otherwise, please release the fish un-harmed as they will like survive.

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.

Bass fishing has been good at Lost Creek. Bass have been caught on ned rigs, wacky rigs, and a Texas rigged Senko.

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 10/2/24.

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 Humbug Mt. for Chinook salmon through Oct. 31. The non-mark-selective coho season is closed from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. Salmon fishing from Humbug Mt to the OR/CA Border is closed for the season.

The Central Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt) Summer All-Depth Halibut season is open seven days a week and has 48 percent of the quota remaining as of Sept. 22. The Southern Oregon Subarea (Humbug Mt to OR/CA border) Halibut season is open seven days a week with 8 percent of the quota remaining as of Sept. 22. 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 10/2/24.

2024 sport bottomfish seasons

PLAT I RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Fall bass fishing can be decent at Plat I. With recent warmer weather the bass should still be biting. This reservoir is used for irrigation, so be aware the city maybe releasing water. Last updated 10/2/24.

REINHART PARK POND: trout, bass

Largemouth bass have been caught recently, and bullhead have been reported. Reinhart remains a good spot to fish for bass and panfish through early fall. Last updated 9/4/24.

ROGUE RIVER

Rogue River, lower: Chinook, coho, summer steelhead, half pounders

Slow. Only a handful of boats are trolling the bay. The lower river is low and clear, with fish scattered. As long as the river flows remain low, anglers should be able to catch chinook and coho through the month of October.

ALL WILD COHO MUST BE RELEASED. Every angler should refresh their identification skills before fishing in an area where wild coho must be released. If in doubt, release the fish.

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 10/2/24.

Rogue River, middle: steelhead, trout, Chinook

Flow in Grants Pass is about 1,400 cfs with a water temperature of around 58F.

Fall Chinook fishing continues to be productive in the middle Rogue. Preferred methods include back bouncing roe and blue fox spinners. A few more summer steelhead have been reported as well with panther martins (bronze with black body) working well.

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 10/2/24.

Rogue River, upper: steelhead, trout

With the start of September, the artificial fly season is underway between Fishers Ferry boat ramp and Cole Rivers Hatchery. Between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, anglers may only fish artificial flies on any type rod, reel; no added weights or attachments except a bubble. This reach of the Rogue is open to fishing for summer steelhead and trout. Fishing for Chinook is now closed.

Trout fishing continues to be good in the upper river. Fishing for summer steelhead is slow but fly anglers are reportedly catching more from Tou Velle to the hatchery.

The release from Lost Creek is 1,150 CFS. 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 10/2/24.

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout

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). While trout stocking has ended for the year, fish are still available, especially around release sites in the upper portion of the river. Anglers should also consider moving around to catch fish that have moved out from release sites. Last updated 9/4/24.

SIXES RIVER: Chinook,cutthroat trout

The low water closure is in effect in the lower river.

New this year, a portion of the upper river, which is already closed to Chinook, will be closed to ALL fishing to protect Chinook staging to enter spawning tributaries. This area is normally open to steelhead fishing, but very few steelhead are in the system when the Chinook are around and this closure will keep anglers who are targeting steelhead from hooking fall chinook.

Anglers are always reminded to check the regulation updates for the low water closure period, wild Chinook bag limits, and fishing boundary changes. Last updated 10/2/24.

SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: Chinook, bass

Chinook should still be available until the first good rain. With no rain in the forecast, there should still be some fish around. Wild coho is not open in Smith River.

Anglers are still having some success with bass angling below Spencer Creek.

The area above Spencer creek is closed to all fishing Sept. 16 to Nov. 30. Last updated 9/25/24.

TENMILE LAKES/TENMILE CREEK: coho salmon, trout, bass, yellow perch

The wild coho season officially started on Oct. 1 in Tenmile Lakes and will continue until Dec. 31. There hasn't been enough rain to get coho from the ocean into the lakes yet.

Water temperatures continue to drop in Tenmile Lakes with more vegetation dying off for the season, which means largemouth bass will be transitioning off the weedlines and moving to submerged wood or other hard structures.

Topwater lures can still catch largemouth bass this time of the year in the early mornings, late evening and in shaded areas during mid-day. Spinner baits around submerged trees becomes a popular technique to use this time of the year. Drop shots, jigs, and wacky rigged Senkos will also produce bass throughout the day.

Yellow perch also transition away from the weedlines this time of the year but go to deeper mud flats in 15 feet of water or deeper. Use a small jigs or hooks with a worm fished near the bottom to catch yellow perch.

Trout fishing in rivers and streams is open through Oct. 31. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Last updated 10/2/24.

UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

Fall can be a great time to check out these lakes. Some of them have higher temperatures in the summer that can slow the bite. For a map of lakes stocked in the SW check out the ODFW's trout stocking map.

Please check with the US Forest Service for forest fire conditions in the area before adventuring to these lakes.

Working with volunteers, stocking has been completed for this year with rainbow fry. Prospective volunteers for stocking in 2025 should contact Levi.m.simmons@odfw.oregon.gov for more information. Last updated 8/7/24

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Chinook, coho

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. Under permanent rule you can retain up to 5 jacks (hatchery or wild Chinook jacks) Catch rates have picked up and anglers seem to be doing well with coho.

Wild coho is open Sept. 14 – Oct. 15. Only one wild adult coho per day and 3 for the season. One wild jack per day during the period. Wild coho may not be retained above the Scottsburg Bridge. Last updated 9/25/24.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead

Fishing for all Chinook on the North closed July 1. Summer steelhead numbers are around the 10-year average, but very few hatchery fish have returned this year. Anglers will begin targeting steelhead with cooler temperatures and some rain. Last updated 9/18/24.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Closed

The South is closed to all fishing Sept. 16 to Nov. 30. Last updated 9/18/24.

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. An angler caught a nice trout on a rooster tail recently.

For more information on camping and day use please visit the Jackson County Parks website or call 541-774-8183.

Wild coho is open Sept. 14 – Oct. 15. Only one wild adult coho per day and 3 for the season. One wild jack per day during the period. Wild coho may not be retained above the Scottsburg Bridge. Last updated 9/25/24.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead

Fishing for all Chinook on the North closed July 1. Summer steelhead numbers are around the 10-year average, but very few hatchery fish have returned this year. Anglers will begin targeting steelhead with cooler temperatures and some rain. Last updated 9/18/24.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Closed

The South is closed to all fishing Sept. 16 to Nov. 30. Last updated 9/18/24.

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. An angler caught a nice trout on a rooster tail recently.

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 9/4/24.