Recreation Report
Southwest Zone
Recreation Report
Nov. 29, 2023
If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your fishing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Best bets for weekend fishing
- With recent rain and cooler temperatures, look for trout fishing to pick up in several popular locations like Diamond Lake, Ben Irving Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir and Lake in the Woods.
- The focus on the middle and upper Rogue will be on trout and summer steelhead, once water levels drop to more fishable levels this weekend.
- Fishing can still be good in December for trout anglers to hit lakes and reservoirs in the Rogue watershed. Anglers caught limits at Hyatt near the dam recently. Howard Prairie, Willow, Hyatt and Fish Lake are all good bets. Lost Creek Reservoir offers good trout fishing through the fall and winter seasons and was stocked recently with both legals and larger trout.
- Winter steelhead will start moving up the mainstem Umpqua soon, although rains this week may make the river cloudy. Anglers are encouraged to donate hatchery steelhead snouts at barrels placed at various boat launches or the Roseburg ODFW office. The North and South Umpqua Rivers open to fishing on Dec. 1.
Recently stocked
Scheduled to be stocked this week: No stocking scheduled for this week.
Trout stocking maps
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
Announcements
Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation and Harvest Tag required beginning Dec. 1
All winter steelhead anglers in the Rogue Basin and on the south coast will need a Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation from Dec. 1 to April 30. In addition, anglers will need a new harvest tag to keep wild winter steelhead in this area. Please check the regulations for wild winter steelhead harvest dates on the Rogue River as that can be different depending on where you are fishing.
The new validations will provide more accurate harvest information and close annual harvest loopholes on certain daily licenses. Learn more about this new validation and harvest tag.
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.
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 Reservoir is steady at 12 percent full. For up-to-date reservoir levels click here. The boat ramp should still be usable for small boats. There is also plenty of bank fishing access. Fishing for warmwater species has cooled with the weather.
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 11/29/23.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, landlocked spring chinook, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, black crappie, bluegill,
Applegate reservoir level is currently at 1,876 feet, and the surface temperature has dropped to 57oF. Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for flow and temperature information.
The reservoir is dropping to its normal wintertime level, which means the French Gulch low water ramp is the only access for trailered boats. Fishing for trout should be good.
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 11/29/23.
APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam: trout
The release from the dam is 149 cfs, and the temperature at release is 52F. The Applegate is currently open for trout fishing only. Last updated 11/29/23.
ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout
The pond is still full of aquatic vegetation. Anglers may want to hold off until conditions improve. Last updated 11/29/23.
BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie
Cold weather has likely slowed bass and bluegill fishing, and trout fishing will be good midday to afternoon. No recent reports from anglers Last updated 11/29/23.
CHETCO RIVER: Chinook, winter steelhead
Low and clear. Chinook are scattered throughout the river, but most salmon are getting close to spawning. Rains this weekend should bring in some new fish.
The river does not open to steelhead until Dec. 1. Anglers that catch a steelhead prior to Dec. 1 will need to release it.
Anglers that see any fish or wildlife violation can report it to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line: 800-452-7888 or call *OSP (*677). Last updated 11/29/23.
COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, coho and Chinook smolts
No recent angler reports from Cooper Creek, but trout fishing should be good. Last updated 11/29/23.
COOS RIVER BASIN: bottomfish, steelhead, 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.
A few steelhead anglers have started to hit the area rivers in search of the first chrome fish of the season. There are a couple reports of steelhead being caught in the South Fork Coos River and Millioma River already. The rain forecasted for this weekend should bring up some steelhead into the rivers.
Anglers wanting to fish the South Fork Coos River above Dellwood will need a permit from Weyerhaeuser. Steelhead anglers can find bank access on the East Fork Millicoma at Nesika Park and on the West Fork Millicoma at Millicoma Interpretive Center/Scout Camp.
Trout fishing is closed in the rivers until May 22, 2024. Last updated 11/29/23.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: striped bass, steelhead, cutthroat trout
Steelhead anglers will start fishing near the town of Coquille. Most of these anglers plunk with a Spin-n-glo and bait (eggs or shrimp). The rain forecasted for this coming weekend should get winter steelhead on the move upriver.
Anglers are still catching an occasional striped bass, mostly in the lower river.
Trout fishing in closed in the rivers until May 22, 2024. Last updated 11/29/23.
DIAMOND LAKE: trout
There is a lot of snow in the forecast for Diamond Lake, so anglers should be cautious. Trout fishing has slowed down rainbow trout should be more active in the middle of the day. Brown and tiger trout fishing should still be decent in the shallower areas in the afternoon.
Snow has started to fall at Diamond Lake, so anglers are encouraged to check road conditions and accessible areas before traveling.
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 11/29/23.
ELK RIVER: hatchery Chinook
Low and clear. Rains this weekend should improve fishing conditions. Anglers will want to check river flows prior to heading out. Remember, all wild Chinook must be released. Last updated 11/29/23.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout
Emigrant is still at 13 percent full and drafting very slowly. Small watercraft and inflatables can launch at the main boat ramp, but the reservoir needs to come up a come up a foot or two for small, trailered boats to be able to launch on gravel below the paved ramp.
Fishing for warmwater species is slowing down but there should be bass available in deep water near the dam and trout are spread throughout the lake.
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 11/29/23.
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 warmwater fish has slowed with the cooler temperatures.
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 11/29/23.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook
Trout fishing should continue to be good at Fish Lake, Bank anglers can catch fish on PowerBait fished from shore around the resort and the USFS boat ramp. Fly anglers can probably have very good luck casting flies.
Trolling diagonally between the resort and the bank opposite Doe Point can help trollers stay out of the weeds. Wedding ring and worm combinations and streamer flies have caught trout for trollers at Fish Lake recently.
Fish Lake is slowly filling from spring input and is now 49 percent full. Both the resort and USFS boat ramps are open, but the USFS ramp is probably limited to small boats. Watch out for near shore stumps while launching.
As winter approaches, snow may affect access for boats off and on early in the season, and a snow park permit is required beginning Nov. 15.
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 11/29/23.
FLORAS/NEW RIVER: Chinook, coho
Wild coho fishery closes the end of the month. Beginning Dec. 1, anglers will only be able to retain Chinook. Anglers are reminded that the Chinook bag limit has been reduced to 1 wild adult Chinook for the year. Last updated 11/29/23.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
No recent reports from Galesville. Trout fishing should be good throughout the day.
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 11/29/23.
GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat
No report, but the lake is always a good choice for a warm winter day. Good numbers of rainbow trout carry over in the lake, along with cutthroat. The best way to fish the lake is by boat, as there is limited shore access. The 12th street boat ramp has an improved ramp and docks. Anglers will want to check the weather before heading out, as the lake can be very windy. Last updated 11/21/23.
HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS (Douglas County): trout
There have been no recent reports. Snow may be accumulating and making these lakes inaccessible soon. Last updated 11/29/23.
HOWARD PRAIRIE: trout
Howard Prairie is 34 percent full. Access for trailered boats is questionable, but small vessels have been seen putting in by the dam. All Jackson County facilities are now gated and closed for the winter season.
Trout fishing should be good. Anglers fishing PowerBait from shore near the dam caught several trout recently. Howard was stocked with 5 to 6-inch fingerling rainbow trout recently, so anglers are encouraged to use caution and carefully release these undersized fish. Last updated 11/8/23.
HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass
Hyatt is currently 40 percent full and should provide good trout fishing opportunities. Some good-size trout were caught near the dam recently on chartreuse PowerBait and PowerBait eggs.
All BLM facilities are now closed, which effectively closes access for trailered boats.
Anglers can fish from shore or from small boats and inflatables that can be launched from shore. Last updated 10/25/23.
ILLINOIS RIVER: trout
The Illinois is now closed to fishing between 8 Dollar Bridge and Pomeroy Dam through Nov. 30. Last updated 10/4/23.
LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout, yellow perch
No recent reports from anglers at Lake Marie. Anglers are encouraged to share reports. Last updated 11/15/23.
LAKE SELMAC (Selmac Lake): trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
Largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie fishing is winding down.
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 11/29/23.
LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
No recent reports from Lemolo, but snow may limit access soon. With snow expected this week, anglers should check road conditions with the Forest Service before heading to Lemolo.
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 11/29/23.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, landlocked spring chinook, bass
Lost Creek current elevation is about 1,803 feet and the current surface water has dropped to 56F degrees. The Takelma boat ramp is available for access by trailered boats. The county ramp at Joseph Stewart needs to be at 1811 to be usable.
Effort has been surprisingly low. Both trout and bass fishing should be very good. Trout fishing will be enhanced by the legal-size and larger trout that were stocked recently. Trolling for trout may be best bet. Wind drifting with worms may also produce trout.
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 11/29/23.
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.
Anglers willing to search can still find 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 11/8/23.
2023 sport bottomfish seasons
PLAT I RESERVOIR: trout
No recent report if Plat I is currently fishable. The reservoir can be pretty low this time of year and it can difficult to access fishable areas. Last updated 11/15/23.
ROGUE RIVER
Rogue River, lower: steelhead
Anglers are reminded that the Rogue has a new winter steelhead season structure that starts Dec. 1. Anglers can now retain wild steelhead starting Dec. 1, but they must be tagged on the new wild steelhead tag. Only 3 wild steelhead can be retained from Dec. 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations in the particular area they are fishing prior to heading out, as start and end dates vary by zone. Last updated 11/21/23.
Rogue River, middle: steelhead, Chinook, trout
The current flow is 1,300 cfs, and the average river temperature has been hovering around 38 F. With the welcome rain forecast for this weekend this section of the Rogue is likely to become off color, depending on how much it rains. That will warm up the water though, which will lead to an increase in fish activity.
The middle Rogue above Hog Creek is closed to Chinook fishing.
Summer steelhead and hatchery coho are spread out. Anglers are reporting spotty success with the cold water temperatures.
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 11/29/23.
Rogue River, upper: steelhead, trout
The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is 1,050 cfs and the temperature at release is 43F.
Hopefully it rains over the weekend which will warm up the water and increase the flow. The focus on the upper Rogue continues to be summer steelhead and trout fishing. Movement into the hatchery remains slow with the cool river temperatures.
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.
Gear restrictions changed on Nov 1. 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 11/8/23.
Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout
Even though trout stocking has stopped for the year, the river upstream of Lost Creek remains a good place to fish for remaining stocked trout while enjoying fall colors. The incoming winter storm will likely lead to snow in the upper Rogue, but anglers should be in the clear downstream of Union Creek. Check the driving conditions on Trip Check before heading up.
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 11/29/23.
SIXES RIVER: Chinook
Low. Rain this weekend should improve fishing conditions. Anglers will want to check flows before heading out. Last updated 11/29/23.
SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: Chinook, bass
No recent reports on Smith River. Chinook fishing has likely come to an end. Anglers might start seeing winter steelhead moving up with the rains this weekend. The river will probably rise considerably 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 11/29/23.
TENMILE LAKES/TENMILE CREEK: coho salmon, trout, bass
The Tenmile Lakes wild coho season is open until Dec. 31. The daily bag limit is 1 wild adult coho per day with a seasonal limit of 5 for the year in aggregate with other wild coho fisheries in the NW and SW zones. Salmon anglers have been catching coho in the upper arms of the lake. These fish will most likely swim out of the lake with the rain forecasted this weekend to spawn in the tributaries.
Bass are hitting spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jigs. Many bass can be found along submerged wood.
Trout fishing in rivers and streams is closed until May 22. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Last updated 11/29/23.
UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
Hike-in lakes will be difficult to access with snow accumulation. No recent reports from any of the hike-in lakes, but those attempting should be prepared for winter conditions.
Anglers are encouraged to report their fishing trips to help guide future stocking rates. Last updated 11/29/23.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Chinook, steelhead, surfperch, bass
Chinook fishing is pretty much at an end, although a few might be encountered in the mainstem. Early winter steelhead may start showing up with the rains this week.
Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout in collection barrels at Scott Creek, Sawyer's Public, Elkton, Osprey, and James Woods boat launches or the ODFW office in Roseburg. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse.
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. Last updated 11/29/23.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, beginning Dec. 1
The temporary closure of the North Umpqua expires soon, and anglers can fish the North starting Dec. 1. No recent reports, but there is a chance that anglers will encounter steelhead with incoming rains.
Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout at the ODFW office in Roseburg. Collection barrels will be deployed on the North soon. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse. Last updated 11/29/23.
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead, bass beginning Dec. 1
The annual closure of the South Umpqua expires soon, and anglers can fish the South starting Dec. 1.
It is early to start running into steelhead, but there is a chance that we may see some moving up soon. Rain forecasts for this week may bring the water up and make the river murky, so fishing may not be great this week.
Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout at the ODFW office in Roseburg. Collection barrels will be deployed on the South soon. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse. Last updated 11/29/23.
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 41 percent full. Boat anglers have reported good success catching trout and yellow perch lately. Some of the trout have had copepods but as the reservoir rises expect the trout to disperse, which will lead to fewer copepods.
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 11/29/23.