Southwest Zone

SW Fishing

May 14, 2026

Best bets for weekend fishing:

• Trolling at Lost Creek and Applegate Reservoirs continues to be very good.
• Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs have plenty of legal-size rainbow trout. Holdovers from last year are a good size.
• Spring Chinook are moving through the Middle Rogue, and a few anglers are reporting success. Try plugs or plunking along current seams on the inside bends of the river to intercept them. Early morning or evening when sunlight is not directly on the water will be the best time to intercept migrating springers.
• There will be 1,100 rainbow trout stocked in the Rogue River above Lost Creek Lake this week. Fly fishing can start to become quite good as hatches are starting to come out. Catch brown trout in and around the North Fork Reservoir in Prospect.

Trout stocking 

Stocking schedules in SW Zone have been impacted by lower than normal water levels and lack of accessibility for liberation trucks.

Please see individual waterbodies for updates or check the Trout stocking schedule.

Scheduled to be stocked May 4- May 2:

Applegate Res, Ben Irving Res, Clearwater Bay-2, Cooper Creek Res, Medco Pond, Empire Lake upper, Expo Pond 1- Rogue, Fish Lake, Hemlock Lake (Hemlock Meadow Res), Lake Marie, Lemolo Res, Libby Pond, Loon Lake, Lost Lake Res, Powers pond, Red Top Lake, Rogue River above Lost Creek, Spalding Pond, , Willow Lake (Willow Cr Res), Lost Creek Res.

May 25-June 12:

Arizona Pond, Clearwater Bay-2, Fish Lake, Hyatt Res, Hemlock Lake (Hemlock Meadow Res), Lake in the Woods, Lake Selmac, Laird Lake, Lemolo Res, Medco Pond, Rogue River above Lost Creek, Tenmile Lake N and S,

Trout stocking maps

Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.

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.

The Rogue South Coast Winter Steelhead season comes to an end on April 30.

Updates by waterbody

AGATE LAKE: Bass, carp, black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead, trout

Agate Lake is still 93 percent full and likely to start dropping in the coming weeks. There should still be rainbow trout available. Fishing crank baits and poppers can be a lot of fun for bass as the water starts to warm up through next week. Anglers are encouraged to harvest any carp or catfish caught at the reservoir and chicken liver is a good bait to target them. Last updated 5/13/26

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Trout, landlocked spring chinook, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill

The lake level is 1,947.79 ft and the surface temperature at Applegate is 68F. Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at (800) 472-2434 for lake level and temperature information.

15,000 legal-size and 500 trophy trout should be released in the next week or so. Holdover trout should be evenly distributed throughout the reservoir until the air temperatures start to climb. Bank fishing or trolling should be good. Bass fishing along the vegetation and structure along the banks should also start to get good with the forecast of warmer weather in the next week.

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 sportfishing regulations for more information. Last updated 5/13/26

APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam: Closed to all angling

Seasonal closure to all angling is in effect until May 22. Last Updated 4/1/26

ARIZONA POND: Rainbow trout

Fishing has been good and with some needed rain and cooler temperatures anglers will find trout a little more eager to bite. Bobbers and worms or fishing small spinners are all good methods for fishing the pond. Located on Arizona Beach State Park property, this pond offers a unique angling opportunity to youth anglers under 17.

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

Ben Irving was stocked with rainbow trout last month and will be again this week. Trout fishing should be good as well as warmwater fishing. Crappie and bass are some of the best bets for now. Last update 5/14/26

BOLAN LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout

Bolan Lake was stocked with 700 legal-size rainbow trout in early April. Spinners have been very productive based on recent reports. There is good bank access and a small unimproved boat ramp available. Last updated 5/5/26

CHETCO RIVER:

Chetco River closed to all angling April 1.

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie

The water does have some color, so brighter presentations and bait may be a better choice. The warmwater bite should be getting better and some notably large largemouth bass have been spotted lately. The reservoir was stocked with 1,500 legal and 400 trophy rainbow trout the last week of January. Also the middle of March, again in the middle of April, the first week in May, and again this week with legal rainbows. Anglers are reporting good catches. Bass angling has been good.

Common carp have been illegally introduced into the reservoir. If one should catch a carp, please take a photo, get the size, and location where caught and send to evan.leonetti@odfw.oregon.gov or call the Roseburg office at 541-440-3353. Do not release the fish back into the water. Last updated 5/14/26

COOS RIVER BASIN: Bottomfish, trout, surfperch, steelhead, salmon, trout

Rougher weather and sneaker wave warnings warrant caution when fishing along the jetties, however, rockfish can be caught around the jetties in the lower Coos Bay estuary, but you may need to move around to several spots to find actively biting fish. 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 bottom fish.

For the general marine fish regulations, please visit the sport bottomfish seasons page.

On occasion stray feeder Chinook from the ocean may be caught in the lower Coos Bay during off-season months. The salmon bite is typically best a couple hours before and through the high slack tide. Regulations have defaulted to standard regs of 2 fish per day.

Steelhead have finished their spawning run for 2026 and fishing has ended in the Coos River basin. 05/05/26

Choose a day when the surf is not at a dangerous level, and it is possible to catch a few striped perch around the jetties. Some of the more popular spots to fish for red-tailed surfperch are along beaches like Horsefall Beach and Whiskey Run. Anglers have the best success fishing with sand shrimp near the bottom. Last updated 05/05/26

ODFW is steadily stocking coastal lakes in the district (Saunders, Bradley, Butterfield, Empire Lakes, Powers) on a two to three week rotation. Trout fishing has been fair in those locations. Trout season for streams closed until May 22. Last updated 05/05/26 

STARTING IMMEDIATELY THERE MAY BE A TEMPORARY DOCK MOORED TO THE CHANDLER BRIDGE TO ALLOW FOR BRIDGE MAINTENANCE. BOATERS IN THIS REACH OF RIVER NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS BOATING RISK.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Trout, striped bass, steelhead, smallmouth bass

Striped bass fishing in the lower Coquille picks up substantially in April and May with mid-May to June being some of the best months to catch fish using nightcrawlers or 1/3 of an anchovy/herring bait on the bottom along current lines in 8-12ft of water. Use of a sliding line through a three-way swivel or swivel stopper with drop lead is popular.

Smallmouth bass are reaching their most active period pre-spawn in the upcoming weeks with warmer weather. Spearfishing closed on October 31. Bait fishing for smallmouth remains open in tidewater locations and the Coquille River S.F. and where steelhead fishing is open. Fishing is expected to be solid in May-June, slowing a bit in July when waters become very warm. Try bait on the bottom or artificial grubs/worms worked slowly. Smallmouth should start hitting topwater gear in mid-May, when topwater gear and lures will become viable. Hardcore anglers may entice a small mouth bass to bite in the tidewater reaches upstream of Coquille, with bait on the bottom. There is no limit for smallmouth bass, which are destructive to salmon fry production. Last updated 05/05/26

Steelhead have finished their spawning run for 2026, and fishing is over for the season. There has been some confusion about use of bait in the Coquille basin during the steelhead season due to the language in the S.W. section Regulations Exceptions. Bait is allowed in all mainstem forks of the Coquille basin for steelhead. The plan at this point is to adjust the language in the regulations for the 2027 manual. Last updated 5/05/26

For any questions on Salmon Fishing in the Coos or Coquille please call the Charleston office at (541) 888-5515 *dial zero in the options menu.

ODFW is steadily stocking coastal lakes in the district (Saunders, Bradley, Butterfield, Empire Lakes, Powers Pond) on a two to three week rotation. Trout fishing has been fair in those locations. Trout fishing is closed in rivers and streams in the Coquille Basin until May 22. Last updated 05/05/26.

DIAMOND LAKE: Trout

The lodge has boat docks set up. If you are planning on fishing from a boat, the main boat ramp and the South ramp are the only two open. The cleaning station and campgrounds will be open May 22 . The main ramp cleaning station is under repair and will not be open until a further date. There haven't been many anglers hitting Diamond Lake yet, but angling for holdover trout has been good, with several limits being reported. Be prepared for the mosquitos, they are biting.

Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger and brown trout. These fish were introduced to help control illegally introduced tui chub. These trout are catch-and-release only and need to be released immediately and unharmed if caught. Follow these catch-and-release tips for reducing fish mortality. Last updated 5/14/2026

ELK RIVER:

Closed to all angling April 1.

EMIGRANT LAKE: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout

Emigrant Lake is 69 percent full. The most current elevations for Emigrant Reservoir and other Rogue Basin reservoirs can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation's website, here. Largemouth bass fishing is starting to get good around the drop-offs in the still portions of the reservoir. Try targeting smallmouth bass near the head of the reservoir where there is some current from inflow.

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. Last updated 5/13/26

EXPO POND: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie

Expo pond is scheduled to be stocked with legal-size rainbow trout this week. Fishing for largemouth bass and panfish should start to pick up as days warm up, but anglers can catch nice Largemouth Bass year-round here. Try fishing Senko's or brush hogs on a light jig and let them sink naturally with a little bit of slack in the line.

Expo Pond is the pond at the Jackson County Fairgrounds located directly adjacent to the access road at Gate 5, at Southern Oregon RV Park. 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 5/5/26

FISH LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook

Fish Lake is 69 percent full and was stocked a few weeks ago. The USFS public boat ramp is available to launch boats. Early season trolling for trout is usually very good this time of year.

Anglers are encouraged to report catches of tiger trout or send other fishing reports to Rogue Fish District Staff (541) 826-8774. Last updated 5/13/26

FLORAS LAKE: Rainbow trout, cutthroat

No reports, but cooler weather and light winds will make for some good fishing conditions. The lake was stocked with catchable trout and larger trophy trout this spring. The lake has very little bank angling. Boat anglers can launch at Boice Cope County Park. Anglers will want to check the weather conditions prior to heading out. The lake can be very windy. Last updated 3/4/26

GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, bass

The boat ramps are still accessible. The reservoir is about 40 feet lower than summer full pool. The reservoir was stocked with rainbow trout in the middle of March and again in the middle of April. It was stocked two week ago. A lower reservoir can mean the fish are concentrated and easier to target. Angling should be good in general, but bass angling is reportedly going very good. Last updated 5/14/26

GARRISON LAKE: Trout

Stocked with about 1,000 trophy rainbow in March and April. The lake has a good population of cutthroat, and they are starting to show up in the catch. Anglers should check weather conditions before heading out. The lake can be very windy. Last updated 5/14/26

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

Both lakes are accessible and some people are catching trout. Stocking is planned for this week. Last updated 5/14/26

HOWARD PRAIRIE: Trout, bass

Howard Prairie is 75 percent full. The reservoir has been stocked with plenty of legal-sized trout and the full reservoir last year should have promoted very good growth for hold-over trout. The Willow Point boat ramp is open early this year, so for those with boats it can be worth running up to or through the narrows to fish the shallow meadow section while the water is still up. Largemouth bass fishing will likely start to pick up in the next few weeks. Try fishing senkos, brush hogs, or other rubber baits on a jig head and letting them sink naturally along docks or structure. Remember to remove all vegetation from gear, boots and boats before leaving Howard Prairie. Last updated 5/13/26

HYATT LAKE: Trout, bass, brown bullhead, black crappie

Hyatt is 52 percent full. Hyatt has a lot of legal-sized trout in it, so fishing should be really good. Fishing power bait a couple feet off the bottom near the dam is typically a good early season strategy for trout if you are bank fishing. Holdover trout should be good size this year. The Cascade boat ramp is now closed, but the Mountain View Ramp is reported to be open. Gates at the boat ramps may be closed before 7am and after 8pm, check with the BLM camp host for details.. If you have a boat it can be worth casting lures in the shallow section on the north end of the reservoir while the water is still somewhat up and the water is still relatively cool. Largemouth bass fishing could start getting good as temperatures start to warm up. Rubber baits on a jig head are quite effective near the submerged trees.

Remember to remove all vegetation from gear, boots, and boats before leaving Hyatt. Last updated 5/13/26

ILLINOIS RIVER: Closed to all angling

Closed to all angling until May 22. Last updated 4/1/26

LAKE MARIE: Rainbow trout, yellow perch

Spring can be a good time to visit Lake Marie before the summer crowds come through. This is a good lake to use scented bait. The lake was stocked in the middle of March with rainbow trout, again in the middle of April, and this week. Recent reports indicate that fishing has been good. Last updated 5/14/26

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

Lake Selmac has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout a couple of times this year. Lake Selmac is an outstanding largemouth bass fishery, and the bluegill and crappie fishing can be pretty fun, as well. Boat anglers, please do your part to remove as much vegetation as possible before leaving the ramp, as well as drain and dry vessels before boating in another waterbody. Please help stop the spread of Oregon's aquatic hitchhikers! Last updated 5/5/26

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: Brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

Pacific Corp has begun filling Lemolo, but it is still below full pool. The US Forest Service campgrounds are closed until May 22 . The reservoir will be stocked this week. For other information call the Lemolo Lake Resort at (541) 643-0750.

Kokanee in Lemolo are considered trout and therefore fall under the daily limit of trout of five per day with only one of those measuring over 20-inches. Last updated 5/14/26

LIBBY POND: rainbow trout

Libby Pond was stocked this with trout this week. Please be respectful and clean up after yourself when recreating here as the property is privately owned and access can be revoked at any time. 5/4/2026

LITTLE HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass

Little Hyatt Res was stocked with 1,200 legal-sized rainbow trout several weeks ago and reports of good catches have come in. Small rooster tails and blue-fox spinners seem to be producing. Last updated 5/5/26

LOON LAKE: Warmwater species, trout

The BLM boat ramp is open Memorial weekend through September 30. The lake was stocked in the middle of April, again two weeks ago with legal rainbow trout. The Loon Lake Lodge ramp is open April through October 31. This ramp is private and has limited parking. It may be closed if it is full. You may want to call the lodge at (541) 599-2244 before heading out. Fishing should be good for trout and bass. Last updated 5/14/26

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

The lake level is 1,853.88ft and the water surface temperature at Lost Creek is 68F. In addition to trolling, Lost Creek also offers good bank fishing access, and fishing on both sides of the lake near the dam can be very effective using PowerBait. 8,000 legal-size and 1,500 trophy rainbow trout are anticipated to bereleased this week. Trolling wedding rings with a worm has been a proven method.

Anglers can click here to get the latest reservoir details or by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at (800) 472-2434.

Last updated 5/13/26

MEDCO POND: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie

Medco Pond is a private pond, and access can be revoked at any time. Another load of legal-size rainbows trout are anticipated to be released this week. . Largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie fishing is almost always a good bet here and a great way for young anglers to catch fish. 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 the gate is open). To help keep access open, please to pick up any trash you may see. Last updated 5/13/26

PLAT I RESERVOIR: Trout, bass

Angling is slow for rainbow trout. Fish will be spread out now that the reservoir is at full pool. The reservoir was stocked in the middle of March with Rainbow trout. Last updated 5/14/26

ROGUE RIVER

Rogue River, lower: Spring Chinook, summer steelhead

The river is low and clear, but the few boat anglers still fishing the river are having fair success catching spring chinook. Bank angling for spring chinook has been slow. Flows are expected to remain low, so boat anglers that are not familiar with the river need to pay attention to changing river conditions and changes in tide levels. Also, with persistent low flows, algae and debris has a tendency to fowl up your gear. Pay close attention and clean off gear regularly for best chances of success. The one benefit of the low and clear conditions is conditions are perfect for chasing early summer steelhead.5/4/2026

Rogue River, middle: Steelhead, Chinook

The middle Rogue is relatively low and clear for this time of year. A few winter steelhead might still be caught, but that fishery is pretty much over. Spring Chinook are moving through the Middle Rogue and a few anglers are reporting success. Try plugs or plunking along current seams on the inside bends of the river to intercept them. Early morning or evening when sunlight is not directly on the water will be the best time to intercept migrating springers. Please use proper catch-and-release techniques on fish that will not be harvested, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly.

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 5/5/26.

Rogue River, upper: Steelhead, Chinook

The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is around 2,240cfs and 52.7F. Click here for current flow at the Ray Gold gage. For up-to-date river levels, check all the USGS Rogue gauges here. Fishing for trout has closed and will reopen on May 22.

Cole Rivers Hatchery returns as of 4/28/26: New winter steelhead 44, season total 977. New spring Chinook 720, season total 1192. Folks are still catching a few hatchery and wild winter steelhead and side-drifting larger beads seems to be the most productive. There are a few spring Chinook being caught, and angling pressure is starting to increase. If you don't intend to harvest a fish, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing wild fish immediately. Last updated 5/1326

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: Trout

Since campers are already out taking advantage of sunny weather there will be 1,100 rainbow trout stocked in the Rogue River above Lost Creek Lake this week. Fly fishing can start to become quite good as hatches are starting to come out. Brown trout can also be caught in and around the North Fork Reservoir in Prospect. Bass crank baits or leech patterns fished near logs or structure can coax them to bite. Anglers are encouraged to harvest brook trout regardless of size. Last updated 5/13/26

Sixes River: 

Closed to all angling April 1.

SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: striped bass (partially closed to all angling)

Please be aware that Upper Smith River above Spencer Creek and North Fork Smith rivers are closed to all fishing above tidewater May 1 and reopen May 22 to protect out migrating salmon and steelhead.

Smallmouth bass and striped bass are being caught in the tidewater sections. There are no harvest limits on any bass in the Smith River. There is also good access for angling since the Smith River Road follows the mainstem for most of the time. Last updated 5/14/2026

SPALDING POND: trout

Spalding pond was stocked a few weeks ago. This is a nice quiet, high elevation pond west of Grants Pass. Last updated 5/5/26

TENMILE LAKES/TENMILE CREEK: Trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, coho salmon

Bass are now starting to be more active and caught on crankbaits, jigs, and finesse lures like drop shots. Look to find bass along submerged logs and deeper weed line edges.

Fish for yellow perch along the edge of the weed lines near the bottom and submerged structures. Fish the bottom with either a worm or a jig/jigging spoon tipped with a worm.

Steelhead fishing is over in the Tenmile Basin for the year as fish have matured and migrated to spawning areas and the adult hatchery trapping locations. Last updated 05/05/26

ODFW is steadily stocking coastal lakes in the district (Saunders, Bradley, Butterfield, Empire Lakes, Powers Pond) on a two to three week rotation. Trout fishing has been fair in those locations. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Trout anglers can have success trolling in deeper water using wedding rings tipped with a nightcrawler. Last updated 05/05/26

UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: Trout

Most of the lakes are accessible. No reports of angling conditions. Check with USFS for current trail and road conditions. For a map of lakes stocked in the SW check out the ODFW's trout stocking map. Last updated 5/14/26

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Spring Chinook, Shad

The mainstem will be closed to all harvest of wild spring Chinook including jacks. Hatchery fish are still able to be retained and there should be a decent run again this year. Anglers are getting good numbers of hatchery fish. Angling has been Good. Shad are available in the lower sections and good numbers are being caught. Last updated 5/14/26

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, Chinook

A few early hatchery summer steelhead have crossed Winchester Dam.

Spring Chinook seasons are determined annually a few months before season. In 2026, anglers may retain one wild adult Chinook per day and 10 for the season as well as 5 jacks per day through June 30. Early counts over the dam are good. Chinook have been harvested in the Swiftwater Park area . Angling success is fair. Last updated 5/14/26

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Closed May 1 – May 22

Please be aware the South closes to all fishing beginning May 1 and reopens May 22, 2026. This includes Cow Creek. This closure is to help protect out migrating salmon and steelhead. Last updated 5/14/26

WILLOW LAKE: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead, yellow perch

4,000 legal-sized and 1,500 trophy sized rainbow trout are anticipated to be stocked this week. Largemouth bass fishing should start to get good as the weather is forecasted to warm up a bit over the next week. Dead-dropping rubber baits on a jig near stumps or willows along the margins can be very effective for bass. Willow Lake is about 3013.28 acft which is about ¾ full. Full pool is about 8,500acft. To check the current lake level click here. The boat ramp is open and there is plenty of bank angling available, as well.

For more information on camping and day use please visit Jackson County Parks or call (541) 774-8183. Last updated 5/13/26