Southwest Zone

Dec. 18, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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.

Announcements

Recreation Report holiday break

Due to the upcoming holidays, we'll be taking a break from the Recreation Report the weeks of Dec. 23 and 30. The Rec Report will resume publication the week of Jan. 6, 2025.

Rogue-South Coast Steelhead validation required starting Dec. 1

The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30. In addition, a harvest tag is required to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.‌ Get the details.

Ice fishing safety

With several water bodies beginning to ice over, anglers need to be cautious during first-ice conditions. Take the following precautions: use the "buddy system," wear a PFD in case of thin ice, carry a throw-rope, and use a heavy metal staff to check for thin-ice. The Minnesota DNR has developed guidelines for ice thickness and other safety tips. Remember that any hole cut in the ice for fishing can't be larger than 12 inches in diameter.

If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed

It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improves.

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 23 percent full, and the boat ramp remains usable. Bass and panfish are available. Last updated 12/11/24.

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

Trout fishing should be good, and smallmouth bass have been caught recently on 5-inch Senkos. Applegate's surface elevation has dropped to 1,895 feet, slightly below the normal flood control level in winter. Boat access is limited to the low water boat ramp at French Gulch. The water temperature at the surface is 43F.

Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for flow and temperature information.

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 12/11/24.

APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam:

The Applegate River is open for trout fishing but NOT salmon fishing. The Applegate River is mainly a catch-and-release fishery for cutthroat trout this time of year.

Hatchery steelhead may be retained between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2025. All wild steelhead must be released. Bait is allowed. No fishing from a floating device.

The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30.

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 12/11/24

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

No recent reports from anglers. With the recent weather change, fishing effort and success has slowed. For more success try a slower presentation. Last update 11/20/24.

CHETCO RIVER: steelhead

High flows have pretty much ended Chinook fishing on the river. All anglers have started targeting steelhead. Plunking will be the most effective method until the river drops to 4,000 cfs.

Before the river came up, steelhead were spread throughout the system, so anglers should be able to find fish at any of the public gravels that are accessible.

As always, anglers should check flows and forecasted flows prior to fishing for steelhead and try to fish as the river is dropping. Anglers should also check for updated regulations prior to fishing.

ODFW started the angler creel surveys last week. Anglers contacted by ODFW should be prepared to show to their catch, fishing license, validations and tags. Unfortunately, last week, all guided anglers contacted did not have their proper Rogue South Coast Steelhead validations and tags. Guided anglers are responsible for following all fishing regulations. If anglers don't have the proper documents, it's not the guide that will get the ticket.

Anglers need to have the Rogue South Coast Steelhead Validation to fish for steelhead from Dec. 1 through March 30. Anglers cannot use GUEST CHECKOUT to buy their license, validation and tag.

Anglers can learn more about the Rogue South Coast Area Steelhead regulations at MyODFW.com or in the fishing regulation book.

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 12/11/24.

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

Angling can be slow this time of year, but some anglers are finding success still with bass. Slower presentations can work well. Last updated 12/18/24

COOS RIVER BASIN: bottomfish, steelhead, 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.

Anglers have reported catching a few winter steelhead in the Coos Basin the past week. River levels are currently on the higher side but the steelhead rivers in the Coos Basin should be fishable by this weekend if not sooner.

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. Last updated 12/18/24.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead

Anglers have caught a few winter steelhead on the North Fork Coquille and South Fork Coquille rivers these past couple weeks. The river levels in the Coquille Basin are currently high but could be fishable by the weekend. Last updated 12/18/24.

DIAMOND LAKE: trout

Diamond Lake is starting to freeze. Until it is solid enough for anglers to walk on, no one is fishing.

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 12/11/24.

ELK RIVER: hatchery Chinook, steelhead

Anglers are picking up a few steelhead, along with Chinook. The current weather pattern has kept the river fishing pretty good. Anglers that can fish as the flow conditions start to drop and before the river clears have been having the best success.

This is a good time of year to see Chinook as they return to the Elk River Hatchery, where fish have been returning in good numbers. Last updated 12/18/24.

Anglers in the Rogue South Coast Area cannot fish for or retain a steelhead (wild or hatchery) without the proper validations.

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

Emigrant is currently 9 percent full. The main boat ramp is not usable. Even without a usable ramp, anglers can enjoy fishing from inflatables or other small watercraft, or fishing from shore. Just be prepared for a muddy shoreline.

Warmwater fishing success is slowing down now. Still, some anglers have been successful targeting bass as of Dec. 7. Anglers can try fishing crankbaits, light colored jerkbait, Senkos, or a worm retrieved slowly along the bottom.

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 12/11/24.

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

Bass and panfish are available 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.

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 11/13/24.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook

Fish Lake is slowly filling and is now 59 percent full. Trout fishing should be good, but snow may affect access at times. Sno-Park Permits are needed beginning Nov. 1. Fishing Powerbait or casting lures like a Rooster Tail or Panther Martin from shore may be the best bet.

Anglers are encouraged to report catches of tiger trout or any other fish stories to Rogue Fish District Staff 541-826-8774. Last updated 12/4/24.

GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Galesville anglers like other reservoir anglers in Douglas County will have more success fishing on warmer days and with slower presentations. The reservoir has been lowered for winter storage, which can concentrate fish. Anglers should also find some larger trout. Galesville holds trout well and anglers have reported some large fish. Last updated 11/20/24.

GARRISON LAKE: trout

With most rivers high and muddy, this might be good option for anglers wanting to fish. If the trout aren't biting, boat anglers can beach their boat on the foredune and walk the ocean beach. The lake usually has a decent population of trout that carryover from the summer. The fish are scattered so the best method is usually fishing from a boat. Anglers will want to keep an eye on the weather, because the lake can be very windy. Last updated 12/18/24.

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

Winter is here, so check with the US Forest Service on road conditions before heading out. It is likely that the lake may not be reachable without snowmobiles. There are a lot of trout left over from the spring stockings. Last updated 12/18/24.

HOWARD PRAIRIE: trout

Howard Prairie is 42 percent full. Trout fishing should be fair to good when weather allows access to the reservoir. Try fishing near the dam with Powerbait above a sinker, a worm below a bobber or casting lures.

Anglers are reminded to remove all vegetation from gear, boots and boats before leaving Howard Prairie. Last updated 11/27/24.

HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass

Hyatt is currently 37 percent full. Trout fishing should be fair to good when weather allows access to the reservoir. Try fishing near the dam with Powerbait above a sinker, a worm below a bobber or casting lures.

Anglers are reminded to remove all vegetation from gear, boots and boats before leaving Hyatt. Last updated 12/11/24.

ILLINOIS RIVER: trout

The Illinois River is closed to all angling from the signs at the former Pomeroy dam site to the 8 Dollar Bridge. The river is open for trout fishing downstream of the 8 Dollar Bridge. Only adipose fin clipped rainbow trout may be retained. All wild rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed.

Hatchery steelhead may be retained in certain sections. No wild steelhead retention for the 2024/2025 season. See regulations and season updates. Artificial lures and flies only.

The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30.

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 10/16/24.

LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout, yellow perch

This lake is located west of Hwy 101 along the coast. With the more moderate temperature changes this can be a good spot to catch some perch. Last updated 12/11/24.

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

Bass and panfish are available. Anglers caught a few largemouth around Thankgiving on a Rage Tail crawfish and 5-inch Senkos.

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 12/4/24.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

US Forest Service campgrounds are closed for the season. Lemolo Lake Resort is closed for the season, but they may be reached at 541-643-0750. Trout fishing can still be good in the winter, but Lemolo is being drawn down for winter storage.

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 12/18/24

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

Lost Creek has risen to 1,812 feet, reaching the normal flood season pool level. The Takelma boat ramp is open. The Stewart/marina ramp is also open now according to the county, but it may take a few days for the docks to be reinstalled. The water temperature at the surface is 47F.

Lost Creek offers very good opportunity for winter trout fishing. One group caught a nice batch of rainbow trout trolling at Lost Creek over the weekend. Trollers can have very good success at Lost Creek using a variety of gear: Apex lures, Brad's cut plug lures with scent, red hoochies, and wedding rings.

Trout can be caught at a variety of depths from the surface down to about 50 feet. Lures are often fished behind dodgers, and can be spiked with corn, worms or power worms. Lost Creek also offers good bank fishing access, and fishing on both sides of the dam can be very effective using PowerBait.

Copepods are often present. The fish are safe to eat when cooked, and the copepods can be scraped off.

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 12/11/24.

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.

Surfperch anglers took advantage of smaller ocean swells recently to catch decent numbers of redtail surfperch. Anglers will 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 using sand shrimp, mole crabs or artificial sand worms. Be cautious of ocean waves and drift logs. Ready to try surfperch fishing? Here are some tips to get you started. Last updated 12/11/24.

2024 sport bottomfish seasons

PLAT I RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Winter bass fishing can be decent at Plat I. This reservoir is usually drawn down in the fall for winter storage. The reservoir has been lowered. Last updated 11/20/24.

REINHART PARK POND: trout, bass

Bass and panfish are available. Last updated 10/30/24.

ROGUE RIVER

Rogue River, lower: winter steelhead

Anglers are picking up winter steelhead fairly regulary. The river is running high and off-color, so it's always a good idea to check flow conditions before heading out. ODFW creel surveyors are seeing a mix of wild and hatchery fish. This is somewhat unusual, as normally hatchery fish don't start showing up until late January.

All steelhead anglers will need to buy a Rogue South Coast Steelhead Validation to fish for steelhead, but winter steelhead anglers will also want to check current wild steelhead bag limit reductions before purchasing the wild steelhead harvest tag. Anglers will only be able to retain 1 wild steelhead for the period of Dec. 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 from the mouth of the Rogue upstream to the mouth of the Illinois. Last updated 12/18/24.

Rogue River, middle: steelhead, trout, Chinook, coho

Flow in Grants Pass is 1,770 cfs and dropping on Dec. 11, with a water temperature of around 40F. The river is moderate/low, with turbidity levels around 2 NTUs.

Coho salmon are distributed throughout the middle Rogue. Please remember that all unmarked wild coho must be immediately released unharmed, while hatchery fish have an adipose fin clip and may be harvested. Anglers can try casting spoons like Little Cleos or spinners like a Blue Fox. Another common technique is to fish bait or artificials like an egg imitation soft bead below a bobber. For fly-anglers, coho will strike medium to large leech and streamer patterns in pink, orange, purple or black.

Some summer steelhead are being caught. Again, only hatchery summer steelhead may be kept and all wild steelhead must be released unharmed. Focus on deeper runs and pools.

It's still early for winter steelhead in this section of the Rogue. For the 2024/2025 season, there is no wild harvest above the confluence with the Illinois River. The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30.

Anglers, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly. If fish are getting injured with the technique you are using, please change techniques. Remember that smaller rainbow are usually the steelhead that will return in future years.

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 12/11/24.

Rogue River, upper: steelhead, trout, coho

River flows continue to drop. The release from Lost Creek is 1,295 cfs and the flow at Gold Ray is 1,680 cfs, with a river temperature of 40-45F. The river is clear.

Summer steelhead are still being caught and coho salmon are present. Anglers targeting late summer steelhead have reported success drifting nymphs. The return of hatchery coho to Cole Rivers had reached 2,367 fish last week with 202 new arrivals. When much of the upper Rogue is muddy, the reach upstream of Big Butte often remains clear during storms. 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.

It's still early for winter steelhead in this section of the Rogue. For the 2024/2025 season, there is no wild harvest above the confluence with the Illinois River. The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30.

Anglers, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly. If fish are getting injured with the technique you are using, please change techniques. Remember that smaller rainbow are usually the steelhead that will return in future years.

For up-to-date river levels, check all the USGS Rogue gauges here. Last updated 12/11/24

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).

An angler recently caught a nice rainbow on a Little Cleo upstream of Prospect. Last updated 12/11/24.

SIXES RIVER: Chinook

Rain this week will most likely blow the river out for a while. If the river is too high and muddy, usually the Elk River is in better condition.

New this year, a portion of the upper river, which is already closed to Chinook, will be closed to ALL fishing until Jan. 1 to protect Chinook staging in the mainstem waiting 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 for regulation updates. Last updated 12/18/24.

SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: steelhead

With the recent rain there should be a few early winter steelhead in the lower sections. Open for hatchery steelhead all year. Wild coho is not open in Smith River.

The area above Spencer creek to Sisters creek is open to hatchery steelhead through April 30. Last updated 12/18/24.

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

The wild coho season in Tenmile Lakes is open through Dec. 31. Fishing has been slow lately and when anglers do catch a coho they have been dark and almost ready to spawn.

Steelhead anglers will start fishing Tenmile Creek in locations like Spinreel Park and across from the mouth of Eel Creek. Eel Creek is closed to steelhead fishing until Jan. 1.

With dropping water temperatures largemouth bass will be transitioning off shoreline cover and moving to submerged wood or other hard structures in deeper water.

Yellow perch can be found on deeper mud flats in 15 feet of water or deeper. Use a small jig or hooks with a worm fished near the bottom to catch yellow perch.

Trout fishing in rivers and streams closed after Oct. 31. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Last updated 12/18/24.

UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

Some lakes may be freezing over and may not be accessible by car. The forecast calls for the higher elevation lakes to get snow. For a map of lakes stocked in the SW check out the ODFW's trout stocking map.

Working with volunteers, stocking has been completed for this year with rainbow trout fry. Prospective volunteers for stocking in 2025 should contact Levi.m.simmons@odfw.oregon.gov for more information. Last updated 12/18/24

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: steelhead, coho

All Chinook harvest is closed till Feb.1. Early forecasts for wild spring Chinook are looking low for 2025, which may impact the fishery.

Wild coho retention is closed but the river is still open for hatchery salmon and steelhead.

Anglers are starting to target early winter steelhead in the Elkton area. Fishing has been fair with anglers reporting success throughout the main Umpqua. Only hatchery steelhead maybe harvested. Last updated 12/18/24.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead

A few winter steelhead are starting to cross Winchester Dam. It is still a little early for winter steelhead, so angler effort is low. Only hatchery steelhead maybe harvested.

There are very few coho moving across Winchester Dam now. There is no retention of wild coho. Early forecasts for wild spring Chinook are looking low for 2025, which may impact the fishery. Last updated 12/18/24.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead

The South is open for hatchery steelhead and hatchery coho. The best fishing for steelhead will be in the lower sections. There has been very little effort so far. But with recent rains, angler effort should increase as the river starts to recede. Last updated 12/18/24.

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

Willow is a bank fishing show for now, or fishable by personal watercraft or inflatables. Some anglers are launching boats from the shoreline near the shop but this is not recommended according to the county. Bass, panfish and rainbow trout are available.

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