Southwest Zone

SW Fishing

Dec 11, 2025

• Best bets for weekend fishing:
• This is good time of year for Chinook anglers to check wild Chinook bag limits for the locations they are planning to fish.
• Lost Creek Reservoir has had great reports by folks trolling for rainbow trout.

Trout stocking 

Regular stocking will resume February 2026.

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.

Rogue South Coast Winter Steelhead Validation is required to target steelhead starting December 1. A Wild Steelhead Harvest Tag is also required to harvest non-adipose clipped (wild) steelhead where open. See page 35-39 in the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.

Updates by waterbody

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

Agate Lake is 23 percent full. Fishing for bass and panfish should be good. Anglers are encouraged to harvest any carp or catfish caught at the reservoir. Last updated 12/9/25

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

The lake level is 1,874 ft and the surface temperature at Applegate is unavailable. Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at (800) 472-2434 for lake level and temperature information.

Trout fishing should be good throughout the reservoir. Trolling flies or lures like a flatfish or panther martin on light line is worth a try, or fishing with heavier gear like dodgers and flashers ahead of a wedding ring spiked with a nightcrawler, Gulp worm or corn. Powerbait is the bait of choice for bank anglers.

Bass fishing should be decent, but you might need to slow down presentations. The low-water ramp at French Gulch is the only available ramp at these levels.

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 12/9/25

APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam: Trout

The Applegate River is open for hatchery trout fishing. This is mainly a catch and release fishery for cutthroat. Cutthroat trout can be found hanging out in the deep pools spread throughout the river. As rain and cooler weather settle in for the winter, trout should be more evenly distributed throughout the river. 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. Anglers are encouraged to harvest any pikeminnow caught in the Applegate, while releasing native suckers unharmed.

Please be careful not to step on nests/redds as fall Chinook and coho are spawning. Last updated 12/9/25

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

With recent cooler/wet weather, warmwater fish will be slowing down. Try slower presentations. Angling is slow. Last update 12/10/25

Chetco River: Chinook, winter steelhead.

Flows continue to be low and clear. Anglers may find a few fresh chinook in the lower river holes, but most are actively spawning in the mainstem and tributaries. Steelhead should start to show in the lower river, but anglers will want to use lighter leaders and fish early or late in the day when the fish aren't as spooky.

As of December 1 anglers will need the Rogue South Coast steelhead validation to fish for steelhead.

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

Fishing for all species is slow. Try a slow presentation for best results. Some anglers are finding success with white crappie. Last updated 12/10/25

COOS RIVER BASIN: Bottomfish, trout, surfperch, salmon

Rougher weather/waves warrant caution when fishing along the jetties, however, some rockfish can still 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 bottomfish.

The 2025 daily general marine fish bag limit is 3 fish plus 2 lingcod with no retention of yelloweye or quillback rockfish. There is a one fish daily sub-bag limit for canary rockfish as part of the general marine bag limit. Anglers are allowed to harvest cabezon with a 1 fish daily sub-bag limit as part of the general marine bag limit.

Chinook salmon have moved through the bay and have spawned in tributaries or been spawned at the Morgan Creek and Noble Creek hatcheries. The limit through 2025 remains three fish, one of which must be a hatchery fish, thus no more than two wild/natural fish in the bag. The limit increase applies to areas currently open to salmon fishing in the Coos Basin. . The wild coho season closed on October 10^th. For any questions on Salmon Fishing in the Coos or Coquille please call the Charleston office at 541-888-5515 (dial zero at the answer of the machine).

On occasion stray feeder Chinook from the ocean may be caught in the lower Coos Bay. however, most fish have moved to the upper bay and rivers to spawn. The salmon bite is typically best a couple hours before and through the slack tide. Steelhead are now showing up at typical locations, (W.F. Millicoma River, S. Coos River) . Steelhead fishing is expected to improve notably if rains continue and should be available to be caught in December in traditional locations

Striped surfperch can be caught around the jetties and red-tail surfperch are being caught along the ocean beaches like Horsefall Beach. Anglers have the best success fishing with sand shrimp near the bottom.

Trout season closed Oct. 31. Last updated 12/11/25

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, smallmouth bass

Striped bass fishing in the lower Coquille has slowed substantially. It is still possible, however, to catch striped bass during the day, but fishing will be best in the low light periods of the day and after dark.

Smallmouth bass are essentially dormant in the winter throughout the Coquille River and main tributaries due to cooler water temps and lower metabolism. . Spearfishing closed October 31^st. Bait fishing for smallmouth remains open in tidewater locations and the S.F. Coquille River and where steelhead fishing is open. Fishing will be fairly slow. Either bait on the bottom or artificial grubs/worms worked very slowly will bring fish to bite. Hardcore anglers may entice a smallmouth 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.

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

Trout fishing closed in rivers and streams in the Coquille Basin on October 31. Last updated 11/25/25.

DIAMOND LAKE: Trout

Fishing is very slow as winter settles in. There is very little angling effort but current unseasonal weather might encourage some trout to feed. Recent temps have been reaching the mid-40's. Be aware that the south ramp docks are removed in October. The Diamond Lake Lodge has also removed their docks and rental boats.

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 12/10/25

ELK RIVER: Hatchery Chinook

The river is low and clear. Anglers may want to wait for conditions to improve before heading out to the river or try fishing at the mouth of the river. This is good time of year for anglers to visit Elk River Hatchery and see adult Chinook returning to the facility.

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

Emigrant Lake is 20 percent full and the boat ramp may be difficult to use at this level. With cooler weather and rain trout should start becoming easier to target throughout the reservoir.

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 12/9/25

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

Fishing for largemouth bass and panfish might be slowing down with cooler temperatures, but anglers can catch nice Largemouth Bass year-round here. 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 11/25/25

FISH LAKE: Rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook

Fish Lake is 60 percent full and was stocked with rainbow trout in early October. A few reports of good angling while trolling have come in over the last week. It's somewhat unusual to have an ice-free lake at this time of year.

The USFS reports problems with the water system. Porta-potties have been installed, but the fish cleaning station will not be available this 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 112/9/25

FLORAS LAKE: Rainbow trout, cutthroat

With most rivers low and clear, this may be a good time to fish the lake. Anglers may want to fish in the afternoon when conditions are a little warmer and the fish become more active. 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.

GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout, bass

The boat ramps are still accessible. The reservoir is about 40 feet lower than summer full pool. Trout fishing should pick up for hold-over trout from this spring's stockings. Bass fishing has slowed down as winter weather arrives. A lower reservoir can mean the fish are concentrated and easier to target. Last updated 12/10/25

GARRISON LAKE: Trout

With most area rivers low and clear, this is a good time to fish the lake. The fish will be more active in the afternoon with the warmer weather. The lake usually has quite a few large trout that carry through the summer. This is the time of year when anglers should check weather conditions before heading out. The lake can be very windy.

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

Hemlock and Lake in the Woods have been stocked with more than 6,000 trout during the spring and summer. Hemlock was stocked back in early September with trophy-sized trout. Cool weather will continue. Winter weather may make the lake inaccessible until spring. Last updated 12/10/25

HOWARD PRAIRIE: Trout, bass

Howard Prairie is 78 percent full. Bait fishing, casting from shore, and trolling are all good techniques. Larger trout can be caught on Powerbait fished about 2 ft off the bottom. Trolling a variety of lures with a worm can at depth can also be productive this time of year.

County boat ramps are all closed for the season, but the gravel boat launch by the dam should be available.

Remember to remove all vegetation from gear, boots and boats before leaving Howard Prairie. Last updated 12/9/25

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

Hyatt is 73 percent full. All the campground and boat ramp gates have been locked for the season, so boat access is limited.

Fishing for trout by the dam with power bait is a good bet this time of year.

Remember to remove all vegetation from gear, boots, and boats before leaving Hyatt. Last updated 12/9/25

ILLINOIS RIVER: Trout, steelhead

The Illinois River is open for trout and steelhead fishing using flies and lures only. Water levels should be good until forecasted rain comes in later this weekend. Consult the fishing regulations for more information and locations open to fishing. Tributaries, including East Fork and West Fork Illinois, are closed to angling. .

Last updated 12/9/25.

LAKE MARIE: Rainbow trout, yellow perch

Lake Marie is a good spot for a quiet fishing experience. The lake has been stocked three times this year. This is a good lake to use scented bait. Fishing has been slow, but no recent reports. Last updated 12/10/25.

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

Try slow presentation of rubber baits for largemouth bass, or bobber and small jig for bluegill and crappie. 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 11/25/25

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: Brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee

The US Forest Service campgrounds are closed for the season. For other information call the Lemolo Lake Resort at (541) 643-0750.

Brown trout fishing is slow. Lemolo was stocked in early September. Angling should be slow for all trout with the cool weather.

Kokanee in Lemolo areconsidered 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 12/10/25

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

The lake level is 1,807ft and the water surface temperature at Lost Creek is 50F. At this level the Takelma boat ramp might be difficult for larger boats to launch & retrieve. The lake was stocked with 6,000 rainbow trout in early October, and anglers have had excellent success on legal-sized and larger trout 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.

Anglers can get the latest reservoir details by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at (800) 472-2434. Last updated 12/9/25

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

Try a bobber and small jig for bluegill and crappie. Slow presentations of rubber baits can work well for largemouth in cooler temperatures. Medco Pond is a private pond, and access can be revoked at any time. Bank anglers should stay away from the east portion of the lake, again due to private property, and stay on the roadside of the gate with any vehicles (even if the gate is open). To help keep access open, anglers should make sure to pick up their trash, as well as other trash when they are there. Last updated 12/9/25

PLAT I RESERVOIR: Trout, bass

Angling is slow in the areas with water. The Water Control District City of Sutherlin has drained the lake. Duck hunting is open on Plat I, see ODFW Bird Regulations for more details. Last updated 12/10/25

ROGUE RIVER

Rogue River, lower: Winter steelhead

Low and clear. A few winter steelhead are starting to move upstream, but with the river conditions it will be hard to get them to bite. Anglers may want to wait until flows pick up to go fishing.

Anglers are reminded to purchase their Rogue South Coast Steelhead Validation prior to going steelhead fishing.

Rogue River, middle: Steelhead, Coho, trout

Summer steelhead and coho are throughout the Middle Rogue. Rain in the forecast early next week will likely redistribute fish as they move into tributaries to spawn. Only hatchery/adipose-clipped Coho are available to harvest and wild coho must be released. As always, anglers are encouraged to harvest any introduced pikeminnow caught in the middle Rogue, while we encourage the release of native suckers.

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 12/9/25.

Rogue River, upper: Steelhead, Coho, trout

The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is around 1,150cfs. Click here for current flow at the Ray Gold gage. A few summer steelhead continue to migrate into the upper Rogue. Fishing for Chinook is now closed but Coho are moving through in good numbers. Hatchery (adipose clipped) Coho may be harvested, but wild Coho must be released. Twitching jigs can be very effective for Coho.

Cole Rivers Hatchery returns as of 12/3/25

Anglers, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly. Spring Chinook have started spawning, so please be careful not to step on reds/nests if wading. 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 12/9/25

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: Trout

Some campgrounds may be closed for the winter, but fishing is available all year above Lost Cr Lake. No major snowpack yet, but this time if year it's worth a look at ODOT TripCheck before heading up. Anglers are encouraged to harvest brook trout regardless of size. Last updated 12/9/25

Sixes River: Chinook

Low and clear. Bank angling is the best method to target chinook until flows pick up.

Anglers are reminded there is a complete angling closure upstream of Edson Creek until January 1. This closure is to protect fall Chinook staging to spawn in the mainstem and tributaries. 

SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: Winter Steelhead, and bass

Despite cooler weather some anglers are continuing to find bass of different varieties. Slow presentations of plastics and lures can work well.

Smith river above Spencer Creek is open to angling under permanent rule. North Fork Smith is also open to angling now. Angling for winter steelhead is slow. Last updated 12/10/2025

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

Largemouth bass have fully transitioned to their late fall/winter patterns as the aquatic vegetation begins to die back for the year. Fishing will continue to slow as the water temperatures continue to cool to winter minimums. Few if any fish are likely to be taken by topwater fishing. Fishing below surface is recommended. During the middle of the day bass may be able to be caught on crankbaits, jigs, and finesse lures like drop shots. Look to find bass along submerged logs and deeper weed line edges. Most of the largemouth bass being caught are ½ pound to 2 pounds with an occasional bigger fish.

Anglers may still catch a few yellow perch along the edge of the weed lines. Yellow perch can be caught using a worm fishing near the bottom or using a small jig/jigging spoon tipped with a worm fished near the bottom.

The Tenmile Lakes wild coho season officially opened in October. and coho have entered the lakes. Coho fishing is expected to be steady in the upcoming weeks fishing Big, Shutters, Benson, and Blacks Creek arms. Casting spinners to fish rolling at times is effective.

A few winter steelhead are inTenmile Creek downstream of Hwy 101. in the upcoming weeks of December numbers will be picking up..

Trout fishing in rivers and streams closed October 31. Trout fishing in the lakes is open year-round. Trout anglers are having success trolling in deeper water using wedding rings tipped with a nightcrawler. Last updated 12/11/25

UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: Trout

As we move further into winter some of the higher elevation lakes will be eligible for snow. The forecast has a chance for snow, but low amounts are present and anglers may still be able to access the lakes. 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 12/10/25

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Steelhead, and bass

Most anglers have stopped focusing on bass this time of year. Anglers are now fishing for steelhead in the lower sections. Expect fishing to be slow until some rain comes to raise the flows. Hatchery Coho may now be harvested on the main.

Spring Chinook is still a few months away, but due to anticipated low returns to the South Umpqua, ODFW may need to enact restrictions on wild harvest. Final estimates are still being evaluated. Last updated 12/10/25

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: Steelhead, coho

Steelhead angling on the North is slow. Winter steelhead typically doesn't start improving until January. There have been a few bright winter steelhead that have crossed Winchester Dam.

Coho fishing is slow. Remember that only hatchery coho may be retained. There will be very few hatchery coho available.

Spring Chinook is still a few months away, but with a better outlook it is likely that the river will be open to some wild harvest. However, final estimates are still being evaluated.

Last updated 12/10/25

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Steelhead, bass

The South Umpqua River is now open for winter steelhead. Angling will be slow with the river water level being low. Try angling in the lower sections for best results. Stanton Park is under construction, and the old access is closed for the winter. But a new access roadway through the main park entrance is available for anglers. It is steep and only currently rocked, so 4-wheel drive is recommended. Please look at before driving down. Last updated 12/10/25

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

Willow Lake is about half full, but boat ramps are not available at this level. The combination of legal and pounder-sized fish provides an excellent trout fishery at Willow this time of year. Anglers are encouraged to harvest undersized yellow perch (also illegally introduced) for a fish fry.

For more information on camping and day use please visit Jackson County Parks or call (541) 774-8183. Last updated 11/4/25