From the ODF&W web site:
Rivers and streams to fish this week:
- The Illinois River would be the places to go if you’re looking for a little solitude. The Illinois River has an earlier running winter Steelhead run than the Rogue and Applegate. The river should be dropping the rest of the week, and looks to be in good shape for the weekend. Fishing was slow last week, but some fish were caught. There are BLM access points along 8 Dollar Mountain Rd. outside of Kerby and Illinois River Rd. down to Miami Bar, accessed from Selma. 1/13/21
- Anglers have been enjoying some good success with winter steelhead in the Umpqua. 12/9/20
- Steelhead rivers in the Coos and Coquille basins are high and muddy, but some rivers should drop to fishable levels by the weekend. 1/6/21
- The rivers in the Umpqua might be a bit high to fish this weekend. But, the Smith and upper parts of the basin may be fishable and steelhead should definitely be around. 1/12/21
RECENTLY STOCKED
Several fisheries were stocked in October with legal and larger trout. These include Bradley, Butterfield, Upper Empire and Saunders lakes, Lost Creek Reservoir and Powers Pond.
Where’s the stocking schedule?
Our plans to begin posting the trout stocking schedule have been scrambled by the recent wildfires in the state. Several state-owned hatcheries were damaged in the fires, and thousands of fish were lost or released early.
It will take us a while to re-figure the current schedule to reflect these changes.
In the meantime, trout stocking is essentially done for 2020, except for a few locations noted in the Recreation Report.
TROUT STOCKING MAPS: Find your place to fish
Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: closures, special events, etc.
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.
Umpqua winter steelhead study
Anglers who catch a hatchery winter steelhead in the Umpqua Basin are being asked to turn in the snouts from those fish. Some of these snouts contain small tags. Anglers who turn in snouts that contain these tags will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card. Snouts may be turned in at barrels located around the basin, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Roseburg, or the Roseburg ODFW office. Tags obtained from the fish will inform ODFW on the best release strategy for juveniles to provide the most fish back to anglers in the future.
Tips to recreate responsibly
We continue to urge anglers and others recreating outside to stay close to home, keep your social distance, and travel safely. Here’s more information about how to recreate responsibly.
UPDATES BY WATERBODY
AGATE LAKE: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, bullheads, yellow perch
Agate Lake has been slowly rising with the recent rains and is now at 14 percent capacity. The boat ramp and day-use facilities here are open and managed by Jackson County Parks. With the clear weather for the foreseeable future, the lake should be clearing a bit. There is a 10 mph speed limit on this reservoir.
Agate Lake has a good population of crappie and yellow perch, as well as brown bullhead. Last updated 12/23/20.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout
Nothing new at Applegate Reservoir. Releases remain steady at 150 cfs for downstream fall Chinook eggs incubating in the gravel. Launching at French Gulch is still not advised as mud covers the ramp with the extremely low reservoir level. Hart-Tish and Copper are both unusable due to the low water.
Fishing from the bank or with a kayak or other small personal water craft is possible. Don’t expect a crowd (or anyone to pull you out), but there are fish to be caught as 15,000 legals were stocked in July.
The reservoir is 1 percent full with an elevation of 1,866 ft. Surface temperatures are in the low 40s. Reservoir operations, elevations and boat ramp levels can be viewed by hovering over icons on the US Army Corps Rogue Basin Teacup webpage. Last updated 12/23/20.
APPLEGATE RIVER: winter steelhead, trout
The majority of the winter steelhead do not typically show in the Applegate River until March. However, with the nice storms so far this winter, reports of some fish starting to show here are trickling in. Still, it’s early.
The Applegate is open to the retention of hatchery winter steelhead and hatchery rainbow trout. Wild steelhead and trout must be released immediately and unharmed. It is illegal to fish from a floating device on the Applegate, but bait is allowed.
Anglers should do their part to harvest and remove non-local pikeminnow they encounter on the Applegate River. All tributaries are closed below Applegate Dam, except Glade Creek. Tributaries upstream of Applegate reservoir are open year-round for trout and bait is allowed.
The river looks to be cresting Wednesday around 4.5 feet and 2000 cfs at the Wilderille guage, and should be dropping the rest of the week. Flows should level out around 600-700 cfs for the week. Most river users tend to fish from the bank. If choosing to float, a small pontoon boat or inflatable kayak is the preferred method for navigating to public parcels along the Applegate. Remember, fishing from the boat itself is not allowed. Flows from 600-1000 are ideal conditions for floating and generally good water conditions for winter steelhead.
There are good bank access around the Hwy 199 bridge, Fish Hatchery Park, Cantrall Buckley Park, upstream of Murphy, near McKee Bridge. There are also scatterings of BLM lands in the upper river around McKee Bridge. You can check the flows on the Applegate when planning a trip. Last updated 1/13/21.
ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout
The pond was recently stocked for the holiday week. The pond is still fairly weedy so fishing may be a little tough.
Oregon State Parks manages Arizona Pond for anglers ages 17 and under. This is a great place for new anglers to learn fishing techniques. Last updated 12/9/20.
BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie
The reservoir is likely rising and muddy, but there may be a few bass or trout willing to bite. Last updated 1/13/21.
CHETCO RIVER: winter steelhead
Anglers are picking up a few winter steelhead. Most of the fish are getting picked up by bank anglers, but flows are holding pretty good for boat anglers.
Most chinook are spawning or holding in tributaries. Last updated 12/23/20.
COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, coho and Chinook smolts
The weather is looking a bit wet and cool, but fishing can be good anytime at Cooper.
Beginning in 2016, Cooper has been stocked with coho and Chinook salmon juveniles (20,000 coho in 2019). These are often mistaken for kokanee. Anglers may retain up to 5 salmon juveniles in the reservoir as part of their daily trout bag limit. Please remember to release salmon and trout less than 8 inches.Last updated 1/13/21.
COOS RIVER BASIN: marine perch species, steelhead
The lower Coos Bay estuary has been rough from the recent ocean swells but anglers can still catch rockfish along the jetty and submerged rock structures when the bay is calmer. Smaller jigs with a twister tail or 1-ounce jigging spoons have been working to catch rockfish and greenling. The daily bag limit for marine fish is 6, which includes a one fish sub-bag limit for China, copper and quillback rockfish. Anglers can still harvest 2 lingcod per day.
A few hatchery steelhead were caught in the East Fork and West Fork Millicoma rivers over the weekend but overall fishing has been slow. With the recent heavy rains the steelhead rivers in the Coos Basin will most likely be high and muddy until the weekend.
The West Fork Millicoma River will be the first river to become fishable followed by the East Fork Millicoma and South Fork Coos rivers. There is good but crowded public access at the Millicoma Interpretive Center on the West Fork Millicoma River and at Nesika Park on the East Fork Millicoma River. There is lots of bank access on the South Fork Coos River but anglers fishing above Dellwood will need a fishing permit from Weyerhaeuser.
Trout fishing in streams and rivers is now closed until next spring. Last updated 1/13/21.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: steelhead
Drift boat and bank anglers were catching hatchery steelhead on the South Fork Coquille River this past weekend. With the recent rains the steelhead rivers in the Coquille Basin will likely be high and muddy into the weekend. Last updated 1/13/21.
DIAMOND LAKE: trout
The lake was icing over well, but with warm temperatures the ice might be a bit thin. Some anglers were having success when they were able to get on the lake.
Anglers should check with the Umpqua National Forest (541-498-2531) for information on camps and ramps. Seasonal closures are occurring for campgrounds and boat launches. Anglers can check fishing and water conditions at Diamond Lake on the Diamond Lake Resort Facebook page, or call 541-793-3333 for updates. Diamond Lake is open year-round.
Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger and brown trout. These fish are intended to assist in controlling illegally introduced tui chub. These trout are catch-and-release only and need to be released immediately and unharmed if caught. Last updated 1/13/21.
ELK RIVER: Chinook, winter steelhead
Water conditions have been pretty good and anglers are still finding good numbers of Chinook in the system, with a scattering of early winter steelhead. Last updated 12/23/20.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout
There’s not much that has changed out here. But with the nice weather forecast for this weekend, it may not be a bad spot to target if you’re looking to stay close to home and live in the Medford/Ashland area. Boat accessibility is lacking though, so expect to drag down personal watercraft to the water’s edge, or fish from the bank. Crappie and bass fishing would be on the menu. Target any area that looks to have some structure or any area that is seeing some inflow plumes.
The RV Park is open but tent camping has closed for the season. All boat ramps are currently unusable due to extremely low reservoir levels. There is very little fishing pressure here.
For more information on park facilities closures visit the Jackson County Parks website.
The reservoir is at 3 percent — barely a puddle — but starting to rise. Expect the banks to be muddy with the recent wet weather. Last updated 1/13/21.
EXPO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie
Day use permits are required. No trout are planned to be stocked here until March 2021.
Bass fishing should be fair. Any fishing here would be better in the late afternoon as water temperatures warm up. PowerBait and worms work here. If you have access to personal watercraft, trout fishing can be best along the steep, blackberry-laden bank. This area is tough to access from the bank.
Chinese mystery snails are present here in the most northern pond. Please do not move these creatures and drain and dry any personal water craft before using them in another waterbody. Last updated 12/23/20.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook
Fish Lake Cabins are currently available. The lodge and café are closed. It’s best to call ahead to confirm their most current status of the lodge and café: 541-949-8500 or check their Facebook page. Ice is was last reported at 6-9 inches thick on Fish Lake and some folks were ice fishing last weekend. Anglers are reminded that a human-made ice hole can be no larger than 12 inches in diameter or length. Be careful out there as the weather is forecast to warm up a bit for the weekend.
The Hwy 140 webcam at Lake of the woods will give you a good idea of the road conditions.
Fish Lake was stocked with trophy trout in early October, and fall fingerling tiger trout.
More information on National Forest Developed recreation sites and campground closures for the Rogue Siskiyou Forest please visit here.
Tiger trout, Chinook salmon, brook trout, and larger rainbow trout are available. Remember that tiger trout must be immediately released unharmed. Anglers are encouraged to report their catch of tiger trout to fish district staff at 541-826-8774 ext 234 or 226. Last updated 1/13/21.
FLORAS LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
No recent fishing reports. Last updated 12/23/20.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
With recent rains, the reservoir is filling up. Fish may be moving towards inlets.
Call 541-837-3302 for information on camping and boat launching conditions. Check out the Lake Level Gage for more information.
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. Last updated 1/12/21.
GARRISON LAKE: trout
The winter months can be a good time to fish the lake. A lot of times, this is the only place to fish when the rivers and creeks are too high and muddy to fish. Bank anglers can find access at the 12th street or Pinehurst boat ramps and off Paradise Point Road. The lake can be very windy so anglers will want to check the weather before heading out. Last updated 12/9/20.
HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS (Douglas County): trout
A recent report said the road was open up to the lakes, but there was some ice on both lakes. Anglers may be able to toss a line if the ice breaks up with warmer weather.
The USFS has closed the campgrounds at these sites due to COVID-19. Anglers should be able to access the lakes from other areas. Anglers should check with the Umpqua National Forest (541-496-3532) for information on camp and ramp closures.
Anglers fishing the high lakes in the Umpqua District are encouraged to e-mail fishing reports. Remember to only keep trout at least 8 inches long, and only one trout over 20 inches per day. Last updated 1/13/21.
HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass
Expect snow this weekend and ice on the water. It is likely not safe enough to walk on especially as temperatures have warmed again.
There is a Hwy 66 and Hyatt Lake Rd webcam that may help if you’re planning an adventure up here to cross country ski or snowshoe. Fishing is probably off the table for now. We recommend using Dead Indian Memorial Rd. to access Howard Prairie as the road between Hyatt and Howard has much more snow on it. There is a Jackson County webcam at the Dead Indian Memorial Summit.
All campgrounds and facilities are currently closed until further notice. More information on facilities can be found on Jackson County Parks website.
The reservoir is hovering at 7 percent full. Last updated 12/23/2020.
HUNTER CREEK: Closed to all fishing Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
HYATT LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Don’t expect much fishing, rather this is more of a destination for a winter weekend adventure. Hyatt Lake Resort is open, serving food to go. Check out their Facebook page for more information or call the resort: 877-411-5545. There are a number of groomed cross-country trails in the area as well and the Table Mountain snow park.
The Mountain View boat ramp and all federal and state campgrounds are closed and inaccessible. Expect ice on the water, but likely not thick enough or safe to walk on. Warmer than normal weather is forecast for the next week as well, but expect snow on the ground.
There is a Hwy 66 and Hyatt Lake Rd webcam that may help you if you are planning an adventure up here. Also, ODOT trip check is worth looking at. Last updated 1/13/2021.
ILLINOIS RIVER: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
The river crested at 20.68 feet and 18,700 cfs at Kerby on Wednesday morning. The river should be dropping all week and be fishable by late Friday, with best conditions Saturday and Sunday. Good tactics on the Illinois include side drifting yarn balls or corkies/yarn with some scent, or fishing a jig under a bobber. Some anglers also throw spoons and spinners in nice long runs or into an eddy. Only artificial flies and lures are allowed. Soft beads and plastic worms are considered bait.
Wild steelhead may be harvested if they are over 24 inches long and caught between Klondike Creek and Fall Creek, or from 400 feet above Illinois Falls to Pomeroy Dam. Only 1 may be kept per day and 3 per calendar year, zone-wide. Additionally, it’s illegal to fish 200 feet below the fishway at Pomeroy Dam. The river and tributaries above Pomeroy are always closed to fishing.
There is good public bank access along 8 Dollar Rd. just north of Kerby, and Illinois River Rd. outside of Selma, all the way downstream to Miami Bar. Most anglers fish along the road, or choose to hike in at various trailheads along the river.
Check the USGS Kerby guage which provides up to date river flow information. Flows about 2500-1000 are pretty ideal conditions especially with a dropping river. Being relatively quick to clear, small natural looking presentations are key here as the river drops. Last updated 1/13/21.
LAKE SELMAC (Selmac Lake): trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
This weekend will be pretty mild for January. Bass fishing may not be bad. Stripping a leech can be very effective. The first yea’rs trout stocking is not scheduled until mid-February.
All the aquatic weeds at Selmac have died off and water conditions look clear.
Lake Selmac facilities operated by Josephine County Parks are currently open. More information about Josephine County Parks can be found on their website.
Lake Selmac also has a recent non-native introduction of a bryozoan. Bryozoans are mossy like creatures that usually help to clean water and that are not typically harmful to humans. However, this particular species has been known to harbor a disease that can be transmitted to salmon and steelhead. Please drain and dry your vessel if you are going to another water body and help stop Oregon’s aquatic hitchhikers!
Anglers are reminded that only 1 bass may be harvested from Selmac per day. Last updated 1/13/21.
LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Anglers should check with the Umpqua National Forest (541-498-2531) for information on camp and ramp closures. Contact the resort at 541-643-0750 for weather/road conditions and additional information. The latest info is that both the resort and the campgrounds are closed
Snow may make accessing the lake difficult unless you have a snowmobile. Brown trout and kokanee like are wrapping up their spawning and less fish may be available for anglers. Kokanee in Lemolo are considered trout and fall under the daily limit for trout of 5 per day, with only one of those measuring over 20 inches. Last update 1/13/21.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
Lost Creek will be the main focus for lake anglers through the rest of the fall and winter as many of the higher lakes become inaccessible due to snow or still low water levels. The Takelma ramp is currently the only ramp open and usable. This weekend should see very nice weather for trout anglers with temperatures in the mid 50s and light winds.
Lost Creek Reservoir was last stocked with legal and trophy trout in late September and early October. Trolling a wedding ring tipped with a nightcrawler and sliding egg sinker above your wedding ring leader is a very effective setup here. Also, don’t be afraid to row if you have a small boat to change up the presentation. PowerBait fished from the shore near the dam and boat ramp tend to do well also. Fishing up the Lost Creek arm back down toward the Peninsula toward Takelma ramp is also a good line.
Lost Creek Reservoir rose about 5 feet since last week and inflow is around 1700 cfs with 1100 being discharged. The lake is about 43 percent full with an elevation of 1,895.28 feet.
Anglers can get the latest surface temperatures by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434. Last updated 1/13/21.
MEDCO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Medco Pond is at 3,054 feet elevation and located between Butte Falls and Prospect. No recent reports here.
Medco Pond is a private pond and access can be revoked at any time. Medco recently received 15,000 fall fingerling trout that should overwinter and be catchable size by the spring. To help keep access open, anglers should make sure to pick up their trash, as well as other trash when they are there. The owners of Medco have restricted vehicle access to along the roadway because of vandals and dumpers. If you see someone doing something that may risk access for everyone, please let ODFW know. Last updated 12/23/20.
PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, surfperch
Bottomfishing is open to all depths, although the ocean has been very rough lately keeping anglers from getting out on the ocean. The daily bag limit for marine fish is 6 fish, which includes a one fish sub-bag limit for China, copper, and quillback rockfish. Anglers can still harvest 2 lingcod per day. Anglers must release all cabezon through June.
Anglers may also choose to fish the offshore longleader fishery outside of the 40-fathom regulatory line, which is open year-round. The longleader fishery has a daily bag limit of 10 fish made of yellowtail, widow, canary, blue, deacon, redstripe, greenstripe, silvergray, chillipepper, and bocaccio rockfish. No other groundfish are allowed and offshore longleader fishing trips cannot be combined with traditional bottomfish, flatfish or halibut trips. Find information about a longleader setup here.
The ocean has been too rough to fish for surfperch. When the ocean swells are calmer, surfperch anglers are having some success on the beaches using sand shrimp or Berkley Gulp sand worms. Last updated 1/6/21.
PISTOL RIVER: Closed to all fishing Oct. 1 to Dec. 31
PLAT I RESERVOIR: bass, trout
The weekend looks drier, but with recent rains the reservoir could be cloudy. This may slow the bite. Angler could consider a “Cast and Blast” On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through Jan, 31, when the reservoir is open to waterfowl hunting. Anglers could cast a line while waiting for ducks to come in.
Plat I offers some of the best disabled access in the area. Last updated 1/13/21.
ROGUE RIVER
Rogue River, lower: winter steelhead
Anglers are picking up a few winter steelhead. One of the best methods to catch a steelhead is plunking a Spin-n-Glo from the bank. Last updated 12/23/20.
Rogue River, middle: Chinook salmon, hatchery coho, steelhead, rainbow trout
With the periodic bumps in rain, conditions as the Rogue should be as good as we’ve seen in January for a few years. The river was still rising on mid-day Wednesday and not expected to crest until late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Plunking and side planners may look at Thursday afternoon and Friday as good days to try for some early running winter steelhead. The weekend should have the river in a pretty steady condition of around 2500 cfs with the best water clarity starting Saturday.
Prior to this last storm, no reports of winter fish had come in. The sweeping inside bends on Griffin Park, Matson Park, or Robertson Bridge would be good places to run a side planner and plug or Spin-n-Glo when the water is muddy and just starting to drop.
Upstream of Hog Creek, Wild steelhead retention is closed until Feb. 1. Downstream of Hog Creek, wild Steelhead may be retained as long as they are at least 24 inches in length. Only 1 per day, 3 per year zone wide in aggregate can be kept.
This weekend would be a good weekend to target half-pounders between Grave Creek and Robertson Bridge. They likely scattered with the high water, but should start fishing again. Only hatchery trout may be retained.
Locally-owned and operated tackle stores in Grants Pass have excellent gear and very fresh bait that is specific to the Rogue and to your particular technique. Go check them out and offer them support during this time.
It is illegal to snag and keep a snagged fish, whether it’s wild or hatchery! Report violations to Oregon State Police by calling *OSP.
As of Wednesday mid-day, the flow in Grants Pass was approximately 6,750 cfs and still rising, turbidity around 20 NTU, temperatures in the mid-40s.
For those interested in checking conditions before getting on the river, the City of Grants Pass Water Division’s websiteoffers information on river conditions at Grants Pass as well as a link to a river camera. Anglers can check all the USGS gaging stations, which have the most current temperatures and river flows here. Last updated 1/13/21.
Rogue River, upper: steelhead, rainbow trout
Only hatchery steelhead and trout can be retained at this time. Hatchery summer steelhead will still be showing up at the hatchery for the next few weeks.
The river upstream of little Butte Creek will stay in much better shape as the rest of the Rogue muddies up with recent rains. Anglers are still getting into summer steelhead above Shady Cove.
Trout anglers are especially encouraged to harvest adipose-fin clipped trout in the upper reach of river.
As of Jan. 6, 38 new summer steelhead entered the hatchery, bringing the total to 1,604 fish for the year. Talking with hatchery staff, there was not a lot of fish in the trap on Wednesday morning.
Anglers may still run into some of the excess fish that were recycled earlier in the year. These fish are tagged with colored and numbered tags in their backs. Anglers should call 541-826-8774 ext. 72411 if they catch these fish. If you plan on releasing the fish, leave the tag in it, but please try and get a 4-digit number on the tag (please don’t report the phone number!!). Participants will be entered into a raffle for donated prizes including gift cards to a local sporting goods store and even a box of hand tied flies.
The collection pond is typically sorted on Wednesdays, and new numbers are typically available to the public later in the week. Call into the Lost Creek Reservoir hotline or check the MyODFW.com fish counts page.
For the most current releases of water out of Lost Creek Reservoir, call 1-800-472-2434. For real time streamflow from USGS gauges on the Rogue click here. Last updated 1/13/21.
Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout
No recent fishing reports. Expect some snow along the banks. As of Wednesday morning, the Hwy 62 webcam at Union Creek showed bare pavement. Check this before heading up.
More information on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest lands can be found on their website or calling the RRSNF office.
This reach was stocked from Prospect to Minehaha creek with 3,000 rainbow trout every week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but don’t expect a crowd in the middle of winter. It’s probably not worth making a specific trip to fish up here, but if you are on your way to ice fishing at Diamond Lake, or heading up to Crater Lake-a few casts may be fun.
All tributaries and the mainstem are open to trout fishing year-round with a daily bag limit of 5 trout. Trout are stocked from river bridge/natural bridge area in and above Minnehaha Creek from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Areas around the Union Creek, Farewell Bend and Woodruff Bridge can have pretty swift flows, and anglers should be aware of bedrock crevices when wading.
Above the Hwy 62/234 interchange, the river gradient starts to lessen. Target slower water at the top of a riffle, or pocket water within a riffle, or pools were fish are resting or waiting to ambush.
Flies, small spinners, or even drifting a nightcrawler under a bobber work up here. Pautske eggs on a small hook under a strike indicator work as well, just have some split shot above it. Fishing a bug and bubble will also do well here for anglers that use a spin caster rod.
With very cold water, presentation is usually the key, get your bait down and free drifting with as little drag as possible. Also plan on fishing later in the day when temperatures may be warmer. Last updated 1/6/21.
SIXES RIVER: Chinook
Anglers are still doing fairly good on Chinook. The reduced bag limit for wild adult fall Chinook is still in place until Dec. 31. Anglers will want to check all temporary fishing regulations before heading out to fish. Last updated 12/23/20.
SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: steelhead
The Smith often clears faster than other rivers in the Umpqua. Steelhead should be found throughout the river up the deadline at Sisters Creek. The Smith is a great catch-and-release fishery.
Trout season is closed until May 22.
The Smith sees only light pressure for most of the season and can provide a great experience for anglers looking to get away from the crowds. Last updated 1/13/21.
SPALDING POND: rainbow trout
Spalding pond recently received its fall fingerling releases. These fish should grow all winter and be ready to catch next spring. There should be trout around. This area is within the Forest Service Wild Rivers Ranger District. Last updated 10/7/20.
TENMILE LAKES/TENMILE CREEK: steelheadlargemouth bass, coho
Steelhead anglers continue to catch a few hatchery steelhead on Tenmile Creek. Eel Creek is now open to steelhead fishing.
Largemouth bass in Tenmile Lakes can be found in deeper water around submerged cover. Anglers will want to slow down their presentation with the colder water temperatures.
The wild coho fishery in Tenmile Lakes closed on Dec 31. Last updated 1/13/21.
UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
Some areas of the Umpqua National Forest are closed currently due to wildfire impacts in the area. It appears most of the high lakes and forebays were not impacted by the fires directly. Anglers should check with the Umpqua National Forest (541-498-2531) for updates.
Winter can be a tough time to access the lakes with snow at the higher elevations. Lakes typically accessible from hiking trails and that were stocked in the last couple years are: Calamut, Connie, Bullpup, Fuller, Cliff, Buckeye, Maidu, Pitt, Wolfe and Skookum lakes.
Clearwater Forebay Two can be a great place to fish as well with brook trout and rainbow available.
Anglers fishing the high lakes in the Umpqua District are encouraged to e-mail fishing reports. Last updated 12/23/20.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: steelhead
Anglers are finding a few steelhead in the lower river. High flows are in the forecast, but can be a good time for “plunking.” Don’t forget to turn in hatchery winter steelhead snouts for a chance to win a gift card.
Bass fishing is likely going to slow with cold conditions.
Trout fishing is closed until the opener in May. Last updated 1/13/21.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, trout
Access to the North Umpqua is limited with the closure of areas in the Umpqua National Forest and other lands near the forest.
There have been some good reports coming from the North, with anglers catching some nice steelhead. Remember to turn in snouts from hatchery fish for a chance to win a $50 gift card (see below).
Some of the North Umpqua and tributaries are open for trout (those above Slide Creek Dam). These areas may be tough to access during the winter months. Check the fishing regulations to see which areas are open.
Note that as of Oct 1, fishing in the fly water area is restricted to the use of a single, barbless, artificial fly. Last updated 1/13/21.
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: winter Steelhead
Lots of anglers were fishing before the rains and doing well. Once the river drops back down, fishing should be great! Don’t forget to turn in snout from hatchery Winter Steelhead for a chance to win a gift card. Last updated 1/13/21.
Umpqua winter steelhead study
Anglers who catch a hatchery winter steelhead in the Umpqua Basin are being asked to turn in the snouts from those fish. Some of these snouts contain small tags. Anglers who turn in snouts that contain these tags will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card. Snouts may be turned in at barrels located around the basin, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Roseburg, or the Roseburg ODFW office. Tags obtained from the fish will inform ODFW on the best release strategy for juveniles to provide the most fish back to anglers in the future.
WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead, yellow perch
No recent reports here. Campgrounds at Willow Lake are currently closed for the season, but boat ramps and day-use areas are open. The weather this weekend looks to be good for January, and if you’re not interested in heading to Lost Creek Lake, Willow may be a great alternative.
Facilities at Willow Lake are managed by Jackson County. For more information please visit their website.
The lake is currently around 60 percent full.
There are healthy numbers of illegally introduced yellow perch up here and anglers are always encouraged to take as many of these as they want. Last updated 1/13/21.
WINCHUCK RIVER: winter steelhead
Slow. Anglers are finding a few steelhead. Last updated 12/23/20.