Welcome to the 2012
Spring Fishing Guide

Southwest Zone

Southwest Zone (pdf)

Check this out:

• The daily bag limit on Diamond Lake continues to be 8 trout per day.
• 2012 Family Fishing and Free Fishing Weekend events.
• Proposed 2012 coastal coho and chinook seasons
• New publication lists 50 great places to fish within 60 minutes of Roseburg.
• Take a friend fishing during Free Fishing Weekend June 9-10 – no license required!

Diamond Lake Rainbow Trout - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

TROUT

Most lakes in the Southwest Zone are open to fishing year all year. Trout stocking begins in February and continues to June at most standing water bodies. Lakes opening on April 28 include Diamond Lake, Lemolo Reservoir, Howard Prairie Reservoir, and Hyatt Lake. Diamond Lake should offer some excellent fishing. There should be more than 400,000 trout available in the lake from the last several years of stocking. Most will be over 12-inches long and many will be over 16-inches. Lemolo Reservoir will also enjoy some good fishing. Brown trout fishing tends to be very good in the lake during the spring. The lake will also be stocked with rainbow throughout the spring and has a good number of holdover trout. Improved trout fishing is expected at Howard Prairie and Hyatt, lakes where large trout are not uncommon. Good holdover on stocked trout means that large rainbows are also available at Tenmile Lakes, Eel Lake and Garrison Lake on the coast. The above average amount of precipitation this winter has resulted in most of the lakes and reservoirs in the zone being full or nearly so.

Sea-run cutthroat generally appear in tidewater in mid-to-late summer in coastal basins. 

Trout fishing in most streams in the zone opens May 26. Consult the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations to check the status of specific streams in your area.

Steelhead - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

SALMON AND STEELHEAD

The Southwest Zone includes the Rogue and Umpqua watersheds, and all the coastal watersheds between the Umpqua and the California border. The Rogue and Umpqua offer nearly year-round fishing for salmon and steelhead. Spring chinook are present in both rivers.  On the Rogue, spring chinook returns are expected to be up this year, and fishing should be good. The Umpqua is expecting a good run of nearly 10,000 springers. Early returning summer steelhead will be available in both rivers as well. 

For more about the winter steelhead fishing opportunities in the Southwest Zone, check out the ODFW Winter Steelhead Guide published each November. Although some bright winter-run steelhead are still available in early spring, most will be spawned-out or darker as the spring progresses. 

BASS AND WARMWATER

Most warmwater fish can be caught year-round, but fishing is best from the spring through fall as water temperatures are warm and the fish are more active. Yellow perch are often the first to start biting in early spring with the water approaching 50oF. Good bets for perch fishing are Tenmile Lakes and Emigrant Reservoir.
 
As water temperatures approach and rise above 60oF and the bigger bass move into the shallows to spawn, largemouth bass fishing starts to pick up in places such as Tenmile, Eel and Loon lakes and Galesville, Cooper Creek and Lost Creek reservoirs. Bass will remain active and can be caught throughout the summer, but will be found in deeper water during the hottest weather.

In addition to largemouth, the Southwest Zone also offers opportunities for smallmouth bass. Smallmouth will be readily available in the Umpqua River beginning in spring and throughout the summer. Good smallmouth fisheries can also be found in Applegate, Lost Creek, Howard Prairie, and Galesville Reservoirs.  Smallmouth get active a little earlier than largemouth, can be fished for throughout the spring and summer into fall, and are an aggressive and fun fish to catch.

Black Crappie -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

Crappie also provide good fishing throughout the spring, summer, and fall and are found in many of these same waters. However, the strength of the fishery can vary within in each water from year to year so check with the local ODFW office for the latest information. Other panfish such as bluegill are more predictable and can be caught in most of the coastal and inland ponds, lakes, and reservoirs

More detailed information about these and other waters and how to fish them can be found in the Warmwater Fishing in Oregon brochures for the South Coast and Southwest areas.

To learn what’s biting and where, check out the ODFW Weekly Recreation Report. Each week our biologists update fishing conditions on rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs and ponds throughout the state.

Alphabetical listing:

Applegate Reservoir:  Applegate Reservoir is a large impoundment on the Applegate River south of Jacksonville near the California state line. It offers good fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as rainbow trout. Spring chinook salmon are also stocked into the reservoir to supplement the trout fishery and count as part of the trout bag limit

The first stocking of legal-sized rainbow trout for the year occurred in late April.  More rainbows, including some larger fish, will be stocked in late May.  These fish, along with some hold-overs from last year should provide good fishing throughout the spring and summer.  Bank anglers can do well fishing bait from access points at French Gulch, Squaw Creek Arm, Hart-Tish Park, Copper, Carberry Creek, and Seattle Bar.  Anglers with boats catch fish trolling lures or attractor/bait combinations, or wind-drifting with flies. Anglers targeting the chinook usually fisher deeper then those fishing for rainbow.

Bass angling is picking up with the warm weather. Look for largemouth bass in the shallow bays and around the willows and other woody structure. The more abundant smallmouth can be found along the rocky shores and points.

The availability of the boat ramps change with reservoir levels and seasons. During the spring, the Copper Boat Ramp is open daily.  The Hart-Tish ramp is expected to open in early May, and should remain open past Labor Day.  Information about the Hart-Tish boat ramp can be obtained by calling 541-899-9220. Daily reservoir level in feet above sea level can be obtained by calling 1-800-472-24341812.

Applegate River:  The river is closed to fishing in the spring to protect out-migrating salmon and steelhead smolts, but re-opens for adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout May 26. Two adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept per day, 8-inch minimum length. Non-adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. The use of bait is allowed.
The Applegate River begins in northern California and flows generally northwest to join the Rogue River west of Grants Pass. Much of the property along the river is privately owned, and anglers are reminded not to trespass. Access is available at several parks along the river and on the federal land on the upper section of the river.

Agate Lake:   Agate Lake is a fairly shallow irrigation reservoir located off of Highway 140 a short drive northeast of Medford. Because of its low elevation, fishing picks up here pretty early in the season, with good fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and brown bullhead. In addition, the lake has been stocked with legal and larger-sized rainbow trout already this year. Fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie is improving with the warm weather. Jackson County maintains an improved boat ramp on the lake, plus there is plenty of good access for fishing from the bank. Target the bass, bluegill, and crappie near the submerged willows

Arizona Pond (Youth Only):  Located at Arizona State Park, half way between Gold Beach and Port Orford, Arizona Pond is an excellent place to take the kids fishing. ODFW stocks the lake from late February to the middle of summer with trout up to 4 pounds. Fishing should be good all spring and into summer. Anglers that need a little help may want to contact Humbug State Park and ask when they may be holding their summer fishing clinics at Arizona Pond. Fishing is limited to anglers ages 17 and under.  

Rainbow Trout on a stringer - Photo by Bob Swingle, ODFW-

Big Butte Creek above Cobleigh Bridge and Little Butte Creek above the forks: Open to trout fishing May 26. Fishing is restricted to flies and lures only in both streams. Anglers may keep two trout per day, 8-inch minimum length in Big Butte Creek, while catch-and-release rules apply to Little Butte Creek. Both streams are closed to fishing for salmon and steelhead. There is no limit on brook trout in the headwaters of both streams. Big Butte Creek flows past the town of Butte Falls and access is primarily on private timber land, with some National Forest land in the headwaters. Little Butte Creek starts in the Cascade Mountains south of Highway 140 near Fish Lake. The best access is on National Forest Land reached by Forest Service Road 37.

Burma and Dutch Herman Ponds:  These two old mining ponds are located on BLM land east of the community of Wolf Creek, and are stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout during the spring. The ponds were first stocked in late April. In addition to the trout, these ponds also provide angling for largemouth bass and bluegill.

Butterfield Lake:  Butterfield Lake is located about six miles north of Coos Bay, and just west of Highway 101 in the Riley Ranch Campground operated by Coos County Parks. The lake has established populations of largemouth bass and warmouth, and ODFW stocks the lake with legal-sized and trophy rainbow trout. An access road from the campground to the lake allows trout stocking trucks to reach the lake, and provides access for anglers to launch small “cartop” boats and canoes. Fishing docks also provide angler access.

Cooper Creek, Plat I and Ben Irving reservoirs, Loon Lake, Lake Marie and More:  Most local reservoirs and lakes have already been stocked this year although most will continue to receive additional trout through early June. Hemlock should be open and stocked for Memorial Day, but call the Forest Service for additional road and campground information at 541-957-3200.Only one trout over 20 inches may be kept per day at any of the lakes. The resort boat ramp at Loon Lake is already open and the BLM ramp will open near Memorial Day. In addition to trout, Cooper Creek, Plat I, Ben Irving and Loon Lake also offer good bass, bluegill and crappie fishing opportunity. Check out the Free Fishing Weekend events at Cooper Creek June 9 and Lake Marie June 10. For Labor Day weekend, Cooper Creek, Ben Irving, Hemlock, Lake in the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir and Lake Marie will be stocked with some extra trout for a fall fishery.

Coos Bay and Coquille estuaries:  Recreational crabbing is a popular family activity in the Coos Bay and the Coquille estuaries. Popular areas for crabbing from docks are the Bandon and Charleston marinas. For those with a boat, the inside of Coos Bay’s North Spit, between Charleston and the BLM boat ramp produces lots of Dungeness and red rock crabs. Crabbing can be excellent in the fall, winter and early spring, but typically slows down in the estuaries during late spring and summer, as many crabs will become soft-shelled with the molt.

Numerous clam species such as gapers, cockles and butter clams are available on sand and mud flats of Coos Bay nearly year-round. Marine perch and rockfish species are caught in the bays around concentrations of pilings and rock formations, particularly in spring and early summer. 

Coos Bay, Coos River and Coquille River:  Striped bass, shad and sturgeon are available for anglers in the spring. Green sturgeon were recently listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act, and must be released. Both green sturgeon and white sturgeon were tagged in Coos Bay by researchers a few years ago, and anglers are asked to report tags recovered, even if the fish are released. If you release a tagged sturgeon, please leave the tag in place, but report information on date, location caught, size of fish, and tag number. Popular sturgeon fishing areas for the Coos estuary are near McCullough Bridge (where Highway 101 crosses Coos Bay), Haynes Inlet (the northernmost arm of Coos Bay), and upriver near the confluence of the South Coos and Millicoma rivers (five miles east of the City of Coos Bay).

Shad will appear with warm, sunny weather in late May and into June. In general, shad are available in the South Coos, Millicoma and Coquille river tidewater from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. Popular shad fishing areas are near Myrtle Tree and Doras Place boat ramps in the Coos/Millicoma, and near Sturdivant Park on the Coquille. Shad returns to local rivers have been low for the last four or five years.

Striped Bass -Wikipedia -

Striped bass congregate to spawn in tidewater of the Coquille River in the late spring. The population of striped bass in the Coos Basin has been nearly non-existent in recent years. The striper bite usually slows down during the spawning period in late May and early June, but picks up again post-spawning. Surfperch anglers occasionally catch striped bass in the surf in early spring. The minimum length for harvesting striped bass is 24 inches.

Coos County Lakes and Ponds (Powers and Johnson Ponds, Bradley, Upper and Lower Empire, Saunders, Bluebill, Eel, Sru, and North and South Tenmile lakes):  These waters are stocked with legal-sized trout (8-9 inches) from March to early June. The early June stocking is just prior to Free Fishing Weekend events held at Eel Lake and Powers Pond.

Empire Lakes (in Coos Bay), Bradley Lake (three miles south of Bandon, off Highway. 101), Powers Pond (south Coos County in the town of Powers), and Johnson Pond (three miles south of Coquille) are also stocked with two-pound trophy rainbow trout in the springtime. These public lakes are open the entire year. Native cutthroat trout as well as stocked rainbow trout are found in Eel Lake and the Tenmile Lakes (just off Highway 101, near Lakeside), and the last two summers these lakes were producing fair numbers of holdover hatchery rainbow trout in the 17 to 20-inch range. 

ODFW is planning to conduct a project to improve boater and angler access at Bradley Lake in the summer of 2012. The channel from the boat ramp to the main lake gets very shallow and weed-choked in the late spring and summertime. ODFW has obtained grants to increase channel depth, improve the boat ramp, and install docks or piers for fishing. Watch for press releases on potential closed periods at the Bradley Lake Boat Ramp during construction. 

Eel Lake, Tenmile Lakes and numerous other small lakes in Coos County support populations of largemouth bass. As highlighted in ODFW’s warmwater fishing brochures, the Tenmile Lakes provide one of Oregon’s premier largemouth bass fisheries. Numerous competitive bass tournaments are held there each season, and bass exceeding six pounds are weighed-in each year. Camping, motels, parks, boating facilities and businesses are located in and around the town of Lakeside, on the shores of Tenmile Lakes. Anglers are reminded that a regulation in effect for Tenmile Lakes requires the release of largemouth bass 15 inches or larger.

Johnson Pond, Saunders Lake (five miles north of North Bend, alongside Highway 101), Powers Pond, Beale Lake, Eel Lake, Horsefall Lake, and a plethora of dune lakes within the U.S. Forest Service’s “Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area” (on the north side of Coos Bay) also have a mix of warmwater fish available in the spring and summer. Some of the more obscure lakes in the dunes are only accessible by foot or ATV trail.

Access to Sru Lake in the National Forest above Powers is limited so far this spring, following snow and rain events that damaged the road.  The lake has been inaccessible for stocking thus far, and ODFW is awaiting road repairs before stocking can occur. Check with the US Forest Service’s Powers Ranger District Office prior to attempting a trip to Sru Lake.   

The public parks located on South Tenmile, Eel, and Saunders lakes provide ample access for beginning anglers. Fishing can be done from the bank, or from fishing docks identified with signs at these locations.

Bluegill -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

Bluegill and yellow perch are excellent fish to target for both beginning and experienced anglers, especially when fishing with kids who like plenty of action. These species tend to be relatively abundant where they are found, and are often found in schools. Bluegills are abundant in Powers and Johnson Mill ponds. Both of these water bodies can be extremely weedy in the summer making fishing difficult.  Yellow perch were illegally introduced in North and South Tenmile lakes, and their abundance is believed to be detrimental to other warmwater species. When yellow perch become abundant, they usually become stunted in size, so very few will be “pan-sized.”  

Equipment for these warmwater species can be as simple as a piece of worm on a hook fished below a bobber and split shot. They also can be caught with a tiny jig tipped with a small piece of worm or other bait to entice the bite. Brown bullhead catfish feed closer to the bottom, and can be taken with night crawlers fished on the bottom using a sliding egg-shaped sinker.

The Empire Lakes in the city of Coos Bay provide an “urban” trout fishery, but in a park-like setting. The two main lakes are heavily stocked with legal-sized trout and a few loads of trophy trout each year. These lakes have low to moderate populations of warmwater fish such as bluegill, yellow perch and largemouth bass. Empire lakes are stocked heavily and often with rainbow trout, in order to provide fish for youth and family-oriented fishing opportunities.

Coos County streams:  Opening May 26 for trout fishing, the late stream opener is designed to protect out-migrating salmon and steelhead smolts, which are usually into the ocean or estuary by late spring. Trout regulations for open streams allow harvest of two fish per day, with an 8-inch minimum size. Note that some streams remain closed to all fishing. In streams above tidewater, fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only from May 26-Aug 31. Native trout in area streams are primarily coastal cutthroat, although resident rainbow reside in some streams above South Fork Coquille Falls. Check regulations carefully for stream closures, gear restrictions, catch-and-release areas, and season dates, and contact the Charleston Field Office at (541) 888-5515 if you have questions about regulations.

With a little exploration and hiking, streams on the Elliott State Forest provide excellent cutthroat trout fishing away from the crowds. Keep in mind that the bag limit is only two fish per day on these native fish that are not stocked.

Curry County Streams:  Most Curry County streams are open May 26 for trout fishing. Exceptions are Brush, Hubbard, Mussell/Myrtle, Myers, and Thomas creeks, which remain closed to trout fishing. Where open for trout the daily bag limit is two trout greater than 8 inches.

Denman Wildlife Area -Photo by Bob Swingle-

Denman Wildlife Area Ponds:  The Kenneth Denman Wildlife Management Area, situated conveniently near Medford, Central Point and White City, offers very good fishing for a variety of warmwater species in ponds found throughout the property.  Whetstone Pond, adjacent to the Rogue Watershed District office, is the largest pond. Anglers at Whetstone target largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and brown bullhead. Carp are also present, and green sunfish are found in some of the ponds. Good bank fishing is available, and boats with electric motors are permitted.

A variety of fishing techniques can be effective. A simple technique is to fish a size 10, 12 or 14 hook baited with worms below a bobber. Casting small lures and jigs is also effective. Largemouth bass will strike surface or shallow running lures fished around cover as the water warms in the spring.  Information and a map of all the ponds on the Wildlife Management Area are available at the Rogue Watershed District office of ODFW at 541-826-8774.

As of January 1, 2012 a parking permit is required to be on the Deman Wildlife Area. Go to the ODFW website for more information.
 
Diamond Lake:  Diamond Lake was free of ice starting about May 11. For additional water or fishing conditions call the resort at 1-800-733-7593 and for road and campground information call the Forest Service at 541-498-2531.

The lake will start the fishing season this spring with over 400,000 trout available to anglers. Most of these will be over 12-inches long and many will be over 16 inches. The bag limit on Diamond Lake 8 trout per day. Remember that only one trout over 20 inches can be harvested per day. Last year anglers had an average catch of nearly 3.5 trout per angler and over 175,000 trout were caught! We’re expecting fishing to be as good in 2012. Of the fish caught, over 31 percent were released. Thus the ODFW will not need to stock as many fish this year and will reduce its stocking to 166,000. These fish will be stocked as fingerlings about 6 weeks after ice off. Many of these will be legal-sized by mid-August. Please remember that fingerling stockings are not noted in the regional stocking reports.

No live fish can be used as bait at Diamond Lake or any fresh water lake or stream. Penalties for the use of/or release of invasive species has increased dramatically and more invasive species checks will be conducted statewide. Bank and boat anglers both enjoyed good success throughout the season at Diamond Lake with power bait and a variety of lures. Fly fishing is also growing in popularity at Diamond Lake. Many of the fly fishing anglers are using small, inflatable pontoon boats to access the water.

Emigrant Reservoir:  Emigrant Reservoir, located southeast of Ashland, has already been stocked this spring with good numbers of legal-sized rainbow trout.  Fishing for trout has been good.  Bank anglers normally do well still-fishing with bait, while boat anglers normally troll lures or attractor/lure combinations when targeting trout. Trout stocking will continue through May. 

Brown Bullhead -Photo by Noel Burkhead-

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and brown bullheads is improving with the warmer weather. Anglers should target these fish around the flooded willows, along the face of the dam and dike structures, and along the rocky points and ledges. For panfish, use a size 10, 12 or 14 hook baited with worms below a bobber. Casting small lures and jigs is also effective. Bass will strike a variety of lures and soft plastic baits fished around the cover.

Emigrant is within biking distance from Ashland, and is a short drive for most Rogue Valley residents. The combination of good numbers of panfish, full facilities at the county park, and a water slide makes Emigrant a great site for a family outing.  Anglers should be aware that a health advisory has been issued recommending limits on consumption of all fish from Emigrant except rainbow trout. Information on the Emigrant Reservoir advisory, along with general information on mercury and fish can be found on the DHS website at www.healthoregon.org/fishadv.

Expo Pond and Reinhart Park Pond:  These urban ponds offer an excellent family fishing opportunity in the communities of Central Point and Grants Pass. Both ponds are stocked with rainbow trout throughout the spring, and provide good fishing for bass and panfish in the spring, summer, and fall. Expo Pond is located immediately adjacent to the access road at Gate 5 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Reinhart Park Pond is located at Reinhart Park in Grants Pass. Fishing bait, either from a bobber or on the bottom with weight, can be very effective.

Fish Lake:  Located near the summit of Highway 140 between Medford and Klamath Falls, Fish Lake has an improved boat ramp, two Forest Service campgrounds, and a resort with cabins, boat rentals and a restaurant. The lake is ice-free and the boat ramp is open. The Forest Service campground will open May 11. Once the water warms a little more, trout fishing should be good for both bank and boat anglers using bait, lures or flies. Fish Lake is heavily stocked each year with legal-sized rainbow trout. Brook trout are also available.

Illegally introduced Tui chub and flathead minnows compete with the rainbow and brook trout in Fish Lake reducing their growth rate.  In an attempt to improve the quality of the fishing, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been stocking predatory fish that hopefully will grow large feeding on the chubs and minnows.  Chinook salmon have been released annually since 2009 and are now contributing to the trout fishery.  Tiger trout, a hybrid between a brook and a brown trout, were released into the lake last fall.  These fish have created very popular trophy trout fisheries in other states.  Fish Lake and Philips Reservoir (near Baker City) are the only lakes in Oregon to be stocked with tiger trout.  It will take a few years for the tiger trout to grow and their numbers to get high enough to create a good fishery.  All tiger trout caught must be released immediately back into the lake unharmed.

Fish Lake -Photo by Claudia Vandyke-

Bait fishing with worms and floating bait is effective at Fish Lake, and is probably the best bet during the summer. The bank between the two campgrounds is a good place for youngsters to fish. Trollers can do very well at Fish Lake in the spring, fishing flies, lures and small spoons or spinners. 

The Fish Lake Resort can be reached at 541-949-8500.

Floras Lake:  Floras Lake is located near Langlois and is stocked in late spring with some trophy trout and 5,000 catchable trout. Trout fishing can be good through the spring before weed growth and water temperatures get too high. The lake does have a small number of bass. The best way to fish the lake is in a boat as there is very little shore access. The boat ramp is located at Boice Cope County Park. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather as it can be very windy.

Galesville Reservoir: This 600-acre reservoir is stocked annually with 8,000 legal-sized trout. The lake also has warm water fishing for bass, crappie and bluegill. Bass between 12–15 inches must be released, and only one bass over 15 inches can be kept. The reservoir is also periodically stocked with coho smolts. These coho have typically grown to 11–14 inches and tend to bite even when warm weather slows down other fishing opportunities. Although the coho are adipose fin-clipped, many people mistakenly think these fish are kokanee. The reservoir now has a campground below the boat ramp which is operated by Douglas County.

Garrison Lake:  Garrison Lake is located in Port Orford and is stocked several times in the spring with trophy and catchable trout. The lake also has a large number of cutthroat and holdover trout. Fishing can be really good through May for trout, but warmer water and aquatic weeds make for tough fishing through the summer months. There is a small number of bass in the lake. The best way to fish the lake is by boat, but bank fishing can be good off the fishing pier on 12th street. Boat ramps are located on 12th Street and Pinehurst Roads. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather and target the lake when winds are light.

Howard Prairie Reservoir:  Howard Prairie, located in the mountains east of Ashland, opened for fishing on April 28. It provides good fishing opportunities for stocked rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Brown bullheads and pumpkinseed sunfish are also available.

Rainbow Trout -Photo by Kathy Munsel-

A change in stocking practices is benefiting trout production and trout anglers at Howard Prairie Reservoir. ODFW has been releasing larger-size rainbow trout fingerlings in the fall to maintain the trout fishery. These larger-size fingerlings take advantage of the natural food production in the reservoir to become quality trout in good condition. The fall fingerling are reared to 6-7 inches in length, compared to the 2-3 inch long spring fingerling that supported the fishery at Howard Prairie for years.  Both the size and timing of the release should reduce the risk of predation. Fishing for rainbow trout has improved significantly with the new stocking practices.

Both boat and bank anglers do well at Howard Prairie. Floating baits are popular, while boat anglers trolling flasher and worm or lure combinations usually do well for trout. Fly anglers can do well at the shallow upper end of the lake, especially early in the year.

Angling for bass has become very popular in recent years. Largemouth bass occupy the shallow coves with woody structure. Smallmouth bass are abundant along the rocky shores. All the standard bass techniques catch fish.

Four boat ramps are available on Howard Prairie Reservoir, along with full service campgrounds. Contact Jackson County Parks at 541-774-8183 for campground information. Boat rentals are available at the Howard Prairie Resort at 541-482-1979. A universal access fishing platform is located on a jetty near the resort. 

Hyatt Lake:  Hyatt Lake, located east of Ashland near Howard Prairie Reservoir, also opened for fishing on April 28. Largemouth bass are available at Hyatt, and the lake remains overpopulated with a large number of smaller-sized bass. These fish are easy to catch in the warm summer months and present a nice family fishing opportunity. Most techniques will catch these fish, from fishing night crawlers below a bobber, to casting bass lures, and even trolling flies and lures. For anglers who keep bass, these small bass offer a good chance to take some bass home for the table.

Rainbow trout are stocked into to Hyatt Lake, and can grow to a good size. The overpopulation of bass has harmed the trout fishery in recent years; however, trout fishing is improving as the bass population is being thinned by transfers to other lakes, and the trout are being stocked at larger sizes. Still-fishing with bait is the most popular technique, but trollers do well also.

The Hyatt Lake Resort has closed and its boat ramp is no longer available. The bait shop is still open and the parking lot is open to bank anglers. Two Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, each with boat ramps, are located on the lake. The two boat ramps at the main BLM campground on the south end of the lake will be improved this summer; however, at least one will remain usable at all times.

Illinois River:  The Illinois is closed to all fishing April 1 - May 25 to protect out-migrating salmon and steelhead smolts. The Illinois River below Pomeroy Dam opens to steelhead and adipose fin-clipped trout on May 26.  Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures, and no bait is allowed. The fishery at this time of year is primarily a catch-and-release fishery. Adipose fin-clipped steelhead and rainbow trout, which are actually half-pounder steelhead, can at times be caught in the lower Illinois during the summer and fall. The remainder of the river and its tributaries are closed to all fishing. A large portion of the Illinois River is located in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area. The best access to the river is on the Forest Service land west of Selma and at Oak Flat just above the confluence with the Rogue River.

Laird Lake:   This lake is located north of Port Orford, approximately 30 miles up Elk River Road. The lake is stocked with several hundred legal-sized trout and some trophy trout in late spring. The lake is full of downed wood and bank access is somewhat limited. A small pram or float tube can be a very effective way to fish the lake.  Elk River Hatchery is located on the road to Laird Lake and makes a good place to stop and take a tour. 

Rainbow Trout - Photo by Greg Huchko-

Lake Selmac:  The largest standing water body in Josephine County, Lake Selmac is heavily stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout from February through June. The lake is also a renowned producer of largemouth bass, and is managed for trophy bass through a one bass per day limit. Bluegill, black crappie and brown bullhead are also available. Fish for trout near the dam as the water warms. Look for largemouth bass around the stumps and overhanging brush, and for black crappie and bluegill fish from piers and dikes. Fish close to shore at Lake Selmac; it is easy to cast too far and miss the bulk of the fish.

All lake-fishing techniques can be effective. Trout anglers use floating bait or worms with a weight about 2 feet above the hook, cast and retrieve lures or flies, or troll with lures and flies from a boat. A simple technique for panfish, is to use a size 10, 12 or 14 hook baited with worms below a bobber. Casting small lures and jigs is also effective. Largemouth bass will strike surface or shallow running lures fished around cover as the water warms in the spring. During hot weather largemouth bass seek deeper, cooler water, so use leadhead jigs, plastic worms and deep running plugs.

Bank access, boat ramps and camping facilities are available through Josephine County Parks at 541-474-5285.  Boat rentals are available at the Lake Selmac Resort at 541-597-2277.

Lemolo Reservoir: For information about roads and campgrounds, call the Forest Service at 541-498-2531.You can also call Lemolo Lake Resort at 541-957-8354 for information on conditions and fishing. Lemolo has a naturally reproducing brown trout population that offers some excellent brown trout fishing in the spring and fall. The lake will also be stocked with over 5,000 trout this spring and is scheduled to receive additional trout this fall. Lemolo has several Forest Service campgrounds along its shores plus Lemolo Lake Resort which offers lodging, camping and food. The area is accessible to both boat and bank anglers.

Libby Pond:  Libby Pond is located approximately 8 miles up the North Bank Rogue River Road and will be stocked prior to Free Fishing Weekend June 9-10 with 5,000 legal-sized trout and some trophy trout. Anglers are reminded that Libby Pond is private and no boats are allowed.  

Lost Creek Reservoir:  Lost Creek Reservoir, a large impoundment on the Rogue River above Shady Cove, is heavily stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout and offers very good trout fishing only a 45 minute drive from the Medford area. Throughout the summer months, smallmouth and largemouth bass provide an important fishery at the reservoir. Casting jigs along the northern shoreline can be very effective for good-sized smallmouth bass. 

Angling for trout is expected to be good again this year. Stocking began in March, and releases continue through early June. Trout anglers fishing from the bank primarily use either floating bait or worms. Boat anglers use a wide variety of techniques. Trollers often fish wedding ring and night crawler combinations behind a weight, while fly anglers can have success both trolling and casting.

Large-mouth Bass -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

Fishing for bass and panfish is improving with the warmer weather. Largemouth bass are contributing more to the fishery at Lost Creek due to ongoing transfers from other lakes.  With the help of volunteers from local bass clubs, ODFW has released close to 10,000 largemouth bass into Lost Creek Reservoir over the past several years.

Medco Pond:  An old log pond situated along the Butte Falls—Prospect Highway, Medco Pond is stocked with rainbow trout in April and May. The pond has good bank access and small watercraft can launched from the shore. Still-fishing with bait is the most popular technique here, but anglers can cast and troll lures as well.

The pond also contains good populations of largemouth bass and bluegill. The bluegill respond well to bait suspended below a bobble, while the bass can be tempted with lures and soft plastic baits.

Rogue River, lower:  Anglers are focused primarily on spring chinook in April, May and June from the mouth upstream to Foster Bar, approximately 40 miles. The chinook bag limits change back to zone regulations June 1 from the mouth upstream to Hog Creek.  An early run of summer steelhead usually enters the river the latter part of May and early June. Flows and water temperatures affect spring chinook fishing success the most. Anglers will want to keep an eye on current river conditions before deciding when and where to fish.

Rogue River, middle and upper:  Spring chinook salmon fishing peaks in the lower river in April and May, while anglers in the upper river above Gold Hill enjoy peak fishing between late May and early July. The spring chinook run this year is expected to be larger then in recent years. For much of the run, non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) spring chinook must be released unharmed, while adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) spring chinook may be harvested.  Anglers are encouraged to consult the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for details.

Fishing for winter steelhead drops off in May, about the time the first summer steelhead begin to arrive.  Fishing for summer steelhead usually remains slow until the numbers begin to build in July, with the best angling occurring in September and October.

The Rogue is closed to trout fishing in the spring to protect smolts migrating to the ocean. Trout fishing reopens May 26, when anglers may keep five adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout per day, 8-inch minimum length.  All non-adipose fin-clipped rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed.

Good boat ramps are well distributed along the Rogue River from the upper boundary of the Wild Section at Grave Creek clear up to Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery, just below Lost Creek Reservoir. Bank access is readily available on the BLM land below Merlin and at numerous parks managed by Josephine County and the City of Grants Pass. In Jackson County, good bank access can be found at Valley of the Rogue State Park, the Jackson County Parks along the river, and from Casey State Park to Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery. The river gets smaller in this section, with more defined holes. Drifting bait, casting lures, and back-trolling plugs are all popular techniques. Later in the season, fly fishing can be very productive.

Rogue River -ODFW Photo-

Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir:  Most campgrounds and public access sites on the Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir are stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout on nearly a weekly basis between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The program provides some of the best summer trout fishing for residents of the Rogue Valley, and offers an additional excuse to escape the summer heat for the scenic upper Rogue. Brook trout are also available in the headwater streams. Contact the Rogue Watershed District ODFW office at 541-826-8774 for a map of stocking sites. 

Siskiyou Mountain Lakes:  Several of the small, high-elevation lakes in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon are stocked with rainbow or brook trout, and offer excellent fishing opportunities in an intimate setting.  Bolan, Tannen, and East Tannen Lakes are located off of the Takelma—Happy Camp Road south of Cave Junction.  Bolan is accessible by a Forest Service Road, while Tannen and East Tannen Lakes, within the Red Buttes Wilderness, require a short hike.  Miller Lake is located in the upper Applegate drainage west of Applegate Reservoir. It can be reached by either the Carberry Creek Road or Thompson Creek Road; however, anglers must now hike the last two miles to the lake due to a closed bridge.  Most of these lakes become accessible by mid-May, and usually remain so until early November. Information and maps for the Siskiyou National Forest and Red Buttes Wilderness Area can be obtained from the Grants Pass Interagency (Forest Service and BLM) Office (541-471-6500).

Sky Lakes Wilderness Area:  Many of the lakes and streams within this wilderness area, which straddles the crest of the Cascades between Crater Lake National Park and Highway 140, offer good trout fishing. Most of the larger lakes are stocked with brook trout, which can grow up to 20-inches long. The streams and a few lakes have naturally-reproducing populations of rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. The higher-elevation lakes are typically blocked by snow or ice until late June, but then usually remain accessible through October. Some of the lakes are relatively close to trailheads and can be reached by an easy hike. Others require more effort to access.  For anglers that want to get away from the crowds and enjoy fishing in beautiful setting, the lakes and streams in the Sky Lakes Wilderness Area can be a great destination.

Southard Lake:  Southard is a hike-in lake with some carryover trout. Southard is located at the headwaters of Foster Creek, approximately 40 miles NE of Gold Beach.  Anglers wishing to fish the lake should contact the Gold Beach Ranger Station for maps and current road conditions. The lake is annually stocked with a couple hundred fish in the spring. The lake gets very little pressure and usually fishes well all summer long.

Spaulding Pond: Located in the Siskiyou National Forest north of Selma, this small pond is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout throughout the spring. The access road is now open and the pond has been stocked.  Fishing should be good, with the best action in early spring occurring in the afternoons when the water is the warmest.

Toketee Reservoir:  Toketee Reservoir, which is up the North Umpqua, is open year-round and provides excellent brown trout fishing in late spring and fall. The trout generally range from 11 to 14 inches. The reservoir is readily accessible to both bank and boat anglers.

Brook Trout -U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service-

Umpqua Basin High Cascade Lakes: The Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) and volunteers work together to annually stock 11 high mountain lakes in the Umpqua watershed with brook trout. These lakes provide an opportunity for families to enjoy hiking into a lake for some quality fishing. These lakes are within the Umpqua National Forest and several have primitive camp sites near their shore. Lakes presently being stocked include: Maidu, Linda, Calamut, Connie, Skookum, Bullpup, Fuller and Big Twin on the the North Umpqua side, plus Wolf at French Junction and Cliff and Buckeye on the South Umpqua side of the drainage.

Umpqua Basin Rivers and Streams:  Trout fishing will open this year May 26. Anglers should check regulations carefully for stream closures, gear restrictions, catch-and-release areas, and season dates prior to fishing. Rainbow trout are not stocked in Umpqua basin streams and rivers. Anglers fishing in the Umpqua watershed should check out the new “50 places to fish within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” brochure available online or at the ODFW office.

Umpqua River:  With the spring rains, there should be a fairly extended opportunity for spring chinook fishing this year in the mainstem and lower North Umpqua. Last year over 16,000 spring Chinook crossed Winchester Dam. The jack count wasn’t as high last year, but we are still expecting over 10,000 spring chinook. Presently, most spring chinook are being caught in the lower Umpqua. Spring chinook fishing in the lower Umpqua declines as warmer water temperatures and algae blooms occur. Then the fishing effort generally moves upstream to the North Umpqua. Floats between Amacher Park and River Forks can be very productive. Then the Swiftwater area increases in popularity later in the spring for bank anglers. There is a two salmon per day limit and both hatchery and native Chinook are available for harvest. Rock Creek annually releases about 340,000 fin-clipped Chinook smolts each year. Spring Chinook fishing is open on the North Umpqua up to the markers at Rock Creek. The season runs through July 31.

The winter steelhead season remains open on the South Umpqua through the end of April. Good numbers of fish continue to be in the river through April and fishing pressure is light. Come May, anglers shift to summer steelhead opportunities on the mainstem and North. Like the winter regulations, only a fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested. Whereas the South Umpqua has a winter steelhead hatchery program, the North Umpqua has a summer steelhead hatchery program. Although production has varied the last couple years, there will be some hatchery summer steelhead available throughout the spring and summer. Most of the hatchery steelhead stay below the confluence with Rock Creek. This corresponds to the bait water area that is open to spinning rods. The fly waters offer some excellent catch and release opportunity for anglers preferring fly fishing equipment. There are special gear restrictions and closures in the fly waters, so check the fishing regulations carefully.

Striped bass and sturgeon are available in the lower Umpqua and tidewater portion of Smith River. Shad are also in the mainstem Umpqua as the water warms. Various points from the Umpqua boat ramp to Yellow Creek are popular shad fishing spots. The shad run normally occurs from late April through mid-June. Seeing a large number of vehicles parked near Yellow Creek below Tyee is a pretty good indication that there’s a good run and the bite is on.

Smallmouth bass are also available on the mainstem Umpqua and will become progressively more active through the spring and summer. Good bass fishing can be found throughout the mainstem from Roseburg to the estuary in pools or slackwater areas. Bass season opens in the South the same day that trout season opens (May 26). From Winston to Roseburg there are several floats that can be done with an inflatable raft to access the bass. There is also good bass fishing from the bank or boat near Templin ramp in downtown Roseburg. Ten bass of any size can be harvested per day.

Serf Perch - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Winchester Bay offers dock and boat crabbing opportunity throughout the year. The jetties offer rockfish angling and surfperch fishing is also available throughout the spring and early summer. Winchester Bay has also been a successful port for sport fishing for ocean salmon. Come August, both coho and fall chinook are entering the bay. Bank fishing opportunities extend from Half Moon Bay all the way to Salmon Harbor.

Willow Lake:  Willow Lake, located in Jackson County southeast of Butte Falls, offers fishing for stocked rainbow trout, as well as largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullheads and yellow perch. This scenic lake has an improved boat ramp and a county-owned campground. With the good water level, fishing should be good again this year.

Trout anglers do well still fishing with bait or trolling lures or attractor/bait combinations. Bass anglers have success casting lures and soft plastic baits to the structure along the shore. Panfish can caught by suspending bait from a bobber.

Information about the cabins and the group campground can be obtained by calling Rogue Recreation at 541-865-3474.

For more information about fishing opportunities in the Southwest Zone, contact the nearest ODFW office:

Umpqua Watershed District Office
Roseburg, OR 97470
541-440-3353

Charleston Field Office
Charleston, OR 97420
Tel: 541-888-5515

Rogue Watershed District Office
Central Point, OR 97502
541-826-8774