Getting There: From Grants Pass, follow Hwy 199 southwest 18 miles. South of Selma, turn east on Lakeshore Drive and travel 4 miles to Selmac Lake.

Ashley Abbott with a big mouth bass she caught at Lake Selmac -Photo by Belinda Abbott-

Fisheries: Selmac Lake is stocked with 20,000 legal-sized rainbow trout from February through June. The lake is also managed for trophy largemouth bass through a one bass per day limit. Fish for bluegill, black crappie and brown bullhead from pier and dikes. Fish for trout near the dam as water warms. Look for largemouth bass around stumps and overhanging brush.

Useful Information: Good bank fishing is available at the county park located at west end of lake.

Tackle & Techniques: 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. Troll with lures and flies from a boat. For bass and panfish, 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 lead head jigs, plastic worms and deep running plugs.

Facilities: Boat ramps, fishing pier, swimming areas, picnic tables, tent campsites, full RV hook-ups, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, drinking water, bicycle and hiking trails, rental boats. Additional RV hook-ups, tent sites and convenience store at Lake Selmac Resort.

Fees: Yes, for overnight and day use.

Additional Activities: The Oregon Caves National Monument, the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area, the Illinois River and the Rogue River are all nearby. Nearby state park: Illinois River Forks State Park.

For More Information:
ODFW Rogue Watershed District Office — (541) 826-8774
Lake Selmac Resort — (541) 597-2277
Josephine County Parks — (541) 474-5285