Getting There: From I-5 at Sutherlin, Winchester or Roseburg, follow local roads west to access the Umpqua. Hwy. 138 leads directly from Sutherlin to Elkton and follows the river from Elkton to Scottsburg.

Fisheries: Smallmouth bass, active from late April through September, are the main attraction. From May through July, minnow plugs (such as Rapala or Rebel lures) and worms are the lures of choice. During the late summer and fall months, crawfish plugs, worms and most of the popular spinners work well. Most smallmouth are 5 to 12 inches. Summer and winter steelhead, fin-clipped coho, spring and fall chinook and shad are also available. Make sure to check the current sport fishing regulations for angling season, bag and length limits and other special regulations.

Useful Information: Look for smallmouth out of the main current and along ledges, rocky points and submerged wood. Cast to visible fish. Anglers can often spot large smallmouth bass as they feed on shallow bedrock shelves.

Tackle & Techniques: Use light gear (7 ft. rod, 4 to 6 lb. test line) for bass and shad. Fish with molded plastic worms or grubs, bait such as worms or grubs (live fish cannot be used as bait), spinners, top water crankbaits, poppers or flies (either wet or dry). Weight your line with a couple of split shot or a bullet head sinker. Cast no more than 20 ft. out from bank.  Use medium to heavy gear for steelhead and salmon with corkies, spoons, eggs, beads, and spin and glows in orange and pink. 

Facilities: Paved trail with ADA access to fishing float at Single­ton Park in Roseburg; bank fishing at River Forks, Mack Brown and Scottsburg parks; bank fishing at most boat ramps between Rose­burg and Scottsburg; year-round camping at Tyee campground (12 miles west of Sutherlin.)

Fees: Yes, for overnight at Tyee.

Additional Activities: Swimming, hiking on logging roads.

For More Information:
ODFW Umpqua Watershed Field Office – (541) 440-3353
Arlene’s Cafe, Elkton – (541) 584-2555