Rogue River, lower: winter steelhead, spring chinook
Fishing effort has slowed, but folks are still picking up good-size hatchery and native steelhead from anchored boats and the shore. Most boat anglers are anchoring and running plugs, but a few boats are side drifting. Also, anglers can expect to start seeing some early-run spring chinook in the coming weeks. Last updated 3/10/21.
When water levels are high, plunking can be a good technique on the lower Rogue. Here are some gear and technique video tips for plunking on the Rogue.
Rogue River, middle: Chinook salmon, hatchery coho, steelhead, rainbow trout
Wild steelhead can now be retained in the whole Rogue basin, as long as the fish is a minimum of 24 inches long. Only 1 wild fish per day, and 3 per year zone wide in aggregate may be kept.
More winter fish are showing in the fishery every day. If targeting water below the Applegate River, you’ll get the chance to target both Rogue and Applegate hatchery fish. A small bump in flows as a result of early week rain is expected for Thursday but then the river should be dropping nicely all weekend. Running plugs from a drift boat or drifting nightcrawlers or eggs, eggs/shrimp, soft beads, or yarn balls are all good bets.
Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Grants Pass have excellent gear and very fresh bait, local flies and knowledge 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.
For those interested in checking conditions before getting on the river, the City of Grants Pass Water Division’s website offers 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 3/10/21.
Rogue River, upper: steelhead, rainbow trout
Winter fish are in the mix up here and will be increasing in the coming weeks. Wild steelhead can now be retained in the entire Rogue basin, as long as the fish is a minimum of 24 inches long. Only 1 wild fish per day, and 3 per year SW Zone wide in aggregate may be kept. Wild trout must still be released.
The Rogue is one of the few places where trout fishing is open this time of year, but it will close on March 31 before it reopens May 22. All wild rainbow and cutthroat trout must be released during open trout fishing. Trout anglers are especially encouraged to harvest adipose-fin clipped trout in the upper reach of river during open seasons. From April 1 though May 22, trout fishing is closed. This is to protect outmigrating wild Steelhead and Coho smolts. This regulation applies to catch-and-release trout angling as well.
As of Feb. 3, 3 new winter steelhead entered the ladder, bringing this year’s total to 18 fish.
Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Medford, Shady Cove, and Ashland have excellent gear and very fresh bait, local flies and knowledge that is specific to the Rogue and to your particular technique. Go check them out and offer them support during this time.
For the latest fish counts, 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 3/10/21.
