Weekend fishing opportunities:

• Several area lakes continue to offer good trout fishing into the winter, including Agate Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Reinhart Pond, Lake Selmac and Cooper Creek Reservoir.
  
  
• Crabbing has been excellent in Coos and Winchester bays and the Coquille near Bandon.
  
  
• The first winter steelhead have been caught on the Coos and Coquille rivers and the numbers will only get better over the next couple of months.

If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed
It’s probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improves.

Send us your fishing report
We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports -- the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the Weekly Recreation Report.

AGATE LAKE: trout, largemouth bass, black crappie

Agate Lake has been stocked with legal and larger-sized rainbow trout, which will be available throughout the winter. Add to this its proximity to Medford and its low elevation, Agate Lake is a great destination for fishing during the winter. The reservoir level is now at 30 percent of capacity.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, spring chinook, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

Applegate Reservoir has been stocked with legal and larger-sized rainbows. These fish will be available and should provide good fishing throughout the winter. The Hart-tish boat ramp and facilities are closed, but the French Gulch low water ramp is open. While the French Gulch boat ramp is open, it is very muddy and may be difficult to use. A variety of techniques can produce trout at Applegate, including trolling lures, flies, or wedding ring and worm combinations, as well as fishing with bait.

APPLEGATE RIVER: rainbow and cutthroat trout, winter steelhead

The river is open for adipose fin-clipped trout. All non adipose fin-clipped (wild) rainbow trout and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. Fishing should be fair to good for trout with spoons, spinners, and flies. The river is currently closed to salmon and steelhead fishing.

Applegate River flows at Wilderville

ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout

The pond level is low, but good numbers of trout are cruising the shallows feeding on insects. Pond levels are lowered in the fall to help control aquatic vegetation.

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie

Ben Irving Reservoir, west of Winston, was stocked with trout in April, May again in early September. With the cooler water temperatures, success for warm water species is slowing down.

CHETCO RIVER: steelhead

Low and clear. The few anglers hitting the river are reporting good numbers of steelhead in the river, but the cold, clear water is making things tough. Anglers using smaller baits and line are doing the best.

ODFW is conducting a steelhead angler creel on the Chetco this year, along with chinook salmon scale collection, and winter steelhead broodstock collection. At times, these projects may interfere with an anglers fishing. Please be courteous to all ODFW personnel and volunteers.

Chetco River flows near Brookings

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, crappie

Cooper Creek received over 11,000 trout this spring. Fishing has been fair for trout lately despite the cold temperatures. Anglers using PowerBait caught some nice fish between 10 to 12-inches. An additonal 1,500 trout were stocked for Labor Day weekend.

COOS RIVER BASIN: Dungeness crab, bay clams, steelhead

Trout fishing is closed in the estuary and streams until next spring.

A few steelhead swam up the rivers a few weeks ago but now the South Coos and Millicoma rivers are low and clear making winter steelhead fishing difficult. The next rain will bring in more bright steelhead. Drifting eggs along the bottom, floating a jig under a bobber, and fly fishing are good ways to catch steelhead this time of the year.

Razor Clamming - Oregon Fish and Wildlife-

Crabbing has been excellent in Coos Bay. The best places to crab have been from near Empire to the Jetties.

Clamming is excellent during low tides near Charleston, off Cape Arago Highway, and Clam Island. The next series of negative tides will start on December 21. These good clamming tides will happen in the late afternoons. There are still good places to dig clams even on positive low tides in Coos Bay. For more information on shellfish in Coos Bay click on the following link: Shellfish Assessment of Coastal Oregon. Before any shellfish harvest trip, make sure to check the Oregon Department of Agriculture website for any updates.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN steelhead

Trout fishing is closed in the estuary and streams until next spring.

Steelhead fishing has been slow in the North Fork, East Fork, and South Fork Coquille rivers due to low clear water. A few steelhead have been caught in the mainstem Coquille River by bank anglers plunking with bait and/or Spin-N-Glos. Steelhead fishing should improve everywhere in the basin with the next rain.

Crabbing has been very good in the lower Coquille River near Bandon for both crabbers from the docks or out on boats. This should continue until the estuary fills with freshwater from rain.

DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout

Diamond Lake is closed to angling until the opener in April. Diamond Lake Resort will remain open for other winter activities. For additional information, contact Diamond Lake Resort at 1-800-733-7593.

ELK RIVER: chinook

Anglers are reminded to check temporary regulations (pdf) prior to fishing.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie

Emigrant Reservoir has been stocked with trout. Because of it low elevation and close proximity to Ashland, Emigrant Reservoir is a good destination for fishing during the winter. The water level at Emigrant is at 43 percent of capacity.

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.

EXPO POND: rainbow trout, bass, crappie, bluegill

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring chinook

Rainbow Trout -Photo by Kathy Munsel-

Fish Lake was stocked with rainbow trout averaging over one pound each. These fish are still available in good numbers; however, catch rates have declined with the cooler water temperatures. Look for trout to congregate around the springs on the northeast side of the lake. As of Monday morning, the ramp was open and the lake was mostly free of ice. Snow is expected midweek.

ODFW stocked juvenile tiger trout (a brook trout—brown trout hybrid) into Fish Lake this fall. It is hoped that these predatory trout will feed on the abundant minnows in the lake and grow to provide for a trophy-quality fishery in a few years.

GALESVILLE RESERVIOR: rainbow trout, bass

Galesville Reservoir is open to angling year-round. In addition to trout, the reservoir has also been stocked with coho smolts the last couple years. Coho stocked are about 9 to 14 inches long now and have been biting recently. Trolling with flashers followed by a worm, or using spinners has been successful. Many people mistakenly think these fish are kokanee. All of the coho smolts have been adipose fin-clipped. In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon are considered trout. Thus, there is a five per day trout limit, with only one trout over 20 inches in length allowed for harvest. Fly anglers recently had some good success catching both coho and rainbows on wooly buggers and leech patterns while trolling.

Stocking for 2011 began in early March and continued through early June. Anglers are reminded all bass between 12 and 15 inches must be released, and only one bass over 15 inches may be taken per day. Galesville now has a campground. Call 541-837-3302 for information on camping and boat launching conditions.

GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout

Cold water has slowed fishing. The best fishing will be in the afternoon. Aquatic vegetation has been dying off which is allowing anglers to fish shallower water where trout are feeding. Fly fishing or slow trolling a wedding ring spinner are two good choices. Boat anglers will want to keep an eye on the weather and fish the lake when there is no wind. Access for bank anglers is best at the 12th street boat ramp or along the foredune accessed through Tseriadun State Park. Garrison Lake is located in the middle of Port Orford. Boat anglers are reminded to clean all aquatic vegetation off their boats and trailers before heading home to help control the spread non-native plants and animals.
 
HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS: trout

Hemlock Lake was stocked with additional trout for Labor Day Weekend. Be aware during winter travel that the road to Hemlock is not plowed.

HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Howard Prairie is closed for the season.

HYATT LAKE: trout, largemouth bass

Hyatt Lake is closed for the season.

ILLINOIS RIVER: trout, steelhead

Illinois River flows at Kerby

LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout

Lake Marie received 4,500 trout this year, including 500 trout for Labor Day Weekend. Fishing has been slow.

LAKE SELMAC: trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie

Lake Selmac was stocked with legal and larger-sized rainbow trout. Given its low elevation and the availability of stocked rainbow, Lake Selmac offeres good trout fishing throughout the winter.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout.

Lemolo Reservoir closed for angling on Nov. 1. Lemolo Resort will remain open for other winter sports. For additional information contact the resort at 541-957-8354.

LOON LAKE: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill

Loon Lake received over 9,297 legal-sized trout in 2010 and received nearly the same number this year. The lake was also stocked with some fingerlings last year that should be legal-sized now. Fishing for bass and bluegill is also popular. The resort boat ramp is now closed. The BLM boat ramp closed the end of November.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, spring chinook, bass

Lost Creek is well-stocked with rainbow trout, including trophy trout averaging over one pound each. The reservoir is one of the best spots in the Rogue Valley to fish for trout in the fall and winter months. Boat anglers do well trolling a variety of lures and bait. Bank anglers do well fishing bait and can find easy access near the Takelma Ramp. The Takelma Ramp is the only developed boat ramp open during the winter.

A blue green algae advisory has been issued as of Sept 23. Lost Creek remains open for fishing, but the Department of Human Services provides recommendations for how the public can protect themselves and their pets.

MEDCO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill

ODFW stocked Medco Pond with trophy-sized rainbow trout, which should create a good opportunity for anglers through the winter. Medco Pond is well suited for fishing from the bank, but anglers can utilize float tubes and other small watercraft as well.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, crab

Recreational crabbing re-opens in the ocean on Dec. 15. Recreational crabbing inside the estuaries remains open year round.

Fishing for bottomfish is open at all depths. Anglers are reporting that bottomfishing has been spotty. Anglers fishing from boats may no longer retain cabezon because the quota of 15.8 metric tons will have been met.

A boy with a String of Bass -Photo by Matt Frank-

PLAT I RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, warmwater game fish

Bass can be harvested from March 1 to Oct. 31 and are catch-and-release only from Nov. 1-Feb. Plat I has received over 4,500 trout this year. In addition to trout fishing the lake also has good bass fishing. The reservoir is currently very low due to the annual drawdown.

REINHART POND: rainbow trout, warm water fish

Reinhart Pond has been stocked with legal, larger, and trophy-sized rainbow trout, some over two pounds. These trout will be available throughout the winter and should continue to provide a good fishing opportunity for families in the Grants Pass area.

ROGUE RIVER

To find out more about conservation, management and outreach efforts on the Rogue River, check out the Rogue River page on the ODFW Web site.

River users can find stream flows and temperatures for several Rogue River reporting stations at this website: Rogue River levels.

Rogue River, lower: steelhead

Low and clear. Anglers are starting to pick up a few steelhead. The steelhead run is just getting starting and anglers can expect things to only get better.

Rogue River, middle: steelhead, trout

Summer steelhead and coho salmon are available in the middle Rogue River; however, cold water is making fishing slow. With the cold water, the fish are less active and unlikely to chase rapidly moving flies or lures. Presenting offerings slowly along the bottom and in slower moving water will yield the best results. Back-trolling plugs and drifting bait, lures, or flies have been producing a few fish. Rainbow and cutthroat trout area available as well. All non adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout, steelhead and coho; and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. Fishing for chinook salmon is now closed upstream from the Hog Creek Boat Landing.

As of Tuesday morning, the river flow at Grants Pass was 1,760 cfs and the water temperature was 38oF.

Rogue River, upper: steelhead, trout

A total of 1,873 summer steelhead and 1,612 coho salmon have entered Cole Rivers Hatchery as of Dec. 5. As of Monday morning, the outflow from Lost Creek Reservoir was 1,483 cfs and the water temperature was 43oF. Fishing for steelhead has been fair. With the cold water, the steelhead are less active and unlikely to chase rapidly moving flies or lures. Presenting offerings slowly along the bottom and in slower moving water will produce the best results. Coho salmon are still available and can be tempted by flies or lures retrieved through the slower pools. All non adipose fin-clipped steelhead and coho must be released unharmed.

Anglers are reminded that fishing for chinook salmon is currently closed in the Rogue River above the Hog Creek Boat Landing, and that the use of bait is not allowed from the Gold Ray damsite upstream to the boat ramp at Shady Cove Park until Jan. 1.

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout

SIXES RIVER: chinook

Low and clear. Angling pressure is light.

Anglers are reminded to check temporary regulations (pdf) prior to fishing.

SMITH RIVER: stripedbass, fall chinook

The Smith is open to striped bass year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. The Smith is now closed for trout fishing. Steelhead will start entering the Smith as more rain occurs in the area. Most of the angling opportunity will be catch and release of wild fish; however, adipose fin clipped coho and steelhead can be harvested in the Smith.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout

The North Umpqua mainstem and the tributaries upstream of Soda Springs Reservoir closed as of Nov. 1. They will open next spring.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: cutthroat trout

Most south coast streams closed to trout fishing Oct. 31.

TENMILE BASIN: coho salmon,yellow perch, largemouth bass and rainbow trout

Coho Salmon -Photo by Rick Swart-

The Tenmile Lakes wild coho fishery started on Oct. 1 and ends on Dec. 31 or until the quota of 875 fish is attained. Fishing for wild coho is allowed in North and South lakes but is closed downstream of Hilltop Bridge, canal between lakes, and all tributaries above the lakes. The daily bag limit is one wild coho per day with a seasonal limit of 5 wild coho in aggregate with all other waters in the northwest and southwest zones.

Coho fishing has been decent for the few anglers that venture out on the lakes. Most of the coho caught are darker in color but there are a few brighter fish swimming around. The most productive areas to fish are in the upper arms of the lakes. Casting spinners or crankbaits have been the most productive technique for catching these fish.

There have been a couple steelhead caught on Tenmile Creek but overall fishing for steelhead is slow. More steelhead should start moving into Tenmile Creek with the next significant rain. Eel Creek is closed to steelhead fishing until Jan. 1.

TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout

Fishing is open in Toketee year-round. The construction at the campground and boat ramp are finally complete, so the area is now open. For more information call the U.S. Forest Service at 541-498-2531.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon, striped bass, chinook

Most of the salmon have moved upstream. People will start going for steelhead once some rain gets the fish moving. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

Red Top Lake above Myrtle Creek was stocked for Labor Day. Until snow closes the roads and hiking trails, the Umpqua’s High Cascade lakes will continue to offer some good fall fishing opportunity. For brook trout anglers should try Cliff, Buckeye, Skookum, Madiu, Twin and Wolf lakes. Linda and Calamut have been stocked with a native rainbow for the last couple of years. The rainbows appear to be doing well. Bullpup and Fuller still have brook trout, but were also recently stocked with some fingerling native rainbows.

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: steelhead, sturgeon, chinook, bass, striped bass

Umpqua River flows near Elkton

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead

Fishing in the fly water has been slow. Note that from Oct. 1 through June 30, 2011, single weighted barbless flies may be used. Fishing at Swiftwater will improve when some rain helps move more steelhead into the area. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be retained on the North Umpqua. Adipose fin-clipped coho can also be harvested on the North, however hatchery coho have comprised less than 7 percent of the North Umpqua coho run in recent years.

Anglers catching a coho with a pink floy tag should release the fish unharmed. The ODFW is tagging wild coho at Winchester Dam to look at the distribution of the fish. Please also leave any spawned out pink-tagged coho where it died. ODFW will be doing spawning ground surveys to recover as many tagged coho as possible to compare spawning ground population estimates to the counts at Winchester Dam.

North Umpqua River water levels at Winchester Dam

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH:

The South Umpqua is now open for winter steelhead. However, it will take some significant rain to move the fish into the South and make the river more boat-friendly. Only adipose fin clipped steelhead can be harvested. Anglers can harvest adipose fin clipped coho that they catch while steelhead fishing as part of the daily bag limit. The steelhead will start trickling into the South as the water levels increase with more rain. Fishing will continue to improve throughout the winter with the best fishing generally occurring from late February through March. There should be good numbers of hatchery fish returning this year since 91,000 smolts were released in 2009 and 101,000 were released in 2010.

South Umpqua River water levels near Riddle

WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead

Fishing for rainbow trout has been fair to good. The park and boat ramp are now closed for the season, so anglers are limited to fishing from the bank or from small watercraft that can be launched from the bank.

WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon, coho, chinook, rockfish

The South Jetty has been good for bottomfishing. Crabbing has picked up again at Winchester Bay. The crabs are in better condition now and have more meat. Check with the Coast Guard for new deadlines in the lower Umpqua when the bar is closed (541-271-4847).

WINCHUCK RIVER: chinook

Low and clear. Chinook fishing will be slow until flows pick up.