Southwest Zone
AGATE LAKE: trout, largemouth bass, black crappie
Agate Lake has been stocked with larger-size rainbow trout, and should provide good trout fishing through the spring. Fishing for bass and other warmwater fish should be good with the warm weather forecast for the middle of the week. Look for these fish around the flooded willow and other structure. The reservoir is full. The county park is open during daylight hours.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout
Applegate Reservoir was stocked last week with 14,000 legal-size and 800 trophy rainbow trout. Fishing has been good for larger trout. Bank anglers have done well near French Gulch. Slow trolling a wedding ring/worm combination, flashers or dodgers with bait, or wind-drifting worms should be effective. Trolling a lure like a flatfish or casting flies may work as well. Fishing for smallmouth bass and other warmwater species should be good with the warm weather forecast for the middle of the week.
The Copper and French Gulch boat ramps are usable. Bank fishing can be difficult at Applegate due to the steep shoreline, but the upper end should have some access and there has been recent success by bank anglers at the creek mouths. The surface temperature in the reservoir is 54oF.
APPLEGATE RIVER: steelhead, trout
The Applegate River is currently closed to all fishing. It will reopen to trout fishing on May 22.
ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout
Arizona Pond is stocked several times in April. Last week the pond was abuzz with activity. Children visiting from local schools for Reel Fish Days successfully landed plenty of rainbow. There will be two more school events this week at this busy little pond. Anglers fishing spinners, flies, and bobber and worms all have been doing well.
BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie
Ben Irving was stocked recently and should have good fishing for trout. Warmwater fishing should slowly start to improve as warmer weather raises water temperatures.
BLUEBILL LAKE: trout, warmwater species
Bluebill Lake is stocked in early May with hatchery rainbow trout. The lake also full of yellow perch.
Located in the USFS’ Dunes National Recreation Area, on the north spit near North Bend. There is a campground and trail around the lake, but no boat ramp.
BRADLEY LAKE: trout, warmwater species
Bradley Lake was stocked last week with 200 trophy trout. The lake was stocked last month with 3,000 legal-size rainbow trout. Bank anglers are catching trout right from the new dock at the boat ramp while boat anglers are catching trout by trolling a spinner or wedding ring tipped with a worm.
No bank fishing without permission from land owners, but an ODFW boat ramp allows anyone to fish from a boat. Anglers can also fish from the new dock at the boat ramp. Located about three miles south of Bandon and is one mile west of Hwy 101.
BURMA POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Burma Pond, located on BLM land east of the town of Wolf Creek, will be stocked this week with legal-size rainbow trout. Largemouth bass are also available.
BUTTERFIELD LAKE: trout, warmouth, largemouth bass
Butterfield Lake was stocked earlier in the month with 3,000 legal-size rainbow trout.
Located seven miles north of North Bend in Riley Ranch County Park. There is a campground, dune access, and a primitive launch for small float craft.
CHETCO RIVER:
The winter steelhead wrapped up last month with near perfect conditions. If steelhead is still on your brain, head over to the Rogue where it is still open until April 30. The Chetco River will be open for trout fishing May 22.
COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, coho smolts
Fishing should be good with multiple stockings of trout in 2018. Cooper was also stocked in the last two years with coho salmon juveniles. These are often mistaken for kokanee. Anglers may retain up to 5 as part of their daily trout bag limit. Please remember to release those less than 8-inches. Anglers have reported catching a few coho.
COOS RIVER BASIN: Dungeness crab, bay clams, rockfish, steelhead
Streams and rivers are closed to trout fishing until May 22, 2018.
The Coos Basin steelhead rivers are open until April 30.
Recreational fishing for bottomfish is open in the ocean along with bays and estuaries. The daily bag limit will be 5 marine fish plus 2 lingcod. There will be no retention of cabezon until July 1. Anglers have reported catching rockfish, greenling and striped surfperch inside Coos Bay near the north jetty and other submerged rock structures.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: crab, trout, steelhead
Streams and rivers are closed to trout fishing until May 22, 2018.
The Coquille Basin steelhead rivers are open until April 30.
Smallmouth bass will begin to bite throughout the mainstem as the water clears and temperatures warm. There is no size limit or daily bag limit on the number of smallmouth bass you can keep in the Coquille River Basin.
DIAMOND LAKE: trout
Fishing is starting to pick up with reports of the lake being ice-free. Several anglers are reporting limits, but anglers should be wary of light bites.
Make sure to contact Diamond Lake Lodge for up-to-date conditions. Anglers can check fishing and water conditions at Diamond Lake on the Diamond Lake Resort website, or call their toll free number at 1-800-733-7593, ext. 5 for updates. Diamond Lake is open year-round. Anglers should also check with the Umpqua National Forest (541-498-2531) for information on seasonal camp and ramp closures.
Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger trout. These fish are intended to assist in controlling illegally introduced tui chub. Tiger trout are catch-and-release only and need to be released immediately and unharmed if caught.
As part of the 2016 regulation simplification process, Diamond Lake is now back to the Southwest Zone regulation of 5 rainbow trout per day.
DUTCH HERMAN POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Dutch Herman Pond, located on BLM land east of the town of Wolf Creek, will be stocked this week with legal-size rainbow trout.
EEL LAKE: trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie
Eel Lake was stocked with 2,500 legal-size trout in late March. There are also plenty of holdover rainbow trout and wild cutthroat trout for anglers to catch. Trolling spinners is the best way to cover water and catch trout this time of the year.
The lake also has a decent population of largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Fishing for these warmwater fish species will improve as water temperatures warm in late spring.
Approximately 13 miles north of North Bend off Hwy 101.
ELK RIVER:
Steelhead season on the Elk ended April 1. If you’re looking for more steelhead angling opportunity in the region, the Rogue River season is open through April 30. Trout fishing on the Elk River will open May 22. To check river current conditions, call 541-332-0405.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie
Emigrant Reservoir has been stocked with legal-size rainbow trout. These fish, along with larger trout from earlier releases, should provide good fishing for trout anglers.
Fishing for bass and other warmwater fish should be good with the warm weather forecast for this week. Look for these fish in the flooded willows and around other structure. The lake is currently 76 percent full, and the county boat ramp is open during daylight hours.
EMPIRE LAKES: trout, warmwater species
The Family Fun Day, including a kid’s fishing event, at Upper Empire Lake will happen this Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Kids age 12 and older will need a fishing license to fish at the event.
Empire Lakes was stocked with “pounder” size trout last week and were stocked with trophy trout two weeks ago. Bank anglers have been catching trout fishing PowerBait near the bottom while anglers in small boats/kayaks are doing very well trolling spinners in the middle of the lakes.
A paved trail encircling the lakes allows easy access bank fishing. Located in the City of Coos Bay’s John Topits Park, near the community college.
EXPO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie
Expo Pond has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout, so trout fishing should be good. Fishing for bass and other warmwater fish should be good with the warm weather forecast for the middle of this week
Anglers can fish the pond, which is now within a RV Park developed by Jackson County by parking in the lot to the right as you drive in Gate 5 and walking to the pond. A day use fee to park here is $4. An annual parking permit can be purchased from Jackson County Parks Department for $30.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout, spring Chinook
Fish Lake will be stocked this week with legal-size rainbow trout. Tiger trout, Chinook salmon, and brook trout also are available. The lake is free of ice, most of the snow has melted, and anglers are catching fish. The lake is currently 80 percent full. Anglers should be aware that a snow park permit is needed to use the USFS lot at the boat ramp through April 30. The resort is currently open Fridays through Sundays.
FLORAS LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bass
Floras Lake was recently stocked with trophy trout. The lake is best fished by boat. Anglers can launch at an improved boat ramp at Boice Cope County Park. 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.
FORD’S POND: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie
This shallow pond supports populations of warmwater fish. Look for bass near the short rocky shoreline near the outlet.
Ford’s Pond (just west of Sutherlin) was purchased by the city of Sutherlin in 2016. The pond is open to the public and has a lot of bank access. Ford’s is restricted to non-motorized boats and does not have a good access point for larger boats.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, coho smolts
Galesville has been stocked several times this year and should have lots of trout from previous stockings. Recent stockings have included “trophy trout” weighing in close to two pounds. In addition to trout, the reservoir was stocked with coho smolts until 2015. Anglers have reported recent catches of coho measuring up to 14-inches. Many people mistakenly think these fish are kokanee. The coho smolts should be adipose fin-clipped, and please remember to release the ones smaller than 8-inches long.
In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon are considered trout and are part of the five-per-day trout limit, with only one trout over 20-inches long allowed for harvest.
Fishing for bass and other panfish should be decent. Good areas are near dead snags and the boat ramp.
Call 541-837-3302 for information on camping and boat launching conditions
GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout
The lake was recently stocked with legal and trophy-sized trout. Anglers slow trolling spinners, flies, or wedding ring spinners tipped with a worm all did well. Bank anglers can access the fishery from the 12th street or Pinehurst boat ramps and off Paradise Point Road. Anglers can check the stocking schedule for the weeks the lake is expected to be stocked.
HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS: trout
Anglers fishing the high lakes in the Umpqua District are encouraged to e-mail fishing reports. Contact the Forest Service at 541-496-3532 for road conditions and potential road closures. Hemlock and Lake in the Woods received several stockings of trout in 2017. There are opportunities to catch holdover rainbow trout that were stocked in previous years. Remember only trout over 8-inches may be harvested, and only one trout over 20-inches may be kept per day.
HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Howard Prairie will be stocked this week with 7,500 legal-size rainbow trout. This along with the nice weather forecast for most of this week should make for good fishing. The lake is 64 percent full, and the Willow Point boat ramp is open.
HYATT LAKE: rainbow trout and largemouth bass
Hyatt Lake will be stocked this week with 7,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. The lake is very low and access may be difficult. The best opportunity will be to fish from the bank or launch small watercraft along the western shore. The lake is 44 percent full.
ILLINOIS RIVER: trout, steelhead
The Illinois River is currently closed to all fishing. It will reopen on May 22.
JOHNSONS MILL POND: trout, warmwater species
Johnsons Mill Pond was stocked with 3,000 legal-size trout earlier this month. The pond was stocked with trophy trout last month.
Largemouth bass will become more active with the warm, sunny days this week. Anglers should try fishing weedless jigs, topwater lures, or rubber worms to catch bass.
Two and a half miles south of Coquille off Hwy 42 down Johnson Mill Road.
LAKE MARIE (Marie Lake): rainbow trout, yellow perch
Lake Marie has been stocked several times this year. Most anglers use PowerBait or worms to catch trout and yellow perch. The local STEP hatchery released clipped rainbow trout into Lake Marie in the spring of 2017. Anglers fishing the Lake Marie are asked to e-mail Greg.F.Huchko@state.or.us. Especially if they catch adipose fin-clipped fish. This will allow STEP to continue the project.
LAKE SELMAC (Selmac Lake): trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
Lake Selmac has been stocked with legal-size rainbow trout, and trout fishing should be very good for bank and boat anglers. Fishing for bass and other warmwater species has also been good. With the warm weather in the forecast, this should be a great week to fish Lake Selmac.
LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Lemolo was stocked last week and there should be good fishing conditions coming up. Kokanee in Lemolo are considered trout and therefore fall under the daily limit for trout of five per day with only one of those measuring over 20-inches. Contact Lemolo Lake Resort at 541-957-8354 for weather/road conditions and additional information.
LOON LAKE: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill
Loon Lake was stocked last week and should have plenty of trout from other stockings. Fishing for crappie, bluegill and bass has been improving with recent warm weather. Slower presentations such as jigging can be a good technique. Visit the BLM and Loon Lake Resort websites for information on opening dates and camping.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
Lost Creek Reservoir was stocked last week with 15,000 legal-size and 800 trophy rainbow trout. Trout fishing has been good. Boat anglers can have success trolling along the dam and over shallower areas of the main reservoir. Bank anglers have good success on either side of the dam, but are reminded to not block access to the Takelma boat ramp.
Fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass should be good with the warm weather forecast for this week.
Both the Takelma boat ramp and ramps in Stewart State Park are available. The reservoir surface temperature is 53oF. For the most current Lost Creek Reservoir information, call 1-800-472-2434.
MEDCO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Medco Pond will be stocked this week with 2,000 legal-size rainbow trout, which should make for some great fishing. Anglers are reminded that Medco Pond is privately owned. Gas engines are not allowed on the pond, and bank access is restricted to the west shore.
MINGUS PARK POND: trout, warmwater species
Mingus Park Pond was stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in late March. Anglers also catch big largemouth bass during the spring and summer.
Located in Mingus Park in the City of Coos Bay.
PLAT I RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass
Plat I was stocked last week and should have plenty of trout from other stockings. In addition to trout fishing, the lake also has good bass fishing. Where access is available, anglers may have success catching trout and bass with bait such as PowerBait and nightcrawlers.
POWERS POND: trout, warmwater species
Powers Pond has been stocked with both trophy and legal-size trout. Anglers are reporting good catches of trout using PowerBait. During the late spring fishing for largemouth bass, crappies and bluegills is good.
A great place for kids with fishing, swimming and lots of creature comforts.
REINHART PARK POND: trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Reinhart Pond will be stocked this week with legal-size trout. Fishing for warmwater species should be good.
ROGUE RIVER
Rogue River, lower: winter steelhead, spring Chinook
The water level had dropped quite a bit and Spring Chinook has started to turn on. Bank anglers plunking and anchored boats have had some success in the lower Rogue. Steelhead has been winding down, but can still be harvested through the rest of April. There should be great fishing opportunities over the next few weeks.
Rogue River, middle: spring Chinook, steelhead, trout
Steelhead fishing has been fair, and the first spring Chinook are arriving in the middle Rogue. Yarn balls, plugs and fly-fishing all work well.
The Rogue River is currently closed to trout fishing. It will reopen for trout on May 22.
As of Monday morning, the flow in Grants Pass was 3,470 cfs, the water temperature was 52oF, and the clarity was 3 NTUs. 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.
Rogue River, upper: spring Chinook, steelhead, trout
Winter steelhead are available in the upper Rogue, and fishing has been good. The first spring Chinook of the season has arrived at Cole River Fish Hatchery. Updated fish counts at Cole Rivers Hatchery can be viewed here.
The Rogue River is currently closed to trout fishing. It will reopen for trout on May 22.
The river discharge from Lost Creek Reservoir was 2131 cfs and 46oF on Monday, April 16. For the most current releases of water out of Lost Creek Reservoir, call 1-800-472-2434
Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: trout
The lower elevation areas near Prospect are free of snow and open to trout fishing; however, high flow and cold water will make fishing difficult.
SAUNDERS LAKE: trout, warmwater species
Saunders Lake was stocked in late March with legal-size rainbow trout. Anglers reported fishing was good for the first week using PowerBait or flies.
Located seven miles north of North Bend. Public access is available at the south end of the lake where there is a county park and boat ramp.
SMITH RIVER, Umpqua: steelhead, striped bass
Steelhead fishing is open upstream to Sisters Creek on the mainstem and to bridge ten (~14.5 miles up the N.F. Smith River Rd.) on the North Fork. Steelhead fishing above tidewater closes at the end of April.
Striped bass fishing usually picks up in the spring, but they can be hard to find.
Chinook fishing closed on Dec. 31.
Trout fishing in the mainstem and tributaries reopens May 22, 2018
SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: closed
Soda Springs remains CLOSED. The reservoir is closed to evaluate its use by salmon and steelhead.
SPALDING POND: rainbow trout
Spalding Pond will be stocked this week with legal-sized rainbow trout.
SRU LAKE: trout
Sru Lake is stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in late spring.
Located on the US Forest Service’s Powers Ranger District, nearly 20 miles south of Powers.
TENMILE CREEK: trout, steelhead
Streams and rivers are closed to trout fishing until May 22, 2018.
Steelhead fishing in the Tenmile Basin is open through April 30.
TENMILE LAKES: trout, warmwater species, largemouth bass
Legal-size rainbow trout were stocked in Tenmile Lakes earlier this month. Trout anglers trolling spinners and wedding rings in the main part of the lake are still catching holdover hatchery rainbow trout in Tenmile Lakes. Trout fishing is open all year in Tenmile Lakes.
Fishing for largemouth bass will pick up with the warm, sunny days. Water temperatures are in the mid-50s and bass will become more active in shallow water near weed lines and submerged logs.
Located ten miles north of North Bend alongside Highway 101, at the town of Lakeside. County Park with camping, boat ramp and a fishing dock.
TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout
Fishing is open in Toketee year-round, but is likely slow with cold tempertatures. For more information call the U.S. Forest Service at 541-498-2531.
UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
Contact the Forest Service at 541-496-3532 for road conditions as lakes may be difficult to access. Clearwater Forebay 2 was recently stocked. This lake can be great fishing for families and is just up the hill from Toketee Ranger Station.
Lakes typically accessible from hiking trails and that were stocked in the last couple years are: Calamut, Connie, Bullpup, Fuller, Cliff, Buckeye, Maidu, Pitt and Skookum lakes.
Red Top Pond, which offers excellent bank fishing opportunities, has been stocked several times in 2017. In addition, there should be plenty of holdover legal-size trout from previous stockings in these waterbodies. Anglers fishing the high lakes in the Umpqua District are encouraged to e-mail fishing reports.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: spring Chinook
Weather forecasts have been off a bit recently. Springers are still hard to come by and most winter steelhead have moved through the system. There should be more springers to come and the later part of April can be decent for winters.
There have been reports of large groups of juvenile steelhead moving through the basin. Please remember to release these fish quickly and unharmed. Trout fishing in the mainstem Umpqua tributaries will reopen May 22, 2018 and is catch-and-release only.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: winter steelhead, spring Chinook
The river is looking really good for steelhead fishing and should be good through the end of the month. Chinook fishing opened on the North up to Deadline Falls, but very few have been caught so far.
Check with the US Forest Service regarding potential trail closures on the North Umpqua. Most access points are open, but some trails remain closed after this summer’s fire. The North Umpqua is closed to Chinook fishing till February. Trout fishing in North Umpqua and its tributaries is closed until May 22, 2018.
Note that from Oct. 1 through June 30 fishing in the fly water area is restricted to the use of a single, barbless artificial fly.
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: winter steelhead
There has definitely been a mix bag, but there are still some bright fish moving through the river. The Umpqua has a late run of steelhead and folks are still catching a few. The South Umpqua and Cow Creek close from May 1 through the 21.
WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie, brown bullhead
Willow Lake has been stocked with legal-sizedrainbow trout, so trout fishing should be good. Angling for bass and other warmwater species should also be good with the warm weather forecast for the middle of this week. The boat ramp is open, and Jackson County has a few campsites and cabins available. The lake is full.
WINCHUCK RIVER: winter steelhead
The steelhead season closed April 1. Head on over to the Rogue River for one more month of steelhead fishing. The season closes on the Rogue April 30.