Beginning Jan. 1, the Applegate River is open for trout angling and steelhead angling but remain closed to Chinook fishing. Only hatchery steelhead may be retained and anglers must take care in releasing wild fish. Steelhead fishing in the Applegate is usually slow in January, however, with the high flows we have had this year, fishing could be good. Wild trout must also be released unharmed. Rainbow trout over 16-inches are considered steelhead and must be released through Dec. 31.