Beginning Jan. 1, the Applegate River is open for trout and steelhead 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 once outflow out of the dam decreases and the river clears. Wild trout must be released unharmed.