UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM:

Chinook fishing is open, but usually doesn’t pick up till March. Wild harvest of Chinook is closed in 2020. Hatchery harvest is still allowed.

Steelhead fishing has been decent throughout the main. The river is pretty high right now, but should be dropping. A lot of anglers fish the main by “plunking.” This is usually a good strategy for water that is high and has more color.

Make sure to turn in snouts from hatchery steelhead for a chance to win a gift card. Snout collection barrels are found at Scott Cr, Sawyers Rapids, Elkton, Yellow Creek, Osprey, James Woods, Umpqua, Cleveland, and River Forks boat ramps.

Trout fishing is currently closed on the Main and its tributaries, but will reopen next Memorial Day.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH:

Fishing should be good this weekend. The annual steelhead Derby took place last weekend and even with less-than-ideal conditions, anlgers were successful.

The North is open to Chinook fishing under permanent rule. Anglers may harvest up to 10 wild Chinook per year and two per day.

Some of the North Umpqua and tributaries are open for trout (those above Slide Creek Dam): check the fishing regulations to see which areas are closed.

Note that as of Oct. 1, fishing in the fly water area is restricted to the use of a single, barbless, artificial fly.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH:

Fishing has been good for steelhead anglers. Some good numbers are coming in from the South and it’s the best place in the basin to catch hatchery fish.

The river should be in decent shape and dropping. Make sure to turn in snouts from hatchery fish for a chance to win a gift card.

Snout collection barrels can be found at Douglas County Fairgrounds, Happy Valley, Lookingglass, Myrtle Creek, Lawson Bar, Stanton boat ramps and Seven Feathers access area.