As of Nov. 1, anglers can again use bait, but only above the Shady Cove Boat Ramp.  Downstream from Shady Cove to Fishers Ferry boat ramp, only artificial flies and lures are allowed from Nov 1 through Dec 31. Soft beads and plastic worms are considered bait. 

All boat ramps are open.

Chinook fishing is closed. However, hatchery coho, steelhead and hatchery trout may be retained.

Late summer steelhead fishing was very good this past week and weekend. Fishing has been best above Shady Cove, with good floats and bank access. This weekend’s moisture should keep fish moving.

Trout anglers are especially encouraged to harvest adipose-fin clipped trout in the upper reach of river. Summer steelhead should continue through at least November in the upper Rogue. Black and black/purple flies have been the ticket for some local fly anglers. Copper johns and egg imitations will begin getting hot as fish start keying into spawning salmon.

As of Dec. 8, 28 new summer steelhead entered the hatchery, bringing the total to 1,299 fish for the year.

The hatchery recycled excess summer steelhead downstream this week. Some of these fish are tagged with colored and numbered tags in their backs. This is the last scheduled downstream release so anglers should get out there and target these fish, which were released at the Denman Wildlife Area’s Modoc access. Anglers should call 541-826-8774 ext. 226 if they catch these fish.

If you plan on releasing the fish, leave the tag in it, but please try and get a 4 digit number on the tag (please don’t report the phone number!!). Participants will be entered into a raffle for donated prizes including gift cards to a local sporting goods store and even a box of hand tied flies.  

Twenty-three coho swam into the hatchery ladder last week, bringing the total to 297. The collection pond is typically sorted on Wednesdays, and new numbers are typically available to the public later in the week. Call into the Lost Creek Reservoir hotline or check the MyODFW.com fish counts page.

For the most current releases of water out of Lost Creek Reservoir, call 1-800-472-2434. For real time streamflow from USGS gauges on the Rogue click here.