The Hatchery Hole re-opened on Aug. 1, and is open to fishing for steelhead and trout, but remains closed to Chinook.  

Chinook fishing is closed from Fishers Ferry upstream to Cole Rivers Hatchery through the end of the year. 

Beginning Sept. 1, all fishing gear from Fishers Ferry to Cole Rivers hatchery is restricted to artificial flies, with no added weights except for a bubble or similar floating device attached to the line. No bait is allowed.

Anglers are catching trout and summer steelhead. Anglers can only retain hatchery trout (5 per day) and hatchery steelhead. It’s been a pretty good august for steelhead anglers, and should only improve through September.  

Fly-anglers are doing well with slightly subsurface flies and muddlers. As September gets going, copper johns and egg patterns will start producing. Traditional nymphs always work as well whether fished with a sink tip or under an indicator. For spin or bait casting reels, this is the time to get out and perfect your “bug and bubble” technique.  

As of Aug. 25, 60 spring Chinook entered the hatchery ladder, bringing this year’s total to 1,989 fish. Fish will continue to trickle in for the next month or so. The hatchery has met its spring Chinook broodstock needs. 

Also as of Aug. 25, 87 fresh summer steelhead also entered the ladder bringing the total to 969 fish for the year. This is roughly a third of the run if long term averages persist. Expect a re-run of hatchery fish not need for broodstock soon.  

Flows coming out of William L. Jess Dam will drop about 200 cfs over the next 2 days.  Currently there is 1,713 cfs being released. Beginning next week flows will start significantly dropping to the lows for the fall to facilitate spring Chinook spawning and water savings.  

Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Medford, Shady Cove, and Ashland have excellent gear and very fresh bait, local flies and knowledge that is specific to the Rogue and to your particular technique. Go check them out and offer them your support. 

For the latest fish counts, 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.