UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Chinook

Steelhead season is now open on the main. Chinook fishing closed at the end of November. Steelhead should be showing up in the lower river soon, but most anglers don’t start fishing the upper main till later in the month. There is no retention of wild coho in the Umpqua this year. Please practice good catch-and-release techniques with fish that are not retained.

Trout fishing is closed in the mainstem and tributaries.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead

After a long closure to protect summer steelhead, the North has reopened under permanent regulations for winter steelhead fishing. Winter Steelhead should start poking into the North later in the month.

With the low population of Summers, anglers are reminded to handle fish with extra care this year. Summer Steelhead that have finished spawning will try and make their way back to the ocean. Practicing good catch-and-release techniques will help ensure we have fish in the future.

Trout fishing is open year-round upstream of Slide Creek Dam and in tributaries in this section. Fishing above Slide Creek Dam can be a great idea before the snow hits.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead

The South has reopened under permanent regulation to winter steelhead fishing. It’s still fairly early and most anglers usually focus on the lower mainstem Umpqua for steelhead.