Emigrant is scheduled to receive its first trout stocking of the season this week with 3,000 legal trout. Low water and mud have made prior stocking efforts difficult this year.  Temperatures are increasing and warmwater fishing should be picking up. Small vessels could probably be launched at the Area A boat ramp, but it’s a mixture of gravel and hardpack mud at yards from the end of the concrete ramp. At 6,800-acre feet, the water is typically to the end of the blacktop at Area A ramp. Watercraft such as rafts, kayaks, SUPs and float tubes will be the easiest to launch here. 

There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident warmwater species in Emigrant for high levels of mercury. Consult the sportfishing regulations or the Oregon Health Authority for more information on consumption guidelines. 

Some anglers have picked up catfish with chicken livers. Bass and crappie anglers are starting to pick up these fish as the weather warms. Try finding a rocky point to target these species, as there is very little submerged vegetation with the low reservoir levels.

The RV park is again open at Emigrant, as are 40 basic tent sites at Oak Slope Campground.  For more information on park facilities visit the Jackson County Parks website.

Water clarity is surprisingly good for this time of year, mostly due to the slow fill and drought conditions. The reservoir is currently at 19 percent and 7,541 acre feet.