Emigrant received its first trout stocking of the season last week with 3,000 legal trout. Temperatures are increasing and warmwater fishing should be picking up. The area A boat ramp is open. 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 21 percent and 8,636acre feet. The most current elevations for Emigrant Reservoir and other Rogue Basin reservoirs can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation’s website, here.