Winter steelhead are still being caught in the upper Rogue on a regular basis

Rogue River- Upper - Medford, OR (Jackson County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-27-2022
Website

Anglers are reminded that the Hatchery Hole, which encompasses the blocker dam to 1200 feet below, is closed to ALL fishing from April 1 through July 31. It is also closed year-round to Chinook fishing.

Trout fishing is closed from April 1 through May 21. This is to protect out migrating wild steelhead smolts. This closure includes catch and release fishing for trout at this time as well.

Winter steelhead are still being caught in the upper Rogue on a regular basis. Due to drought conditions in the larger spawning tributaries, more mainstem spawning of winter fish is occurring this year, and anglers are asked to be aware of redds in shallow tailouts and along river margins. Avoid walking or dragging vessels on these.

However, the recent rains should be getting more fish into tributaries. River conditions are still good for floating below Rogue Elk Park. Upstream of there, the river is pretty boney with only 687 cfs coming out of the dam and Big Butte Creek churning out 176 cfs. Most steelhead fishing has been targeting fish in the Takelma to Rogue Elk Region. Fishing the Touvelle and Denman Wildlife area may still churn out some winter fish. 

Wild winter steelhead retention ends April 30. Only 1 wild fish 24 inches or greater, can be harvested per day as part of the daily limit, and 3 wild fish in aggregate for the year in the Rogue and other waterbodies of the SW zone where wild steelhead may be harvested. Consult the 2022 sportfishing regulations and SW zone for more information. 

Chinook anglers may want to start exploring. The first Chinook entered the hatchery April 19. No wild Chinook retention is allowed at this time, only hatchery fish may be harvested. There is never wild Chinook retention allowed above Dodge Bridge. 

As of April 27, 118 new winter steelhead entered the hatchery with 742 fish for the year to date. The second spring Chinook of the season also showed up in the ladder bringing the count to two fish for the season.

Trout anglers will want to start checking out the Holy Water, as that is the only trout fishing available in the Rogue until May 22. Anglers are reminded that the Holy Water is fly angling only and catch and release. 

The Dodge Bridge gauge is 1,260 cfs and on a slow drop.The temperature was at 49 degrees on Wednesday morning. Flows out of the dam are 687 cfs and 45 degrees. You can check all the USGS Rogue gauges here.




More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, April 27th, 2022
Chewaucan River: People have already caught some really nice trout in the river with lures
Gerber Reservoir: Targeting yellow perch continues to be your best bet
Holbrook Reservoir: Access is available to high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles this week
John C Boyle Reservoir: Fishing bait on the bottom might be your best method
Upper Klamath Lake: Water clarity has continued to worsen due to very windy conditions
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Fishing Report
Lake Of The Woods: Lake of the Woods will be stocked this week with trophy rainbow trout
Lofton Reservoir: Access is available to high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicles this week
Phillips Reservoir: Phillips Reservoir will be stocked with trout throughout the spring
Pilcher Reservoir: We have not received any recent fishing reports for Pilcher Reservoir
Sprague River: Opening day was slow due to cold water temperatures and drift of filamentous algae
Thief Valley Reservoir: Thief Valley Reservoir is now full
Unity Reservoir: Unity Reservoir is mostly full, and anglers have been successful
Warm Springs Reservoir: Fishing is typically slow on the Upper Williamson this time of year
Wolf Creek Reservoir: Wolf Creek Reservoir is slowing filling
Wood River: Water temperatures were very cold on opening day
Applegate Reservoir: Fishing has been good for trout and picking up for largemouth bass on warmer days
Ben Irving Reservoir: With warming weather bass fishing should be productive
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Cooper was stocked just last week and there should be lots of other fish available
Diamond Lake: The snow is melting fairly quickly at Diamond
Emigrant Reservoir: Water temperatures are increasing
Fish Lake : Fish lake is ice free
Floras Lake: Floras Lake is a pleasant place to spend some time and unwind all year long
Galesville Reservoir: The reservoir has been filling and anglers can easily launch a boat now
Garrison Lake: Bank anglers can find access at the 12th street or Pinehurst boat ramps
Howard Prairie Reservoir: The lake is ice-free, but access is limited
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt lake resort, store and restaurant are open
Lemolo Lake: Lemolo is getting close to full
Rogue River- Lower: Lost Creek has received 35,000 legal rainbow trout since late February
Rogue River - Middle: Trout fishing is closed on the Rogue between April 1 and May 21

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Monday, April 25th, 2022
: ODFW announces updates on Pacific halibut sportfishing season openings
: Ashland residents: be bear aware