Trout fishing is closed on the Rogue between April 1 and May 21

Rogue River - Middle - Grants Pass, OR (Josephine County)


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

Trout fishing is closed on the Rogue between April 1 and May 21. This is to protect out migrating wild steelhead smolts. The Rogue is still open for steelhead and salmon fishing, with a valid Combined Angling Tag in possession.

Wild steelhead retention closes on Saturday, April 30. Wild steelhead must be 24 inches long to harvest, with a limit of 1 per day/3 per year zone wide in aggregate with other SW rivers where wild steelhead are allowed to be harvested (consult regulations). 

There are still reports of a few fresh winter fish being caught, but most are pretty ready to spawn. Anglers are also catching spawned out “kelt” or down-runners. These fish are much more colored up and have a sunken looking belly or appear skinny. If handled properly, they may return to spawn again. Best bet for winter fish are to head up river.

Wild Chinook salmon may not be retained above Hog Creek boat ramp until June 1. Spring Chinook anglers are picking some up along the Rogue Trail below Graves Creek and even a few have been reportedly caught in the GP area with the recent rains. Anglers are reminded that fishing is closed from Rainie Falls to 400 feet below the falls.

The Grants Pass stream gauge is on a slow and steady drop at 2100 cfs and turbidity at 5 NTU. Temperature is in the low 50s. Current flow, temp and turbidity conditions for the Rogue can be found at the USGS stream gauges here, or checking the City of Grants Pass water page’s river data 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

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