The Dodge Bridge gauge is 1210 cfs and on a slow rise with 2 small crests expected through the week

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


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-15-2022
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 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. The rain forecast this week should really get steelhead moving and conditions should be good for floating and bank angling. Below Little Butte Creek will probably be muddy on Saturday but should start clearing by Sunday or early Monday.

Wild winter steelhead can be retained as long as they are a minimum size of 24 inches through April 30. Only 1 wild fish 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. No Chinook have yet entered the hatchery but a few “scouts” are probably on their way into the upper River. No wild Chinook retention is allowed at this time, only hatchery fish may be harvested. 

As of April 6, 120 new winter steelhead entered the hatchery with 413 fish for the year to date. Another late trickle of 12 summer steelhead brought this year’s run to 3,428 fish.  With low river levels, fish have been slowly making their way up to the hatchery.  Updated counts were not yet available at the writing of this report.

Best bets for the upper river would be concentrating on the area between Shady Cove and Touvelle as there is more color to the water. Rogue Elk to Shady Cove is also fishing well.  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 1210 cfs and on a slow rise with 2 small crests expected through the week. The temperature was a 44 degrees on Wednesday morning and will remain chilly through the week. Flows out of the dam are 763 cfs and nearly 48 degrees. You can check all the USGS Rogue gauges here.





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Friday, April 15th, 2022
Willamette River: Two rods allowed in upper Willamette starting April 16
: ODFW Recreation Report
Wallowa Lake : Fishing has been good for rainbow trout near the south end of the lake
Wallowa River: Some of the best steelhead fishing on the Wallowa can occur between mid-March and mid-April
Hood River: Spring Chinook retention on the Hood River will open April 15 through June 30
Clackamas River: We are now past our peak for winter steelhead returns
Dexter Reservoir: Was last stocked the week of April 3
Green Peter Reservoir: Green Peter Reservoir Report
Henry Hagg Lake: Hagg Lake continues to receive regular stockings
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir was last stocked the week of April 3
McKenzie River: McKenzie River Fishing Report
Sandy River: Though fewer bright steelhead are being caught, fish can still be found throughout the system
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Fishing for hatchery steelhead is open year-round
Santiam River (South Fork): Steelhead fishing is open year-round
Kilchis River: Winter steelhead fishing is winding down on the Alsea
Nehalem River: The Nehalem mainstem is on the rise and may color up again by mid-week
Wilson River: The Wilson is a little low and clear
Ben Irving Reservoir: Ben Irving will most likely be murky with recent rains
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Cooper was stocked a few weeks ago
Diamond Lake: Recent snowy weather has returned to Diamond
Galesville Reservoir: ODFW recently stocked the lake with LOTS of trout
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Expect snow for the weekend
Rogue River - Middle: With rain forecast all week, the river is expected to rise quite a bit on Friday


4-12-2022
CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites you to a family fishing event on Saturday, April 16...... Read More