Striped bass fishing in the lower Coquille is usually at its best in June, one of the best months to catch fish using nightcrawlers or 1/3 of an anchovy/herring bait on the bottom along current lines in 8-12ft of water. Use of a sliding line through a three-way swivel or swivel stopper with drop lead is popular. Topwater large minnow style gear has been yielding fish above Coquille.

Smallmouth bass are fully active with the warmer weather. Fishing is expected to be solid in June-July, slowing a bit in July when water becomes very warm. Try bait on the bottom or artificial grubs/worms worked slowly. There is no limit for smallmouth bass, which are destructive to salmon fry production. Last updated 06/08/26

Steelhead have finished their spawning run for 2026, and fishing is over for the season. There has been some confusion about use of bait in the Coquille basin during the steelhead season due to the language in the S.W. section Regulations Exceptions. Bait is allowed in all mainstem forks of the Coquille basin for steelhead. The plan at this point is to adjust the language in the regulations for the 2027 manual. Last updated 6/08/26

For any questions on Salmon Fishing in the Coos or Coquille please call the Charleston office at (541) 888-5515 *dial zero in the options menu.

ODFW is steadily stocking coastal lakes in the district (Saunders, Bradley, Butterfield, Empire Lakes, Powers Pond) on a two-to-three-week rotation. Trout fishing has been fair in those locations. Trout fishing opened in all streams within the Coquille basin May 22.