Rogue River

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: Trout

Rogue River, upper: Steelhead, spring chinook

Rogue River, middle: Steelhead, spring chinook

Rogue River, lower: Steelhead, Chinook

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir: Trout

Trout stocking began last week on the Rogue River upstream of Lost Creek. Campgrounds and other public access sites along Highway 62 and Highway 230 are stocked with rainbow trout on a weekly basis between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Several US Forest Service campgrounds along the river will be closed this year, and some will have a late opening. ODFW plans to stock the normal release sites even if the camgprounds are closed, because anglers can walk in behind the gates to fish. Last week we were not able to stock Natural Bridge due to a gate problem, and access to Minnehaha Creek was blocked by snow. These sites are not expected to be stocked soon. Contact the USFS office at (541) 618-2200 for updates on campgrounds.

This is the premier summer trout fishery in the Rogue watershed. Anglers can escape the heat of the Rogue Valley, enjoy beautiful scenery, and catch fish. Try casting flies (use a bubble if fishing with spinning gear) or smaller lures like a Panther Martin or rooster tail. Often tipping the lure with bait helps to produce. In slower holes, fishing bait such as a nightcrawler or Pautzke eggs, or even PowerBait will produce.

The Rogue and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir are open to fishing year-round, with a daily retention limit of 5 trout (no limit on brook trout). Anglers are encouraged to harvest brook trout regardless of size.

The south and middle forks of the Rogue are not stocked, are generally more difficult to access, and provide fishing opportunity away from crowds. Naturally produced rainbow and cutthroat trout are available, but anglers may choose to practice catch and release on the rainbow and cutthroat of these forks. Last updated 5/27/25.

Rogue River, upper: Steelhead, spring chinook

The release from Lost Creek increased to 2,750 cfs on May 27th as the Corps deals with snowmelt entering Lost Creek Reservoir. River temperature out of Lost Cr is 51F. The flow at Gold Ray should reach 3,100 cfs this week.

Spring chinook numbers continue to rise in the upper river, and hatchery chinook are broadly distributed, but the catch rate has been dropping recently. The first hatchery summer steelhead of the year entered Cole Rivers last week. Fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout has been good, and the salmonfly hatch is on, but only adipose finclipped rainbow trout over 8 inches may be harvestedother trout must be released immediately unharmed.

Cole Rivers Hatchery returns as of 5/20/25:

Species/RunNew fishSeason totalSpring Chinook13421981Winter Steelhead111528Summer Steelhead55

Anglers, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly. If fish are getting injured with the technique you are using, please change techniques. Remember that smaller rainbow are usually the steelhead that will return in future years.

For up-to-date river levels, check all the USGS Rogue gauges here. Last updated 5/27/25

Rogue River, middle: Steelhead, spring chinook

Flow in Grants Pass should remain at about 3,080 cfs this week with the additional release from Lost Creek. The water is clear at 3 NTU's and the temperature reaching 60 F. Summer steelhead and spring chinook are migrating through the middle Rogue. Beginning June 1, anglers fishing downstream of Fishers Ferry Boat Ramp may harvest up to 2 spring chinook per day, hatchery (adipose finclip) or wild (no adipose finclip).

As always, anglers are encouraged to harvest any introduced pikeminnow caught in the middle Rogue, while we encourage the release of native suckers. Harvested pikeminnow can be used in the garden or placed in the trash.

Anglers, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly. If fish are getting injured with the technique you are using, please change techniques. Remember that smaller rainbow are usually the steelhead that will return in future years.

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. Last updated 5/27/25

Rogue River, lower: Steelhead, spring Chinook

Spring Chinook fishing has been good, but as flows drop and water temperatures pick up, anglers can expect the best bite to occur in the morning before water temperatures start to climb through the day. Anglers can still only retain hatchery Chinook until June 1.

Summer steelhead anglers can find fish hanging out in the tailouts of pools. Because flows are higher than later in the fall, steelhead will be spread out and a little harder to find. Spinners work well, as well as flies. There are Chinook around, so anglers may want to use a little heavier line and hooks, as there is always a possibility of hooking a salmon.

Surf perch fishing has picked up near the mouth of the Rogue. Sand shrimp, mole crabs, and artificial sand worms have all been successful.

5/28/2025