If the Middle Rogue looks blown out, the upper river is never a bad place to target. There have been winter fish caught up here recently, but it’s still pretty early. Wild steelhead can now be retained in the entire Rogue basin, as long as the fish is a minimum of 24 inches long. Only 1 wild fish per day, and 3 per year SW Zone wide in aggregate may be kept. Wild trout must still be released. 

Trout anglers are especially encouraged to harvest adipose-fin clipped trout in the upper reach of river.  Some really nice early winter steelhead have been caught above Elk River  area and up at the Hatchery Hole, but they are few and far between. 

As of Feb. 23, 16 new summer steelhead entered the hatchery, bringing the total to 1,841 summer fish for the year. 5 chrome bright winter fish also entered the ladder, bringing this year’s total to 15 fish.

Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Medford, Shady Cove, and Ashland have excellent gear and very fresh bait, local flies and knowledge that is specific to the Rogue and to your particular technique. Go check them out and offer them support during this time.

For the latest fish counts, call into the Lost Creek Reservoir hotline or check the MyODFW.com fish counts page.

For the most current releases of water out of Lost Creek Reservoir, call 1-800-472-2434. For real time streamflow from USGS gauges on the Rogue click here.