UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM:

The river is continuing to drop and should be in good shape for the weekend. Anglers are picking up a few steelhead, but as with the rest of the area, it seems very slow. Don’t forget to turn in hatchery winter steelhead snouts for a chance to win a gift card (see note below.)

Spring Chinook anglers will start fishing in the lower river towards the end of March. Most anglers plunk from a boat or the bank using either a spinner or other lures. Please remember that the mainstem is temporarily closed to the harvest of all wild Chinook (including jack Chinook) through June. Consider using gear that will be less harmful to fish that need to be released. Tactics such as using single point hooks and artificial lures may ensure a higher survival of wild fish after release.

Bass fishing is likely going to slow with cold conditions.

Trout fishing will reopen May 22.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH:

Access may be limited due to impacts from last summer’s wildfires. The section from Steamboat Creek to Susan Creek is closed to access by the Forest Service. Sections of Bureau of Land Management lands also are closed.

Fishing seems to be slow, but the river appears to be in good shape. With a little rain in the forecast, the river should be in shape. Remember to turn in snouts from hatchery fish for a chance to win a $50 gift card (see below).

Some of the North Umpqua and tributaries are open for trout (those above Slide Creek Dam). These areas may be tough to access during the winter months. Check the fishing regulations to see which areas are open.

Note that as of Oct 1, fishing in the fly water area is restricted to the use of a single, barbless, artificial fly.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH:   

March can be a great time to catch steelhead, but most anglers are still waiting for the big push of fish. Don’t forget to turn in snout from hatchery winter steelhead for a chance to win a gift card (see note below).

NOTE: Umpqua winter steelhead study

Anglers who catch a hatchery winter steelhead in the Umpqua Basin are being asked to turn in the snouts from those fish. Some of these snouts contain small tags. Anglers who turn in snouts that contain these tags will be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card. Snouts may be turned in at barrels located around the basin, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Roseburg, or the Roseburg ODFW office. Tags obtained from the fish will inform ODFW on the best release strategy for juveniles to provide the most fish back to anglers in the future.