ODFW has lifted the 2 p.m. fishing closure between Lobster and Hog creeks.

From Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, within the wild and scenic section from Foster Creek upstream to Whiskey Creek, only artificial flies and lures are allowed. No bait is allowed in that reach.

There is one month left for Chinook fishing between Hog Creek boat ramp and Fishers Ferry, with the Chinook season closing Oct. 1. Anglers are picking up Chinook in the Gold Hill and Rogue River area.

Steelhead fishing has been pretty good from Rogue River down to Pierce Riffle for those anglers getting out early. Steelhead have also been being caught downstream of Grants Pass. Only hatchery steelhead and hatchery trout may be harvested. Up to 2 hatchery steelhead as part of the daily combined salmon/steelhead bag limit and 5 hatchery trout may be retained.

Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Grants Pass 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.

It is illegal to snag and keep a snagged fish, whether it’s wild or hatchery! Report violations to Oregon State Police by calling *OSP.

Flows have been dropping and should level out later this week. On Wednesday morning, the flow was 1270 cfs and 60 degrees. Temperatures have dropped pretty significantly in the last few weeks and should be very conducive to salmon and steelhead fishing. The turbidity was 1 NTU at the Grants Pass water treatment’s river monitoring station. 

For those interested in checking conditions before getting on the river, the City of Grants Pass Water Division’s website offers information on river conditions at Grants Pass as well as a link to a river camera. Anglers can check all the USGS gaging stations, which have the most current temperatures and river flows here.