Chinook fishing is closed from Fishers Ferry upstream to Cole Rivers Hatchery through the end of the year.

Beginning Sept. 1, all fishing gear from Fishers Ferry to Cole Rivers hatchery is restricted to artificial flies, with no added weights except for a bubble or similar floating device attached to the line. No bait is allowed.

Anglers are catching trout and summer steelhead. Anglers can only retain hatchery trout (5 per day) and hatchery steelhead. Summer steelhead season appears better than last year and should only improve through September and into October. Anglers are encouraged to be mindful of spawning spring Chinook salmon and avoid disturbing these fish as they spawn over the next month.

Especially with the extremely low flows, boat anglers are encouraged to fish below Shady Cove, and preferably Dodge Bridge as drift boats and rafts may drag bottom in some shallow riffles. There appears to be more steelhead lower in the system so may be better off below Shady Cove anyway. Be mindful of redds (salmon nests) that can be found along river margins and at tailouts. River flows will be lower than normal as well, so drift boats and rafts may drag bottom in places. Please watch for redds or avoid spawning congregations as much as possible.

As of Sept. 8, 45 more spring Chinook entered the hatchery ladder, bringing this year’s total to 2,079 fish. Fish will continue to trickle in for the next month or so. The hatchery has met its spring Chinook broodstock needs.

Also as of Sept. 8, 110 fresh summer steelhead also entered the ladder bringing the total to 1,152 fish for the year. This is roughly a bit over 40 percent of the run if long-term averages persist. Expect a re-run of hatchery fish not needed for broodstock soon. 

Flows coming out of William L. Jess Dam should be leveled off and are extremely low and will remain so for the remainder of the fall. Only tributary inputs will raise the upper Rogue flows. This is to facilitate water saving in the reservoir and spring Chinook spawning activity.  Currently the discharge from the dam is 962 cfs (with 674 cfs inflow). River temperatures in the upper river are 54-55 degrees.

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 your support.

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