Emigrant is getting a bonus 500 pounder trout this week. Make sure to get out and target these trout before water conditions warm up. Crappie and bass anglers have been doing well on crappie jigs and Texas rigged or drop shot plastics. Catfish anglers will want to fish with chicken livers. The area A boat ramp is open and launchable by larger vessels. Area B ramp is closed according to the Jackson County Parks website. 

There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident warmwater species in Emigrant for high levels of mercury. Consult the sportfishing regulations or the Oregon Health Authority for more information on consumption guidelines. 

The RV park is again open at Emigrant, as are 40 basic tent sites at Oak Slope Campground.  For more information on park facilities visit the Jackson County Parks website.

Water clarity is surprisingly good for this time of year, mostly due to the slow fill and drought conditions. The reservoir is currently at 36 percent and 10,063 acre feet. 6,800 acre feet is about the end of the paved ramp at Area A. The most current elevations for Emigrant Reservoir and other Rogue Basin reservoirs can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation’s website, here.