Click here for a quick look at fishing Southern Oregon!
From
the temperate rain forest rivers of the Coast Range to spring-fed creeks of the
sunny "east side," from huge deep reservoirs of arid basins, to glistening alpine
lakes in the Cascades - Fish Southern Oregon.
Find
mint-bright Chinook, pole-bending Sturgeon, or leaping Rainbows in spectacular
surroundings.
Fish
Southern Oregon for the angling experience of a lifetime.
Fishing
Southern Oregon
Oregon's Outback
The
Fremont-Winema National Forests in Southern Oregon have 2.3 million acres to explore.
Heavy timber in the western portion give way to the crest of the Cascade Mountain
Range and Crater Lake National Park, then stretching east into the Klamath River
Basin, where the forest opens to the enormous marshes and meadows of Upper Klamath
Lake and the Williamson River.
The
far eastern portion offers expansive views, dramatic cliffs and solitude - the
area known as Oregon's Outback. World-class recreation, thanks to the diverse
habitats, make wildlife viewing and fishing a magnificent experience. Big game,
such as mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and pronghorn antelope, all populate the
forests. Several varieties of trout inhabit lakes and streams as well as warm
water fish, such as large mouth bass. In the spring and fall, migrating geese,
ducks and swans are in abundance. Large predators, such as black bears, mountain
lions, and bobcats, also live in the forests.
The Winema National Forest provides an endless number of fishing opportunities
for the experienced and beginning angler. Beautiful rivers and streams, high elevation
lakes, reservoirs and small ponds offer just about every setting one could ask
for to relax and fish, or just enjoy the magnificent scenery.
Rogue River
Pursue
the legendary Northwest salmon and steelhead, several species of trout or a variety
of warm water fish in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The Rogue River
is the area's crown jewel of fishery resources, heralded by sport anglers since
the late 1800s.
Steelhead
on the Rogue River "(He)
knew enough to realize that the Rogue River steelhead had no equal in fresh water
for speed, strength, cunning, and endurance. All trout are beautiful. But this
one of sea species seemed more than beautiful. He was all muscle. He looked exactly
what he was, a fish-spirit incarnate, fresh run from the sea, with opal and pearl
hues of such delicate loveliness that no pen or brush could portray them. He brought
the sea with him and had taken on the beauty of the river." Zane
Grey
Famed Western writer
1928 |
This
famous river cuts through the heart of both National Forests and is the region's
main fishery. However, more than 2,000 miles of fish-bearing streams are found
on the two forests, and many of these are open to fishing.
Five
nationally protected Wild and Scenic Rivers (including the Rogue, Illinois, Chetco,
and Elk) are found in the forest, providing pristine environments and spectacular
scenery for anglers to enjoy while pursuing their quarry. In addition, the forest
contains two large lakes, several smaller drive-in lakes, and an abundance of
high-elevation hike-in lakes, including many within federally-protected Wilderness
Areas.
Anglers
can stalk native rainbow and cutthroat trout in numerous streams and lakes. Non-native
brook and brown trout have also been introduced into some of the water bodies
in the forest. Black bass and sunfish exist; the largest and most popular is Applegate
Lake.
The most
desired and revered fishes of the Rogue basin, however, are native anadromous
salmonids including spring and fall chinook salmon, coho salmon, and summer and
winter steelhead. Other National Forest streams outside the Rogue basin, such
as the Chetco, Elk, Winchuck and South Fork Coquille rivers, also possess substantial
winter steelhead and/or salmon runs.
Rogue
River steelhead alone provide an outstanding fishery resource with thousands of
fish entering the lower Rogue River canyon every year. In late summer and fall,
hordes of immature steelhead known as "half-pounders" return to the lower Rogue
River on a false spawning run. Fishing for these fierce-fighting native steelhead
in a remote wilderness setting filled with abundant wildlife can be the angling
experience of a lifetime.
South
Coast
The Siuslaw
National Forest provides an endless number of fishing opportunities for the experienced
and beginning angler. Beautiful rivers and streams, high elevation lakes, reservoirs
and small ponds offer just about every setting one could ask for to relax and
fish, or just enjoy the magnificent scenery.
Recreational
fishing is everywhere - in rivers, streams, lakes and (of course) the Pacific
Ocean. Catch salmon, steelhead and trout as well as a variety of warm water species.
Estuaries and off-shore species including salmon, crab, mussels and a vast array
of rock fish are also available.
The
ocean and rivers offer a variety of seafood, such as Chinook and Coho salmon,
bottom fish, striped and small mouth bass, steelhead. sturgeon, shad, pink fin
perch, Dungeness crab, clams and oysters. Designated a national Wild and Scenic
River, the Chetco (along with the Pistol, Rogue, Elk and Sixes Rivers to the north)
offers the fishing enthusiast fantastic catches of salmon in the fall, steelhead
in winter, and trout in spring and summer.
Umpqua River Region
The
diverse streams, rivers and lakes of the Umpqua National Forest support dozens
of species of fish, predominately native coldwater fish species, such as Pacific
Salmon, Trout and Char, as well as warm water fish, largely introduced from Midwest
and Eastern states.
Salmon
and Steelhead of the Umpqua National Forest are world renowned. Known for their
indomitable urge to swim upstream to spawn, these fish are truly a marvel of nature.
Salmon and Steelhead also have great cultural importance to Native American tribes
throughout the Northwest. Chinook, Coho, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye are the five
species of Pacific Salmon that inhabit many of the Pacific Northwest National
Forests. However, only Spring- and Fall-run chinook salmon, coho salmon, and Summer-
and Winter-run steelhead inhabit the Umpqua National Forest.
Rainbow
Trout (Types: Redband), Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Types: Westslope, Lahontan and
Sea-Run), Brook Trout, Dolly Varden, and Brown Trout are the primary Pacific Northwest
coldwater fish. Cutthroat Trout, Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, and Sea-Run Cutthroat
Trout are fish that are native to Oregon and Washington, while the other species
have been introduced to the region.
The
Umpqua National Forest has sea run and resident cutthroat trout, rainbow trout,
brown trout, brook trout (char) and kokanee. Each year thousands of anglers test
their skills attempting to catch these fish.
Get
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