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12/15/2017 - Fishing Report
Cold weather hampers local fishing prospects (Fishing report)The bite on the Rogue River remains as slow as the water is cold.The extended period of frigid weather dropped the water temperature below 40 degrees during portions of Wednesday and Thursday.There have been reports of both winter and summer steelhead being caught on the lower portions of the Rogue, but those fish aren't expected to get to Grants Pass any time soon."As soon as we get some water flowing through, a good rain, we should see some fish," local fishing guide Troy Whitaker said. "They're going to be slow in coming until then."Whitaker, of U-Save Gas and Tackle, said there's still a few coho salmon around town as well as a few steelhead.Anglers in boats have been throwing spoons and spinners or back-trolling brightly colored plugs.Beginning Jan. 1, wild steelhead 24 inches or longer caught below Hog Creek can be kept with limits of one per day and five per year. Fishing licenses for the 2018 calendar year can be purchased online or at local sporting goods stores.APPLEGATE RESERVOIR. The reservoir has been stocked with rainbow trout and fishing should be good.The reservoir is down to the flood control pool, so the only boat access is the low water ramp at French Gulch. Slow trolling a Wedding ring and worm combination, flashers or dodgers with bait, or wind-drifting worms should be effective. Trolling a lure like a flatfish or casting flies may work as well. Bank fishing can be difficult at Applegate due to the steep shoreline, but the upper end should have some access. The surface temperature in the reservoir is hovering around 45 degrees.ILLINOIS RIVER. Summer steelhead and half-pounders are present in the lower river. Only hatchery fish may be retained. Bright winter steelhead typically arrive in the Illinois by now.LAKE SELMAC. Lake Selmac has been recently stocked with legal-size rainbow trout, large rainbows and fingerlings.Boat anglers are reminded to clean weeds off boats before leaving the lake.LOST CREEK RESERVOIR. Lost Creek Reservoir is a winter trout fishing hot spot in the Rogue Valley, with the vast majority of water users being anglers this time of year.Many more large trout are being stocked in Lost Creek than in past years as a result of data from recent trout tagging studies.Boat anglers in winter can have success trolling along the dam, around the exposed island near the Takelma boat ramp, and shallower areas of the main reservoir.Bank anglers have good success on either side of the dam, but are reminded to not block access to the Takelma boat ramp.Both the Takelma boat ramp and Marina boat ramps are available. For the most current Lost Creek Reservoir information, call 1-800-472-2434.
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