08-16-2007, 06:10 PM
AGATE LAKE: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, bullhead
Fishing has been good for largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings.
APPLEGATE RIVER: trout
Open for trout.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR:trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass
Angling has been good for trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings. Find sunken or overhanging trees to catch fish on Sinkos and small jigs. Pressure at Applegate has been light, even on weekends.
BABYFOOT LAKE: rainbow trout
Access is by forest service trail located off Eight Dollar Road. The trail is 1 mile long. Flies or small spinners tend to work the best for 10-12 inch rainbows. Anglers wanting to fish the lake should contact the USFS Ranger District office located in Cave Junction for maps and road closure information.
BURMA POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Angling for rainbow trout is fair. Largemouth bass and panfish are also available. The water level in the pond has been lowered to facilitate repairs to the dam and will remain low through the summer.
CHETCO RIVER: cutthroat trout, fall chinook
Access is excellent for bank and boat anglers. Cutthroat fishing has slowed. Anglers wishing a wilderness experience can access the upper Chet co River Watershed at several trail heads. Anglers can contact the USFS Ranger District office in Brookings for maps and trail conditions. Spinners or flies tend to work the best.
Fall Chinook will start nosing into the estuary by mid August following bait fish. High tide is the best time to target fall Chinook in the estuary.
COOS COUNTY LAKES: trout, bass
High water temperatures will likely slow angling during the middle of the day. Anglers should concentrate their efforts in the morning and evening. Trout may become more difficult to catch but bass and other warmwater fish should be good through the summer. Warmwater fishing is fair with nice bass being caught at Tenmile Lakes. Anglers should consider Eel Lake for bass also. The shores are undeveloped and boats have a 10 mph limit creating a peaceful setting for fishing. There is a trail along the southeast shore providing bank access and a fishing dock near the boatramp accessible to all abilities.
COOS RIVER BASIN: trout, chinook
A few Chinook have been caught in Coos Bay by anglers fishing between the jetties. Salmon have also been observed near the highway 101 bridge. The bay fishery should improve over the next couple weeks and be good into October. Chinook are generally caught by trolling herring or spinners close to the bottom.Trout angling is open with anglers restricted to flies and lures only if fishing streams above tidewater. Surf perch and other marine fish are available in Coos Bay. Anglers should concentrate around rock structure or pilings.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: chinook salmon, striped bass
Chinook fishing is improving on the lower Coquille with more fish being reported. Chinook are generally caught by trolling herring or spinners close to the bottom. Striped bass are available in the Coquille estuary where anglers usually do better after dark. Sand shrimp and large plugs that immitate small fish can be effective with most fishing taking place up to Arago. The dike at Johnson Mill Pond can be a good place to catch stripers.
DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing has improved in the last two weeks, water temperatures are starting to drop with the cooler nights. Some limits are being caught by boat anglers. The best fishing remains on the south end of the lake. Trolling fly's has been very effective the last couple of weeks. Water clarity remains the best that it has been in many years. Anglers need to remember that the limit is five fish per day, and only one trout over 20" may be harvested per day.
DUTCH HERMAN POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Fishing should be fair.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: trout, bass
Angling for rainbow trout, bass, and panfish should be good. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings. Anglers are reporting good catches of largemouth on buzz baits in the evening around flooded willows or other structure. Some excellent largemouth action on topwater lures has been reported.
EXPO POND: rainbow trout, bass, panfish
Fishing for trout, bass, and panfish should be fair. Fishing will probably be best during mornings and evenings as the weather heats up.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing for stocked rainbow trout has been fair.
GARRISON LAKE: trout, largemouth bass
Located in Port Oxford. The boat access is off the 12th street boat ramp. Bank access is limited to Striatum State Park, 12th street boat ramp, Paradise Point Road, and Arizona Stet. Weed growth and high winds will make for tough fishing the next couple of weeks. Some largemouth bass can be caught out of the mill pond on the east side of Arizona Street in Port Oxford.
HOWARD PRAIRIE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Anglers are catching a few large, hold-over rainbow trout, as well as the recently planted legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass should be good.
HYATT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Anglers are catching a few large, hold-over rainbow trout, as well as a few legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for largemouth bass continues to be good. Smaller size largemouth are plentiful and easy to catch. Plastic worms and Sinkos have produced larger fish for some anglers.
ILLINOIS RIVER: trout, steelhead
Steelhead and half-ponders have started moving into the lower 8 miles. These fish will hold in the lower river all summer and early fall. Fly-fishing tends to produce the best catches. Anglers should fish at first light or late evening.
Open for trout and steelhead; however, fishing is slow.
LAIRD LAKE: trout
Located approximately 15 miles up Elk River road. The road is gravel for the last 8 miles. The lake is small with a lot of woody material. Bank access is good, with a float tube or small inflatable boat a good choice. The lake is full of 8-10 inch trout. Small spinners, single eggs, or flies all work well.
LAKE SELMAC: trout, bass
Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and bullheads continues to be good. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings.
LEMOLO LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout
The blue green algae warning remains in effect for Lemola. The lake is still open for camping and fishing. Fishing is very slow at this time as water temperatures continue to increase.
LIBBY POND: trout
Located approximately 8 miles up the north bank of Rogue River Road. Bank access is excellent. No boats are allowed. Power bait fished just off the bottom is the lure of choice with most anglers.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass
Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass has been fair. Trout are fairly deep and fishing is best on the upper reaches of the lake early and late in the day.
MEDCO POND: trout, largemouth bass, panfish
Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish should be fair.
PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: chinook, halibut, tuna
The selective coho season in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain is open now. Ocean salmon fishing is good for coho and Chinook.Anglers have done well bottomfishing lately also. Sport boat anglers may no longer keep cabezon but shore anglers may continue to retain legal sized cabezon. Tuna fishing has been good this year. Tuna anglers had success out approximatley 30 miles this weekend. Tuna trips require a long boat ride in the ocean. Anglers should be cautious with the weather and ocean conditions. It is best to buddy up with other boats in case of mechanical problems. All-depth halibut days are now scheduled for every Friday through Sunday until the quota is reached or Oct. 28, whichever comes first. Halibut fishing has been good on the all-depth days. Surfperch anglers should concentrate on steep beaches or small streams entering the ocean. Surfperch can also be found along jetties and pile structures. Sand shrimp, clam necks, mussels, and marine worms are all popular choices for bait. Striped bass occasionally surprise surf fishers also.
POWERS POND: bass
Low dissolved oxygen likley caused a fish kill at Powers Pond in late June. The pond is recovering and some trout have been reported recently. Bass and other warm water fish should also be available. Anglers should concentrate on the morning and evening portions of the day. Trout stocking will resume in the spring.
REINHART PARK POND: trout, bass
Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish should be fair. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings.
ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: spring chinook, steelhead
Spring chinook fishing is winding down. Water temperatures are expected to jump this week with warming valley temperatures. Anglers targeting spring chinook should fish at first light. The first reported summer steelhead came in last week. Anglers can expect summer steelhead fishing to be best in August and September.
ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: chinook, trout, steelhead
Flows were 1580 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass as of Monday morning. Summer steelhead are being caught at Baker Park, below Caveman Bridge, and above Schroeder Park. Successful bank anglers are using nightcrawlers and dark corkies, like black with green spots. Boat anglers side-drifting pink corkies or pulling small plugs like Hot Shots or crayfish patterns are having success. Panther Martins are also catching fish. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be harvested. A few catches of fall chinook are being reported below Hog Creek. More fall run chinook salmon should be arriving in the middle river in coming weeks. The Rogue River from Whiskey Creek to Hog Creek Boat Landing reopened to the retention of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon per zone regulations on August 1 to allow anglers to harvest the more abundant wild fall chinook. The Rogue River from Hog Creek Boat Landing to Gold Ray Dam reopens to the retention of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon per zone regs on August 15. The Rogue River is open to trout angling; however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept.
ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: chinook, trout, steelhead
The Rogue River above Gold Ray Dam is closed to all chinook salmon angling. Summer steelhead fishing is picking up. Anglers are reporting some success on summers side-drifting bait, pulling plugs or casting spinners. Nymphing flies on or near the bottom may also produce fish. The best fishing is likely to be mornings and evenings when the sun is off the water. The number of chinook and steelhead moving into the upper river has remained low. A total of 10,822 spring chinook salmon and 2774 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of August 7. The outflows from Lost Creek Reservoir were 1801 cubic feet per second and the outflow temperature was 55 as of Monday morning. The Rogue River is open to trout angling, however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept. Trout fishing has been good on flies, spinners and nightcrawlers with occasional large cutthroat being caught. Targeting trout is a great alternative when steelhead aren't biting or to pass the daylight hours between morning and evening steelhead sessions.
ROGUE RIVER, ABOVE LOST CREEK DAM: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout
ODFW stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in waterbodies at campgrounds and major access points along the river between Prospect and Minnehaha Creek. Brook trout and a few brown trout are available as well.
SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout
Soda Springs reservoir is open all year round for brown and rainbow trout. The road to Soda Springs dam is currently closed due to a high volume of dump trucks and heavy equipment. At this time the only access into the reservoir is at Medicine Creek bridge.
SMITH RIVER: cutthroat trout
Fishing should be good. Small spinners and rooster tails generally work the best. Fall chinook fishing in the Smith River estuary should start getting good. Stripers are being caught in the lower Smith River estuary. Mainstem Smith River below Sisters Creek is catch and release only on trout. Tributaries and the mainstem above Sisters is open for harvest of trout
SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: trout
Garrison Lake is still the number one choice for trout anglers. The fish seem to be concentrated on the North side of the lake. Anglers will need to fish a boat to keep outside the weed line.
SOUTH COAST STREAMS: cutthroat trout
Cutthroat fishing has slowed. Water temperatures and low flows have made for tough fishing. Anglers targeting the esturaries in early morning have had limited success. Anglers are reminded to carefully release all undersized fish.
SOUTH COAST BEACHES: perch
Perch fishing has been good. Anglers should keep an eye on surf conditions and tides before heading out. Usually the best perch fishing in on an incoming tide.
SPAULDING POND: rainbow trout
Fishing is fair for stocked rainbow trout.
TENMILE BASIN: trout
Trout season is now open.
TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout
Fishing is open in Toketee all year round. Fishing has been slow with the best fishing occurring early in the morning. As water temperatures slowly increase German Brown fishing will improve.
UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon
Fall chinook and coho fishing has been very slow, a few chinook have been caught in the bay. Sturgeon fishing has been slow, some large green sturgeon are being picked up in the Big Bend area. Crabbing has improved with a few limits being caught, the best crabbing is occurring in the half-moon bay area.
UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
Brook trout fishing has slowed with the warmer days. The best fishing in the high lakes occurs early in the morning and late in the evening. Check with the local Forest Service ranger districts on local fire conditions.
UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: shad, bass
Some fall chinook have moved into the river but until water temperatures begin to drop chinook fishing will remain very slow. Shad fishing was slow this year and the run is past its peak. For those who wish to continue fishing for shad, Sawyers Rapids is the place to go. Shad can be caught at the rapids through August. Smallmouth fishing is excellent right now; worms and crawfish plugs are working the best. Remember this section of the river is closed to wild steelhead retention.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead
Spring chinook and summer steelhead numbers crossing at Winchester Dam have slowed. A few summer steelhead are being harvested in the Rock Creek area. Fishing has remained poor at best for much of the North Umpqua. The fly water (Rock Creek to Soda Springs Dam) is normally very productive this time of year, this year fishing has been poor Winchester Dam counts show that 6,360 spring chinook and 2,913 summer steelhead have passed over the dam through July 31.
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: trout, bass
The South Umpqua is open for trout season. Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent right now, and will only get better as stream flows continue to drop.
WILLOW LAKE: trout, bass
Angling for trout, bass and other warmwater fish is fair and is best during the morning and evening hours.
WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon
Crabbing has been slow most limits are being taken just outside the jetties. Some early chinook are being caught in the bay and around Big Bend. Fall chinook should start moving into the Salmon Harbor by the first of September.
SHELLFISH
South coast beaches that closed to shellfish harvesting due to PSP toxins in July are now open. Nevertheless, Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.
Razor clams and current status of particular areas
Ocean crabbing closes Aug. 15 and will reopen Dec. 1. Bay crabbing is open the entire year. Crabbing inside Coos Bay picked up recently with boats returning with good numbers of crab. Some crab are likely to be soft this time of year. Crabbers are encouraged to check the hardness of crab and throw back the soft ones that only have a little meat in them. The Coos Bay shoals (20-30 feet deep) along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.
Bay clams
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HUNTING
OPEN: Bear and cougar season.
Coos County
Bear populations are stable and dense. Black berries are just starting to become ripe so bears will soon be feeding on them heavily as they are a key fall food for bears. Hunters may find success hunting bears near berry patches. Also, calling bears with predator calls may be especially effective now, before blackberries become the bears feeding target.
Douglas County
General bear season opened last week. Hunters can expect an average year. The dry weather conditions will concentrate bears near streams where foraging will be better. Hunters should concentrate their efforts in the berry patches in early morning and late afternoon. Bear numbers are good with the highest numbers in the Coast Range, and smaller populations in the Cascades. Successful bear hunters are reminded to turn in a bear tooth for the ongoing bear statewide population study.
Cougar hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to healthy population and wide distribution. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call.
VIEWING
Visit Denman Wildlife Area near Central Point to see early migrating ducks such as cinnamon teal. They are visible in the morning and evening. Young ospreys have fledged and are easily viewed over Whetstone Pond. Songbirds and raptors are beginning to show and should increase in abundance into September. The area provides a covered viewing station with a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. Directions
Coos County
News for birdwatchers: Many young birds start to fledge in late summer. Young birds are generally recognizable by plumage that is different from adults. Opportunities to see these newly flighted birds exist almost everywhere depending on species. Something that can be interesting to do is record the number of birds in fledgling plumage and those in adult plumage you see in a given area. Then compare this ratio from year to year. The result will be an index to the reproductive success of that species.
California brown pelican numbers are increasing along the coastline and in bays. This is the time of year that non-nesting adults begin to congregate in larger numbers. Species information
For good wildlife viewing, visit Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area located east of Reedsport on Hwy. 38 and Bandon National Wildlife Refuge near Bandon
Band-tailed pigeon
- Photo by Greg Gillson-
Band-tailed pigeons continue to frequent mineral springs. Likely, the nesting birds are making up for a calcium deficiency in the food they are able to get now. Pigeons visit springs in morning and evening and can congregate in very large numbers.
Other migrants to be aware of are shorebirds. Various species of sand pipers, plovers and other shore birds are appearing in bays, wetlands and along beaches as they migrate north. These birds can be very entertaining to watch as they dart around feeding.
Central Point Area
Denman Wildlife Area
The area provides a covered viewing station with a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. The structure was built by the Oregon Hunters Association and is accessed by a paved, wheelchair-accessible pathway. It is on the Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point. Directions
Douglas County
The migration begins: Vaux swifts will start gathering for their fall migration to Central America at their historic communal roosts. Look for their evening flight displays especially at Fir Grove Park in Roseburg.
Western Turtle Hatchlings<br />
- Photo by Don Vandeberg -<br />
Western pond turtles can be seen basking in the summer sun early mornings and late afternoons at Stewart Park. in local ponds and at Cooper Creek, Galesville and other reservoirs.
Young ospreys can be observed fishing in local rivers and lakes for another month or so. Young ducklings and goslings can be seen at most ponds, lakes and reservoirs in Douglas County. Turkey broods (chicks) of various age groups are commonly seen throughout the valley since it appears production is excellent again this year.
California (valley) quail broods are commonly being observed in the lower elevations of the Umpqua Valley.
In the mid- to high-level forest areas of the county mountain quail, blue and ruffed grouse adults with chicks are now being regularly seen.
Fishing has been good for largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings.
APPLEGATE RIVER: trout
Open for trout.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR:trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass
Angling has been good for trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings. Find sunken or overhanging trees to catch fish on Sinkos and small jigs. Pressure at Applegate has been light, even on weekends.
BABYFOOT LAKE: rainbow trout
Access is by forest service trail located off Eight Dollar Road. The trail is 1 mile long. Flies or small spinners tend to work the best for 10-12 inch rainbows. Anglers wanting to fish the lake should contact the USFS Ranger District office located in Cave Junction for maps and road closure information.
BURMA POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Angling for rainbow trout is fair. Largemouth bass and panfish are also available. The water level in the pond has been lowered to facilitate repairs to the dam and will remain low through the summer.
CHETCO RIVER: cutthroat trout, fall chinook
Access is excellent for bank and boat anglers. Cutthroat fishing has slowed. Anglers wishing a wilderness experience can access the upper Chet co River Watershed at several trail heads. Anglers can contact the USFS Ranger District office in Brookings for maps and trail conditions. Spinners or flies tend to work the best.
Fall Chinook will start nosing into the estuary by mid August following bait fish. High tide is the best time to target fall Chinook in the estuary.
COOS COUNTY LAKES: trout, bass
High water temperatures will likely slow angling during the middle of the day. Anglers should concentrate their efforts in the morning and evening. Trout may become more difficult to catch but bass and other warmwater fish should be good through the summer. Warmwater fishing is fair with nice bass being caught at Tenmile Lakes. Anglers should consider Eel Lake for bass also. The shores are undeveloped and boats have a 10 mph limit creating a peaceful setting for fishing. There is a trail along the southeast shore providing bank access and a fishing dock near the boatramp accessible to all abilities.
COOS RIVER BASIN: trout, chinook
A few Chinook have been caught in Coos Bay by anglers fishing between the jetties. Salmon have also been observed near the highway 101 bridge. The bay fishery should improve over the next couple weeks and be good into October. Chinook are generally caught by trolling herring or spinners close to the bottom.Trout angling is open with anglers restricted to flies and lures only if fishing streams above tidewater. Surf perch and other marine fish are available in Coos Bay. Anglers should concentrate around rock structure or pilings.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: chinook salmon, striped bass
Chinook fishing is improving on the lower Coquille with more fish being reported. Chinook are generally caught by trolling herring or spinners close to the bottom. Striped bass are available in the Coquille estuary where anglers usually do better after dark. Sand shrimp and large plugs that immitate small fish can be effective with most fishing taking place up to Arago. The dike at Johnson Mill Pond can be a good place to catch stripers.
DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing has improved in the last two weeks, water temperatures are starting to drop with the cooler nights. Some limits are being caught by boat anglers. The best fishing remains on the south end of the lake. Trolling fly's has been very effective the last couple of weeks. Water clarity remains the best that it has been in many years. Anglers need to remember that the limit is five fish per day, and only one trout over 20" may be harvested per day.
DUTCH HERMAN POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Fishing should be fair.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: trout, bass
Angling for rainbow trout, bass, and panfish should be good. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings. Anglers are reporting good catches of largemouth on buzz baits in the evening around flooded willows or other structure. Some excellent largemouth action on topwater lures has been reported.
EXPO POND: rainbow trout, bass, panfish
Fishing for trout, bass, and panfish should be fair. Fishing will probably be best during mornings and evenings as the weather heats up.
FISH LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing for stocked rainbow trout has been fair.
GARRISON LAKE: trout, largemouth bass
Located in Port Oxford. The boat access is off the 12th street boat ramp. Bank access is limited to Striatum State Park, 12th street boat ramp, Paradise Point Road, and Arizona Stet. Weed growth and high winds will make for tough fishing the next couple of weeks. Some largemouth bass can be caught out of the mill pond on the east side of Arizona Street in Port Oxford.
HOWARD PRAIRIE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Anglers are catching a few large, hold-over rainbow trout, as well as the recently planted legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass should be good.
HYATT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass
Anglers are catching a few large, hold-over rainbow trout, as well as a few legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for largemouth bass continues to be good. Smaller size largemouth are plentiful and easy to catch. Plastic worms and Sinkos have produced larger fish for some anglers.
ILLINOIS RIVER: trout, steelhead
Steelhead and half-ponders have started moving into the lower 8 miles. These fish will hold in the lower river all summer and early fall. Fly-fishing tends to produce the best catches. Anglers should fish at first light or late evening.
Open for trout and steelhead; however, fishing is slow.
LAIRD LAKE: trout
Located approximately 15 miles up Elk River road. The road is gravel for the last 8 miles. The lake is small with a lot of woody material. Bank access is good, with a float tube or small inflatable boat a good choice. The lake is full of 8-10 inch trout. Small spinners, single eggs, or flies all work well.
LAKE SELMAC: trout, bass
Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and bullheads continues to be good. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings.
LEMOLO LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout
The blue green algae warning remains in effect for Lemola. The lake is still open for camping and fishing. Fishing is very slow at this time as water temperatures continue to increase.
LIBBY POND: trout
Located approximately 8 miles up the north bank of Rogue River Road. Bank access is excellent. No boats are allowed. Power bait fished just off the bottom is the lure of choice with most anglers.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass
Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass has been fair. Trout are fairly deep and fishing is best on the upper reaches of the lake early and late in the day.
MEDCO POND: trout, largemouth bass, panfish
Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish should be fair.
PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: chinook, halibut, tuna
The selective coho season in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain is open now. Ocean salmon fishing is good for coho and Chinook.Anglers have done well bottomfishing lately also. Sport boat anglers may no longer keep cabezon but shore anglers may continue to retain legal sized cabezon. Tuna fishing has been good this year. Tuna anglers had success out approximatley 30 miles this weekend. Tuna trips require a long boat ride in the ocean. Anglers should be cautious with the weather and ocean conditions. It is best to buddy up with other boats in case of mechanical problems. All-depth halibut days are now scheduled for every Friday through Sunday until the quota is reached or Oct. 28, whichever comes first. Halibut fishing has been good on the all-depth days. Surfperch anglers should concentrate on steep beaches or small streams entering the ocean. Surfperch can also be found along jetties and pile structures. Sand shrimp, clam necks, mussels, and marine worms are all popular choices for bait. Striped bass occasionally surprise surf fishers also.
POWERS POND: bass
Low dissolved oxygen likley caused a fish kill at Powers Pond in late June. The pond is recovering and some trout have been reported recently. Bass and other warm water fish should also be available. Anglers should concentrate on the morning and evening portions of the day. Trout stocking will resume in the spring.
REINHART PARK POND: trout, bass
Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish should be fair. Fishing will be best during mornings and evenings.
ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: spring chinook, steelhead
Spring chinook fishing is winding down. Water temperatures are expected to jump this week with warming valley temperatures. Anglers targeting spring chinook should fish at first light. The first reported summer steelhead came in last week. Anglers can expect summer steelhead fishing to be best in August and September.
ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: chinook, trout, steelhead
Flows were 1580 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass as of Monday morning. Summer steelhead are being caught at Baker Park, below Caveman Bridge, and above Schroeder Park. Successful bank anglers are using nightcrawlers and dark corkies, like black with green spots. Boat anglers side-drifting pink corkies or pulling small plugs like Hot Shots or crayfish patterns are having success. Panther Martins are also catching fish. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be harvested. A few catches of fall chinook are being reported below Hog Creek. More fall run chinook salmon should be arriving in the middle river in coming weeks. The Rogue River from Whiskey Creek to Hog Creek Boat Landing reopened to the retention of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon per zone regulations on August 1 to allow anglers to harvest the more abundant wild fall chinook. The Rogue River from Hog Creek Boat Landing to Gold Ray Dam reopens to the retention of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon per zone regs on August 15. The Rogue River is open to trout angling; however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept.
ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: chinook, trout, steelhead
The Rogue River above Gold Ray Dam is closed to all chinook salmon angling. Summer steelhead fishing is picking up. Anglers are reporting some success on summers side-drifting bait, pulling plugs or casting spinners. Nymphing flies on or near the bottom may also produce fish. The best fishing is likely to be mornings and evenings when the sun is off the water. The number of chinook and steelhead moving into the upper river has remained low. A total of 10,822 spring chinook salmon and 2774 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of August 7. The outflows from Lost Creek Reservoir were 1801 cubic feet per second and the outflow temperature was 55 as of Monday morning. The Rogue River is open to trout angling, however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept. Trout fishing has been good on flies, spinners and nightcrawlers with occasional large cutthroat being caught. Targeting trout is a great alternative when steelhead aren't biting or to pass the daylight hours between morning and evening steelhead sessions.
ROGUE RIVER, ABOVE LOST CREEK DAM: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout
ODFW stocked with legal-size rainbow trout in waterbodies at campgrounds and major access points along the river between Prospect and Minnehaha Creek. Brook trout and a few brown trout are available as well.
SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout
Soda Springs reservoir is open all year round for brown and rainbow trout. The road to Soda Springs dam is currently closed due to a high volume of dump trucks and heavy equipment. At this time the only access into the reservoir is at Medicine Creek bridge.
SMITH RIVER: cutthroat trout
Fishing should be good. Small spinners and rooster tails generally work the best. Fall chinook fishing in the Smith River estuary should start getting good. Stripers are being caught in the lower Smith River estuary. Mainstem Smith River below Sisters Creek is catch and release only on trout. Tributaries and the mainstem above Sisters is open for harvest of trout
SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: trout
Garrison Lake is still the number one choice for trout anglers. The fish seem to be concentrated on the North side of the lake. Anglers will need to fish a boat to keep outside the weed line.
SOUTH COAST STREAMS: cutthroat trout
Cutthroat fishing has slowed. Water temperatures and low flows have made for tough fishing. Anglers targeting the esturaries in early morning have had limited success. Anglers are reminded to carefully release all undersized fish.
SOUTH COAST BEACHES: perch
Perch fishing has been good. Anglers should keep an eye on surf conditions and tides before heading out. Usually the best perch fishing in on an incoming tide.
SPAULDING POND: rainbow trout
Fishing is fair for stocked rainbow trout.
TENMILE BASIN: trout
Trout season is now open.
TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout
Fishing is open in Toketee all year round. Fishing has been slow with the best fishing occurring early in the morning. As water temperatures slowly increase German Brown fishing will improve.
UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon
Fall chinook and coho fishing has been very slow, a few chinook have been caught in the bay. Sturgeon fishing has been slow, some large green sturgeon are being picked up in the Big Bend area. Crabbing has improved with a few limits being caught, the best crabbing is occurring in the half-moon bay area.
UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout
Brook trout fishing has slowed with the warmer days. The best fishing in the high lakes occurs early in the morning and late in the evening. Check with the local Forest Service ranger districts on local fire conditions.
UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: shad, bass
Some fall chinook have moved into the river but until water temperatures begin to drop chinook fishing will remain very slow. Shad fishing was slow this year and the run is past its peak. For those who wish to continue fishing for shad, Sawyers Rapids is the place to go. Shad can be caught at the rapids through August. Smallmouth fishing is excellent right now; worms and crawfish plugs are working the best. Remember this section of the river is closed to wild steelhead retention.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead
Spring chinook and summer steelhead numbers crossing at Winchester Dam have slowed. A few summer steelhead are being harvested in the Rock Creek area. Fishing has remained poor at best for much of the North Umpqua. The fly water (Rock Creek to Soda Springs Dam) is normally very productive this time of year, this year fishing has been poor Winchester Dam counts show that 6,360 spring chinook and 2,913 summer steelhead have passed over the dam through July 31.
UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: trout, bass
The South Umpqua is open for trout season. Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent right now, and will only get better as stream flows continue to drop.
WILLOW LAKE: trout, bass
Angling for trout, bass and other warmwater fish is fair and is best during the morning and evening hours.
WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon
Crabbing has been slow most limits are being taken just outside the jetties. Some early chinook are being caught in the bay and around Big Bend. Fall chinook should start moving into the Salmon Harbor by the first of September.
SHELLFISH
South coast beaches that closed to shellfish harvesting due to PSP toxins in July are now open. Nevertheless, Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.
Razor clams and current status of particular areas
Ocean crabbing closes Aug. 15 and will reopen Dec. 1. Bay crabbing is open the entire year. Crabbing inside Coos Bay picked up recently with boats returning with good numbers of crab. Some crab are likely to be soft this time of year. Crabbers are encouraged to check the hardness of crab and throw back the soft ones that only have a little meat in them. The Coos Bay shoals (20-30 feet deep) along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.
Bay clams
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HUNTING
OPEN: Bear and cougar season.
Coos County
Bear populations are stable and dense. Black berries are just starting to become ripe so bears will soon be feeding on them heavily as they are a key fall food for bears. Hunters may find success hunting bears near berry patches. Also, calling bears with predator calls may be especially effective now, before blackberries become the bears feeding target.
Douglas County
General bear season opened last week. Hunters can expect an average year. The dry weather conditions will concentrate bears near streams where foraging will be better. Hunters should concentrate their efforts in the berry patches in early morning and late afternoon. Bear numbers are good with the highest numbers in the Coast Range, and smaller populations in the Cascades. Successful bear hunters are reminded to turn in a bear tooth for the ongoing bear statewide population study.
Cougar hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to healthy population and wide distribution. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call.
VIEWING
Visit Denman Wildlife Area near Central Point to see early migrating ducks such as cinnamon teal. They are visible in the morning and evening. Young ospreys have fledged and are easily viewed over Whetstone Pond. Songbirds and raptors are beginning to show and should increase in abundance into September. The area provides a covered viewing station with a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. Directions
Coos County
News for birdwatchers: Many young birds start to fledge in late summer. Young birds are generally recognizable by plumage that is different from adults. Opportunities to see these newly flighted birds exist almost everywhere depending on species. Something that can be interesting to do is record the number of birds in fledgling plumage and those in adult plumage you see in a given area. Then compare this ratio from year to year. The result will be an index to the reproductive success of that species.
California brown pelican numbers are increasing along the coastline and in bays. This is the time of year that non-nesting adults begin to congregate in larger numbers. Species information
For good wildlife viewing, visit Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area located east of Reedsport on Hwy. 38 and Bandon National Wildlife Refuge near Bandon
Band-tailed pigeon
- Photo by Greg Gillson-
Band-tailed pigeons continue to frequent mineral springs. Likely, the nesting birds are making up for a calcium deficiency in the food they are able to get now. Pigeons visit springs in morning and evening and can congregate in very large numbers.
Other migrants to be aware of are shorebirds. Various species of sand pipers, plovers and other shore birds are appearing in bays, wetlands and along beaches as they migrate north. These birds can be very entertaining to watch as they dart around feeding.
Central Point Area
Denman Wildlife Area
The area provides a covered viewing station with a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. The structure was built by the Oregon Hunters Association and is accessed by a paved, wheelchair-accessible pathway. It is on the Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point. Directions
Douglas County
The migration begins: Vaux swifts will start gathering for their fall migration to Central America at their historic communal roosts. Look for their evening flight displays especially at Fir Grove Park in Roseburg.
Western Turtle Hatchlings<br />
- Photo by Don Vandeberg -<br />
Western pond turtles can be seen basking in the summer sun early mornings and late afternoons at Stewart Park. in local ponds and at Cooper Creek, Galesville and other reservoirs.
Young ospreys can be observed fishing in local rivers and lakes for another month or so. Young ducklings and goslings can be seen at most ponds, lakes and reservoirs in Douglas County. Turkey broods (chicks) of various age groups are commonly seen throughout the valley since it appears production is excellent again this year.
California (valley) quail broods are commonly being observed in the lower elevations of the Umpqua Valley.
In the mid- to high-level forest areas of the county mountain quail, blue and ruffed grouse adults with chicks are now being regularly seen.