Southern Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing
Winter steelhead returns to Southern Oregon rivers exceed all other areas.
Mild weather and good angling conditions blend with large healthy runs of winter steelhead.
Populations of wild fish far out number hatchery returns.
Chetco River
Chetco near Brookings, Oregon:
 January through March:
The Chetco provides some of the most productive Winter Steelhead fishing to be found.
The Chetco Winter Steelhead run 8 to 15 pounds with many in the 20-pound class caught every year. The Chetco is another of
our
Federally Designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Chetco has very good
bank angling access through out its 20 miles of accessible angling area. Winter
Steelhead populations on the Chetco are about 50% hatchery stocks with a 20,000
fish or higher run. The Chetco leads the state in angler success with most all
angling done from Drift Boats or Bank Angling. Methods include plunking,
drifting roe or corkies or combination and back trolling plugs. One of our
Guides and Outfitter members can give you detailed local information.
Lower Rogue Region
Near Gold Beach, Oregon
December through March:
Best bets for Winter Steelhead fishing occurs in the lower 35 miles of the
Rogue. Great
Winter Steelhead angling is available to both bank fishermen and boat users. For
Rogue bank fishermen angling style nearly all plunking with great success had
from gravel bars at Ferry Hole, High Banks, Coyote Bar, High Banks, Huntley
Park, Lobster Creek, Dunkleburger Bar and Squaw Bar. Boats are either Jet Boats
which will anchor on inside corners with plugs in shallow water or drift roe
from Drift Boats in the Agness area 30 to 37 miles upriver. Huge numbers of
winter fish surge into the daily, make there way up the shoreline as they move upriver many times in no more than 2 foot of water. Hard moving
winter fish will avoid deep heavy water to conserve energy for their 150-mile journey up
stream to the Middle and Upper regions to spawn. Estimates of 125,000 to 200,000
returning fish, of these less than 10% are hatchery origin. Contact one of our
Guides and Outfitters for up to date local information.
Rogue Canyon area from Foster Bar to near Galice:
January through March: Iron Head fishing in the Rogue Canyon is for only the hardy looking for a
wilderness experience. The Rogue Canyon is the heart of the Wild and Scenic area no motors
and no roads. A few highly experienced Guides are running wilderness trips in
the Wild and Scenic Rogue Canyon area. On low water times with clear weather
this can be a great trip for winter fish. Contact one of our
Guides and Outfitter members for best local information.
Middle Rogue Region Grants Pass, Oregon: January through March:
Middle region angling is
some of the states best. This is the area most of the winter fish run return to spawn.
Winter fish will access every tributary
stream they can get into with the Applegate River taking 20,000 or more by its
self. Angling from the confluence of the Applegate and Rogue down stream is going to get the fisherman in
front of most of the winter steelhead run. Drift Boats are used here to drift
fish roe and pull plugs. There is some bank access but it is limited. Our local
Guides and Outfitter members will understand river levels and run timing to give you the best chance to hook-up.
Upper Rogue Region near Medford, Oregon:
January through March: Upper Rogue winter fish angling is in an area where the river is not as big and the water color runs clearer.
Iron Head angling here gets better as the season goes along and as sunlight warms the cold river waters. Late February and March are best as waters have begun to warm and fish move more freely.
Drift Boats are used here mostly with some stretches accessible by Jet Boats.
Bank angling areas are more numerous also. Back Trolling plugs and Drifting Roe
are still the main methods, some flyfishing opportunities are also found. Our local
Guides and Outfitter members can provide water condition and fish movement information.
Applegate near Grants Pass,
Oregon:
February and March: 20,000 plus Iron Heads enter the smaller Applegate which give fishermen a real opportunity for success. The Applegate is a small river with mostly private property, however there are access areas and with 20,000
returning fish your chances are good. This area is a best bet for fly fishermen
as wading and flows matched with lots of targets are elements of success. Our
Guides and Outfitter members will be able to put a trip together for you.
Elk &
Sixes near Port Orford, Oregon
January through March:
The Elk & Sixes Iron Head run is a native run with a few Chetco hatchery
strays. In the Sixes angling is for all Wild fish.
Both the Elk and Sixes have nice runs of
wild fish but not as many as the Smith, Chetco or Rogue. The Elk
and Sixes are pleasant rivers to fish with little bank access. One of our member
Guides and Outfitter members can get you out
catching on the Elk or Sixes. On the
Elk and Sixes you are allowed to keep two fish per
day of which one can be Wild or non-fin clipped per day up to 5 per season may be part of the
two fish limit.
Coquille
 Coquille River near Myrtle Point,
Oregon:
January through March:
Coquille Iron Head angling can be great. The Coquille carries a lot of sediment load in the winter and following
tracking water turbidity and stream levels are important to successful angling. Bank fishing is limited. Our
Guides and Outfitter members will be on top of local river information.
Umpqua Region
January through March:
The Umpqua probably produces more 20-pound
fish than any other Oregon or California stream. Bank and boat angling are both popular here. There are three locations of
Iron Head angling. The North Umpqua, the South Umpqua and the Main Umpqua (main stem) each with its own character and timing. Our local member
Guides and Outfitter member will understand where to be and when.
Klamath River California
January through March:
Klamath is not noted for winter steelhead fishing. The Klamath is the
largest system in Rogue Country with high winter run off. For Klamath Iron
Head angling it is best to contact one of our
Guides and Outfitter members for the best local information.
Smith near Crescent City, California:
January through March:
The Smith is California's best
Iron Head stream. Smith Iron Heads can reach in to the low 20-pound class with most Smith
Iron Heads going 8 to 15 pounds. A beautiful drifting stream with lots of Iron
Heads surrounded by both Redwood National Park and Jedediah Smith State Park. The Smith is on of
our
Federally Designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers. One of our
Guide and Outfitter members can help with local conditions.
Windchuck River / Pistol River / Hunters Creek / Eucher Creek / Floras Creek
These streams can be productive however most of the
access is private property with little boat access. For area local information check with one of our member
Guides and Outfitters.
Rogue River Flow Gages
Be Listed on Rogue River Country Web Site!
E-mail: Contact Rogue River Country
/ Office Phone: (541) 247-4138
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