Oregon Steelhead Fishing
Returns of Oregon Steelhead to Southern Oregon rivers exceed all other Winter
Steelhead rivers.
Mild weather and good angling conditions blend with large healthy runs of winter steelhead.
Populations of wild winter Steelhead far out number hatchery Steelhead returns.
Chetco River Steelhead Fishing
Chetco River located near Brookings Oregon:
 January through March:
The Chetco River provides some of the most productive Oregon Winter Steelhead fishing to be found.
The Chetco River Winter Steelhead run 8 to 15 pounds in size with many in the 20-pound
class caught every year. The Chetco River has very good
Steelhead bank fishing access through out its 20 miles of accessible fishing area. Winter
Steelhead populations on the Chetco River are about 50% hatchery stocks with a 20,000
fish or higher winter Steelhead return annually. The Chetco River leads the state in
angler success with Steelhead fishing done both from Drift Boats or Bank Fishing
.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Lower Rogue River Steelhead Fishing
Near Gold Beach Oregon
December through March:
Best bets for Rogue River Steelhead fishing occurs in the lower 35 miles of the
river. Great
Winter Steelhead fishing is available to both bank fishermen and boat users. For
Rogue Bank Fishing style is nearly all plunking with great success had
from gravel bars at Ferry Hole, High Banks, Coyote Bar, High Banks, Huntley
Park, Lobster Creek, Dunkleberger 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 Steelhead surge into the Rogue River daily, making there way up the shoreline many times in no more than 2 foot of water. Hard moving
winter Steelhead will avoid deep heavy water to conserve energy for their 150-mile journey up
stream to the Middle and Upper Rogue River to spawn. Estimates of 125,000 to 200,000
returning Winter Steelhead, of these less than 10% are hatchery origin.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Rogue River Canyon Steelhead Fishing
Foster Bar to near Galice:
January through March:
Rogue River Winter Steelhead fishing in the Canyon is for only the hardy, looking for a
wilderness experience. The Rogue River Canyon is the heart of the Wild and Scenic area no motors
and no roads. A few highly experienced Fishing Guides are running wilderness trips in
the Rogue River Canyon area for Winter Steelhead.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Middle Rogue River Steelhead Fishing
Grants Pass Oregon: January through March:
The Middle Rogue River Winter Steelhead fishing region is
some of the states best. This is the area most of the winter Steelhead run returns to spawn.
Winter Steelhead will access every tributary
stream they can get into with the Applegate River taking 20,000 or more Winter
Steelhead by its
self. Fishing from the confluence of the Applegate and Rogue River down stream is going to get the
Steelhead 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 fishing
access, but it is limited.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Upper Rogue River Steelhead Fishing
Near Medford Oregon:
January through March:
Upper Rogue River Steelhead fishing is in an area where the Rogue River is not as big and the water color runs clearer.
Steelhead fishing here gets better as the season goes along and as sunlight warms the cold
Rogue River waters. Late February and March is best as river has begun to warm and
Steelhead move more freely.
Drift Boats are used here mostly with some stretches accessible by Jet Boats.
Bank fishing areas are more numerous also. Back Trolling plugs and Drifting Roe
are still the main methods, some Steelhead fly fishing opportunities are also found.
Oregon Steelhead Guides
Applegate River Steelhead Fishing
Near Grants Pass,
Oregon:
February and March:
20,000 plus Winter Steelhead enter the smaller Applegate River which gives
Steelhead fishermen a real opportunity for success. The Applegate River is a small river with mostly private property, however there are
fishing access areas and with 20,000
returning Winter Steelhead your chances are good. This area is a best bet for
Steelhead Fly Fishing.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Elk &
Sixes River Steelhead Fishing
Near Port Orford Oregon
January through March:
The Elk & Sixes River Steelhead run is a native run with a few Chetco hatchery
Steelhead strays. In the Sixes River fishing is for all Wild Steelhead.
Both the Elk River and Sixes River have nice runs of
wild Steelhead. The Elk
River and Sixes River are pleasant rivers to Steelhead fish with little bank
fishing access.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Coquille River Steelhead Fishing
 Coquille River near Myrtle Point Oregon:
January through March:
Coquille River Steelhead fishing can be great. The Coquille River carries a lot of sediment load in the winter and tracking water turbidity and stream levels are important to successful
Steelhead fishing. Bank fishing is limited.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Umpqua River Steelhead Fishing
January through March:
The Umpqua River probably produces more 20-pound
Winter Steelhead than any other Oregon or California stream. Bank and boat
fishing are both popular here. There are three locations of Steelhead fishing. The North Umpqua
River, the South Umpqua River and the Main Umpqua River (main stem) each with
its own character and timing.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
Smith River Steelhead Fishing
Near Crescent City California:
January through March:
The Smith River is California's best
Steelhead fishing river. Smith River Steelhead can reach in to the low 20-pound class with most Smith
River Steelhead going 8 to 15 pounds. A beautiful drifting stream with lots of
Winter Steelhead fishing surrounded by the Redwood National Park.
Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides
River Flow Gages
Contact Rogue River Country
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