Rogue River, upper:

Only hatchery steelhead and trout can be retained at this time. Hatchery summer steelhead will still be showing up at the hatchery for the next few weeks. There are reports of some early winter fish starting to show in the upper river, but nothing in any large numbers, and nothing to the hatchery yet.

Trout anglers are especially encouraged to harvest adipose-fin clipped trout in the upper reach of river.

As of Jan. 15, 137 new summer steelhead entered the hatchery, bringing the total to 1,741 summer fish for the year.

The collection pond is typically sorted on Wednesdays, and new numbers are typically available to the public later in the week. Call into the Lost Creek Reservoir hotline or check the MyODFW.com fish counts page.

For the most current releases of water out of Lost Creek Reservoir, call 1-800-472-2434. For real time streamflow from USGS gauges on the Rogue click here.

Rogue River, above Lost Creek Reservoir:

No recent fishing reports. Expect some snow along the banks. As of Wednesday morning, the Hwy 62 webcam at Union Creek showed bare pavement. Check this before heading up.

More information on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest lands can be found on their website or calling the RRSNF office. 

This reach was stocked from Prospect to Minehaha creek with 3,000 rainbow trout every week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. All tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir are open year round with a 5 trout limit.

Above the Hwy 62/234 interchange, the river gradient starts to lessen. Target slower water at the top of a riffle, or pocket water within a riffle, or pools were fish are resting or waiting to ambush.

Flies, small spinners, or even drifting a nightcrawler under a bobber work up here. Pautske eggs on a small hook under a strike indicator work as well, just have some split shot above it. Fishing a bug and bubble will also do well here for anglers that use a spin caster rod.

With very cold water, presentation is usually the key, get your bait down and free drifting with as little drag as possible. Also plan on fishing later in the day when temperatures may be warmer.