This is a great summer trout fishery in the Rogue watershed. Anglers can escape the heat of the Rogue Valley, enjoy beautiful scenery, and catch fish. Stocking has ended for the summer, but plenty of fish are still around. There are many miles of public access on USFS land with riverside trail access available. Try casting flies (use a bubble if fishing with spinning gear) or smaller lures like a Panther Martin or rooster tail. Often tipping the lure with bait helps to produce. In slower holes, fishing bait such as a nightcrawler or Pautzke eggs, or even PowerBait will produce.

Some US Forest Service campgrounds along the river will be closed this year. Contact the USFS office at (541) 618-2200 for updates on campgrounds. ODFW plans to stock the normal release sites even if the campgrounds are closed, because anglers can walk in behind the gates to fish. All standard release sites were stocked with trout last week, including Minnehaha Creek.

The Rogue and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir are open to fishing year-round, with a daily retention limit of 5 trout (no limit on brook trout). Anglers are encouraged to harvest brook trout regardless of size.

The south and middle forks of the Rogue are not stocked, are generally more difficult to access, and provide fishing opportunity away from crowds. Naturally produced rainbow and cutthroat trout are available, but anglers may choose to practice catch and release on the rainbow and cutthroat of these forks.