APPLEGATE RESERVOIR and River above the reservoir:

Applegate Reservoir received its first stocking of 10,000 legal and 500 “pounder” rainbow trout two weeks ago. The reservoir has more water than last year, but is still on the low side. Bait is allowed and 5 trout per day, year-round, on the streams above Applegate Dam and the lake itself. All three boat ramps -- French Gulch, Hart-Tish, and Copper -- are open.  The USFS concessionaire just opened the Hart-Tish Day use, ramp and camping.  Reservations for camping can be made at Recreation.gov.

The reservoir is 68 percent full with an elevation of 1,961.5 ft. Surface temperatures are in the low 60s. Anglers can get the latest information by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434.

APPLEGATE RIVER below Applegate Dam:

The river is again open to trout fishing. Only hatchery trout may be retained, 2 per day. All wild rainbow trout and cutthroat trout should be immediately released unharmed. With warm temperatures on tap for next week, anglers are encouraged to fish early and with barbless hooks. Anglers are also encouraged to catch and remove non-local pikeminnow. 

On May 19, five winter steelhead were collected in the trap at the base of Applegate Reservoir. Hatchery staff are still making weekly checks out here. A total of 358 fish have returned thus far this season, well below the average.

There is good bank access around the Hwy 199 bridge, Fish Hatchery Park, Cantrall Buckley Park, upstream of Murphy, and near McKee Bridge. There are also scatterings of BLM lands in the upper river around McKee Bridge. You can check the flows on the Applegate when planning a trip.