Freezing weather can create traction problems at French Gulch, so traction tires or four wheel drive vehicles are helpful. Boat angling is the preferred method at Applegate during winter due to steep banks along the shoreline. Trout are available. Trout anglers will probably do best still fishing with bait or trolling a flasher/lure or flasher/bait combination. Reports indicate fishing has been good over the last few weeks with recent reports indicating fish have been caught at the creek mouths. Applegate Reservoir is 53 percent full.