Wild steelhead can now be retained in the whole Rogue basin, as long as the fish is a minimum of 24 inches long. Only 1 wild fish per day, and 3 per year zone wide in aggregate may be kept. 

Anglers are picking up winter steelhead on a pretty regular basis. The action isn’t exactly red hot, but there are fish in the system. More winter fish are showing in the fishery every day. If targeting water below the Applegate River, you’ll get the chance to target both Rogue and Applegate hatchery fish. A small bump in flows as a result of early week rain is expected for Thursday but then the river should be dropping nicely all weekend. Running plugs from a drift boat or drifting nightcrawlers or eggs, eggs/shrimp, soft beads, or yarn balls are all good bets.

Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Grants Pass have excellent gear and very fresh bait, local flies and knowledge that is specific to the Rogue and to your particular technique. Go check them out and offer them support during this time.

It is illegal to snag and keep a snagged fish, whether it’s wild or hatchery! Report violations to Oregon State Police by calling *OSP.

Wednesday morning the flow was 1850 cfs, turbidity was 3 NTU and water temps in the mid 40s at the Grants Pass gauging station. Conditions look very good. Friday is expected to see a bump in flow with it leveling off on Saturday, but then conditions should be pretty good beginning Saturday afternoon and into early next week.

For those interested in checking conditions before getting on the river, the City of Grants Pass Water Division’s website offers information on river conditions at Grants Pass as well as a link to a river camera. Anglers can check all the USGS gaging stations, which have the most current temperatures and river flows here.