The Applegate River closed to steelhead and trout fishing on March 31. Trout season will again reopen on May 22, with only hatchery trout allowed for retention. All other fishing is closed while steelhead/trout season is closed. This includes catch-and-release fishing for trout or fishing for other species such as bass or pikeminnow. Wild steelhead smolts are out-migrating and there are mainstem spawning adults present.  

On May 4, 17 winter steelhead were collected in the trap at the base of Applegate Reservoir. Hatchery staff are making weekly checks out here. A total of 327 fish have returned thus far this season, well below the average. Again, the mainstem Applegate River is now closed to all fishing below Applegate Dam to the confluence with the Rogue.