The coming week should see a slight cool off at Lake Selmac. It’s still best to fish early. If you’ve got little kids, bluegill fishing from the bank can be a productive and fun. A simple setup of a nightcrawler under a bobber, or better yet, a small chironomid fly (simple wrapped hook) or prince nymph with 3-foot leader under a bobber/bubble should get a pretty quick strike. Try switching up flies and color patterns periodically if the action slows.

Trout anglers will want to fish near the dam where the deepest water is. Surface temperatures are likely approaching mid-70s or warmer. This year 14,000 trout have been stocked in Selmac, but the last trout stocking for the spring occurred the last week of May. The remaining fish here will be searching out the coldest water (likely near the dam). Bass fishing should also be good, especially for boat-based anglers targeting the vegetation lines and submerged structure.

Lake Selmac facilities operated by Josephine County Parks are currently open. More information about Josephine County Parks can be found on their website.

Lake Selmac also has a recent non-native introduction of a bryozoan. Bryozoans are mossy like creatures that usually help to clean water and that are not typically harmful to humans.  However, this particular species has been known to harbor a disease that can be transmitted to salmon and steelhead. Please drain and dry your vessel if you are going to another water body and help stop Oregon’s aquatic hitchhikers!

Anglers are reminded that only 1 bass may be harvested from Selmac per day.