The river is open to trout fishing through the end of the year. Only hatchery trout may be retained, 2 per day. All wild rainbow trout and cutthroat trout should be immediately released unharmed. Anglers are reminded that the Applegate River is closed to salmon fishing. Trout anglers are asked to be mindful of spawning Chinook salmon and no disturb these fish or their gravel redds.  Anglers are also encouraged to catch and remove non-local pikeminnow. Areas such as Fish Hatchery County Park have lots of pikeminnow. 

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. Temperatures are about 50 degrees in the upper river and flows 351 coming out of the dam. You can check the flows on the Applegate when planning a trip.