Trout anglers have plenty of opportunity

Applegate Reservoir - Jacksonville, OR (Jackson County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
5-22-2025
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Applegate is 1.5 feet below full pool as of May 11th, and the surface temperature is 61F. Both the Copper and Hart-Tish boat ramps are now available. Check up-to-date reservoir levels here, or call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for flow and temperature information.

Trout anglers have plenty of opportunity at Applegate this week. Legal-sized rainbows have been stocked and an additional 500 pounds will be released later in the week. Standard trout fishing techniques should all be successful. Because of the steep sides at Applegate, trollers can have success near shore in most places. Trolling flies or lures like a flatfish or panther martin on light line is worth a try, or fishing with heavier gear like dodgers and flashers ahead of a wedding ring spiked with a nightcrawler, Gulp worm or corn. Bank angling should be easier to do at Applegate when the reservoir is full, with Powerbait being a common bait of choice.

Warming surface temperatures are good news for bass anglers Applegate produces nice-sized smallmouth on a regular basis.

There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident species due to elevated levels of mercury. See Oregon Health Authority consumption guidelines or the sportfishing regulations for more information.