The hatchery fall Chinook and wild coho seasons closed on October 15th, 2025. Fall Chinook have finished spawning. Coho spawning has also peaked and is steadily decreasing There are still a few fish in spawning streams for viewing of fish with family/friends. Please be protective of fish and keep sufficient distance when viewing spawning coho to avoid disturbing them. Medium sized streams such as Moon Creek, Park Creek, Big Creek, and Middle Creek are good locations for viewing.

Striped bass fishing in the lower Coquille has slowed substantially and very few anglers pursue this species this time of year due to high and muddy flows. If a week or two of dry weather returns and the river clears an occasional fish might be caught using nightcrawler or 1/3 of an anchovy/herring bait on the bottom. Use of a sliding line through a three way swivel or swivel stopper with drop lead is popular.

Smallmouth bass are essentially dormant in the winter throughout the Coquille River and main tributaries due to cooler water temps and lower metabolism. Spearfishing closed October 31st. Bait fishing for smallmouth remains open in tidewater locations and the S.F. Coquille River and where steelhead fishing is open. Fishing will be very very slow. Either bait on the bottom or artificial grubs/worms worked very slowly are the best bet . Hardcore anglers may entice a smallmouth bass to bite in the tidewater reaches upstream of Coquille, with bait on the bottom. Higher river flows are expected to continue through January 12th and the ability to catch smallmouth during higher water will be minimal There is no limit for smallmouth bass, which are destructive to salmon fry production. 

Steelhead have been caught in the tidewater reaches of the Coquille River, where flows have been higher than desirable for fishing. Levels are expected to continue to drop and should start to be very fishable by the weekend of January 10-11th. Fish are now considered distributed upstream to Powers on the S.F. and LaVerne Park on the N.F. As river levels drop fishing is expected to be fair to good in the mainstem reaches of the S.F. and N.F. where water conditions are suitable. There has been some confusion about use of bait in the Coquille basin during the steelhead season due to the language in the S.W. section Regulations Exceptions. Bait is allowed during steelhead season in all waters of the Coquille basin where steelhead fishing is open. The plan at this point is to adjust the language in the regulations for the 2027 manual. 

For any questions on Salmon Fishing in the Coos or Coquille please call the Charleston office at 541-888-5515 (dial zero at the answer of the machine).

Trout fishing closed in rivers and streams in the Coquille Basin on October 31 and will reopen May 22nd 2026.