Southern Oregon Fishing

Oregon's coastal rivers are among the most dramatic and naturally well stocked rivers on earth. Our annual winter rains renew and revitalize the waterways that wild salmon, steelhead, and other fish swim to spawn and complete the cycle of life. Each year, thousands upon thousands of fish return to their home to provide the next generation after spending various amounts of time fattening up in the ocean.

Southern Oregon rivers in particular are famous for their unmatched scenery, solitude and strong salmon and steelhead runs. Generally speaking, you will find good fishing spring, fall and winter on these rivers. The most famous of the rivers is the Rogue, one of the world's original government protected and preserved waterways. Located near Grants Pass and flowing dozens of miles through pure wilderness towards the ocean, the Rogue has got it all for river fishing. Among other things, the Rogue is one of two or three rivers in the U.S. with wilderness lodges that are quietly located in the forest above the river. These six rustic and charming lodges are in place in the wilderness area due to the fact that they existed before the river was included in the original Wild and Scenic Act, which prohibited future building and all motorized use. Additionally, the Rogue is so well protected the river use is kept to a minimum, meaning you will have a trip with lots of solitude. And, the whitewater on the Rogue is exciting and perfectly placed, with the exhiliration of a rapid being followed by deep calm pools teeming with fish.

The Rogue hosts prolific salmon and steelhead runs as they travel upriver from the ocean. Among these fish are the highly sought after and feisty "half-pounders". These steelhead are unique in that they spend less than a year in the ocean after leaving the Rogue river as smolt. Most steelhead spend two or three years in the ocean before returning. Half-pound steelhead generally weigh more than a half pound and are 12-18 inches long. What makes them unique is their agressiveness towards the fly, as after a few weeks in the river they return to trout-like feeding habits. For fly fishing enthusiasts the half-pounders are favorites.

Chinook salmon are also historically plentiful on the Rogue. Fish up to 80 pounds have been caught, but the most commonly caught bigger fish are forty to sixty pounds. These are generally in the Wild and Scenic river section from late August through mid-October. A variety of fishing styles are used to land these fish, including plug pulling and spin casting. Even a patient fly fisherman can land a chinook. In March, April, May and early June, spring chinook travel up the Rogue as well. These are smaller than the fall salmon, but are more tasty and vigorous. These fish typically range in size from 12 to 18 pounds, but are not quite as plentiful as the fall fish. Finally, coho salmon are also caught on the Rogue. Another fly fisherman's dream fish, coho are smaller but run faster and jump, resulting in a good fight. Coho are common on the Rogue in October and November.

In addition to the Rogue river, the Chetco, Elk, and Sixes river each offers great fishing. While not pure wilderness rivers like the Rogue through the Wild and Scenic section, these rivers are still beautiful and well stocked. In rainy winter months of December, January, and February these rivers often drain more quickly so you can fish them more consistently. They also have great fall salmon runs of chinook and coho. The Chetco is located near Brookings, Oregon, just north of the California border. The Elk and Sixes rivers are found near Gold Beach and Port Orford.