Umpqua River, OR Fishing Report

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Angler effort for steelhead is slowing down as anglers are starting to target spring chinook.

This also is the time that anglers target striped bass in the tide waters. As the weather warms the bass should get more active in feeding as they prepare for spawning.

Spring chinook have been reported in the Scottsburg area and a few have passed Winchester Dam. Pressure below Elkton has increased recently and fishing has been spotty. A few chinook over 35 pounds have been reported.  

Shad are beginning to arrive and a few anglers are trying their luck at Yellow Creek. Fishing for shad is allowed any time there is a season for salmon or steelhead, so the Main Umpqua is open whenever the shad arrive. Likewise the use of bait is allowed in the Main Umpqua, so bait can be used by anglers fishing for shad.

The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Plunking during periods of higher, more turbid conditions can be very successful for bank anglers. The steelhead are well-distributed throughout the Mainstem. Angler effort for steelhead is slow as anglers are starting to target spring chinook. When fishing in the Mainstem you will most likely catch a wild steelhead due to the high number of wild fish that are still swimming up to the North and South Umpqua.

This is the time that anglers also target striped bass in the tide waters. As the weather warms the bass should get more active in feeding as they prepare for spawning.

Spring chinook have been reported in the Scottsburg area. More chinook should be arriving and the fishery should be improving in the next few weeks. A rain could help move these fish upstream.

The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Steelhead have entered the mainstem Umpqua in good numbers and angling should improve even more when the water temperature increases. Plunking during periods of higher, more turbid conditions can be very successful for bank anglers. The river will be dropping this week and should be in good shape for the weekend. The Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby will take place Friday and Saturday, thus there may be more anglers than usual on the river. The steelhead are fairly well distributed throughout the Mainstem. When fishing in the Mainstem you will most likely catch a wild steelhead due to the high number of wild fish that are still swimming up to the North and South Umpqua. Bank anglers have been successful in areas such as Cleveland Rapids.

Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anyone harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped. Anglers should note that most of the steelhead caught will be wild fish and must be released unharmed.

The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Steelhead should begin entering the mainstem Umpqua in good numbers and angling should improve even more when the water temperature increases. Plunking during periods of higher, more turbid conditions can be very successful for bank anglers. The river will be in good shape and the water levels will be around 6 to 7 feet.  The steelhead should be fairly well distributed throughout the Mainstem. When fishing in the Mainstem you will most likely catch a wild steelhead due to the high number of wild fish that are still swimming up to the North and South Umpqua. Bank anglers have been successful in areas such as Cleveland Rapids.

Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anyone harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped. Anglers should note that most of the steelhead caught will be wild fish and must be released unharmed.

The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Trout fishing closed Nov. 1 in the mainstem Umpqua; the tributaries have been closed since Sept. 15. The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Steelhead should begin entering the mainstem Umpqua in good numbers and fishing should improve as the river falls back into fishable shape. Plunking during periods of higher, more turbid conditions can be very successful for bank anglers. Most drift boat anglers will do well concentrating on the areas around Elkton during December.

Anglers should note that most of the steelhead caught will be wild fish and must be released unharmed.

The wild coho season is now closed. Only hatchery coho can be retained.

The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Trout fishing closed Nov. 1 in the mainstem Umpqua; the tributaries have been closed since Sept. 15. The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anyone harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped. Winter steelhead fishing will start in the Mainstem around Thanksgiving. With the current forecast the river should rise this week, causing the river to mostly be too high and turbid for fishing. This could help move the winter steelhead upstream and should provide good plunking conditions for bank anglers when the river starts dropping. Anglers should note that most of the steelhead caught will be wild fish and must be released unharmed.

The lower river from the confluence with the ocean upstream to the Scottsburg Bridge has a quota fishery for wild coho. This area allows the harvest of one adult wild coho per day, with 2 allowed per season in aggregate with other rivers until the quota is met or until Nov. 30, whichever is first. As of Nov. 27, the quota has not been reached but the season will end at end Nov. 30. For additional information on the wild coho fishery and the quota check the ODFW website. The Umpqua River above Scottsburg is NOT open to the harvest of wild coho. The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Trout fishing closed Nov. 1 in the Mainstem Umpqua; the tributaries have been closed since Sept. 15. The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anyone harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped. Winter steelhead fishing will start in the Mainstem around Thanksgiving. Anglers should note that most of the steelhead caught will be wild fish and must be released unharmed.

The lower river from the confluence with the ocean upstream to the Scottsburg Bridge has a quota fishery for wild coho. This area allows the harvest of one adult wild coho per day, with 2 allowed per season in aggregate with other rivers until the quota is met or until Nov. 30, whichever is first. For additional information on the wild coho fishery and the quota check the ODFW website. The Umpqua River above Scottsburg is NOT open to the harvest of wild coho.

The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for salmon and steelhead fishing.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped. The number of salmon entering the lower Umpqua has increased, providing both boat and bank fishing opportunity. These fish will move up the Mainstem and provide a fishery from the estuary to River Forks. The lower river from the confluence with the ocean upstream to the Scottsburg Bridge has a quota fishery for wild coho. This area allows the harvest of one adult wild coho per day, with 2 allowed per season in aggregate with other rivers until the quota is met or until Nov. 30, whichever is first. For additional information on the wild coho fishery and the quota check the ODFW website. The Umpqua River above Scottsburg is NOT open to the harvest of wild coho. The Mainstem section from Umpqua Boat Ramp down to Osprey Boat Ramp should have some hatchery chinook staging in the area from September through early October. Chinook fishing was good in this area last weekend.

Bass fishing is still good throughout the Mainstem. The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for bass fishing. Bass fishing can be particularly fun for kids learning how to fish. Trout season is also open. Check the angling regulations for gear and harvest restrictions.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped. As August continues, the number of salmon entering the lower Umpqua will increase, providing both boat and bank fishing opportunity. These fish will move up the Mainstem and provide a fishery from River Forks to the estuary. The Mainstem section from Umpqua Boat Ramp down to Osprey Boat Ramp should have some hatchery chinook staging in the area from late August through early October.

Bass fishing is picking up throughout the Mainstem with the warmer weather and lower water flow. The “50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Roseburg,” handout which is available online or at the office, identifies several good places for bass fishing. Bass fishing can be particularly fun for kids learning how to fish. Trout season is also open. Check the angling regulations for gear and harvest restrictions.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Boat anglers will have the most success using either plugs or side drifting techniques. Watch the graphs for the water flows and try to fish while the river is dropping. Bank anglers can find success by either dead drifting bait or plunking. Plunking can be especially productive during higher flows as the fish tend to stay out of the main current and travel upstream closer to the banks.

Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped.

Spring chinook have arrived in the lower mainstem and are available from Scottsburg to River Forks. High water conditions continue to hamper angling success, but angling should improve on through the month. Anglers have also had success recently with striped bass fishing in the lower Umpqua, but sturgeon fishing has been slow. Shad should be arriving soon.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Boat anglers will have the most success using either plugs or side drifting techniques. Watch the graphs for the water flows and try to fish while the river is dropping. Bank anglers can find success by either dead drifting bait or plunking. Plunking can be especially productive during higher flows as the fish tend to stay out of the main current and travel upstream closer to the banks.

Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped.

Spring chinook have arrived in the lower mainstem and success is picking up from Scottsburg to Scott Creek boat ramp. Anglers have also had success recently sturgeon and striped bass fishing. Shad should be arriving soon.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Boat anglers will have the most success using either plugs or side drifting techniques. Watch the graphs for the water flows and try to fish while the river is dropping. Bank anglers can find success by either dead drifting bait or plunking. Plunking can be especially productive during higher flows as the fish tend to stay out of the main current and travel upstream closer to the banks.

Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. NOTE: It is illegal to keep a steelhead whose adipose fin has been freshly clipped.

Spring chinook have arrived in the lower mainstem. Anglers have also had success recently sturgeon and striped bass fishing; however, fishing will improve as the water drops and clears from the recent rains. The mainstem is predicted to drop all week which should provide favorable conditions (at last) for springer fishing. The bulk of the springer run is still low in the system. As of March 26, no spring chinook have crossed Winchester Dam yet.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Boat anglers will have the most success using either plugs or side drifting techniques. Recent rains have spread fish throughout the basin. Watch the graphs for the water flows and try to fish while the river is dropping. Bank anglers can find success by either dead drifting bait or plunking. Plunking can be especially productive during higher flows as the fish tend to stay out of the main current and travel upstream closer to the banks. We are expecting a good number of hatchery fish to return to the South Umpqua this year; however, they will compose 7-11 percent of the steelhead in the Mainstem. Thus, angling opportunity is primarily catch-and-release in the Mainstem. Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP.

NOTE: Contrary to recent rumors, there will be no changes to the winter steelhead regulations for the Umpqua Basin in 2012. Please call ODFW Roseburg if you have questions, 541-440-3353.

Sturgeon fishing has been good below the Hwy 101 bridge. Steelhead are entering the Umpqua, but only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested. The rains will cause high turbid conditions this week, but fishing should pick up when rivers come into shape.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon, striped bass, chinook

Sturgeon fishing has been good below the Hwy 101 bridge. Steelhead are entering the Umpqua, but only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested.

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: steelhead, sturgeon, chinook, bass, striped bass

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Boat anglers will have the most success using either plugs or side drifting techniques. Watch the graphs for the water flows and try to fish while the river is dropping. Bank anglers can find success by either dead drifting bait or plunking. Plunking can be especially productive during higher flows as the fish tend to stay out of the main current and travel upstream closer to the banks. Due to the low flows, most of the steelhead have not entered tributaries for spawning, nor have large numbers made it to the North and South Umpqua. This means that although we are expecting a good number of hatchery fish to return to the South Umpqua this year, they will compose less than 10 percent of the steelhead in the Mainstem. Thus, angling opportunity is primarily catch-and-release in the Mainstem. Practice good angling ethics to release wild fish unharmed with a minimum of handling. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP.

NOTE: Contrary to recent rumors, there will be no changes to the winter steelhead regulations for the Umpqua Basin in 2012.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon, striped bass, chinook

Anglers reported good success in the lower Umpqua and Bay during December but increased water levels will make fishing here difficult throughout the winter. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested.

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: steelhead, sturgeon, chinook, bass, striped bass

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The recent rain event should have spread steelhead throughout the Mainstem Umpqua. Boat anglers will have the most success using either plugs or side drifting techniques. Watch the graphs for the water flows and try to fish while the river is dropping. Bank anglers can find success by either dead drifting bait or plunking. Plunking can be especially productive during higher flows as the fish tend to stay out of the main current and travel upstream closer to the banks. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP.

NOTE: Contrary to recent rumors, there will be no changes to the winter steelhead regulations for the Umpqua Basin in 2012.

The Umpqua River wild coho fishery for both adults and jacks closed on Saturday, Oct. 1. There are still plenty of opportunities for harvest of fall chinook, and adipose-fin clipped coho and steelhead. Fall chinook have been caught has far upstream as River Forks. Some excellent chinook fishing has been reported between Tyee and Roseburg. The cooler temperatures and recent rain will move more salmon into the upper river. The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. Trout season in the tributaries closes Sept. 16, check regulations for additional information.

Sturgeon fishing has been slow recently. Remember only white sturgeon can be retained.

Striped bass are also available and have been caught recently. Smallmouth bass fishing is good, but starting to slow down.

The wild coho fishery on the Umpqua is nearing its harvest quota and could be closing soon. Check the ODFW website and be watching for signs posted at the lower Umpqua boat ramps. Even when the wild coho season closes there will still be good opportunities for harvest of fall chinook, and adipose-fin clipped coho and steelhead. Fall chinook have been caught has far upstream as river forks. Some excellent chinook fishing has been reported between Scottsburg and Tyee. The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. Trout season in the tributaries closes Sept. 16, check regulations for additional information.

Sturgeon fishing has been slow recently. Remember only white sturgeon can be retained. Anglers are being asked to stay clear of the commercial gill net Research Vessel in the lower Umpqua which is being contracted by the ODFW to capture green sturgeon. The sturgeon are being captured, implanted with tracking devices, and released alive. Boats should avoid going between the Research Vessel and the large orange buoy which signals the end of the 600 foot net.

Striped bass are also available and have been caught recently. Smallmouth bass fishing is good.

The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Please report anybody harvesting wild steelhead to OSP. Trout season opens May 28, check regulations for harvest and gear restrictions.

Fall chinook and fin-clipped coho are being caught in the lower river. Sturgeon fishing has been slow recently. Remember only white sturgeon can be retained. Anglers are being asked to stay clear of the commercial gill net Research Vessel being contracted by the ODFW to capture green sturgeon. The sturgeon are being captured, implanted with tracking devices, and released alive. Boats should avoid going between the Research Vessel and the large orange buoy which signals the end of the 600 foot net.

Striped bass are also available and have been caught recently. Smallmouth bass fishing is good.