Trip Planner
Rogue Fall Salmon
Season: July-October
Rogue Steelhead
Season: September-
April. Peak: March-April
Season: July-October
Rogue Steelhead
Season: September-
April. Peak: March-April
For more information, call (206) 388-8988
or e-mail wildriversfishing@yahoo.com
or e-mail wildriversfishing@yahoo.com
Rogue River Salmon & Steelhead
The legendary salmon and steelhead runs on the Rogue River draw anglers from throughout the country. From the trophy salmon in the Rogue Bay to tasty springers in the Upper Rogue to hard-fighting steelhead in the middle section of the river, the Rogue is worthy of its reputation of being one of the West's premier places to fish. Home of the world record fly-caught salmon, a monster 70-plus-pound Chinook, and one of the most plentiful winter steelhead runs in the state, fishing is good on the Rogue year round.
The Rogue Bay, where big fall Chinook stack up in the cooler water near the river's mouth before heading upstream in late summer and early fall, is one of pro guide Andy Martin's favorite fisheries. Trolling from jet sleds, anglers catch salmon up to 60 pounds. Aside from big Chinook salmon, the Rogue also receives a healthy run of coho salmon. Andy targets these fish in September and October, upon his return from fishing during the summer in Alaska.
September through November is also when summer steelhead fishing picks up
September through November is also when summer steelhead fishing picks up
in the middle and upper sections of the Rogue from Grants Pass to Shady Cove. Here, Andy uses top-quality drift boats to get anglers into these hard-fighting, prized fish. Side-drifting roe, pulling plugs and even tossing spinners is effective for these abundant fish. On Nov. 1, anglers can begin using bait in the upper Rogue. That first week of the bait season can be exceptional for side-drifters floating the Rogue from Shady Cove to Tou Velle State Park near Medford.
In February, March and April, winter steelhead fishing picks up on the Middle and Upper Rogue. The scenic Hellsgate Canyon area is best early in the season, while fishing also is good closer to Grants Pass, below the mouth of the Applegate River. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife releases 90,000 baby steelhead each year into the Applegate, and another from Cole Rivers Hatchery below Lost Creek Dam. These two runs of hatchery steelhead are among the biggest in Oregon. The late March and April fishing on the Rogue is often the best steelhead fishing in the state during that time, and Andy spends a good portion of his time here before he heads to Alaska, where he operates one of the premier charter boats out of Seward, targeting trophy halibut. The Rogue is one of Oregon's most scenic steelhead streams. Using light spinning tackle, anglers enjoy catching these spectacular fish in one of the Northwest's most stunning areas.
Spring Chinook run from late March through July. Fishing is best just upstream from Gold Beach and again in the upper section of the river below Lost Creek Dam. Andy works with several guides to find seats for customers wanting to enjoy the spring salmon season. He also can arrange trips in the Rogue Bay in July and August, when the early fall Chinook begin showing up.
In February, March and April, winter steelhead fishing picks up on the Middle and Upper Rogue. The scenic Hellsgate Canyon area is best early in the season, while fishing also is good closer to Grants Pass, below the mouth of the Applegate River. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife releases 90,000 baby steelhead each year into the Applegate, and another from Cole Rivers Hatchery below Lost Creek Dam. These two runs of hatchery steelhead are among the biggest in Oregon. The late March and April fishing on the Rogue is often the best steelhead fishing in the state during that time, and Andy spends a good portion of his time here before he heads to Alaska, where he operates one of the premier charter boats out of Seward, targeting trophy halibut. The Rogue is one of Oregon's most scenic steelhead streams. Using light spinning tackle, anglers enjoy catching these spectacular fish in one of the Northwest's most stunning areas.
Spring Chinook run from late March through July. Fishing is best just upstream from Gold Beach and again in the upper section of the river below Lost Creek Dam. Andy works with several guides to find seats for customers wanting to enjoy the spring salmon season. He also can arrange trips in the Rogue Bay in July and August, when the early fall Chinook begin showing up.
For more Rogue River fishing photos, click here.
Oregon Salmon and Steelhead Fishing, Alaska Salmon and Halibut Fishing
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Chetco, Rogue, Elk, Sixes, Smith and Klamath River Salmon and Steelhead Fishing at its best!
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A strong fall Chinook run is expected back to the Chetco River in 2010, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists. A return of 180 percent of average is expected. This year's crop of salmon entered the ocean during a period of good offshore feeding conditions, which has led to the predicted higher-than-average survival rate. The healthy ocean conditions also are expected to result in an improved steelhead run.
2010 Update: Rogue Spring Salmon Run Best in Years
Rogue River salmon anglers are hopeful this year's exceptionally strong run of spring-run salmon will carry over to the popular summer and fall bay fishery. Spring Chinook fishing near Gold Beach, Oregon, was the best it has been in years in 2010. The springer run lasts until June, when bigger fall fish begin to arrive. As many as 50,000 fall salmon are expected back to the Rogue from July through October. Steelhead fishing was good this past winter on the lower Rogue.