Idaho Fish Report

Applegate received its first stocking of 5,000 legal rainbow trout last week. Applegate Reservoir received 25,000 sub-legal rainbow trout in October. These trout should have overwintered nicely and be ready to catch this year. If encountering these fish, please handle them with care. Trout must be 8 inches minimum size for retention.

The only useable boat ramp at Applegate Reservoir is still the French Gulch Boat Ramp. The boat ramp looks good to launch as the reservoir has risen in the last few weeks. Hart-tish and Copper are still a ways off from being usable. 

All campgrounds are closed for the season.

Bait is allowed and 5 trout per day, year-round, in the reservoir. The tributary streams above the reservoir are also open year-round, with bait allowed, but only 2 trout per day.

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 2021 sportfishing regulations for more information.

For a change of scenery, try driving up to the lakes above Applegate Reservoir. These lakes have illegally introduced and stunted yellow perch with no limit. Bass and bluegill are also in these lakes.

The reservoir is at 36 percent capacity, with an elevation of 1,928.5 ft. Surface temperatures are in the low 50s. Anglers can get the latest information by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434.