Idaho Fish Report

Trout fishing is closed on the Rogue between April 1 and May 21. This is to protect out migrating wild steelhead smolts. The Rogue is still open for steelhead and salmon fishing, with a valid Combined Angling Tag in possession.

Wild steelhead retention closes on Saturday, April 30. Wild steelhead must be 24 inches long to harvest, with a limit of 1 per day/3 per year zone wide in aggregate with other SW rivers where wild steelhead are allowed to be harvested (consult regulations). 

There are still reports of a few fresh winter fish being caught, but most are pretty ready to spawn. Anglers are also catching spawned out “kelt” or down-runners. These fish are much more colored up and have a sunken looking belly or appear skinny. If handled properly, they may return to spawn again. Best bet for winter fish are to head up river.

Wild Chinook salmon may not be retained above Hog Creek boat ramp until June 1. Spring Chinook anglers are picking some up along the Rogue Trail below Graves Creek and even a few have been reportedly caught in the GP area with the recent rains. Anglers are reminded that fishing is closed from Rainie Falls to 400 feet below the falls.

The Grants Pass stream gauge is on a slow and steady drop at 2100 cfs and turbidity at 5 NTU. Temperature is in the low 50s. Current flow, temp and turbidity conditions for the Rogue can be found at the USGS stream gauges here, or checking the City of Grants Pass water page’s river data here.