Idaho Fish Report

Smallmouth bass fishing has been decent in the lower South Fork Coquille, lower Middle Fork Coquille, and upper mainstem Coquille. Anglers are having the best luck catching smallmouth bass on worms but lures like a crawdad crankbait have been working also.  Bass anglers will want to get away from the easy access points for better fishing and target deeper holes with the warmer weather.

A temporary regulation started on May 22 allowing anglers in Coquille River system to use spears and spear guns to harvest smallmouth bass. This unique fishing opportunity is one of many efforts to reduce the impact of illegally-introduced bass on Chinook populations.

In July and August, ODFW district staff, Coquille Indian Tribal staff, and volunteers have been removing smallmouth bass from the upper mainstem and South Fork Coquille – part of ongoing efforts to protect outgoing salmon smolts.

Traditional rod and reel anglers can also use bait throughout the river system.

All salmon fishing is closed in the Coquille Basin for the remainder of the year due to very poor returns of wild Chinook.

Trout fishing in streams and rivers is open until Oct. 31. Sea-run cutthroat trout usually enter upper tidewater this time of year.