Idaho Fish Report
Early run summer steelhead are in
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
7-5-2023
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The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is around 1,800 cfs and 53F. Dodge Bridge is around 1,900 cfs and mid-60s F. Expect river levels to stay near this level or drop slightly for a bit.
Early run summer steelhead are in. Last week 137 swim-ins at the hatchery brings the season total to 236. Several anglers have caught early summer steelhead on swung dry flies and small lures.
Spring Chinook continue to show up at the hatchery. Last week 1,293 new Chinook entered the trap, bringing the season total to 6,135. Many anglers have switched gears to Chinook fishing, which has been productive with bait-wrapped plugs or drifting eggs.
No wild spring Chinook harvest is allowed upstream of Dodge Bridge and the “hatchery hole” is closed to Chinook fishing. Make sure to check the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for each section of river before you head out.
Trout season re-opened on May 22 and the salmon fly hatch is winding down. Lures and flies should be productive.
Please avoid wading in and fishing near salmon/steelhead redds.
For up-to-date river levels, check all the USGS Rogue gauges here.