Douglas County Fishing Report

Here are the latest fishing reports from various locations in Douglas County provided by ODFW. BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie Conditions remain the same at Ben Irving getting muddy after lots of rain. Some anglers find more success using bait than lures. Last updated 1/17/24. The mainstem and South Umpqua are high and muddy, but may start to clear up this weekend for some winter steelhead fishing. COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass, bluegill, coho and Chinook smolts Rainy conditions over the last couple of weeks have made the lake muddy. Anglers might have some luck fishing for trout using bait. Last updated 1/17/24. DIAMOND LAKE: trout Diamond is starting to freeze over and likely is not fishable. Please review the ice-fishing safety suggestions when venturing out on the ice. Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger and brown trout. Anglers targeting brown trout have been doing fantastic lately with high catch rates and some great brown trout being caught (and released). These fish are intended to assist in controlling illegally introduced tui chub. These trout are catch-and-release only and need to be released immediately and unharmed if caught. Last updated 1/10/24. LEMOLO RESERVOIR: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee Heavy recent snow will likely limit access to the reservoir and likely will start freezing soon. The resort and campgrounds are closed for the season. Kokanee in Lemolo are considered trout and therefore fall under the daily limit for trout of five per day with only one of those measuring over 20 inches. Contact Lemolo Lake Resort at 541-643-0750 for weather/road conditions and additional information. Last updated 1/17/24. PLAT I RESERVOIR: trout, bass Conditions remain the same at Plat I. No recent report if Plat I is currently fishable. The reservoir can be pretty low this time of year, and it can be difficult to access fishable areas. Last updated 1/3/24. UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: Steelhead, surfperch, bass Conditions remain the same this week. Steelhead are being caught throughout the river. The river is high and muddy right now, so most anglers will be focused on plunking. Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout in collection barrels at Scott Creek, Sawyer’s Public, Elkton, Osprey, and James Woods boat launches or the ODFW office in Roseburg. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman’s Warehouse. There is NO HARVEST OF WILD ADULT OR JACK SPRING CHINOOK in the Umpqua this year. The river remains open for hatchery Chinook through June 1. Fall seasons have not yet been finalized. Last updated 1/17/24. UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead Some anglers have had good luck between storms fishing for steelhead. Conditions remain high and muddy, but may start to clear up this week. There was one report of a log jam at Dixon falls in the section between Winchester Dam and Glide. Anglers should always use caution when navigating the river between storms. Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout at the ODFW office in Roseburg. Collection barrels will be deployed on the North soon. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman’s Warehouse. Last updated 1/10/24. UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead Conditions remain the same this week. Winter steelhead have started moving into the South Umpqua. Some fish are being caught between Canyonville and Myrtle Creek from recent reports. The South Umpqua is muddy and high, but conditions should be good towards the weekend. Anglers that catch a hatchery steelhead are encouraged to donate the snout at the ODFW office in Roseburg. Collection barrels are at many boat ramps on the South Umpqua. These snouts may contain a coded-wire tag that will help inform managers on the best release strategy to improve the program. Those who contribute snouts with coded-wire tags are entered into a monthly drawing for a gift card to Sportsman’s Warehouse. Last updated 1/17/24.