Oregon Steelhead Fishing
Southern Oregon Coast Steelhead Fishing
The Southern Oregon Coast is a top producer for Steelhead Fishing in the Northwest! The rivers of Southern Oregon Coast produce 100’s of thousands of Steelhead both Summer Steelhead and Winter Steelhead runs. We will highlight the Steelhead Fishing rivers of the Southern Oregon Coast and run timings below from north to south starting at Florence and the Siuslaw River. Rivers North of Florence will be found on the Northern Oregon Steelhead Fishing page.
The most current information will come from one of our Southern Oregon Steelhead Fishing Guides. The Best printed Oregon Fishing information and maps available come from Fishing in Oregon handbook and guide from Flying Pencil Publication at (503) 543-7171, it is a great reference book. This guide book is highly recommended for Oregon Coast Steelhead fishermen, going without it or a good local River Guide could lessen your success.
Siuslaw River Salmon Fishing
A good Winter Steelhead fishing river that heads in the coast range east of Eugene and Cottage Grove and flowing 100 miles to the ocean near Florence. The Winter Steelhead run enters the river in late November and holds strong through February. Boats drifting the lower river produce much of the catch. This stream is often murky in winter months, however you will find clearer water in Lake Creek a good Winter Steelhead producing tributary.
Smith River Steelhead Fishing
A major tributary of Winchester Bay (estuary of the Umpqua River), with a fair run of Winter Steelhead. After a 75 mile tumble through the coast range the Smith River flows into the bay at Gardiner, just 9 miles from the ocean. The Smith River has Wild run of Winter Steelhead augmented with hatchery plants. The river is closed to fishing October 1st to November 30th to protect Fall Chinook spawning.
Smith River North Fork
The North Fork is a large tributary to the Smith River, with a good run of wild Winter Steelhead. It joins the main Smith River 13 miles upstream from its confluence with the Umpqua River. All Winter Steelhead here are wild and must be released unharmed. The Smith River Winter Steelhead run usually peaks in December and January.
Umpqua River Steelhead Fishing
The Umpqua River runs between Winchester Bay and Reedsport on the Southern Oregon Coast upstream through Scottsburg and Elkton and on to Roseburg at Inter State 5, where the South Fork Umpqua joins the North Umpqua to form the mainstem, a distance of about 100 miles. The Umpqua River is the second largest river on the Oregon Coast heading in the Cascade Mountains near Crater Lake.
Summer Steelhead present in the mainstem Umpqua River May through August ( peak fishing June & July) and Winter Steelhead are present in the mainstem October through March, some mainstem Umpqua River Winter Steelhead weigh in over 20 pounds.
North Umpqua River Steelhead Fishing
The North Umpqua is one of Oregon’s treasured rivers, beloved for its pristine quality and scenic beauty and its large run of Summer Steelhead. The North Umpqua is famous for it world class Summer Steelhead Fly Fishing July through November.
South Umpqua River Steelhead Fishing
The South Umpqua is a large river heading in the Rogue-Umpqua Wilderness and joining the North Umpqua at the forks just down stream from Interstate 5, 10 miles NW of Roseburg to form the mainstem Umpqua River.
The South Umpqua has two Winter Steelhead runs, the early run arrives with freshets in November and continues into December. The second, the late run of Winter Steelhead arrives in late December and runs until April.
Coos River & South Fork Coos River Winter Steelhead Fishing
Winter Steelhead usually move through the Coos River in December and January headed for the South Fork Coos River and the Millicoma River another large tributary. Winter Steelhead are available in the South Fork Coos December through February.
Millicoma River Winter Steelhead Fishing
The Millicoma River has a high angler success rate for hatchery Winter Steelhead with good numbers caught December through February.
Coquille River Steelhead Fishing
Winter Steelhead are generally present in the mainstem and forks of the Coquille late November through March with peak catches in January and February. South Fork of the Coquille offers the most consistent Winter Steelhead fishing in the area.
Sixes River King Steelhead Fishing
January trough March
The Sixes River is a sister stream to the Elk River, these two streams enter the Pacific Ocean at Cape Blanco State Park about 2 miles apart. The Sixes River is about 36 miles long and has a gentler gradient than the Elk River. Good Winter Steelhead Fishing January through March depending on river flows.
Elk River Fall King Stelhead Fishing
January through March
The Elk River is 30 miles long entering the ocean just north of Port Orford. The Elk River is a good Winter Steelhead fishing stream which depends heavily on rains to allow Winter Steelhead to enter the river. The best fishing is usually January and February, the river is sensitive to fishing pressure, and success will fall with to much pressure.
Editor's note:
As a guide on the Elk and Sixes for 25 years I feel the current one Wild Steelhead per day is to much and should be turned back to no Wild Steelhead retention on both rivers. In recent years pressure has dramatically increased with the implementation of the one wild per day. In my opinion the runs of Wild Steelhead on the Elk and Sixes rivers will wither with this kind of harvest pressure.
Elk River Hatchery River Report Phone (541) 332-7025
Rogue River Steelhead Fishing
Gold Beach Oregon
The Lower Rogue River, Foster Bar to head of tide about 37 miles of extremely productive fishing area for both Summer Steelhead and Winter Steelhead. Steelhead are present year around in the Lower Rogue River but successful fishing will match good numbers of Steelhead with proper river flows and water temperatures.
Summer Steelhead fishing is best September to November when summers high temperatures begin to cool and river flow’s drop below 1900 cfs. at Agness Flow Gage. Fly Fishing with 4wt. to 6wt. rods and small flies (size 12 to 8) brings best results on scrappy 12 to 18 inch Summer Steelhead known as ½ Pounders (actually 1 to 3 pounds). Some adult Summer Steelhead 4 to 8 pounds are also moving through to the Upper Rogue to spawn. Some years 300,000 ½ Pounders enter the river to feed!
Rogue River Winter Steelhead are prolific with 10’s of thousands entering the river at Gold Beach. The trick to catching Rogue River Winter Steelhead is modifying your angling methods to address the huge water flow fluctuations found during winter months.
The peak Winter Steelhead run is longer than most rivers running December through February, most likely due to a much greater number returning.
For Winter Steelhead bank fishing the river can be almost any level below 25,000 cfs to allow plunking, flows should drop below 15,000 for Power Boat anchor fishing and below 3500 for drift boat fishing. The Agness Flow Gage will give you the river flow. Of course one of our local Rogue River Steelhead Guides will have the best information available.
Agness Flow Gage
Chetco River Steelhead Fishing
The Chetco River is a very good Winter Steelhead fishing river only 7 miles from the Oregon & California boarder. A large number of hatchery reared Winter Steelhead return to the Chetco River every year. Access for fishing is some of the best on the Oregon Coast, success is high among anglers. Winter Steelhead start showing well around Christmas and the run continues through March. Good local knowledge will improve your chances, call one of our Southern Oregon Coast Steelhead Guides for best information.
Chetco River Flow Gage
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