UMPQUA RIVER: The mainstem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Angler effort for steelhead is slowing down but anglers are targeting striped bass in the tide waters. Some spring chinook are still available, but with the low, warm water conditions, most are moving toward the North Umpqua. The warmer temperatures are making the smallmouth bass more active and available to anglers. The daily limit on smallmouth was increased to 15 per day.
Shad have arrived and anglers are fishing for them from Sawyers Rapids to Umpqua Boat Ramp. Fishing for shad is allowed any time there is a season for salmon or steelhead, so the Main Umpqua is open whenever the shad arrive. Likewise the use of bait is allowed in the Main Umpqua, so bait can be used by anglers fishing for shad.
The Mainstem Umpqua and tributaries open for trout May 25. The Mainstem is catch-and-release while the tributaries have a 2 trout daily limit. Check the regulations for additional gear restrictions.
North - As of April over 12,000 winter steelhead had crossed Winchester Dam and now the summer steelhead are arriving. Anglers are beginning to fish the fly waters with good success. Remember all wild steelhead must be released unharmed. Summer steelhead will start arriving in greater numbers as spring and early summer progress.
Meanwhile springers are entering the North and are starting to pass Winchester Dam. Fishing pressure is starting to increase from Rock Creek down to the Narrows. Please be aware of the anti-snagging rule described on page 11 of the regulation booklet that is in effect from Lone Rock boat launch upstream to the start of the fly water just above Rock Creek.
The trout season opens May 25. Check the regulations for harvest and gear restrictions by location.
Note that from Oct. 1 through June 30, angling in the fly water area is restricted to a single barbless artificial fly which can be dressed with conventional fly tying material. The North Umpqua mainstem and the tributaries upstream of Soda Springs Reservoir are open for trout angling through Oct. 31. See gear and harvest restrictions.
South - The South Umpqua and tributaries open for trout on May 25. See the regulations for harvest and gear restrictions by location. Smallmouth bass fishing is also open during the trout season. The daily bag limit is 15 bass per day. The new boat ramp near Winston should provide access to some good bass water. There is no harvest of either spring chinook or fall chinook allowed in the South Umpqua during any angling season.