The Illinois is known for having a run of some earlier running winter steelhead in late December and early January. Anglers are reminded that no bait is allowed on the Illinois River, and soft plastic imitations of eggs or worms are considered bait. Hence, leave your rubber pink worms or soft beads at home. 

Illinois downstream of Pomeroy Dam is open to angling for Steelhead and trout, but closed year-round to salmon fishing. Upstream of Pomeroy Dam and all tributaries are also closed year-round. All fishing is closed from Fall Creek to 400 feet above Illinois Falls (near the swinging bridge along Illinois River Rd.). If you suspect illegal activity, please call OSP or the local ODFW District Office.

Trout fishing is mostly catch-and-release for wild trout as there is no hatchery on the Illinois system. 

Wild steelhead may be retained between Klondike Creek to Fall Creek and from 400 feet above Illinois Falls, upstream to Pomeroy Dam. Wild steelhead must be at least 24 inches long to harvest and the bag limit is 1 per day/3 per year in aggregate for the Southwest Zone rivers where wild steelhead harvest is allowed (consult SW Zone regulations).  

There is also good bank access along the Illinois River Rd. outside of Selma, all the way downstream to Miami Bar, however with recent winter weather, access may be a challenge.  Be prepared for anything. Expect to hike to some of the better fishing spots. Please park outside of the white lines to keep roads clear. Do your part and pack out what you pack in, as well as someone else’s trash. There is trash service available at the Siskiyou Field Institute outside of Selma. 8 dollar road, just north of Kerby, also has good public access.

Much of the publicly accessible reaches of the Illinois River fall under the USFS Wild Rivers Ranger District. More information can be found on their website.

Flows sharply peaked at 12,400 cfs/17.02 feet on Tuesday and have been dropping since.  Wednesday morning the flow was 8650/13.87 and expected to drop through early Friday, followed by a little bump then dropping into next week. Check the USGS Kerby guage which provides up to date river flow information.