Applegate received its first stocking of 10,000 legal rainbow trout in early April. Fishing has been good for trout and picking up for largemouth and smallmouth bass on warmer days.  Surface temperatures are starting to rise. Cool days will likely see better action for smallmouth. Applegate Reservoir received 25,000 sub-legal rainbow trout in October of last year. These trout should have overwintered nicely and be ready to catch this year.

The lake elevation is now high enough that Copper boat ramp is now usable. The USFS Hart-tish boat ramp, campground, and day use are still closed and are operated by a concessionaire. The French Gulch Boat Ramp is also easily usable by large vessels.

Bait is allowed and 5 trout per day, year-round, in the reservoir. The tributary streams above the reservoir are also open year-round, with bait allowed, but only 2 trout per day.

There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident species due to elevated levels of mercury. See Oregon Health Authority consumption guidelines or the 2021 sportfishing regulations for more information.

For a change of scenery, try driving up to the lakes above Applegate Reservoir. These lakes have illegally introduced and stunted yellow perch with no limit. Bass and bluegill are also in these lakes.

The reservoir is at 58 percent capacity, with an elevation of 1,952.5 ft. Surface temperature was 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Anglers can get the latest information by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434.