Will be stocked later this spring, beginning the week of April 15, with 7,500 rainbow trout. Bait can be used from April 22 – Oct. 31, but beginning Nov. 1, anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. ‌

Due to concerns about protecting wild Chinook salmon that are holding in the McKenzie River near Leaburg Dam and meeting broodstock needs for hatchery production, the section of the mainstem McKenzie River between Leaburg Dam downstream to the mouth of Trout Creek (approximately 1 mile) will be closed to Chinook salmon angling until December 31, 2023.‌

Fishing effort on a small run of wild Chinook is high this year because few hatchery Chinook are returning to the McKenzie River basin. The shortage of hatchery Chinook is attributed to poor survival of juvenile fish that were released at a small size from the Leaburg Hatchery during the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020. In addition, returning wild and hatchery Chinook were subjected to poor ocean conditions that further compromised survival.‌

All non-adipose fin-clipped trout must be released unharmed. Check the 2024 Sport Fishing Regulations for bait restrictions in the segment you plan to fish. Beginning Nov. 1, anglers may only use lures and artificial flies.‌

The lower McKenzie River is open to retention of adipose fin-clipped salmon and steelhead and non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead greater than 24 inches long. A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required for anglers targeting salmon and steelhead in the McKenzie.