River flows continue to drop. The release from Lost Creek is 1,295 cfs and the flow at Gold Ray is 1,680 cfs, with a river temperature of 40-45F. The river is clear.

Summer steelhead are still being caught and coho salmon are present. Anglers targeting late summer steelhead have reported success drifting nymphs. The return of hatchery coho to Cole Rivers had reached 2,367 fish last week with 202 new arrivals. When much of the upper Rogue is muddy, the reach upstream of Big Butte often remains clear during storms. Anglers can call the Army Corps of Engineers at 800-472-2434 for an update on hatchery counts as well as flow and temperature information.

It's still early for winter steelhead in this section of the Rogue. For the 2024/2025 season, there is no wild harvest above the confluence with the Illinois River. The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30.

Anglers, please use proper catch-and-release techniques, such as keeping fish in the water as much as possible and releasing them quickly. If fish are getting injured with the technique you are using, please change techniques. Remember that smaller rainbow are usually the steelhead that will return in future years.

For up-to-date river levels, check all the USGS Rogue gauges here.