by ODFW and Christy Solo – Editor
Tying in with the upcoming Free Fishing Weekend (see story in this edition) for this week’s All Things we’re working with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to bring you “50 places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Medford.”
With gas prices being what they are, this is the year to seek out new fishing spots close to home.
Fish on!
1. AGATE RESERVOIR, White City | 11.5 mi., 19 min.
Bass, crappie, bluegill, trout
County day-use park with boat ramp and accessible restroom. Open year-round dawn to dusk. Take OR- 62 E for 6 miles. Right on OR-140, go about 3.5 miles. Right on E. Antelope Rd. After 0.8 miles, make a sharp right on Agate Dam Access Rd. Portions are unpaved. Go 0.8 miles and take first left to stay on the road. (run by) Jackson County
2. ALMEDA PARK, Galice | 50 mi., 60 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County campground and day-use fee park with fishing access and boat ramp on the Rogue River. Parts of park may be closed in winter. Take I-5 N for 31 miles to Exit 61. Left on Merlin-Galice Rd. Travel 19 miles to park entrance on right. (run by) Josephine County
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
3. APPLEGATE RESERVOIR, Ruch | 28 mi., 40 min.
Trout, salmon, bass, trout, salmon
Good warmwater fishing and occasionally stocked with rainbow trout and juvenile Chinook salmon. Spring and summer boat access at Copper and Hart-tish boat ramps; French Gulch ramp is usable in low water. Fees at some locations. Private concessionaire available seasonally. Take Hwy. 238 W 13 miles to Ruch. Left on Applegate Rd. Go 15 miles to Applegate Dam. (run by) United States Forest Service
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; day-use fee or parking pass required
4. BAKER PARK, Grants Pass | 28 mi., 30 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
City park with boat ramp and restrooms on the Rogue River. Take I-5 N for 25 miles to Exit 55. Go 2.2 miles on Grants Pass Parkway, cross over the river, turn right onto E. Park St. Take first right which leads into the Park. (run by) City of Grants Pass)
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; restroom
5. BURMA AND DUTCH HERMAN PONDS, Wolf Creek | 55 mi., 60 min.
Trout, largemouth bass, bluegill
Small ponds on tributary of Wolf Creek stocked with trout in spring. Take I-5 N for 46 miles to Exit 76. Turn left, go under freeway and turn right onto Old Hwy. 99 which becomes Frontage Rd. as it passes back under freeway. Go 1.6 miles, turn right on Speaker Rd. Proceed for 4 miles to BLM 33-5-10 which begins where road turns to gravel. Go another 1.7 miles then turn right on BLM 33-5-15.2 at the sign directing you to the “Fish Pond.” Go 0.5 miles uphill to pond. Dutch Herman Pond is 1.5 miles farther on BLM 33-5-10. (run by) Bureau of Land Management
6. CANTRALL-BUCKLEY PARK, Ruch |16 mi., 25 min.
Trout, steelhead
County campground and year-round day-use fee park on the Applegate River. The Applegate River is good for wading anglers with well-defined holes and runs and a gravel bottom that makes it relatively easy to fish for trout and winter steelhead. ADA restroom and parking. Take Hwy. 238 W past Ruch. At 15 miles, turn left onto Hamilton Rd. and go 1 mile. Right on Cantrall Rd. JACO
Amenities: picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
7. CASEY STATE PARK, Trail | 28.5 mi., 40 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Day-use park with boat ramp and restrooms on the Rogue River near Cole M. Rivers Hatchery. Take OR-62 E for 28.5 miles to the park. (run by) Oregon State Parks
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom
8. CHINOOK PARK, Grants Pass | 25 mi., 30 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park with Rogue River access, boat ramp, fishing platform, restrooms and great beaches. Go 18 miles on I-5 N to Exit 48. Left on Depot Str. Right on Rogue River Hwy/OR-99 for 5 miles. Right on Gordon Way, then right on Chinook Park Ln. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; day-use fee or parking pass required
9. COYOTE EVANS PARK/FLEMING WAYSIDE, Rogue River | 19 mi., 25 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Day-use park with Rogue River access at the base of Depot Str. Bridge. Wayside has boat ramp and restrooms. Go 18 miles on I-5 N to Exit 48. Turn left on Depot Str. and cross bridge. Right on Hwy 99 and take quick right into park. (run by) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/City of Rogue River
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; restroom
10. DENMAN WILDLIFE AREA, Whetstone Pond, Central Point | 6.3 mi., 10 min.
Largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, carp
Several ponds offer warmwater fishing. Whetstone Pond has an accessible path and restroom. Parking permit required. Take OR-62 E for 5.5 miles. Left on Agate Rd. Left on E. Gregory Rd. for 0.5 miles. The pond parking lot is near the ODFW office. ODFW
Amenities: restroom; day-use fee or parking pass required
11. DODGE BRIDGE BOAT RAMP, Eagle Point | 15 mi., 22 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park on the upper Rogue River with ADA restroom, parking, and fishing platform. Open year-round dawn to dusk. Take OR-62 E for 13 miles. Left on Hwy. 234 for 1.7 miles. Right on Rogue River Dr. to the sign. JACO
Amenities: restroom; day-use fee or parking pass required
12. EIGHT DOLLAR RD, Selma | 52 mi., 60 min.
Trout, steelhead
Road access to the Illinois River within the Rogue River/Siskiyou National Forest. Catch and release fishing for resident trout within a rugged canyon. Take I-5 N for 25 miles to Exit 55. Go 2.5 miles on Grants Pass Parkway which becomes US-199 S. Go 23 miles. Right on Eight Dollar Mountain Rd. which enters public land after one mile. USFS
13. EMIGRANT RESERVOIR, Ashland | 20 mi., 25 min.
Bass, crappie, yellow perch, trout
Excellent warmwater fishing with good trout fishing in spring and fall. County campground open March- November and day-use fee area open year-round, dawn to dusk. Take I-5 S for 16 miles to Exit 14. Take OR-66 E for 3.5 miles directly to the lake. JACO
14. ENNIS RIFFLE ACCESS, Galice | 45 mi., 50 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Rustic county campground and day-use fee park with restrooms and boat ramp. Good bank angling. Go 31 miles on I-5 N to Exit 61. Head west on Merlin-Galice Rd. for 13.5 miles to entrance on right. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
15. EXPO POND, Jackson County Fairgrounds Gate 5 | 4.4 mi., 6 min.
Trout, bass, crappie, bluegill
Small pond with day-use area for bank fishing. Good trout fishing early in the season with warmwater fishing spring through fall. Take I-5 N to Exit 33. Right onto E Pine St. Left onto Penninger Rd. Pond is adjacent to access road at Gate 5. JACO
16. FISH HATCHERY PARK, Grants Pass | 35 mi., 45 min.
Steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park with several entrances, including Turtle Lane. Good access especially for winter steelhead anglers. The Applegate River is good for wading anglers with well-defined holes and runs and a gravel bottom that makes it relatively easy to fish. Go 25 miles on I-5 N to Exit 55. Go 2.5 miles on the Grants Pass Parkway. Left onto Hwy. 238 and drive 1.5 miles south. Right onto New Hope Rd. Go 3.2 miles, turn right onto Fish Hatchery Rd. Go 1.8 miles, turn right on Wetherbee Lane and go about 0.5 miles then down the hill to the left into Fish Hatchery Park. JOCO
Amenities: day-use fee or parking pass required
17. FISH LAKE, Highway 140 | 36 mi., 41 min.
Rainbow, brook and tiger trout, Chinook salmon
High-elevation lake with views of Mt. McLoughlin and Brown Mountain. Forest Service campgrounds and day-use fee area, and private resort. One of two Oregon lakes stocked with tiger trout. Take OR-62 E about 6 miles. Take OR-140 E for 30 miles to signs for the lake. USFS
Amenities: picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
18. FOURMILE LAKE, Highway 140 | 49 mi., 60 min
Rainbow, brook and lake trout, kokanee
Road access to this high-elevation lake is usually available by the end of June. Rainbow trout fishing is good from late June through fall. Lake trout angling is good midsummer through fall. Trophy sized brook trout are regularly caught in the fall. Kokanee angling is fair throughout the summer. Campground and day-use fee park with primitive boat ramp/beach launch and accessible restrooms. Take OR-62 E about 6miles. Take OR-140 E for 36 miles. Left on Fourmile Lake Rd. Go 7 miles to the lake. USFS
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
19. GOLD HILL BOAT RAMP, Gold Hill | 12 mi., 15 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Day-use fee park with Rogue River access. Take I-5N for 10 miles to Exit 40. Right onto the access road. Left onto Blackwell Rd., cross bridge and continue 0.4 miles. Right onto Dardanelles (Hwy. 234). Follow Hwy 234 (4th Ave.) to the right and continue 0.6 miles to the park. (run by) City of Gold Hill
Amenities: day-use fee or parking pass required
20. GOLD NUGGET WAYSIDE, Gold Hill | 13 mi., 20 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Three BLM day-use sites providing Rogue River access with picnic table, restrooms and interpretive information. Take 1-5 N for 10 miles to Exit 40. Right onto access road, then left onto Blackwell Rd. Cross bridge and continue 0.4 miles. Right onto Dardanelles (Hwy. 234). Follow Hwy. 234 (4th Ave.) to the right and continue 2 miles to the wayside. BLM
Amenities: picnic; restroom
21. GOLD RAY NATURAL AREA, Gold Hill | 17 mi., 25 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use river access at end of John Day Drive. Limited parking in approved areas. Take I-5 N for 10 miles to Exit 40. Right onto the access road. Left onto Blackwell Rd. Cross bridge and continue 0.4 miles. Right onto Dardanelles (Hwy. 234). Right onto 4th Ave/OR-234, continue to follow OR-234 about 4 miles. Right onto John Day Dr., continue about 2.8 miles to end of road. JACO
22. GRIFFIN PARK, Merlin | 39 mi., 45 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Excellent bank angling. County campground and day-use fee park with accessible restrooms and boat ramp. Take I-5 N to Exit 55 and go south on US-199 about 7 miles. Right onto Riverbank’s Rd. Go 6 miles, turn right onto Griffin Park Rd. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
23. HOLY WATER, Trail | 31 mi., 42 min. (fly-fishing only)
Trout
Catch-and-release angling for stocked and naturally produced trout in the river between Lost Creek Reservoir and the barrier dam at Cole M. Rivers Hatchery. Take OR-62 E for 29 miles. Left onto Takelma Dr. and go 0.6 miles. Right onto Cole M. Rivers Dr., cross over the Rogue River, take the next left and follow the signs to River’s Edge Park. (run by) US Army Corps of Engineers
24. HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR, Ashland | 37 mi., 56 min.
Trout, bass, bullhead catfish, sunfish, bluegill
County campgrounds and private resort with angling jetty, accessible fishing platform, boat ramps, full-service marina and boat rentals. Campgrounds and day-use open mid-April through mid-October. Parking fee. Take I-5 S to Exit 14. Take OR-66 E for almost 1 mile. Left on Dead Indian Memorial Rd. for about 17 miles. Right on Hyatt Prairie Rd. Go about 3.5 miles to resort entrance. JACO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
Hyatt Reservoir
Hyatt Reservoir, photo by Rick Swart
25. HYATT LAKE, Ashland | 37 mi., 50 min.
Trout, largemouth bass, crappie
Large reservoir with BLM campgrounds and boat ramps. Go 16 miles on I-5 S to Exit 14. Take OR-66 E for almost 17 miles. Left on Hyatt Prairie Rd. for just over 3 miles. BLM
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
26. ILLINOIS RIVER RD., Selma | 53 mi., 60 min.
Trout, steelhead
Road access to the Illinois River offering catch-and-release fishing for resident trout within a rugged canyon. A day-use fee is charged at some sites. Take I-5 N for 25 miles to Exit 55. Go 2.5 miles on the Grants Pass Parkway, which becomes US-199 S. Drive 20 miles to Selma. Right on the Illinois River Rd. The road begins to parallel the river after 5 miles and provides occasional access over the next 13 miles. USFS
Amenities: day- use fee or parking pass required
27. INDIAN MARY PARK, Galice | 42 mi., 45 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County campground and day-use fee park with restrooms and a boat ramp on the Rogue River. Take I-5 N for 31 miles to Exit 61. Go 11 miles on Merlin-Galice Rd. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
28. JACKSON CAMPGROUND, Ruch | 23 mi., 32 min
Steelhead, trout
Small Forest Service campground with day-use fee area on the Applegate River. The Applegate River has good opportunities for wading anglers with well-defined holes and runs and a gravel bottom that makes it relatively easy to fish for trout and winter steelhead. Take Hwy. 238 W for 13 miles to Ruch. Left on Applegate Rd. and go about 10 miles to campground. USFS
Amenities: picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
29. LAKE SELMAC, Selma | 50 mi., 60 min.
Trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bullhead catfish
A trophy largemouth bass lake with early-season rainbow trout fishing. County campground and day-use fee park with boat ramp and accessible restrooms. Take I-5 N for 25 miles to Exit 55. Go 2.5 miles on the Grants Pass Parkway, which becomes US-199 S. Drive20 miles. Left on Lake Shore Dr. Go 2 miles, then make a slight right onto Reeves Creek Rd. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
30. LAKE OF THE WOODS, Highway 140 | 43 mi., 50 min.
Trout, kokanee, crappie, bass, yellow perch, bullhead catfish
Early-season rainbow trout fishing with warmwater fishing in summer through fall, and ice fishing for yellow perch in late winter. Campground and day-use fee park with two boat ramps and accessible restrooms. Take OR-62 E about 6 miles. Take OR-140 E about 36 miles to signs for the lake. Turn right and go 1 mile, then right again and go another 0.3 miles. USFS
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
31. LOST CREEK RESERVOIR, Trail | 33 mi., 45 min.
Trout, Chinook salmon, bass
Trout are stocked in March through early June. Trout fishing is also very good in winter with good smallmouth bass angling in summer months. Two boat ramps, camping, and private marina. Take OR-62 E about 33 miles. Left into Stewart State Park. ORSP/USACE
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
32. MATSON PARK, Grants Pass | 41 mi., 51 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use park with good bank access to the Rogue River. Can launch small boats off the gravel bar. Go 28 miles on I-5 N to Exit 58. Left onto 6th Str., and go 2 miles. Right onto G Str., go 1.3 miles, then it turns into Upper River Rd. Go another 4.5 miles. When Upper River Rd. joins Lower River Rd., continue about 2.5 miles. Left onto Gunnell Rd. and go 2 miles to the park.
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic
33. MCGREGOR PARK, Trail | 30 mi., 40 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Rogue River bank access near the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Visitors Center and boat ramp near Cole M. Rivers Hatchery. Take OR-62 E for 29 miles. Left onto Takelma Dr. USACE
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom
34. MEDCO POND, Prospect | 43 mi., 55 min.
Trout, bass, bluegill
Privately-owned pond stocked with rainbow trout. Good warmwater bank fishing. Take OR-62E for 14 miles. Right onto Butte Falls Hwy. Go 17 miles, through Butte Falls. Left onto Butte Falls Prospect Hwy., and go 12 miles to the pond.
35. NORTH AND SOUTH FORKS LITTLE BUTTE CREEK, Highway 140 | 35 mi., 40 min.
Trout
A catch-and-release fishery for rainbow and cutthroat trout. Artificial flies and lures only. Take OR-62 E about 6 miles. Take OR-140 E for 28 miles. Right onto Forest Service Rd. 37 and go 0.5 mile to North Fork Campground and creek crossing. Trailhead parking on left. For South Fork, continue on Forest Service Rd. 37. USFS
36. NORTH FORK ROGUE RIVER IMPOUNDMENT, Prospect | 43 mi., 55 min.
Rainbow, brook and brown trout
Small impoundment on the Rogue River with bank fishing access. Day-use only. Very clear water most of the year. Take OR-62 E about 43 miles. Left onto North Fork Park Rd., and go 0.4 miles to the parking area. PACIFICORPS
37. PIERCE RIFFLE PARK, Grants Pass | 24 mi., 30 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park with river access, restrooms and boat ramp. Go 18 miles on I-5 N to Exit 48. Right onto Depot Str. Left onto Pine Str. Left onto West Main Str. Which becomes Foothill Blvd. Go about 4 miles, turn left on Averill Dr. and go 0.7 miles to park entrance on right. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; day-use fee or parking pass required
38. REINHART VOLUNTEER PARK POND, Grants Pass | 30 mi., 35 min.
Trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie
Small city park pond stocked with trout in winter and spring. Good warmwater fishing. Go 25 miles on I-5 N to Exit 55. Go 2 miles on Grants Pass Parkway. Right onto SE M Str. which becomes SW Bridge Str. Go 1 mile. Left onto Lincoln Rd./OR-260 for 0.4 miles. Left onto Webster Rd. to the park. COGP
39. ROBERTSON BRIDGE BOAT RAMP, Merlin | 39 mi., 45 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park with boat ramp and Rogue River fishing access. Take I-5 N 31 miles to Exit 61. Left onto Merlin-Galice Rd. Go 4 miles then turn left onto Robertson Bridge Rd. and go 3 miles. Right onto Lower River Rd. Park entrance is on the left. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; day-use fee or parking pass required
40. ROGUE ELK PARK, Trail | 25 mi., 36 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County campground open mid-April through mid-October and day-use fee park open year-round. Rogue River access and boat ramp. Take OR-62 E about 25 miles to the park on the right. JACO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
41. ROGUE RIVER ABOVE LOST CREEK RESERVOIR, Prospect | 42 mi, 55 min.
Trout
Premier summer trout fishery stocked with rainbow trout weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Campgrounds and other public access sites are stocked. More fishing on naturally produced trout is available in tributaries, and on the South and Middle Forks. Take OR-62 E about 42 miles and look for access points and campgrounds. USFS
Amenities: picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
42. SARDINE CREEK/ROCK POINT, Gold Hill | 13 mi., 18 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Undeveloped access site on the Rogue River at the junction of Sardine Creek Rd. and OR-99. Take I-5 N 10 miles to Exit 40. Turn right onto the access road. Left onto Blackwell Rd. and go about 2 miles to access site on left opposite Sardine Creek Rd. ODFW
43. SCHROEDER PARK, Grants Pass | 31 mi., 42 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County campground and day-use fee park with river access, picnic areas, beach and boat ramp with ADA fishing platform. Take I-5 N 25 miles to Exit 55 and merge onto Grants Pass Parkway/US-199. Go 3.5 miles, turn right onto Redwood Ave. Go 1.5 miles, turn right onto Willow Lane. Park is less than 1 mile. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
44. SOUTH FORK BIG BUTTE CREEK, Butte Falls| 31 mi., 42 min.
Trout
Artificial flies and lures only to fish for naturally-producing trout. Access creek at Bud Nutting Park near junction of Butte Falls-Prospect Rd. and Butte Falls-Fish Lake Rd., and on National Forest lands. Take OR-62 E about 14 miles. Right on Butte Falls Hwy. and go 15.5 miles. Continue on Broad Str. Right onto Laurel Ave. Take a slight left onto Butte Falls-Fish Lake Rd., then left onto Butte Falls-Prospect Rd. Park is on the left just over the bridge. PRIVATE/USFS
45. TAKELMA PARK, Shady Cove| 18 mi., 25 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park on the Rogue River with ADA restroom and parking. Boat ramp open year-round. Take OR-62 E for 13 miles, turn left onto Hwy 234. Go 1.7 miles, turn right onto Rogue River Dr., and go 3 miles north to sign for the park. JACO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; day-use fee or parking pass required
46. TOUVELLE STATE PARK, Central Point | 8 mi., 12 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Day-use fee park with boat ramp and ADA restroom. Good access to river in the park and on the Denman Wildlife Area. Take I-5 N 3 miles to Exit 33. Turn right and go 1 mile on East Pine. Left onto Table Rock Rd. and go about 4 miles to the park at the bridge over the Rogue River. ORSP
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; day-use fee or parking pass required
47. UPPER ROGUE REGIONAL PARK, Shady Cove | 20 mi., 29 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County day-use fee park with universal access fishing platform and boat ramp on the Rogue River. Take OR-62 E for 20 miles. Left onto Rogue River Dr. Turn left into the park. JACO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; day-use fee or parking pass required
48. VALLEY OF THE ROGUE STATE PARK, Gold Hill | 16 mi., 20 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
Campground with river access, boat ramp and ADA restroom. Take I-5 N for 15.5 miles to Exit 45B. Right onto Twin Bridges Rd. Go under the freeway into the park. ORSP
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; camping; ADA restroom
49. WHITEHORSE PARK, Grants Pass | 38 mi., 45 min.
Salmon, steelhead, trout
County campground and day-use fee park with restrooms, picnic area, and boat ramp. Take I-5 N 28 miles to Exit 58. Left onto 6th Str. and go about 2 miles. Right onto G Str. and go 1.3 miles where it becomes Upper River Rd. Go another 4.5 miles to where Upper River Rd. joins Lower River Rd. Continue straight onto Lower River Rd. for about 2 miles to the park. JOCO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
50. WILLOW LAKE, Butte Falls | 38 mi., 50 min.
Trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bullhead catfish
Good trout and warmwater fishing. County campground and day-use boat ramp open mid-April to mid-October most years. ADA restroom and parking. Parking fee. Take OR-62 E about 14 miles. Right onto Butte Falls Hwy. for 15.5 miles. Continue on Broad Str. Right onto Laurel Ave. Take a slight left onto Butte Falls-Fish Lake Rd. Go 7.5 miles, turn right onto Willow Lake Rd. JACO
Amenities: boat launch or ramp; picnic; restroom; camping; day-use fee or parking pass required
See this week’s Recipe Corner for some yummy ways to cook your catch!
