Established in 2019

Fish Report

With water levels continuing to drop and water gin clear


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
2-24-2022
Website

With water levels continuing to drop and water gin clear, smaller presentations are recommended. Otherwise, spoons are probably your best bet, fished through the deeper holes. Cold mornings, cold water and low flows are making fishing conditions difficult. Be ready to hike out here. Fish have been seen throughout the basin and anglers need to have a stealthy approach given the clear water. Rain forecast starting next weekend should hopefully get some color back in the water.

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 fishing 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 (just above Swinging Bridge). Fall creek is the first creek upstream of the swinging bridge (accessed via road NF-087).  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 and Briggs Creek. 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, but make sure not to leave valuables in your vehicle.

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.

Again, flows are continuing to drop and gin clear, but fishable. Flows on Wednesday morning were 417 cfs/3.66 feet at Kerby. Check the USGS Kerby guage, which provides up to date river flow information.





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, February 24th, 2022
ODFW Recreation Report
Blitzen River: River levels are stable and slightly below average
Gerber Reservoir: Targeting yellow perch continues to be your best bet
John C Boyle Reservoir: Fishing is slow
Upper Klamath Lake: Upper Klamath Report
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Upper Klamath Report
Krumbo Reservoir: Fishing from the bank has been productive for large trout
Malheur Reservoir: Ice is currently at least 7 inches thick
Yellowjacket Lake: There is plenty of Ice on Yellowjacket Reservoir
Coquille River: Coquille River Basin Report


2-23-2022
CLACKAMAS, Ore. – After reviewing stock status and a slightly improved upriver spring Chinook forecast from last year's actual return, fishery...... Read More


Back to Fish Reports