Rogue River

The Rogue River in southern Oregon is one of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers in the United States, a designation it earned through a combination of outstanding fisheries, dramatic canyon scenery, and a wilderness character that has attracted adventurers since Zane Grey made it famous in the early twentieth century. The Rogue supports robust runs of summer and winter steelhead, spring and fall Chinook salmon, and a resident population of half-pounder steelhead, young fish returning from their first ocean season that provide fast-paced action on light tackle and small flies throughout the fall months.

The Rogue's most celebrated section is the Wild and Scenic stretch between Grave Creek and Foster Bar, a 35-mile roadless canyon accessible only by boat or trail. Multi-day float trips through this section rank among the finest wilderness fishing experiences in the Pacific Northwest, with anglers camping on gravel bars, fishing pristine runs, and encountering black bears, river otters, and ospreys along the way. The upper Rogue near the town of Shady Cove offers more accessible fishing for trout and steelhead, with roadside access and a gentler gradient that allows comfortable wade fishing. The combination of wild steelhead, salmon, a half-pounder run unique to this region, and the legacy of one of America's first wild river protections makes the Rogue an essential destination for any angler exploring the Pacific Northwest.