50 places to go fishing on the south coast

Contact us

Roseburg Umpqua Watershed District Office
4192 N. Umpqua Hwy
Roseburg OR 97470
541-440-3353

What you need:

• A valid fishing license.
• Familiarity with local regulations.
• A fishing rod, tackle, legal bait.
• Licenses and Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations are available at license agents and online.

Before you go:

• Check the weather.
• Check the road conditions.
• Go to MyODFW.com to buy a license, check the regulations and learn more about fishing in Oregon.

More fishing resources at MyODFW.com

• Fish stocking schedules.
• Fishing tips.
• Hike-in lake stocking locations and fishing information.
• Columbia river fishing information.
• Weekly Recreation Reports.

Common species:

• Smallmouth bass
• Largemouth bass
• Steelhead
• Cutthroat trout
• Rainbow trout
• Yellow perch
• Bluegill
• Black crappie
• Striped bass
• Redtail surfperch
• Chinook salmon
• Rockfish

1. ARAGO BOAT RAMP, Myrtle Point
Smallmouth bass, cutthroat trout, steelhead, striped bass

Fish for sea-run cutthroat trout, smallmouth bass, stripers and winter steelhead. Travel about 6 miles south from Coquille on Hwy 42, then turn right at Arago turnoff.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp; restrooms; picnic

2. ARIZONA POND, Port Orford
Rainbow trout

Open year-round, Arizona Pond is for youth 17 and under only. From July through October the pond can be weedy and tough to fish. From Port Orford, take Hwy 101 S about 12 miles. Turn left onto Arizona Ranch Rd. Take first left into Arizona Beach State Recreation Area. The pond will be on the right.  

Amenities: picnic, ADA restrooms

3. BASTENDORFF BEACH/SOUTH JETTY, Charleston
Surfperch, rockfish, razor clams

From Charleston, travel south on Cape Arago Hwy about 0.5 miles and turn right onto Coos Head Rd. to the beach. Surfperch fishing and razor clams on the beach.  Surfperch, rockfish, and other marine fish can be caught off Coos Bay’s South Jetty. 

Amenities: restrooms

4. BRADLEY LAKE, Bandon
Largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout

Rainbow trout typically stocked in spring and fall. Limited bank fishing access due to private property around shoreline. Best fished from a boat, or from the new dock. From Bandon, take Hwy 101 south about 4 miles. Turn right on Bradley Lake Rd.

Amenities: restrooms, boat launch or ramp

5. BULLARDS BEACH STATE PARK, Bandon
Surfperch, rockfish, salmon

Beach fishing for redtail surfperch. From Bandon, take Hwy 101 north, across Coquille River bridge. Turn left into Bullards Beach State Park and go 1 mile to parking lot. Hike over dunes to beach. Also, drive south from parking lot to the Coquille River’s North Jetty to fish for surfperch and rockfish. Boat launch in the state park provides access to lower Coquille River for salmon fishing in the fall. 

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground

6. BUTTERFIELD LAKE, North Bend
Rainbow trout, bass, warmouth

Butterfield is the only area lake known to have warmouth, a small but aggressive panfish. Primitive, gravel launch for non-motorized watercraft. From North Bend, take Hwy 101 about 6 miles north to Riley Ranch County Park/Campground.

Amenities: restrooms, picnic, campground

7. CHETCO RIVER, Brookings
Salmon, steelhead, trout

From Brookings, take Hwy 101 south. There are several gravel bar access points for picnicking, fishing and boat launching along the north bank. Camping, picnic sites and restrooms are available at nearby Loeb State Park.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic

8. CHETCO ESTUARY, Brookings
Salmon, smelt, Dungeness crab, surfperch

Access at Port of Brookings Harbor. Boat ramp, picnic area and restrooms are all ADA accessible. From Brookings, take Hwy 101 south to the Chetco River bridge. On the south side of bridge, turn right onto Lower Harbor Rd.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, disabled access

9. CHARLESTON DOCKS, Charleston
Crab, baitfish, smelt, clamming

Recreational crabbing off docks in the Charleston Marina boat basin and docks just upstream and downstream of the Charleston Bridge. Jigging for baitfish and surf smelt available when these fish are “running.” Bay clam beds nearby. 

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms

10. COOS BAY BOARDWALK, Coos Bay
Salmon

Relatively easy bank fishing for fall Chinook and coho salmon from the boardwalk in downtown Coos Bay. Located at the foot of Anderson St. and Central Ave.

Amenities: picnic area

11. COQUILLE BOAT RAMP, Coquille
Steelhead, salmon, shad, smallmouth bass, striped bass

This boat ramp across the river from the city of Coquille is no longer maintained, but there’s still good access for bank fishing. Cross the Hwy 42S bridge near Sturdivant Park and take the first exit after crossing bridge. Drive a few blocks to parking and bank access.

Amenities: restrooms

12. COQUILLE MYRTLE GROVE STATE NATURAL SITE, Broadbent
Steelhead, striped bass, smallmouth bass

Bank fishing from gravel bar on the S Fork Coquille River. From Myrtle Point, go south on Hwy 42 and turn right onto the Powers Hwy. Go south about 9 miles. Primitive drift boat launch from gravel bar.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms

13. DORA’S PLACE BOAT RAMP, Coos Bay
Salmon, shad

Boat ramp on lower Millicoma River about 1/4 mi. upriver from its confluence with South Coos River. Take Coos River Hwy 241 east out of Coos Bay. About 3 miles out of town, cross the green Chandler Bridge and continue up Coos River about 4 miles to Dora’s Place.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp

14. EAST FORK COQUILLE RIVER, Dora
Cutthroat trout, steelhead

Bank fishing access at Frona County Park and BLM lands near China Creek upstream of Dora.  From Myrtle Point, turn east on Ash St., which turns into Sitkum Lane. It’s approximately 17 miles to Frona County Park.

Amenities: restrooms

15. EEL LAKE, Lakeside
Trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie

Just north of Lakeside, alongside Hwy 101, Eel Lake is within Tugman State Park. A good bass and trout fishing lake with a fully accessible fishing dock near the boat ramp in the day-use area. A trail winds around part of the lake, and the park includes a playground and gazebo.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground, disabled access

16. ELK RIVER, Port Orford
Salmon, steelhead, trout

Mostly private land. Drift boat fishing with put-in at Elk River Hatchery and take-out at Iron Head Boat Launch. From Port Orford, take Hwy 101 north about 3 miles and turn right onto Elk River Rd. Go about 1 mile to Iron Head Boat Launch and 8 miles to the hatchery.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, restrooms

17. ELLIOT STATE FOREST/WEST FORK MILLICOMA RIVER, Allegany/Lakeside
Cutthroat trout, steelhead

Catch-and-release opportunities for wild winter steelhead on the West Fork Millicoma River. Miles of bank access to streams for good cutthroat trout fishing. The Forest can be accessed from several entry points: The Forest’s 4000 Rd. from Lakeside, the 1000 Rd. and 2000 Rd. near Allegany, the 3000 Rd. from Hwy 101 north of North Bend are just a few. Recommended to have an Elliott State Forest map, which can be obtained from OR Dept. of Forestry office in Coos Bay. 

18. EMPIRE BOAT RAMP & PIER, Coos Bay
Surfperch, crab, salmon

Fishing and crabbing pier, boat ramp and fish cleaning station. Located at the west end of Newmark Ave. in Coos Bay’s Empire District.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms

19. EMPIRE LAKES, Coos Bay
Rainbow trout, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass

Rainbow trout and warmwater fishery in both Middle and Lower Empire lakes. The lakes are within John Topits City Park and have primitive gravel launches for canoes, kayaks and non-motorized boats. Paved trail system around the lakes. Two entrances off Newmark Ave. in Coos Bay near Southwestern Oregon Community College.   

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms

20. EUCHRE CREEK, Gold Beach
Steelhead, steelhead, trout

All bank access is through private property, but anglers who ask generally are allowed access. Euchre Creek has a good wild steelhead run and a large cutthroat population, but over-hanging vegetation makes it challenging to fish. Take Hwy 101 north from Gold Beach about 10 miles.

21. FLORAS CREEK & NEW RIVER, Port Orford
Steelhead, salmon, trout

Several access points including Storm Ranch, Floras Lake and Fourmile Creek. From Port Orford, take Hwy 101 north about 12 miles. Boat launch, restrooms and picnic areas at Storm Ranch and Floras Lake. Camping at Boice Cope County Park.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground

22. FLORAS LAKE, Port Orford
Trout, bass

Limited bank fishing so best fished by boat. Boat anglers should check weather as it can be very windy. From Port Orford, take Hwy 101 north about 12 miles and turn left on Floras Lake Loop Rd., then left onto Floras Lake Rd. Campground, restrooms and picnic area at Boice Cope County Park.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground

23. GARRISON LAKE, Port Orford
Trout, bass

In the middle of Port Orford, this lake has good trout fishing fall, winter and spring. Boat anglers should check weather as it can be very windy. Best access for boat and bank anglers is at 12^th St. boat ramp. From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, take 12^th St. to boat ramp. Lake can also be accessed through Tseriadun State Park. ADA accessible docks at 12^th St. ramp. Picnic and restrooms at 12^th St. and Tseriadun State Park.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic; restrooms, disabled access

24. HUNTER CREEK, Gold Beach
Steelhead, salmon

Closed to trout fishing. Good for steelhead with some limited opportunity for Chinook. From Gold Beach, take Hwy 101 south about 2 miles and turn left onto Hunter Creek Rd.

25. HORSFALL BEACH, North Bend
Surfperch

Beach fishing for redtail surfperch. From North Bend, take Hwy 101 north across the McCullough Bridge. Turn left onto Trans-Pacific Parkway to Horsfall Rd. in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Go 2 miles to parking area. Hike over dunes to beach.

Amenities: picnic, restrooms, campground, day use fee or parking pass required

26. JOHNSON MILL POND, Coquille
Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, bullhead catfish

Best fishing in spring; pond gets heavy weeds in summer. From Coquille, go 3 miles south on Hwy 42, turn right onto Johnson Mill Pond Rd. Also access to Coquille River frontage for striped bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. 

Amenities: picnic, restrooms

27. LAIRD LAKE, Port Orford
Rainbow trout

This small lake at the headwaters of the Elk River is best fished in late spring/early summer. It’s about 30 miles up Elk River Rd., 4WD recommended. From Port Orford, take Hwy 101 north and turn right on Elk River Rd., which becomes Forest Rd. 5325. Continue past the end of pavement to Laird Lake Campground.

Amenities: picnic, ADA restrooms

28. LAKE MARIE, Winchester Bay
Rainbow trout, yellow perch

This small lake inside Umpqua Lighthouse State Park offers good bank and non-motorized boat fishing. Fish for yellow perch with worm and PowerBait. There is a small, sandy beach for swimming, and trail around the lake. Located on Lighthouse Rd. about a mile from Salmon Harbor on Winchester Bay.

Amenities: picnic, restrooms, campground

29. LAVERNE PARK, Coquille
Steelhead, cutthroat trout

Bank fishing the Coquille River at LaVerne County Park, about 15 miles north of Coquille. Children’s playground, campsites and cabins to rent. From Coquille High School, go east on the county road to Fairview and follow signs to the park. About 4 miles northeast of Fairview.

Amenities: picnic, campground, ADA restrooms

30. LOON LAKE, Reedsport
Trout, Bass

Nestled in a beautiful forested setting, Loon Lake has good fishing for trout, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie in spring and summer. It also offers swimming, water skiing, boating and camping. From Hwy 101 at Reedsport, go 13 miles east on Hwy 38 to Mill Ck Rd. At the sign for Loon Lake Recreation Area, go 7 miles to the lake.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground, day use fee or parking pass required

31. MILLICOMA INTERPRETIVE CENTER POND, Allegany
Rainbow trout, steelhead

Rainbow trout in a small pond with a fishing deck and loaner rods for small kids. Winter steelhead fishing in the W Fork Millicoma River. Take Coos River Hwy 241 east out of Coos Bay. Cross the green Chandler Bridge and continue up the Coos River and then Millicoma River 8 miles to Allegany. Turn left at the W Fork Millicoma, travel about 5 miles. to end of pavement. At the Y intersection, turn right and go another 4 miles to Millicoma Interpretive Center.

Amenities: picnic

32. MYRTLE TREE BOAT RAMP, Coos Bay
Salmon, shad

Take Coos River Hwy 241 east out of Coos Bay. Turn left to pass under the green Chandler Bridge and continue up the Coos River Hwy about 4 miles.  

Amenities: picnic, restrooms, campground

33. NESIKA PARK/EAST FORK MILLICOMA RIVER, Allegany
Steelhead, cutthroat trout

Take Coos River Hwy 241 east out of Coos Bay. Cross the green Chandler Bridge and continue up the Coos River and then Millicoma River to Allegany. Go 5 miles past Allegany to Nesika County Park.

Amenities: picnic, restrooms, campground

34. ORCHARD HOLE/POWERS CITY PARK, Powers
Steelhead, smallmouth bass

From Coquille, travel south on Hwy 42, then turn right onto Powers Hwy 242 and travel about 18 miles. The park is just south of town along the S Fork Coquille River.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, ADA restroom

35. PISTOL RIVER, Gold Beach
Steelhead, salmon, trout 

Located 10 miles south of Gold Beach on Hwy 101. Access is limited by private property and anglers must ask first. Only the lower 4-5 miles is floatable.

36. POWERS POND, Powers
Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie

Large pond in Powers County Park with good bank access for family fishing on rainbow trout and warmwater species. Primitive gravel launch for cartop boats. From Hwy 42 south of Myrtle Point, turn right onto the Powers Hwy 242 and travel about 18 miles. The park is on the north end of Powers.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground

37. RIVERTON BOAT RAMP, Bandon
Salmon, striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass

Good spot for fall salmon fishing in the tidewater of the Coquille River. From Bandon, take the South Bank Coquille Rd/Hwy 42S. Go about 10 miles upriver to Riverton Boat Ramp.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, restrooms

38. ROCKY POINT BOAT RAMP, Bandon
Salmon, surfperch, striped bass

Fall salmon fishing in the tidewater of the Coquille River. Surfperch caught seasonally from the dock at the boat launch. Take Hwy 101 north out of Bandon, cross the Coquille River bridge. Take the first right onto North Bank Rd. Go about 2 miles to boat ramp.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, restrooms

39. ROGUE BAY, Gold Beach
Salmon, Dungeness crab, smelt, surf perch

Best bank access off the south jetty and sand spit. Fall chinook fishing from July through October. Crabbing is limited and best in late fall.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, ADA restrooms

40. ROGUE RIVER, Gold Beach
Salmon, steelhead, trout

From Gold Beach, take Hwy 101 north about 1.5 miles and turn right onto South Bank Rogue River/Jerry’s Flat Rd. Special regulations for trout. Various access points and campgrounds along the river. Improved boat ramps and ADA restrooms at the Port of Gold Beach, Lobster Creek and Quosatana campgrounds.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, campground, ADA restrooms

41. ROOKE-HIGGINS BOAT RAMP, Coos Bay
Salmon, shad

Fall salmon and spring shad fishing in tidewater of Millicoma River. Take Coos River Hwy 241 east out of Coos Bay. Cross the green Chandler Bridge and continue up the Coos River and Millicoma River about 6 miles. Located next to Rooke-Higgins County Park.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground

42. SAUNDERS LAKE, North Bend
Rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass

Rainbow trout and warmwater fishing. From North Bend, take Hwy 101 north about 7 miles to Jack Ripper County Park.

Amenities:  boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms  

43. SCHUTTPELZ LAKE/HALL LAKE, Lakeside
Largemouth bass, cutthroat trout

Bank or float tube fishing on two small lakes bordered by the dunes. From Lakeside, take Hwy 101 north and look for Tugman State Park exit. Across highway from the Tugman exit, turn left onto Wildwood Dr. Go about 1/8 mile and turn left to Hall Lake. Park at Hall Lake and take a short trail hike to Schuttpelz Lake. Special regulations for Schuttpelz Lake.

Amenities: picnic, restrooms

44. SIXES RIVER, Port Orford
Salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout

Good access for drift boats and bank anglers. Cape Blanco State Park and BLM Sixes River Recreation Area offers good camping, picnicking, ADA restrooms, and access to excellent trout, salmon and steelhead fishing. From Port Orford, take Hwy 101 north about 6 miles.

Amenities:  boat launch or ramp, picnic, campground, ADA restrooms, disabled access

45. SPINREEL PARK, Lakeside
Steelhead

Drift fishing and plunking for winter steelhead in Tenmile Creek. Dune access and USFS day-use fee. Take Hwy 101 south from Lakeside about 1 mile and take the exit to Spinreel Park.

Amenities: boat launch or ramp, restrooms, picnic, campground, day use fee or parking pass required

46. STURDIVANT PARK, Coquille
Salmon, shad, striped bass, smallmouth bass

Good river access on the Coquille River for fall salmon, striped bass, smallmouth bass and shad. Located just north of Coquille at the junction of Hwy 42 and Hwy 42S. Playground, fish cleaning station, gazebo, and fishing dock.

Amenities:  boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms

47. TENMILE LAKES, Lakeside
Rainbow and cutthroat trout, coho salmon, yellow perch, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie

In the city of Lakeside just east of Hwy. 101, Tenmile Park has multi-lane boat launch, fish cleaning and boat wash stations, gazebo, man-made beach. One of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in Oregon, with competitive bass tournaments on many weekends of the year. Also produces edible-size yellow perch. County Park with day-use fee.

Amenities:  boat launch or ramp, picnic, restrooms, campground, day use fee or parking pass required

48. WINCHESTER BAY, Winchester.
Salmon, surfperch, Dungeness crab, bottom fish

In spring, fish off rocky areas near Halfmoon Bay, the crabbing dock, and Winchester Point for bottomfish, surfperch and Dungeness crab. Another crabbing dock is at West Salmon Harbor. Fish for fall Chinook, coho and bottomfish in late summer/early fall. Halfmoon Bay, Winchester Point and inside Salmon Harbor can be excellent Chinook bank fishing. From Reedsport, take Hwy 101 south and turn right on Salmon Harbor Rd.

49. WINCHUCK RIVER, Brookings
Salmon, steelhead, trout

From Brookings, take Hwy 101 south about 5 miles. Turn left onto County Rd. 896, which turns into Forest Service Rd. 1107 after about 5 miles. Bank access is limited by private property in the lower river. No restrooms.

Amenities: picnic

 50. WEAVER POND, Douglas County
Trout

From Hwy 42, turn onto Reston Rd. at the town of Tenmile. Stay on Reston Rd. for about 4 miles and turn left on Coos Bay Wagon Rd. Stay on Coos Bay Wagon Rd. for 4.7 miles, then turn left. Weaver Pond is 0.5 miles up the road.

From Sitkum, take the Coos Bay Wagon Rd. east towards Roseburg, the road will turn from paved to gravel. At MP 36, the Coos Bay Wagon Rd. will turn back to a paved road.  Continue another 1.3 miles. then turn right. Weaver Pond is 0.5 miles up the road.