Photo of Lost Creek Lake: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Jackson County, Oregon
Water in Jackson County in figures
Jackson County has its county offices in Medford and counted 223,259 people in 2020. The ODFW Southwest Zone rows cover most of the listed water in Jackson County; a drainage that crosses the line can carry another zone.
14 lakes with a page of their own touch Jackson County; Lost Creek Lake has the biggest mapped outline. Count 35 open launches on the OSMB map for the county, 23 trailered.
14lake pages
35open OSMB launches
3river pages
13shops
Census 2020 population; BLM Oregon NHD lake outlines; OSMB Boating Access Sites; DLCD and ODFW shore access layers; 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations zone lists; read November 2, 2026.
Map
The Jackson County water map
OSMB launch points, DLCD and ODFW shore sites, NHD lake points, PMEP estuary points; read November 2, 2026.
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026. Species: ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers (ODFW ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; a mapped species is habitat use ODFW records, not a catch report. ODFW publishes no lake depths in these layers.
Tallying pages within 40 miles of Medford by species puts rainbow trout first.
Rainbow trout20 waters
Largemouth bass15 waters
Brown bullhead12 waters
Black crappie10 waters
Brook trout8 waters
Bluegill7 waters
Smallmouth bass7 waters
Steelhead7 waters
Chinook salmon6 waters
Cutthroat trout6 waters
Species from ODFW Fish Habitat Distribution layers, booklet exceptions and ODFW records, counted per water page within 40 miles; habitat mapping, not a catch survey.
More water
Smaller named still water in Jackson County
These 31 named lakes of Jackson County have an outline but no guide yet.
Water
Acres (outline)
Nearest place
Gold Ray Reservoir
79
Gold Hill
Indian Lake Reservoir
49
Shady Cove
Modoc Pond
45
White City
Yankee Creek Reservoir
44
Eagle Point
Sams Valley Reservoir
41
Gold Hill
North Fork Diversion Reservoir
40
Shady Cove
Medco Number 3 Pond
39
Central Point
Bradshaw Reservoir
38
Eagle Point
Woolfolk Reservoir
29
Eagle Point
Woodrat Knob Reservoir
27
Eagle Point
Kendall Slough
26
Central Point
Osborne Reservoir
24
Eagle Point
Wade Reservoir
24
Eagle Point
Reeder Reservoir
21
Ashland
Big Lake
21
Ashland
Stanley Reservoir
18
Eagle Point
Pierce Reservoir
17
Phoenix
Star Lake Reservoir
16
Eagle Point
Whetstone Pond
15
White City
Skou Reservoir
14
White City
Hobart Lake
12
Ashland
Harrison Reservoir
12
Eagle Point
Hammel Reservoir
12
Shady Cove
Hoover Pond Number One
11
White City
Parsnip Lakes
11
Ashland
Lake of the Cedars
10
Gold Hill
Hoover Reservoirs
10
White City
Lost Lake (Jackson County)
6
Ashland
McKee Lake
4
Eagle Point
Round Lake
2
Eagle Point
Blue Canyon Lake
2
Eagle Point
BLM Oregon hydrography lake outlines (NHD), summed by GNIS name (layer), read November 2, 2026.
Rivers
Rivers to fish across Jackson County
Little Applegate RiverODFW maps coho, fall chinook and summer steelhead runs, 1 USGS gauge
South Fork Rogue RiverODFW maps coho runs, 1 USGS gauge
Rogue Rivertidewater at Rogue River, 44 OSMB launches, 7 USGS gauges, 44 booklet exceptions
Emigrant Lake North boat rampEmigrant Lake, closed per OSMB
Emigrant Lake West boat rampEmigrant Lake, closed per OSMB
Hart-Tish Park Ramp on Applegate LakeApplegate Lake, closed per OSMB
Joseph Stewart Resort Marina on Lost Creek LakeLost Creek Lake, closed per OSMB
Joseph Stewart Resort Ramp on Lost Creek LakeLost Creek Lake, closed per OSMB
Mountain View Ramp on Hyatt ReservoirHyatt Reservoir, closed per OSMB
Wildcat Campground launch on Hyatt ReservoirHyatt Reservoir, closed per OSMB
Willow Lake RampWillow Lake, closed per OSMB
The list follows the OSMB layer, including its closed and restricted flags.
Oregon State Marine Board Boating Access Sites layer (OSMB ArcGIS), read November 2, 2026; status as OSMB publishes it. Oregon Coastal Management Program (DLCD) Shoreline Access Inventory (layer) and the ODFW shore access map, read November 2, 2026.
Stocking
Hatchery releases around Jackson County
Jackson County has 6 waters on the ODFW stocking schedule, with 36 planned releases totalling 251,684 trout.
Lost Creek Lake11 releases planned, next listed: Oct. 04, 2027 – Oct. 08, 2027: 3,634 trophy trout
Howard Prairie Lake3 releases planned, next listed: May. 17, 2027 – May. 21, 2027: 7,450 legal-size trout
ODFW weekly trout stocking schedule (planned releases; ODFW prints size classes, not species), myodfw.com, read November 2, 2026.
Regulations
Fish an angler can carry home from Jackson County
Unless the booklet names a water, the zone table settles limits in Jackson County. The 2026 fee page lists the yearly angling license at $50 resident, $138 nonresident. For salmon and steelhead the booklet adds the Combined Angling Tag at $69 resident.
Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession. Streams: (including tidewaters and bays); 2 per day, 3 daily catch limits in possession; 8-inch minimum
Lakes: Open all year Streams: (including tidewaters and bays): Open May 22 – Oct 31 unless noted under Exceptions.
In the aggregate: 2 adult salmon or steelhead per day, 20 per year. 5 jack salmon per day, 2 daily jack limits in possession. Wild salmon bag limits are determined annually.
Lakes: 5 per day, 3 daily limits in possession unless noted under Exceptions. Streams: No limit.
Lakes: Open all year. Streams (including tidewaters and bays): Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons.
Bluegill, Catfish, Crappie, Other Sunfish, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Stri.
No limit.
Lakes: Open all year. Streams (including tidewaters and bays): Open during trout, salmon or steelhead seasons.
Smelt
Unless specifically authorized under emergency rules, it is unlawful to take or attempt to take Eulachon smelt in inland waters, including bays, rivers, estuaries, and streams.
Unless specifically authorized under emergency rules, it is unlawful to take or attempt to take Eulachon smelt in inland waters, including bays, rivers, estuari.
Marine Fish and Marine Shellfish
See Marine Zone.
See Marine Zone.
Where the Jackson County limits change by water (52)
Water
Species
Rule
Booklet
Lake Creek (Mouth to Indian Cr)
hatchery steelhead
Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 – Mar 31 and Dec 1 – Dec 31.
p. 29
Lake Creek (Mouth to Indian Cr)
salmon
Closed all year to salmon angling.
p. 29
Lake Creek (Indian Cr to Fish Cr)
hatchery steelhead
Open for hatchery steelhead Jan 1 – Mar 31 and Dec 1-31.
p. 29
Lake Creek (Indian Cr to Fish Cr)
Closed Sep 1 – Nov 30.
p. 29
Lake Creek (All tributaries not listed)
Closed.
p. 29
Applegate Reservoir
salmon, trout
All landlocked salmon are considered trout.
p. 36
Emigrant Reservoir
salmon, trout
All landlocked salmon are considered trout.
p. 36
Lost Creek Reservoir
salmon, trout
All landlocked salmon are considered trout.
p. 37
Rogue River
trout
Open for hatchery rainbow trout Jan 1 – Mar 31 and May 22 – Dec 31.
p. 34
Rogue River
trout
5 hatchery rainbow trout per day.
p. 34
Rogue River
trout, cutthroat
Wild rainbow trout and cutthroat trout must be released.
p. 34
Rogue River
hatchery steelhead
Open all year for hatchery steelhead.
p. 34
Rogue River
wild steelhead
Wild steelhead over 24 inches may be harvested Feb 1 – Apr 30; 1 per day and 3 per season.
p. 34
Rogue River
coho, salmon
Open all year for hatchery coho salmon.
p. 34
Rogue River
Gear Restriction: Any attached weight may be no more the 6 ft above the lower most hook, in addition to statewide Hook and Weight regulations.
p. 34
Rogue River
wild steelhead
Wild steelhead over 24 inches may be harvested Jan 1 – Apr 30 and Dec 1-31; 1 per day and 3 per season.
p. 34
Rogue River
chinook, salmon
Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jan 1 – May 31.
p. 34
Rogue River
chinook, salmon
Open for Chinook salmon Jun 1 – Dec 31.
p. 34
Rogue River
Use of bait allowed except restricted to artificial flies and lures Sep 1 – Oct 31 from Foster Cr to Whisky Cr.
p. 34
Rogue River
Closed from ODFW markers 400 ft below Rainie Falls to Rainie Falls (RM 66).
p. 34
Limits as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (Southwest Zone page), read November 2, 2026. Water exceptions as printed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (booklet PDF; printed page shown), read November 2, 2026. In-season changes from ODFW override them. Fees as printed on the ODFW license, tag and permit fee page of the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (ODFW, eRegulations edition) (fees page), read November 2, 2026.
Records
Oregon record fish near Jackson County
Species
Weight
Water
Date
Rainbow Trout
28 lb 0 oz
Rogue River
1982
Oregon record fish as listed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (record fish article, dated March 4, 2026), read November 2, 2026.
Local help
Buying bait in Jackson County
Shops in Jackson County
Arne Mason Fishing Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ashland
Questions about lakes and streams in Jackson County
Which launches does the Marine Board map in Jackson County?
35 open launches; 23 are trailered ramps.
What is the biggest still water touching Jackson County?
Lost Creek Lake, about 2,522 acres on its mapped outline.
Which fish are mapped near Jackson County?
Rainbow trout lead the count of water pages within 40 miles, then largemouth bass, brown bullhead and black crappie.
Where do I restock tackle in Jackson County?
Arne Mason Fishing Tackle is one of 13 shops here.
Could I book a guided day out of Jackson County?
6 guides and charters list the county.
Which Oregon town houses Jackson County offices?
Government sits in Medford.
Which license covers a trip to Jackson County?
ODFW prices the 2026 annual angling license at $50 for Oregonians and $138 for nonresidents. Add the Combined Angling Tag, $69 resident, before keeping salmon or steelhead.
Which Oregon county pages adjoin Jackson County?
By distance: Josephine County, Klamath County and Douglas County.
Which ODFW zone covers Jackson County?
The ODFW Southwest Zone table governs most named water in Jackson County, but watershed boundaries decide each zone.
Which Jackson County waters carry their own rules?
The 2026 booklet prints 52 water exceptions reaching this county, starting with Lake Creek; the table above shows each.
Are trout plants planned in Jackson County?
Yes: 6 waters on the ODFW schedule, such as Lost Creek Lake, Howard Prairie Lake and Applegate Lake; releases are planned, not confirmed.
Does any Jackson County water hold an ODFW record?
Rainbow Trout, 28 lb 0 oz, from Rogue River (1982).
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