North Umpqua River
A legendary Oregon steelhead river with miles of fly only water along Highway 138 east of Roseburg.
- 147 miRiver length
- 5Game fish
- 70Access points
In the FlyFishFinder app
Live
Steamboat Creek near Glide, OR
35cfs
Below normal
Vs normal for the date87% below
Water temp47°F
Today's rating
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About the North Umpqua
The North Umpqua flows out of the Cascades near Diamond Lake and runs west to Roseburg. It is one of the most famous summer steelhead rivers in the world.
About 31 miles of the river, roughly from Rock Creek up to Soda Springs, is open to fly fishing only. This is the water that made the North Umpqua famous, with named pools that anglers have fished for close to 100 years. Highway 138 follows the river, and the North Umpqua Trail runs along much of it.
The river is beautiful and hard to wade. Much of the bottom is slick bedrock with deep slots, and the water is cold and fast. Cleats and a wading staff help a lot.
Summer steelhead are the main draw. The river also holds resident trout and coastal cutthroat. Rules for wild fish are strict, so check Oregon's regulations before you go.
Steamboat Creek near Glide, OR
North Umpqua River has no USGS gage. This one is 3 mi away, so use it as a rough guide.
Flow, last 24 hours
USGS readings, provisionalIs the North Umpqua fishing today?
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Other gages nearby
- Steamboat Creek near Glide, OR3.1 mi away 35 cfs Below normal 47°F · 0.04 ft USGS 14316700
- Boulder Creek near Toketee Falls, OR10.5 mi away 4 cfs Below normal 1.18 ft USGS 14316495
- Fish Creek above Slipper Creek near Toketee Falls, OR17.0 mi away 24 cfs Below normal 4.49 ft USGS 14315950
- Clearwater River below Mowich Creek, near Toketee Falls, OR20.5 mi away 58 cfs Above normal 4.81 ft USGS 14314700
- Middle Fork Willamette River near Oakridge, OR24.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 14144800
- South Umpqua River at Tiller, OR28.0 mi away 42 cfs Below normal 48°F · 0.62 ft USGS 14308000
- Coast Fork Willamette at London, OR29.0 mi away 13 cfs Below normal 50°F · 1.27 ft USGS 14152500
- Middle Fork Willamette River above Salt Creek, near Oakridge, OR32.4 mi away 430 cfs Below normal 55°F · 2.69 ft USGS 14145500
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
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Hatching in November
What's on the water in the Southern Oregon Coastal watershed this month, and the fly to match.
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Tips for fishing the North Umpqua
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Know the fly only water
Roughly 31 miles from Rock Creek to Soda Springs is fly fishing only. Check the exact boundaries before you fish.
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Wear cleats
The bedrock is very slick. Cleated boots and a wading staff make it much safer.
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Swing the classic pools
Many pools have names and long histories. A swung fly through the tailouts is the traditional way to fish them.
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Fish early and late
Steelhead are often more willing in low light. Have a pool picked out before dawn.
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Release wild fish
Wild steelhead must be released. Keep them in the water and handle them gently.
Every access point on the North Umpqua, in your pocket.
- 70 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the North Umpqua
North Umpqua River FAQ
When do summer steelhead run in the North Umpqua?
Summer steelhead start arriving in late spring and fishing is usually best from summer into fall.
Is the North Umpqua fly fishing only?
About 31 miles of it is, from around Rock Creek up to Soda Springs. Check Oregon's current regulations for exact boundaries.
Is the North Umpqua hard to wade?
Yes. The bottom is slick bedrock with deep slots. Use cleats and a staff and take your time.
Where is the North Umpqua River?
In Southern Oregon. It flows from the Cascades near Diamond Lake west to Roseburg along Highway 138.
Are there trout in the North Umpqua?
Yes. It holds resident trout and coastal cutthroat along with steelhead.
Can you keep steelhead on the North Umpqua?
Wild steelhead must be released. Check the current rules for hatchery fish and seasons.
