The hatchery Fall Chinook and wild coho seasons closed on October 15, 2025.

Striped bass fishing in the lower Coquille has slowed substantially and very few anglers pursue this species this time of year due to high and muddy flows. An occasional fish might be caught using nightcrawler or 1/3 of an anchovy/herring bait on the bottom. Use of a sliding line through a three-way swivel or swivel stopper with drop lead is popular.

Smallmouth bass are essentially dormant in the winter throughout the Coquille River and main tributaries due to cooler water temps and lower metabolism. Spearfishing closed on October 31. Bait fishing for smallmouth remains open in tidewater locations and the Coquille River S.F. and where steelhead fishing is open. Fishing will be very slow. Either bait on the bottom or artificial grubs/worms worked very slowly are the best bet. Hardcore anglers may entice a small mouth bass to bite in the tidewater reaches upstream of Coquille, with bait on the bottom. Due to cold temperatures the ability to catch smallmouth during higher water will be minimal There is no limit for smallmouth bass, which are destructive to salmon fry production. 

Steelhead are available in all reaches up to Powers on the S.F. Coquille and LaVerne Park on the N.F., Water flows are now approaching uncharacteristically low and clear levels (except the main S.F. Coquille downstream of Dement Creek, where there is a sediment issue). Fishing is expected to be fair to good in the mainstem reaches of the S.F. and N.F. where water conditions are suitable using low-clear water tackle and tactics. There has been some confusion about use of bait in the Coquille basin during the steelhead season due to the language in the S.W. section Regulations Exceptions. Bait is allowed in all mainstem forks of the Coquille basin for steelhead and bass. The plan at this point is to adjust the language in the regulations for the 2027 manual. 

For any questions on Salmon Fishing in the Coos or Coquille please call the Charleston office at (541) 888-5515 *dial zero when the machine picks up.

Trout fishing closed in rivers and streams in the Coquille Basin on October 31 and will reopen May 22, 2026.