Emigrant is 6 percent full. The main boat ramp is no longer usable. Even without a usable ramp, anglers can enjoy fishing from inflatables or other small watercraft, or fishing from shore.

Don't let the low water fool you. Anglers continue to report very good success on bass and panfish at Emigrant, no doubt benefitting from higher concentrations of fish in a smaller reservoir pool. Look for rocks to find bass, fishing crankbaits or soft swimbaits. Black crappie have been caught on red and yellow crappie tubes fished three feet under a bobber. One angler fished a rooster tail and caught black crappie and a rainbow trout recently. Yellow perch have been biting nightcrawlers and crappie tubes. Fishing for bass and panfish should remain very good at Emigrant until cold weather starts, but even in winter some fish can be caught.

There is a longstanding health advisory for consumption of resident warmwater species in Emigrant for high levels of mercury. Consult the sportfishing regulations or the Oregon Health Authority for more information on consumption guidelines.

The most current elevations for Emigrant Reservoir and other Rogue Basin reservoirs can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation's website, here.