These ponds at Jackson County Expo in Central Point (right near Medford) offer year-round fishing for warmwater species including largemouth bass and panfish and seasonally excellent fishing for stocked rainbow trout.
The hatchery trout bring out the most anglers in the days and weeks after plantings, when fishing peaks.
See our stocking schedule below, which is based on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual trout stocking plan. Also check ODFW’s weekly recreation reports (linked below) to best time your trout-fishing trips.
Typically, the main pond (Pond 1) at the complex is planted a handful of times from late winter into spring. Some years the pond also has been stocked in the fall, but this isn’t as much of a sure thing as the early season trout fishing.
That stocked pond is south of the complex at Gate 5. Additional ponds are located north of the facilities. All have excellent bank access.
If you are new to trout fishing, or brushing up on it, check out Trout Fishing: Basic How-To Techniques and Tips.
Fishing at the ponds is open all year, but angling for bass, crappie, bluegill and bullhead catfish will be best when the water is relatively warm, starting in spring and continuing through summer and into early fall.
Bass are fun to catch on a variety of crankbaits, soft plastics, spinnerbaits and other lures that imitate natural prey that includes smaller fish and crayfish.
We have a full article with bass fishing techniques and tips to help you get a head start in bass fishing, if that’s of interest.
Many people release bass to fight another day, while other fish species in the ponds are good table fare.
Jackson County Expo is located immediately east of Interstate 5 in Central Point, on the north edge of Medford. Use the East Pine Street exit and turn north on Peninger Road.
The ponds are located along Bear Creek, a tributary of the Rogue River.
2024 Expo Pond 1 Trout Stocking
Stocking Schedule | Total |
Mar 4-8 | 1,500 |
May 6-10 | 1,500 |
May 27-31 | 1,000 |
Oregon Resources
ODFW Weekly Fishing Report
ODFW Trout Stocking Schedule
Oregon Fishing Regulations
National Weather Service