Acorn Woman Lakes
Every fall, ahead of winter rains and snow, the gate where the creek flows into the reservoir is opened to allow the water of X Creek to flow freely. In the spring, prior to opening for the recreation season, this intake gate gets closed, leaving a small opening to maintain minimal flow into the creek below for resources that depend on the water. Debris in the lake often jams the gate, making it difficult to close.
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest staff and a contractor worked diligently to clear the significant amount of debris seen this year to close the intake gate. this work was completed in early May, but precipitation levels are not favorable to the reservoir filling this season. With record-low snowpack in the Red Buttes (the source of the waters for Acorn Woman Lakes and Applegate Lake), there is not enough run-off to adequately fill these reservoirs this spring.
Acorn Woman Lakes are two scenic, natural mountain lakes on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District that provide semi-primitive angling opportunities for coldwater and warmwater species. Fifty-one-acre lower Acorn Woman Lake is a short (1/8-mile) hike from the road and contains rainbow and cutthroat trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and black bass fisheries. Twenty-acre upper Acorn Woman Lake provides a rare fishery for 8-11” wild, native coastal cutthroat trout. A 1/4-mile hiking trail connects upper and lower Acorn Woman Lake. Motors are not permitted on the lakes, and camping is available during the summer months by reservation only.
General Information
Address: 6941 Upper Applegate Road Jacksonville, OR 97530-9314
Phone: (541) 899-3800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
Take Hwy 238 southwest from Medford approximately 13 miles to the town of Ruch. Take a left on Upper Applegate Rd. and proceed for 15 miles to Applegate Dam. Cross the dam and follow the signs up the Acorn Woman Creek drainage approximately 10 miles to Acorn Woman Lakes.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restroom information is not available for this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Surface water should be treated.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
