ODFW News Updates

RECREATIONAL OCEAN SALMON INFORMATION NOTICE, September 18, 2024:

Recreational ocean salmon anglers in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain are reminded that the non-selective coho coho fishery ended on Sunday, September 15 with approximately 93% of the 30,700 coho quota harvested. After considering potential effort and catch rates, managers have determined that there is not enough remaining quota to reopen coho fishing for an additional day without risk of exceeding the quota and corresponding ESA impact allocation reserved for this fishery.

Anglers are reminded that recreational Chinook fishing (technically all salmon except coho) remains open in the area, through October 31 with a daily bag limit of two salmon (24” minimum length). Beginning October 1, the fishery is only open shoreward of the 40-fathom management line.

More information including season maps, quota updates and identification information can be found at:

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/index.asp

Nov. 6, 2024

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, hunting and wildlife viewing

Bird harvest statistics from ODFW wildlife areas

Wondering how good hunting has been on ODFW wildlife areas? Several wildlife areas post waterfowl (duck and/or goose) and upland game bird harvest statistics on MyODFW.com. Combine recent harvest numbers with current conditions in the field to decide where to hunt.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

Fall fishing means trout and salmon.

Fall salmon fishing continues to hold up in Nestucca, Tillamook and Nehalem bays and rivers.
Coho fishing in the Alsea and Siletz rivers, and in Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes also has been picking up thanks to recent rains.
Staff recently caught and released a 32-inch tiger trout at Diamond Lake. Just sayin'.
Thanks to recent rains, Chinook are now spread throughout the Chetco and Elk rivers.
Near record numbers of coho have migrated up the Columbia, and with increased stream flow from recent rain, many of those migrating above Willamette Falls are now moving into their natal streams like the Tualatin, Yamhill, Molalla, Rickreall and the Luckiamute rivers.
Coho are also migrating upstream in the North and South Santiam rivers, giving mid-valley anglers added opportunity.
The Metolius River continues be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout and bull trout. The Metolius from Allingham Bridge to the headwaters will close for the season on Nov. 1.
Perch fishing on Gerber Reservoir can be very good time of year.
Fishing for native redband trout has been good on the Chewaucan and Blitzen rivers.
Trout fishing has been excellent on Campbell and Cottonwood Meadow lakes.
Jubilee, Wallowa and Magone lakes should provide good trout fishing throughout the fall.
Flows are on the rise in the John Day, prompting steelhead to begin moving upstream.

These examples are for demonstration purposes only. See the zone report for a more complete list.

View the report

Oct. 16, 2024

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming and hunting

See Salmon Spawn

It's iconic in the Pacific Northwest—the return of salmon to their natal rivers after years at sea. As they prepare to spawn (and then die ), these fish undergo an amazing physical metamorphosis, changing shape and color. See this for yourself at one of several locations recommended by ODFW biologists.

Get your deer and elk checked for CWD

There are several ways to get your deer and elk checked for CWD. This fatal, highly contagious disease is at the Oregon border, and early detection in Oregon will be key to managing it. Do your part and get your harvested animal checked. Here's how.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

Fall Chinook and coho fishing is fair to good in Nestucca, Tillamook and Nehalem bays.
Thousands of trophy trout have been stocked recently in several waterbodies in the Coos/Coquille basins.
Lost Creek Reservoir was freshly stocked with legal and larger rainbow trout in the last week. Along with holdover trout, fishing should be very good.
Fishing for largemouth bass has been very good at lakes, reservoirs and ponds around the Rogue Valley. Warmwater anglers should get out and enjoy some early fall fishing.
Coho numbers in the North Santiam are increasing every day. It's not too soon to go catch your own.
Steelhead fishing continues to be good on the McKenzie, above and below Leaburg Dam, and on the Middle Fork Willamette.
The Metolius River continues to be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout and bull trout.
Trophy trout averaging 3 pounds were recently stocked into the Fall River.
October is the last month to enjoy fishing at Crane Prairie Reservoir, Odell Lake and Wickiup Reservoir before they close for the season on Oct. 31.
Bass fishing on the John Day can be good in the early fall as weather cools and flows rise.
Many Wallowa County ponds have been stocked with trout.

These examples are for demonstration purposes only. Check the zone reports for more.

Sept. 25, 2024

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, and hunting

E-taggers: Update your app

ODFW's Electronic Licensing System (ELS) and the MyODFW companion app will undergo a major update on Monday, Sept. 30. To continue using the app after Sept. 30, you'll need to do two things:

Before Sept. 30: Confirm that any harvests you recorded while offline have been synced up to your online account.
After Sept. 30: Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone and update your MyODFW app to version 4.0.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

Fall offers some of the best fishing of the year. Not convinced? Well, here are just some of the options:

With cooler temperatures, trout fishing continues to be good in lakes and reservoirs that were stocked earlier this year.
Fall Chinook and coho fishing is picking up in Nestucca, Tillamook and Nehalem bays.
Summer steelhead is still going strong on the Mid Coast.
Trolling in Rogue Bay continues to produce good catches of Chinook and hatchery coho.
Salmon catch rates have been picking up in the lower Umpqua.
Thanks to a robust return, several areas above Willamette Falls will open to coho fishing on Oct. 1. See the zone report for details.
Coho are currently pouring into the Willamette from the Columbia and many of them are staging near the mouths of their spawning tributaries, like the Yamhill, Mollala, Rickreall and the Luckiamute.
Over 4,000 summer steelhead have passed over Leaburg Dam, so there's a good chance to hook a steelhead upstream of Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie.
Now is the peak of steelhead season on the lower Deschutes River.
Fly-fishers are reporting success from many of the Cascade Lakes including Paulina, Lava, Little Lava and Three Creeks.
Fishing for brook and rainbow trout has been good in the high lakes of the Wallowa Mountains.
Salmon fishing is starting to pick up on the lower Umatilla River.

These examples are for demonstration purposed only. Check the zone reports for more.

Take a class with ODFW

Registration is now open for these ODFW classes and workshops:

Introduction to Hunting – Oct. 17 and Nov. 14 (pick one) in Tualatin.
Shotgun Skills workshop – Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 (pick one) in Monmouth.
Steelhead 101 and Broodstock Collection – Oct 18-19 – Troy

Get more details, including how to register, on the Workshop and Events page.

Help protect Oregon's wildlife: Turn in poachers

Poaching takes a serious toll on of Oregon's wildlife. You can help by reporting poaching when you take to the field or hit the water this season. Find out more about poaching in Oregon, including ways you can report it.

View the report

2024 Recreational Pacific Halibut Season Set

On Friday, April 19, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission finalized the 2024 recreational Pacific halibut season and regulations.

The information below is summarized in the 2024 Pacific Halibut Sport Regulations Map.

Columbia River Subarea

All-Depth

Daily bag limit: 1 Pacific halibut
Quota = 18,112 pounds
Open every Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday May 2-26 and every Thursday, Sunday, and Tuesday May 30 through June 30 or until the quota is caught. Closed on Tuesday, May 28. If quota remains, can be open starting August 1 through September 30 up to seven days per week.

Nearshore

Daily bag limit: 1 Pacific halibut
Quota = 500 pounds
Open Mondays through Wednesdays inside the 40-fathom regulatory line off Oregon beginning May 6 through September 30 or until the quota is caught.

Central Oregon Coast Subarea

Spring All-Depth Season

Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Quota = 167,681 pounds
Fixed dates: May 1 through June 30, seven days per week
Back-up dates available (if quota remaining): July 1-31, seven days per week

Summer All-Depth Season

Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Quota = 66,540 pounds
Open August 1-3, then every other Thursday through Saturday until October 31 or the quota is caught.

Nearshore

Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Quota = 31,939 pounds
Open May 1, seven days per week, inside the 40-fathom regulatory line, until October 31 or the quota is caught.

Southern Oregon Subarea

Daily bag limit: 2 Pacific halibut
Quota = 8,000 pounds
Open May 1, seven days per week, until October 31 or the quota is caught.

Lake Fishing

Oregon has some of the most beautiful lakes. From small mountain cascade lakes filled with ice cold water and mountain cutthroat trout. Large natural lakes Like the Klamath with giant Landlocked Steelhead, Lake Trout, Bass and Catfish. Lakes in

every corner of the state filled with Bass, Perch, sunfish, catfish and every species of trout. The lower cascade lakes offer Rainbow, Brown and Kokanee ( a landlocked salmon variety). Some larger reservoirs offer lake trout and bass. Many of the lowland and eastern Oregon lakes and reservoirs offer bass, sunfish, crappie, catfish and some even have Walleye.

Rivers and Streams

From the mighty Columbia River to our gorgeous mountain streams. Oregon offers a wide variety of fishing pleasure. Trolling or drifting the Columbia for Salmon, Striped Bass or the fighting Sturgeon. Drift or shore fishing the beautiful Rogue, Umpqua, Mckenzie, Deschues and Snake for Salmon and Steelhead is both exciting and relaxing. Whether fly fishing or bait fishing our mountaiin streams filled with cutthroat, brook or rainbow trout you will find it not only rewarding but peaceful. Spring and Summer Steelhead fill the coastal rivers and streams, as well as Salmon. Coast Sea run cutthoats are a pleasure to catch and eat.

Deep Sea Fishing

From the Chetco/Brookings Harbor to the Mighty Columbia Oregon offers 363 miles of Pacific Ocean Coastline. The more famous and possibly safer ports are Brookings Harbor on the Chetco near the California Border; Port of Bandon, Coos Bay/Charleston, Winchester Bay on the Umpqua River all south coast; Newport/Yaquina Bay, Depot Bay ( Worlds smallest Port) and Tillamook/Garibaldi central Coast; and finally Columbia River with Warrenton and Astoria. Oregon coast offers great Rock and bottom fishing, World classs Salmon fishing. Lingcod, Halibut and Tuna. Many ports for you to put your own craft out or join the many Commercial charter fishing vessels.