a man standing on the bank of a river holds up a bass he caught

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Start fishing

Where-to and how-to fish in Oregon

Fishing isn’t hard, but it can be confusing to know how to begin. Here’s the information you’ll need to get from thinking about it to doing it.

What to fish for

Trout and bass are two of the most popular gamefish in Oregon. There are a number of reasons why, many of which make trout and bass fishing great choices for new anglers.

They are widespread and often live in nearby lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.
The fishing gear is simple, and you can usually use the same gear for both trout and bass.
The fishing regulations for trout and bass are simple and easy to understand.
You need just a basic fishing license – no need for additional tags or endorsements.

Gearing up

The fishing section at the sporting goods store can be overwhelming, and some anglers are notorious for collecting a whole stable of specialized rods, reels and assorted tackle. But you don’t have to be like that.

Gearing up – To simplify your shopping, here’s a list of the kind of rod, reel and tackle you’ll need for an all-purpose fishing outfit. Notice you don’t need much more than a simple spinning rod and a handful of lures to start bass and trout fishing.

Favorite warmwater fishing rigs – Perfect if bass, bluegill, crappie or other warmwater fish are on your agenda and you want to try a few new things.

How to fish

using forceps to remove a treble hook from fish mouth — Carefully remove the hook from fish you plan to release. ODFW photo.

How to fish for trout – This article and video series will show you everything you need to know to go fishing – from baiting the hook, to casting the rod, to landing a fish. We’ll even show you how to clean it. And while the title may say “trout,” these same techniques will work for bass and other warmwater fish, too.

Warmwater fishing in Oregon -- Learn more about bass and warmwater fishing techniques, and some of the best warmwater fishing locations around the state.

How to fish for bass -- Where, when and how to fish for this popular gamefish.

Take a class – ODFW offers hands-on fishing workshops throughout the year. We’ll loan you the gear, provide the bait and bring in expert staff and volunteers to instruct and coach.

Where to fish

Know your zone – ODFW fish management is organized into nine geographic zones within the state. Not only are the fishing regulations organized by these zones, but so are many of our popular where-to resources like Easy Angling Oregon and the Recreation Report. Knowing your zone will help you find the specific information you’re looking for.

boat angler showing a nice trout from Fourmile Lake — This nice trout was caught in Fourmile Lake in the SE Zone. Photo by Roger Smith.

Bend, Portland, Medford, Roseburg, Lane County or south coast residents can find a place to fish within a short drive from home.

Easy angling Oregon – Highlights 101 great places throughout the state to take the family fishing. A great resource if you’d like to fish during your Oregon vacation.

Recreation Report – A report on fishing conditions and angler success for dozens of waterbodies throughout the state. Updated weekly by local fish biologists.

Weekly trout stocking schedule – Each year, ODFW stocks millions of rainbow trout for anglers to catch in hundreds of waterbodies throughout the state. Check the stocking schedule for a list of what’s been recently stocked, or for when your favorite waterbody will get some fish.

Trout stocking maps – Locate nearby stocking locations, and find your way there, using these interactive Google maps.

Disabled angler access map – This Google-based map highlights 133 sites across Oregon that may be suitable for anglers with physical disabilities.

When to fish

Seasonal opportunities -- Oregon anglers can enjoy fishing 365 days a year. Some months may be better for fishing, and certainly more comfortable, than others. And some species may not be available year-round, but trout and warmwater anglers can leave their rod strung up all year.

two anglers dressed for winter fishing — Oregon trout and bass fishing are a year-round activities. Photo by Joshua D. Spano.

The seasonal fishing page outlines the best bets for fishing each season, and includes some seasonal fishing tips as well.

Buy a license

Buy a fishing license -- To fish for trout, bass, bluegill, crappie and other warmwater species, everyone 12 years or older will need a license to fish in Oregon. But if you’re fishing just for trout or warmwater fish, that’s all you’ll need – a license.

You can buy a license online or at an ODFW license vendor. If you’re buying your license online, you can print out a hard copy on your home computer, or download your license to your smart phone using the MyODFW app.

If you prefer to buy a license in-person, you can go to one of ODFW’s license vendors. This includes many Bi-Mart and Fred Meyer stores as well as several small independent retailers.

You can also buy a one- or three-day fishing license, which is a great option if you’re unsure you’ll like fishing or have a friend that wants to tag along.

Check the regulations

Check the regulations – The regulations will tell you what areas are closed to fishing, how many fish you can keep and if there are any gear restrictions. It’s a good idea to check them before you go.

You can check the regulation online or get a printed booklet at an ODFW license vendor, or call your local ODFW office and we’ll send you one.

The regulation booklet can be intimidating, but don’t be. Here’s a simple strategy for your search.

Find the zone you want to fish in (there are zone maps in the booklet), and note the regulation table for that zone.
If the waterbody you want to fish isn’t listed under Exceptions to zone regulations, that means it’s open to fishing and the regulations listed for the zone apply.
Waterbodies with special regulations will be listed under the Exceptions… section within the zone, along with the special regulations.

Clean your catch

How to clean and keep your catch – A quick and simple way to clean your fish for the pan.

Share the adventure

child and grandfather with an Owyhee River brown trout — Zach Funkhouser helps Lily land her first brown trout on the Owyhee River. Photo from Zach Funkhouser.

Fishing opportunities for youth – Fishing as a family can create wonderful memories – many adult anglers still remember catching their first fish, often with a parent or grandparent. This article lists kid-friendly fishing holes, and tips for helping your kids enjoy the day.

Take a photo -- For those that can’t fish with you, a photo is the next best thing. You also can submit your photos to ODFW for use on their website, in brochures and on signs, and your photo could be shared with thousands of your closest friends.

Post to ODFW social media – We love it when hunters share their experiences (and not just their trophies) on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Seek out a mentor – Fishing with an experienced angler can cut your learning curve in half. If you have a friend, coworker or family member that already fishes, ask to go with them sometime. This doesn’t mean you have to become best fishing buddies forever, although that wouldn’t be a bad thing. Just let them know that you’d love to learn from them on a fishing trip.

Want to learn more about fishing in Oregon? We’ve got all kinds of articles and tip sheets for catching all kinds of fish. Just use the search button on MyODFW.com if you’re looking for something specific. If you’d rather browse to see what’s available, go to the articles page and use the filter feature to find How to fish articles.

Check out our other Start… articles.

Header image by Evan A. Boyer