ODFW Articles
Need to figure out controlled hunts, find a place to clam, learn how to fish or get directions to a wildlife area? We've got information on all that and more, straight from ODFW biologists and other accomplished hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers.
Header image by Dave Budeau
How to fish
Our tips for new or novice anglers
Fishing isn’t hard, but it can be confusing to know how to begin. Here’s a step-by-step approach to get from...
Where to fish
Includes lakes in the Umpqua National Forest and the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness.
How to fish
Wipers, a cross between striped and white bass, reach prodigious proportions in the productive waters of Ana Reservoir. Their size...
How to fish
We asked some of the fisher folk at ODFW for their favorite gift-giving ideas. Here's what they said.
How to fish
DIY and harvest your own
Mud and ghost shrimp are popular baits for salmon, sturgeon and other marine fish. Learn how simple it is to...
How to fish
In some Oregon state waters catch-and-release fishing is required in order to protect valuable fish resources. One way anglers can...
How to fish
Steelhead have been called the ultimate game fish. These elusive and challenging fish can test an angler’s patience and persistence...
How to fish
Successful steelhead fishing is more about developing a good strategy for finding fish than about fussing over gear, techniques and...
How to fish
It's important to be able to distinguish between the most commonly encountered rockfish. Knowing what you've caught, and how many...
Where to fish
We've asked our fish biologists throughout the state to pick their favorite family fishing locations. These spots are great for...
How to fish
Use your favorite gear, target sea-runs in late summer, and more
Wide distribution, an aggressive nature and willingness to take bait, flies or lures, makes cutthroat trout a popular target in western...
Where to fish
Many of the more popular fishing locations across the state are accessible to anglers with disabilities. ODFW tries to keep...
How to fish
Not all of Oregon’s high elevation lakes support fish populations. To help create fisheries in some of these off-road areas...
How to fish
Opportunities from beach, pier and jetty
With some simple, inexpensive gear and a little knowledge, anglers of all ages can enjoy a day of marine fishing.
How to fish
Summer is a great time to be on the Pacific chasing ocean salmon. Whether you captain your own ship
or...
How to fish
Find links to the current fishing and hunting regulations, as well as in-season regulation updates. Anglers must check in-season updates...
How to fish
And for more than just bait
To most anglers, herring and anchovies are best known as bait. But they also can be fun to catch and...
How to fish
Drought stresses fish and wildlife out
Where to fish
Hiking or camping plans getting in the way of fishing this weekend? Going to be busy kayaking or going to...
How to fish
Minimal gear, aggressive fish and plenty of bank fishing opportunity – just three reasons to try coho fishing.
How to fish
More fish are probably lost because of improperly tied knots than any other single reason. Yet anglers who spend hours...
How to fish
Dedicated fly-anglers don’t stop fishing in the winter, instead they adjust their tactics to the colder conditions.
How to fish
Rockfish must be released when retention is prohibited or when an angler has reached the daily bag limit, but continues...
How to fish
Begun in 2014, the Tag Team Program helps ODFW fish biologists better understand the effectiveness of stocking efforts.
It’s also a...