Deer hunters

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

Foster Reservoir
Where to fish

The south Willamette area covers the upper Willamette Basin south of Salem and includes the communities of Albany, Corvallis, Eugene...

Crappie fishing
How to fish

Crappie are scrappy, hard-fighting fish, and with a two-rod validation you can double the excitement of reeling in these delicious...

Surf perch fishing
How to fish

Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregon’s sandy beaches...

Trout with floy tag
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...

How to fish
DIY and harvest your own

Ghost shrimp
Ghost shrimp

Mud and ghost shrimp are popular baits for salmon, sturgeon and other marine fish. Learn how simple it is to...

anlger holding up a limit of kokanee
How to fish
9 tips for catching kokanee

Kokanee are fun to catch, delicious to eat, and found in lakes and reservoirs throughout the state.

Willow Creek Reservoir
Where to fish

The John Day – Umatilla area includes the John Day River and Umatilla River basins, and Oregon’s upper reaches of...

Lake Selmac
Where to fish

The southwest area follows Interstate 5 from Drain south to the Oregon-California border and includes the communities of Grants Pass...

How to fish

As temperatures heat up during spring and summer, be on the watch for harmful algae blooms when recreating in Oregon...

image of an angler holding a 32-inch rainbow trout
How to fish

You can purchase an Oregon fishing license online or at an ODFW license vendor. Here are step-by-step directions for purchasing...

Timothy Lake
Where to fish

Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs stocked annually with hundreds of thousands...

two kayak anglers on the ocean beach
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 and where-to tips for beginners
Young pheasant hunter in hunter orange
How to hunt game birds
Youth hunts focused on fun, safety and success

Youth Pheasant Hunts give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus safety and success.

fishing buoy 10
Buying a license or permit

All anglers fishing for salmon, steelhead or sturgeon (catch-and-release and retention) on all rivers and tributaries in the Columbia River...

Rick Swart takes aim at an elk from his perch on the rim above Camp Creek in Northeast Oregon.
How to hunt big game

Hunters know how easy it is to get focused on taking “the shot.” But a lot of planning and preparation...

Luger Pond
Where to fish

The granite peaks of Oregon’s Blue and Wallowa Mountains form the backdrop for many of this zone’s glacier-carved lakes and...

Angler fighting a fish from the boat
How to fish

The Buoy 10 fishery, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, offers anglers a chance to catch Chinook and coho...

How to hunt big game
We hope this survey can help us understand what you need to know about CWD and your role in limiting its spread.
using hemostats to remove hook from fish's mouth
How to fish
Warm water temps take a toll on fish

During summer drought and high temperatures, fish start feeling the heat. Give them a break by following these warm weather...

Fall Chinook
How to fish

Two commonly caught species of salmon are coho and Chinook. Fishing regulations require anglers to correctly identify salmon species as restrictions...

Hunters and anglers can still visit their local ODFW license agent to purchase and print licenses, tags and other documents...

Waterfowl hunting
How to hunt game birds

For the 2022-23 Oregon game bird seasons, hunters will find strong upland bird population across the state, with some exceptions...

image of a 12-14 inch cutthroat trout on stream bank
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...