ODFW Newsroom

Update 8/27/26: Northeast Oregon A&H access areas to reopen Aug. 29. LA GRANDE, Ore. – All northeast Oregon Access and Habitat (A&H) access areas will reopen effective Aug. 29. Improved conditions in northeast Oregon including cooler temperatures, higher humidity levels, reduced fire activity, and a…

SALEM, Ore. – Successful Oregon forest grouse and mountain quail hunters are asked to donate a wing and tail from harvested birds to support biological research. Hunters can deposit wings and tails in collection barrels located at major road junctions or highways in hunting areas, select ODFW…

UPDATE: ODFW has reduced closures within White River Wildlife Area, but some areas remained closed. All land within a level 3 GO NOW evacuation perimeter will remain closed. As evacuation levels are downgraded, access will increase. Please refer to the evacuation perimeter map before accessing the…

CLACKAMAS, Ore- After a "lights out" early season for the Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River, fishery managers from Oregon and Washington are adjusting regulations to manage Chinook harvest in this fishery and to ensure fisheries further upriver can continue as originally planned…

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is holding two public meetings to discuss the commercial black and blue rockfish and nearshore fisheries. The meetings will be held in person with virtual or phone-in options Sept. 2 in Tillamook and Sept. 3 in Port Orford. ODFW commercial…

ENTERPRISE, Ore. – Anglers may retain only one wild Chinook as part of the three adult daily bag limit for fall Chinook salmon per day when the season opens on the Snake River tomorrow, Aug. 18. All other permanent regulations remain unchanged. ODFW is adjusting regulations for the 2026 fall Chinook…

NEWPORT, Ore.–Chinook salmon fishing closes tonight, Aug. 17 at 11:59 p.m. from Leadbetter Pt., WA to Cape Falcon, OR. Hatchery coho fishing will continue in this area. Projected harvest of Chinook salmon in this area is near the quota allowance. The decision was made to reserve enough Chinook quota…

SALEM, Ore.—Members of the Oregon Hunters Association's Klamath Chapter, the West Cascade Chapter of Back Country Horsemen and Wallowa County landowner Lionel Sauvage were recognized for their contributions to Oregon's fish and wildlife during today's meeting in Salem. Landowner Lionel Sauvage and…

NEWPORT, Ore.— Recreational ocean fishing for hatchery coho between Cape Falcon and the Oregon/California border will close as of Aug. 19 as anglers near the 47,600 mark-selective catch quota. Chinook retention remains open as previously scheduled. The announcement follows an in-season management…

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW is seeking applicants for two vacancies on its Access & Habitat Board, announcing openings for both a Landowner Representative and a Hunter Representative. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 2, 2026. To apply, visit the A&H Program's "Get Involved" page at http://www.dfw…

SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Advisory Committee will hold its regularly occurring meeting, virtually on August 11, 2026. For a full agenda and virtual login information about the meeting, please visit: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/habitat/PFA/meetings.html The public is welcome to attend…

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13-14 in Salem. See the meeting agenda at https://myodfw.com/articles/commission-agenda-august-13-14-2026 On Thursday, Commissioners will visit projects showcasing work underway with partners to recover salmon…

SALEM, Ore.— ODFW will host a series of free upland game bird hunts for youth hunters starting in September. The hunts will take place around the state and youth hunters (age 17 and under) who have completed hunter education by the time of the event can sign up now for a hunt. ODFW and partners…

ROSEBURG, Ore. – North Umpqua River steelhead angling will close at 12:01 a.m., Aug. 10 through Nov. 30, 2026 from the mouth upstream to the marker below Soda Springs Dam. Low numbers of returning wild summer steelhead prompted state fishery managers to enact this targeted angling closure. The…

THE DALLES, Ore.—Steelhead and salmon fishing will close on the Deschutes River Aug. 15, to protect wild upriver summer steelhead and consistent with ODFW's Deschutes River Steelhead Management Framework. The Framework requires protective action when returns fall below established thresholds. Just 7…

CLACKAMAS, Ore.— Anglers can double the odds of catching salmon in the Upper Willamette River this fall as coho again return to areas above Willamette Falls. Effective Aug. 1 through Dec. 31, anglers with the two-rod validation may use two rods in all areas of the Willamette River upstream of…

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW is accepting public comments on the proposed 2027 Big Game Regulations and other agenda items the Commission will consider at their September meeting in La Grande. Comment using the links embedded with each agenda item provided on the September meeting agenda page. The deadline to…

Central Point, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) declared fire season in southwestern Oregon on May 15 this year due to drought conditions, and Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2 (IFPL 2) went into effect on June 17, 2026. The ODF Southwest Oregon District is increasing the public use…

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW staff will be hosting an online public meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29 to discuss the 2027 Pacific halibut season. The meeting will be held online only, through Microsoft Teams (information below). ODFW manages Pacific halibut in partnership with the International Pacific…

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – Learn how to spot and identify animal tracks, splash around in a stream to check out aquatic bugs, and play "survival of the fish-est." Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Jackson County Parks, and Rogue River Watershed Council for Wildlife Wisdom every Saturday…

ASTORIA, Ore. – Razor clamming on Clatsop beaches is closed beginning 12:01 a.m., July 15. The last day to harvest is July 14. The annual closure conserves young razor clams, giving them time to get established on these beaches so they can grow and be harvested in future years. This helps ensure…

SALEM, Ore. – The Private Forest Accord Advisory Committee will meet on July 14 at 12 p.m. The committee will discuss and revise the draft Land Transaction Guidance documents for the PFA Grant Program. The public is welcome to join virtually. Meeting information and documents are available online at…

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW is accepting public comments on potential rule changes to commercial Dungeness crab fishing and trap check times for bear and cougar. Comment using the links provided on ODFW's rulemaking page. The deadline to comment is July 24 at 8 a.m. These policy proposals will be considered…

SALEM, Ore.— ODFW will host a series of online public meetings in July where district wildlife biologists will present proposed changes to the 2027 big game regulations and gather public feedback. Modifications to the Elk General Western Oregon Coast seasons are being considered; otherwise, no major…