Recreation Report

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing, clamming and wildlife viewing

Best bets for weekend fishing

• We just stocked millions of trout this year, and some are for you! Check the trout stocking schedule and maps for locations near you.
• Summer seasons are winding down on the Columbia River with jack Chinook and sockeye open until July 31. Fall seasons begin Aug. 1 including Buoy 10.
• On the North Coast, Fall Chinook season will start soon.  Tillamook Bay, the Nestucca estuary (Pacific City), Trask River, Nestucca River, and the lower Columbia tributaries (Big Cr., Gnat Cr., and Klaskanine R.) will provide the best opportunities. Check the regulation updates here: https://myodfw.com/articles/regulation-updates
• Summer steelhead runs are on in the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers. Summers are throughout the fisheries and there have been some getting caught.
• Nehalem gets a run of "Summer Chinook" (actually an early component of the fall run) and those fish are starting to show up with a few getting caught down by the mouth of the bay.
• North Coast lakes trout stocking has been completed for the spring. The next stocking will be in September (see the schedule below or online). There will be trout available most of the summer, but fishing will get more challenging as the water warms up. Fishing early morning and late evening and targeting higher elevation lakes that stay cooler will up the odds of success.
• The North Jetty of Tillamook Bay (accessible through Barview County Park) provides some good angling opportunity for rockfish and kelp greenling this time of year.
• Reminder the annual razor clam conservation closure begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 15-Sept. 30 on Clatsop Beaches, to restore the clam grounds and allow repopulation. Check tide tables here: https://tides.net/oregon/ and check for any closures. Razor clam digging is still open along the central and south Oregon coast.
• Hatchery Chinook and sockeye retention opportunities return for summer fishing on the Columbia mainstem starting July 12, see the regs here.
• Crabbing remains open along the Oregon coast.
• It's a great time of year to fish for warmwater species. See our guide.
• The General Marine Species bag limit increased to a 5-fish bag limit with a 1-fish sub-bag limit for cabezon which also opened July 1. With warm weather on the beach, it's a good time to try surf perch fishing.
• The Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir is the premier summer trout fishery in the Rogue watershed. Anglers can escape the heat of the Rogue Valley, enjoy beautiful scenery, and catch fish. Campgrounds and other public access sites along Highway 62 and Highway 230 are stocked with rainbow trout on a weekly basis between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Haystack Reservoir continues to yield trophy-sized and brood trout in the 16-17-inch range!
• Redband trout fishing from bank and boat is fair on Upper Klamath and Agency lakes.
• Anglers report excellent spring kokanee fishing at Lake Billy Chinook, and Wickiup Reservoir. Fish at Lake Billy Chinook average 13 inches; while 14–17-inch fish can be found at Wickiup. Tips for catching more kokanee
• These examples are for demonstration purposes only. Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

Know before you go:

Sauvie Island Beaches Pass required to park July 4 through Labor Day on weekends and holidays

Because of overcrowding at Sauvie Island parking lots, weekend and holiday beach parking now requires both the Wildlife Area Parking Permit ($10 daily / $30 annual) and the new free Sauvie Island Beaches Pass during the summer months. Plan ahead for your beach visit, as there are a limited number of free parking permits available each weekend day.

Both Beaches Passes and Wildlife Area Parking Permits can be obtained online or by visiting a license sale agent. Customers are limited to one Beaches Pass per date.

To purchase online: Go to MyODFW.com and click Buy License. Use "Check Out as a Guest" or create an account for easier future purchasing. Display the Parking Permit and Beaches Pass on your car when parked--if you can't print it out, write your ODFW ID or transaction number on a piece of paper and leave on your car dash.

Vehicles will also need to show their Beaches Pass and Parking Permit at the Eastside Check Station (Rentenaar and Reeder Rd) during some hours on weekends and will not be able to proceed to the beach parking lots without them--so get it ahead of time!

Chinook salmon season on coastal rivers

Seasons for fall runs are starting on some rivers. Check the in season updates page for wild fall Chinook regulations this year. Wild coho season proposals are now online.

E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area shotgun range to close for renovation beginning July 14

The shotgun range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area near Corvallis will be closed for renovation from July 14 through the end of October. Renovations on the range will include expanding the shooting bays and implementing ADA complaint access to the site. ODFW expects work to be complete by October 31. Updates will be posted on the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area Visitors Guide webpage. The archery park and other facilities on the wildlife area will remain open.

Hunter Safety Education events are updated weekly. Space is limited!

Don't wait until fall – sign up now!

Check for a date and location that works with your schedule. Register for a class

*Please log in to your VEM account if you need to withdraw or reschedule. VEM will automatically submit a refund, if more than 7 days prior to event start date and open a seat for another participant.

Sign up for one of the Hunter Recruitment Program workshops and events.

These hands-on ODFW workshops will teach you the skills to improve your hunting performance and build your confidence in the field. ODFW offers a variety of classes and workshops throughout the year. Workshops are designed for adults – ages 18 and older. Register for an event

Bowhunter Warmup 3-D course,  August 2, 9-3:00 at Three Rivers Archer Park in La Pine. Admission is free. https://myodfw.com/workshops-and-events/bowhunter-warmup-3d-shoot-la-pine

All ages 3-D archery shoot, Denman Wildlife Area, August 2-3, $10 per person. 40 3-D animal targets on a 2-mile course where participants walk maintained trails and gravel roads. Pre-registration is welcome but not necessary to attend this family friendly event. Those 17 years of age or under must have an adult accompanying them; the supervising adult does not have to shoot or be pre-registered.  https://myodfw.com/workshops-and-events/denman-wildlife-area-3d-archery-events-central-point

Wildfire season

Wildfire information updates here: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx

Sign up for wildfire alerts on your phone here: Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery : Homepage : State of Oregon

Toxic algae blooms

Reports of algae blooms that are toxic to people and pets have started. Check the Oregon Health Authority website for updated information. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RECREATION/HARMFULALGAEBLOOMS/Pages/AboutAlgaeSeason.aspx

Let baby wildlife stay wild

Young animals are rarely orphaned, so leave them where you find them. Chances are, mom is nearby watching and waiting for you to go away before she rejoins her young. Learn more.