Recreation Report

Report your 2020 hunt

It's not too early

If all that’s left of your 2020 hunt are the memories, there’s still one last thing to do. You need to report your hunt and why wait until the last minute?  You can report online or with an ODFW license agent. ODFW offices remain closed to walk-in traffic.

Sign up for a hunter ed field day

If you were unable to complete a field day last year due to COVID restrictions, you’re not off the hook. The temporary rule expires on March 31, and you’ll still need to complete a field day before you can hunt for spring turkey or bear. Find a nearby field day.

Best bets for fishing

• Winter steelhead are spread throughout most basins and rivers will be fishable this weekend. In fact, be prepared for low conditions in some locations.
• Winter trout anglers should focus on lower elevation lakes that don’t freeze and that were heavily stocked throughout the year. There should be holdover fish in most of these locations. Focus on low-and-slow presentations that give fish plenty of time to consider your lure.
• Trout anglers who prefer moving water, should focus on rivers that are open year-round and fish throughout the winter. Likely suspects include the lower Deschutes, Crooked, Metolius, Fall, Blitzen, Chewaucan and Wallowa rivers.   

Apply for a spring bear tag

Applications are due Feb. 10

Spring bear is a popular “first of the season” hunt. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success.