Recreation Report

ODFW Weekly Recreation Report

Includes updates to fishing, hunting, crabbing, clamming, and wildlife viewing.

February 19, 2026

Check ODOT Trip Check online for statewide road conditions, closures and updates before you go.

Some wildlife areas closed to the public or closed to vehicles from Feb 1- April 15. Check Wildlife viewing on the weekly recreation report.

NEW turkey hunting opportunity: now through February 28, 2026, hunters may obtain a beardless turkey permit to allow the harvest of three hen wild turkeys or turkeys without a visible beard. See page 26 of the Game Bird regulations. This is a private land only hunt with separate regulations from the standard fall turkey hunt.

This seasons last opportunity to hunt Canada, White Fronted and White Goose in the South Coast Zone from February 21 through March 10.

Reminder that a Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the South Coast from Dec. 1-April 30. A wild steelhead harvest tag is required to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.

Find the weekly trout stocking schedule here.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

• As a general reminder for Anglers: Maximize distance from bank anglers and other boats. Safely row or motor around anglers and other boats and avoid motoring nearshore and in shallow areas!
• Check the zone in which you intend to fish before you head out. Access can change quickly with winter flooding, snow and ice conditions.

Northwest:

• The Wilson and Nestucca have both picked up a little following last weekend's rain and have some fresh fish showing up. The North Fork Nehalem continues to get hatchery steelhead back and recycled 300 last week for additional angler opportunity. The Nestucca River, Wilson, and North Fork Nehalem Rivers will provide the best opportunity to catch hatchery steelhead.
• Other basins (including the Little Nestucca, Trask, Kilchis, Nehalem, and Salmonberry Rivers) all have catch and release opportunities for wild steelhead.
• and will provide some of the best opportunity to catch hatchery steelhead.
• Coffenbury Lake, Vernonia Pond, Lost Lake, and Sunset Lake are stocked with surplus hatchery winter steelhead. Catching a steelhead in still water can be a fun and unique experience when the conditions on the rivers aren't good.

Southwest:

• Lost Creek Reservoir has had great reports by folks trolling for rainbow trout.

Willamette:

• Several waterbodies will be stocked with trout Through February and March.

Central:

• Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into Haystack Reservoir, Ochoco Reservoir, Pine Nursery Pond, North Twin Lake and South Twin Lakes the last week of January and again this past week.
• This is a rare and exciting opportunity to catch trophy trout from Wizard Falls Hatchery, many in the 4-8 lbs. range. As a reminder, to allow everyone a chance at catching one of these fish, only one fish over 20 inches long can be harvested each day.
• Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. The Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook will reopen to angling March 1.

Northeast:

• Trout and whitefish fishing should be good through winter on the Wallowa River.
• Steelhead are throughout the Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha Rivers.
• Kokanee fishing has been good on Wallowa Lake.
• Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught.
• Steelhead fishing is good on the Umatilla River.
• Trout can still be found on Willow Creek Reservoir.

Southeast:

• Best fishing for wild, native trout in the Klamath Basin will be the Klamath River.
• The Upper Williamson River above Kirk Road Bridge is now open year round. Access remains available.
• There are some nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings.
• Crappie are abundant in Wolf Creek Reservoir with some nicer fish around 8 inches available. Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
• Channel catfish are a popular option. Find them in the Snake River and Owyhee Reservoir throughout the summer and early fall.
• Biologists expect a temporary boost in productivity at Howard and Hyatt as large stretches of inundation zone are rewatered and producing aquatic food items again. Trout should be fat and happy!
• Anglers have been catching good numbers of perch and some nice sized tiger muskies in Phillips Reservoir.

Marine

• Crabbing is slow in Newport, good in Florence. Crab quality is good with lots of meat.

Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

Angler Education: Learn to fish by taking advantage of one of the Steelhead 101 events.

Hunter Education: Hunter safety conventional courses and field days are available now! Sign up early and get ahead of the game for the 2026 season!

Learn to Hunt: Register now for Spring Turkey Hunting Workshops—prepare for a more successful hunt.

Shooting Sports:

• NEW Rifle Skills: Fundamentals—Ideal for beginners or those transitioning to centerfire rifles.
• NEW Rifle Skills: Precision Hunter Course—Designed for hunters who want to shoot farther when conditions and skill allow.