Recreation Report

ODFW Weekly Recreation Report

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

March 5, 2026

Herring are spawning in Yaquina Bay this time of year and anglers were out in force last weekend, see video. The daily limit for herring, anchovy and other bait fish is 25 pounds in aggregate per person. If you are going, bring a bucket and remember to weigh your catch so you don't go over!

River Advisory: South Fork McKenzie

As soon as Friday, March 6, the South Fork McKenzie River will rise quickly and unexpectedly due to a planned water release from Cougar Dam. Low lying areas may be inundated. River users should monitor Cougar Dam operations and real river outflow to ensure their safety. See this at near real-time visual of valley reservoirs status.

This is a planned event by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve fish habitat. The high flows will last for five days.

Central Oregon Sportsmen's Show: Come visit ODFW's booth at the show, March 5-8 in Redmond. Visit the show site and enter to win the Trip of a Lifetime to join ODFW on a Marine Reserves research trip or Rocky Mountain goat survey.

2026 spring bear: Draw results are available and the spring bear forecast is also online now, check your hunt areas and start scouting to prepare before the season opening on April 1.

Reminder to report your late season 2025 big game tags by April 15.

Bobcat season closed February 28. Remember to submit your Furtaker Harvest Report by April 15.

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 until April 15. Check ahead Wildlife viewing on the weekly recreation report.

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:

• Hatchery steelhead on the Alsea River: The early bite has picked up, and fish are reaching our Hatchery traps at the Alsea Hatchery! For up to date upper/lower trap counts click here.
• The North Fork Nehalem, Wilson and Nestucca have both picked up a little following last week's rain and have some fresh fish showing up. Each location should 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.

Columbia River:

• Regulation updates now posted for the 2026 sturgeon fishery, and regulation changes for the 2026 spring Chinook fishery. See the fishing regulations update page.

Southwest:

• Applegate, Chetco, Rogue and Umpqua South rivers may show an increase in winter steelhead activity with the recent rains.

Willamette:

• Check the Family Fishing event schedule weekly to plan your next outdoor adventure this spring.
• Dust off your gear for the season on one of the local ponds, trout fishing is fun for the whole family.

Central:

• Broodstock rainbow trout were stocked into Haystack Reservoir, Ochoco Reservoir, Pine Nursery Pond, North Twin Lake and South Twin Lakes in January and February. 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. Anglers had positive reports from the Metolius Arm of Lake Billy Chinook following the March 1 opener.
• The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent winter angling opportunities.
• Anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities on Fall River.
• Anglers report good bank fishing opportunities for trout at Haystack and Ochoco Reservoirs, now with surplus brood fish being stocked.

Northeast:

• McKay Reservoir is open as of March 1.
• Steelhead are throughout the Grande Ronde, Umatilla, Wallowa, and Imnaha Rivers. The best steelhead fishing is traditionally through March.
• Anglers continue to catch trout from the shore near the boat launch at Willow Creek Reservoir.

Southeast:

• A few holdover Rainbow Trout are being caught in Lake of the Woods.
• 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.
• Nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
• Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
• Bank fishing for rainbow trout has been good at Ana Reservoir.
• The Cascade Ramp at Hyatt is open. This year at Howard Prairie, the Grizzly, Willow Point and Klum Landing ramps will be available for the first time in many years. 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!

Marine:

• Good report of anglers landing rockfish and lingcod around Newport.
• Crabbing in Newport and Waldport has been slow. Crab quality is good as shells have hardened and are full of meat.

Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

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.