Recreation Report

ODFW Weekly Recreation Report

October 16, 2026

ODFW is pausing updates on parts of the Recreation Report while we revamp it. Look for a new and improved Recreation Report to launch later this year. In the meantime, we'll be updating the Weekend's Best Bets and some of our frequently updated fishing zone reports.

Be sure you are following us on social media (@MyODFW) and subscribing to our Messenger newsletter to hear about the best outdoor opportunities.

Welcome to the Weekly Recreation Report. We are headed fully into fall, but the weather has remained pleasant and mild, which can make fishing more accessible, but it's also harder for fish to move upstream without some rainfall. This weather pattern is somewhat typical in El Nino years, when moisture is diverted north and south of us.

Fall remains one of the best times to get out there and fish, and there are fantastic opportunities to take advantage of in your own backyard or around the state right now. Salmon fishing in coastal rivers and in the Willamette Valley remains the highlight of the season with estuaries and tidal zones holding fish waiting to move upstream. Trout fishing can be good in the fall, especially in milder weather. Warmwater opportunities abound still until water temperatures drop drastically. Here are some of the best opportunities around the state.

Best bets for weekend fishing: 

NW Zone -

• Fall salmon fishing is fair to good on Nehalem, Tillamook, and Nestucca bays. All basins are producing Chinook and coho salmon. The North Coast rivers are still at low flows so fishing is best in the bays and tidewaters and will remain so until we get enough rain to raise the rivers. See the regulation updates online at Fall Coastal Salmon Management for details on seasons and bag limits.
• The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers still have summer steelhead available, mostly in the upper reaches. Fall can be a good time to target these fish that have been holding most of the summer, as the dropping water temperatures and fall rains can get them more active and willing to bite.
• Many coastal streams are open for cutthroat trout fishing through Oct 31. There are resident and sea-run cutthroat available for catching. Check the regulations for open areas.
• Trout stocking has been completed in North Coast lakes for the year, but there are still hold-over trout available to catch in many of the lakes.
• Fall Chinook fishing is fair to good in the Siletz, Alsea, Siuslaw, Yaquina and Salmon rivers. Coho are being caught in the Siletz and Yaquina rivers. The Siuslaw closed for wild coho retention Oct 13. Refer to Fall Coastal Salmon Management for more information on season outlines and bag limits.
• Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes are open for wild coho retention. Some early fish may be around, but the majority won't show up until we receive some measurable rain.

Willamette Zone -

• Coho salmon are moving into the lower parts of the North Santiam. Spinners such as Blue Fox are usually effective but bobbers and eggs will work as well. Best sections currently are from Green's Bridge down to Jefferson, as well as further down into the mainstem of the Santiam River.
• Walleye fishing has been good along stretches of the Willamette River from Peoria downstream to Independence. A jet boat is the best option for getting at fish on some stretches, but fishing in 12-18 feet of water, especially trolling a worm spinner downstream a little faster than the currant has been netting some good-sized walleye.

Central Zone -

• Following trophy trout stockings, the Fall River has been fishing exceptionally well.
• Pine Nursery Pond in Bend was recently stocked with brown trout.

NE Zone -

• Tiger Muskie fishing at Phillips Reservoir should be good as fish are aggressively feeding to stock up on forage before winter sets in. Water temperature is prime right now in the low 50°F. Fishing should remain hot until water temps drop below 45°F. As an added bonus, the low water levels will concentrate fish and may make catching fish easier.

SE Zone –

• Fishing for trout at Lost Creek Reservoir.
• Malheur Reservoir – great for Rainbow Trout from 10-22". Common sizes are 12-16" but fish up to 22" were captured in our sampling this week. We also fly-fished it in the evening and morning and had catches of 10+ trout/hr. People were observed being successful trolling and bank fishing with bait too. Water temperatures were in the mid 50's. You can launch a boat from the boat ramp. Water is up to the old school bus (a school bus frame in the reservoir used by those who are familiar with it to gauge how full the reservoir is).
• Yellowjacket Reservoir – Great fishing without a crowd! We sampled this last week and found fish from 8-18" with a common size of 12-15". We fished leech patterns under an indicator mid-day and had non-stop action. Water temperatures are in the mid-50's here too.

Refer to the zone reports for Marine, Columbia and Shellfish harvest details and possibilities.

If your favorite fishing zone ***is no longer listed -*** It's probably because that area is closed for the season, inaccessible, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the year.

Open Season – Big Game Hunting

Bear, cougar (check current harvest numbers), coyote, youth only controlled series hunts, general season antlerless elk damage, premium, auction and raffle hunts, western gray squirrel, western general and select controlled deer

Check Big Game regulations for hunt details and purchase your license and required tag before hunting.

Target Highlights – Game Bird Hunting

Duck season kicks off in Zone 1 (Western Oregon/Columbia Basin) this Saturday, Oct 17!

Beardless turkey permit season started Oct 1 in select areas – obtain permission prior to hunting private lands, view details in Game Bird Regulations.

Western Oregon fee pheasant hunt offered at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area for additional hunting opportunity – ends Oct 31.

Hunter Education

Gear up for Learn to Hunt and Shooting Sports opportunities – Select your event.

• Waterfowl hunting workshop
• Precision rifle course
• Shotgun skills class