Winter steelhead restrictions on Illinois, Rogue rivers

Beginning Dec. 1, temporary wild winter steelhead harvest restrictions will be in affect on Illinois, Rogue rivers.

Razor clamming closed Cascade Head to CA border

Razor clam harvesting is now closed from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

Parts of Eagle Creek closed to fishing

The lowest reach of Eagle Creek on Clackamas River closed to angling Sept. 27 through Oct. 31

Coho fishing opens above Willamette Falls on Oct. 1

Several areas above Willamette Falls open to coho fishing on Oct. 1 -- including parts of the McKenzie, and mainstem, Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette.

Columbia coho, Chinook fishing open through Dec. 31

Coho and Chinook fishing on the mainstem Columbia from Buoy10 to the Hwy 395 bridge will be open through the end of the year.

Silver Creek Falls

Recreation Report

Oct. 30, 2024

ACCESS A REPORT

Includes updates to fishing and hunting

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Bird harvest statistics from ODFW wildlife areas

Wondering how good hunting has been on ODFW wildlife areas? Several wildlife areas post waterfowl (duck and/or goose) and upland game bird harvest statistics on MyODFW.com. Combine recent harvest numbers with current conditions in the field to decide where to hunt.

Many fisheries close Oct. 31

Several popular fisheries throughout the state close after Oct. 31 to protect salmon/steelhead smolts or resident native fish. These include (but are not limited to!):

  • Most small streams in the NW, SW, Willamette, Central and NE zones.
  • Crane Prairie Reservoir, Laurance Lake, Odell Lake and Wickiup Reservoir.
  • Sprague, Williamson (lower and upper) and Wood rivers.
  • Halibut and ocean salmon.

TL;DR: Check the regulations before you fish. And consult the Rec Report for all the places that remain open.

Be a good bat neighbor

Bats are a crucial part of healthy environments as they pollinate plants and control insect pests. Learn more about Oregon's 15 native bat species and how you can become a better bat neighbor.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

The recent rains have got salmon moving into the rivers, and the cooler temperatures have likely put trout on the bite as they try to bulk up for the winter.

  • Anglers continue to catch fall Chinook in the Siletz and the Nestucca, Tillamook and Nehalem basins.
  • The memorable coho run continues and the recent rain will have fish moving in the:
    • Siletz and North Coast rivers.
    • Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes.
    • Sandy and Clackamas rivers.
    • Middle and upper sections of the Rogue.
    • Sandy, Clackamas and North Santiam rivers.
    • Several tributaries of the Willamette above the Falls in Oregon City.
  • Anglers may still have a few more weeks to fish for trout in the high mountain, hike-in lakes before snow starts to limit access.
  • Trout will also be biting in lakes and reservoirs that were stocked heavily earlier this year. Consider:
    • Lost Creek Reservoir and Hyatt, Howard Prairie, Fish Lake and Diamond Lake.
    • Hosmer, and North and South Twin lakes.
    • Cottonwood Meadow and Delintment lakes, and Krumbo reservoir.
    • Jubilee, Wallowa and Magone lakes.
  • Fall fishing for native redband trout can be excellent in several eastside rivers such as the lower Deschutes, Crooked, Metolius, Blitzen, Chewaucan, Owyhee, Walla Walla and Wallowa. These rivers are open year-round and can offer good winter fishing for hardy anglers.
  • And let's not forget steelhead. While it's still early for winter steelhead, anglers are still catching some summer fish in the Siletz, middle and upper Rogue, North Umpqua, Grande Ronde and Umatilla.

These examples are for demonstration purposes only. Check the zone reports for more.