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The Umatilla Hatchery began operation in 1991. The hatchery is used for egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook, fall Chinook and summer steelhead.
Irrigon Hatchery began operation in 1984 as part of the Lower Snake River Compensation Program (LSRCP)—a program to mitigate for spring Chinook and summer steelhead losses caused by the four federal dams constructed on the lower Snake River. This facility serves as an egg incubation and rearing facility for summer steelhead destined for the Grande Ronde and Imnaha river systems and egg incubation for 575,000 Umatilla coho eggs for transfer to Cascade Hatchery. Irrigon Hatchery also rears 1.4 million fall Chinook for the Grande Ronde and Snake Rivers and is used as a rearing site for legal-sized and trophy rainbow
The McKenzie River originates in the Cascade Range and empties into the Willamette River near Eugene, which then flows northward into the Columbia River. McKenzie Hatchery was first constructed in 1938 and rebuilt in 1975. Today, 30 rearing ponds, a visitor's center, spawning room, egg incubation facility, office, feed storage, shop area, fish ladder and picnic area are the main components of the facility layout. McKenzie Hatchery is temporarily closed to comply with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality permit conditions. Visitors should be aware that no fish are present in the facilities' production raceways and show ponds. Fish have been
The new Volunteer Event Management (VEM) System will make it easier for you to join ODFW in the great outdoors while volunteering on a project or participating in a workshop or event.
![volunteer holds a small turtle to face the camera](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2024-06/Turtle%20trapping.jpg?itok=o1mZduCG)
Regulated Hunt Areas (RHAs) are cooperative programs between Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and private landowners that offer regulated hunting on private lands. Each RHA has special regulations so be sure to check them before hunting. The Upland Cooperative Access Program (UCAP) is an incentive-based program designed to provide quality public hunting opportunities for upland game birds on private lands in Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Morrow counties in the Columbia Basin.
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Hunters know how easy it is to get focused on taking “the shot.” But a lot of planning and preparation goes into getting there. Use this hunter’s checklist to start planning early, and to remember what you need to carry in the field.
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The number of big game hunters using blinds has increased over the last 20 years. Be sure to follow regulations if you plan to use them on federal land.
![Pronghorn antelope gathered at a desert watering hole.](/sites/default/files/styles/232x139/public/2021-08/Pronghorn%20at%20watering%20hole.jpg?itok=IGw7TfZY)
Black bears are part of the natural ecosystem but conflict can occur when they enter our space, or we enter theirs. Follow these tips to help keep bears wild, and people safe.
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Planning your 2022-23 Sauvie Island hunt? Check the weekly Hunt Reports (video), Eastside reservation summaries, and daily harvest summaries to see where the successful hunters have been shooting.
Protecting and enhancing Oregon’s fish and wildlife, and the habitats they use, for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations is at the heart of what we do.
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Bonneville Hatchery was constructed in 1909. In 1957, the facility was remodeled and expanded as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (Mitchell Act)—a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The hatchery underwent another renovation in 1974 as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) mitigation of fish losses from the construction of the John Day Dam. In 1998, construction was completed on the Captive Broodstock Facility for the Grande Ronde Basin spring Chinook supplementation program.
For hunters, spring marks the beginning of the “turkey year” so let’s trace turkey activity through the year beginning in the spring. Spring nesting season The peak of the breeding season has already passed by the time the spring turkey hunting season opens April 15. Toms will breed with multiple hens throughout the spring and early summer. As the eggs develop, the hen will build a ground nest in a place with good cover and close to good brood habitat, which is normally an opening in the forest cover. Once she starts laying eggs, a hen will lay one egg
![image of a hen turkey surrounded by young turkey poults](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/Hen%20turkey%20with%20poults-NWTF.jpg?itok=gP-Wcke2)
The FRWA was created by a licensing agreement signed in 1957 and modified in 1982 and 2008, between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Oregon Game Commission. This agreement authorized the state to develop, conserve, and manage all wildlife resources on 5,261 acres of land and water within the Fern Ridge Project. ODFW also acquired the 309 acre Coyote Creek South and 224 acre Coyote Creek Northeast units in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The wildlife area now totals 5,794 acres.
More fish are probably lost because of improperly tied knots than any other single reason. Yet anglers who spend hours practicing their casting or making lures often neglect this simple fundamental. But if tying better knots might help us land more fish, it makes sense to give knot tying a little more attention.
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In 1925 the first fish hatchery on the South Santiam River began operations about 5 miles upstream from today’s present site, rearing annually approximately 100,000 spring Chinook in dirt ponds for release into the South Santiam River. The present site came about with the construction of Foster Dam. In 1968 the facility was dedicated for the rearing of spring Chinook and summer steelhead. This facility was built and annually funded in part by the US Army Corps of Engineers to compensate for the loss of spawning and rearing areas above the dams on the South Santiam River.
Lookingglass Hatchery was constructed in 1982 as part of the Lower Snake River Compensation Program (LSRCP) – a program to mitigate for spring Chinook and summer steelhead losses caused by four federal dams constructed on the lower Snake River. Lookingglass is used to rear spring Chinook for the Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers as part of LSRCP. Lookingglass Hatchery serves as an adult collection, egg incubation, and rearing and release site for the spring Chinook destined for the Grande Ronde River systems. The Imnaha Satellite Facility is used for the collection of spring Chinook adults returning to the Imnaha River
Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area came under the shared management of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife & United States Bureau of Reclamation in 1962. It is managed for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, big game winter range, improving riparian wetlands, and to promote wildlife stewardship. Goals of the PRWA include creating recreational opportunities for viewing and enjoying wildlife, including mule deer, bald eagles, and a variety of waterfowl. Boating, hiking, and camping are a few popular activities permitted in the wildlife management area. Hunting and fishing opportunities are also available within Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area, as regulated
When it comes to calling turkeys in the spring, we’re being a bit unnatural. In the turkey woods, toms gather on strutting grounds and try to call hens to them. Hunters are doing just the opposite: making hen sounds to bring toms to them. For this reason, it pays to develop confident turkey calling skills. Here’s a look at the turkey sounds hunters will want to be able to make. Refer to the instructions for each kind of call to see how to mimic these sounds. The yelp is a basic turkey call and the easiest sound to make. It’s
![image of a hunter outside of a turkey ground blind](/sites/default/files/styles/380x228/public/2020-09/hunting-from-blind.jpg?itok=tZ95S4Jl)
Green Peter Reservoir: launch sites at Thistle Creek Boat Ramp and Billings Boat Ramp, lunch and
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Establishment of the Bridge Creek Wildlife Area initially started in 1961 when a parcel of land was purchased from the Frank Hilbert estate. After the initial purchase, several private holdings were acquired to consolidate the land under department ownership. The last parcel was purchased from the Colvin Cattle Company in 1975. The primary purpose of the wildlife area is to maintain and protect a key historic winter range for Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni).