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Article
Fishing isn’t hard, but it can be confusing to know how to begin. Here’s a step-by-step approach to get from thinking about it to doing it.
October 26, 2020
Educational Moment
Turkey hunters should be aware of all state hunting regulations, but pay special attention to these things – all of which are listed in the table of contents of the Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations: Licensing and tags Shooting hours Legal hunting methods Turkey hunting opportunities The Game Bird Regulations are available both online and in print, both are organized in the same way. Licensing and tags In Oregon, all hunters older than 12 years need a hunting license. Kids 12-17 years old can buy a special, value-priced youth license that also includes fishing and shellfishing. In addition to a
May 19, 2020
Article
This newsletter provides a summary of Oregon's 2023 sport bottomfish fishery.
March 26, 2024
Species and Subspecies
Searching for frogs and salamanders is a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of Oregon's wildlife and the great outdoors. Learn more about their various habitat needs and you'll increase your chances of seeing one of these unique species. Remember to leave no trace to preserve their habitat. Listen to a chorus of treefrogs, and check out our fun facts on Oregon's frogs.
Landing page
Build bird houses for ODFW. Teach families to fish. Walk a stream or hike in a forest looking for animals or sign of animals to support various studies. Teach others to hunt or about hunter safety. Assist Marine Reserves with onshore or offshore studies. These are just some of the things ODFW volunteers do to help protect and enhance Oregon's natural resources. Current volunteer opportunities
August 21, 2023
Species and Subspecies
Oregon has 15 native snake species, from the beautifully colored California Mountain kingsnake to the rubber boa, a constrictor. Interestingly, the sharptail snake appears to specialize in feeding on slugs. And did you know that of our native snakes, only the Western rattlesnake has poisonous venom that's dangerous to humans? ODFW has a fun fact sheet for kids of any age, and a more in-depth brochure, Living with Snakes.
Article
The white sturgeon is one of Oregon's most iconic and distinctive fish species with a lineage dating back to the age of the dinosaurs. Due to population concerns, the sturgeon fishery is highly regulated in terms of retention opportunity and size limits. The structure of retention seasons is likely to change in 2026 with no New Year's Day opener in Bonneville and The Dalles pools, as quotas have been met in just a few days in recent years. Oregon and Washington will hold a joint state hearing Nov. 13, 2025 at 2 p.m. to discuss and lay out a new
November 4, 2025
Article
Regulating harvest, health, and enhancement of wildlife populations.
November 6, 2025
Species and Subspecies
Features: Eulachon smelt ( Thaleichthys pacificus) grow to be 6-9 inches long and live 3-5 years. They have elongated bodies with relatively large mouths. They are blueish on top and silvery on their sides and bellies. Habitat: The Pacific smelt spends most of its life in the ocean, migrating up rivers, including the Columbia and its tributaries, to spawn. The eggs attach to gravelly, woody, or sandy substrate of the river bottoms, but upon hatching the juvenile smelt get swept downstream back to the ocean. Technique: Dip netting for smelt when they run in the Sandy River is a great
Recreation Report
NW Fishing Dec. 4, 2025 Best bets for weekend fishing Winter steelhead are starting to show up in the North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum River, and Lower Columbia tributaries. These streams get early returning hatchery steelhead and will provide the best opportunity for catching winter steelhead in early December. Hatchery coho are still coming in on the Trask River and North Fork Nehalem River. Many fish are getting past prime, but there are still some in good condition available and will be throughout the month of December. (There is no retention of wild coho allowed.) There are still hold over trout
September 05, 2017
Article
Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbow trout. Some of these reservoirs also grow trophy-size largemouth and smallmouth bass, and lots of bluegill, brown bullhead and crappies. Salmon and steelhead navigate the Willamette and its productive tributaries, many of which are also home to rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Species and Subspecies
Features: In breeding plumage, green-winged drakes have a cinnamon-colored head with a green eye-stripe, gray back, flanks, and a bright patch of iridescent green on the rear of the wing (speculum). Hens are brown with a green speculum. Habitat: Green-winged teal are primarily winter migrants in Oregon. They are puddle (dabbling) ducks that prefer shallow areas like ponds and marshes, where they feed on or near the surface of the water by tipping up. Techniques: Teal are early migrants that begin arriving in Oregon in August but will continue to arrive into November. There are good early season hunts in
Article
Learn to fish, hunt, shoot or cast at an ODFW workshop or event, offered year round throughout the state. You'll find Hunter and Bowhunter Safety Education courses and field days here. Upcoming classes and workshops
September 4, 2025
Article
Oregon offers some great opportunities for the first-time hunter -- from deer and elk, to geese and ducks, to chukar and pheasants. Here are a few pointers to help you get started.
October 30, 2025
Recreation Report
Columbia Fishing Dec 4, 2025 Current and upcoming fishing opportunities: Columbia River regulation updates for fall management period (August 1- December 31) are posted. Please see the fishing regulation update page for details. Announcements For the latest regulations, including in-season changes See the fishing regulations update page. Changes to 2026 sturgeon retention fisheries above Bonneville: Fishery managers are taking a new approach to the sturgeon retention fisheries in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools by delaying the openers in 2026. This is in an effort to increase the likelihood of the fisheries remaining open longer, after having to close within
September 05, 2017
Article
Salmon, steelhead and smallmouth bass offer world-class fishing here year-round. Rainbow trout are stocked in the upper Rogue and in lakes nestled in settings as varied as fir forest and wind-swept dune. Big reservoirs provide fishing for trout and for thriving populations of largemouth bass, catfish, perch and crappie. Coastal bays serve as gateways to rich offshore reef fisheries, and miles of public beach welcome anglers to fish for surfperch against a backdrop of rugged capes.
Article
Take the Western Native Trout Challenge and you’ll learn about native trout and where to find them, earn bragging rights and rewards, and help the Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) conserve 21 native trout and char species in 12 states.
May 24, 2019
Article
Oregon has miles and miles of small rivers and creeks where anglers can enjoy simple techniques, a sense of solitude and a taste of adventure.
