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Article

Easy angling in the Southwest Zone

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.
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Article

Oregon's trout species

Trout are Oregon's most popular game fish but there are several species and not all are open to fishing. Learn how to identify them correctly, and find some tips for catching them too.
image of a cutthroat trout
Recreation Report

Fishing Report - Northeast Zone

NE Fishing January 15, 2026 Best bets for weekend fishing Trout and whitefish fishing should be good throughout the winter on the Wallowa River. Steelhead fishing has been good on the Imnaha River with success starting in the Wallowa River, too. Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught. Steelhead fishing is good on the Umatilla River. Trout can still be found on Willow Creek Reservoir. Trout stocking Regular stocking will resume in March 2026. Check out the trout stocking schedule. Trout stocking maps Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find…

September 05, 2017
Educational Moment

Patterning fall turkeys

In the spring, hunters try to take advantage of a tom’s predicted behavior during breeding season to bag a bird. In the fall, hunters fill their turkey tags by studying food sources and the daily routine of birds. Turkeys follow food sources As fall progresses, food sources for turkeys change. In late summer and early fall, turkeys largely feed on high-protein insects. Grasshoppers are a primary food source throughout Oregon this time of year. Silk worms, caterpillars, spiders and other bugs make up a good part of a turkey ’s fall diet. As fall leads to winter, earthworms and a…
May 19, 2020
image of tom turkey in a snow field
Educational Moment

Hunting fall turkeys

Spring turkey hunting is about appealing to a tom’s urge to mate. Fall hunting, on the other hand, is about keying in on a flock’s daily routine. Look for a lone bird As fall turkey flocks become established, there’s a pecking order in each group. It’s not uncommon for a lone bird – usually a jake or young tom – to be wandering by himself looking for a flock to join. If you spot a lone bird, waste no time trying to get in front of him to set up and call. Don’t intimidate the lone bird with aggressive calling…
May 19, 2020
image of a hen turkey in an autumn field of grasses
Species and Subspecies

Gray whale

The most common whale off the Oregon coast is the gray whale. In addition to the approximately 200 resident gray whales that live nearly year-round off Oregon, a winter and spring migration brings about 18,000 more past our coast. Gray whales are baleen whales (mysticetes). They grow to 50 feet in length and will weigh up to 80,000 pounds; adult females are larger than males, which is common in all baleen whales. They do not have a dorsal fin on their back but instead have a series of knuckles. These whales are mottled gray and are covered with barnacles and…

Gray whale
Landing page

Big Creek Hatchery Visitors' Guide

Big Creek Hatchery began operation in 1941. It was refurbished in 1957 under the Mitchell Act as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program – a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The facility is used for adult collection, egg incubation and rearing of winter steelhead, fall Chinook, and coho.

November 01, 2017
Educational Moment

Bow shooting safety

Before shooting a bow, you’ll want to make sure it's safe to fire. Bow/arrow safety check list Check that the string and cable are in good condition and aren ’t rubbing or fraying at any point. Use bowstring wax regularly to keep your string in good condition and safe to shoot. Check that the cams, limbs and riser are all in good shape. Look for cracks, dents, breaks, delaminations, peeling fiberglass, and any mechanical parts that may be defective. If any part of the bow is suspect, don’t shoot it. Fix it or take it to an archery shop to…
May 19, 2020
image of a bow cam, to be inspected before shooting
Educational Moment

Turkey sounds hunters should make

W hen 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…
May 19, 2020
image of a hunter outside of a turkey ground blind
Educational Moment

Shotgun shooting tips

Turkey hunters using a shotgun face a very small target – the head and neck of a turkey. Combine that with today’s specialized turkey loads shooting very tight patterns, and making a clean kill shot might depend on a steady shooting rest. Turkeys are nervous-looking birds that seem to never stop moving. Because of their monocular vision and eyes set on the side of their skull, turkeys are often moving and bobbing their heads to try to decipher what they’re seeing. Consider a shooting rest If you’ve got your gun in a ready position, and are waiting for a turkey…
May 19, 2020
image of a turkey hunter with his gun resting on his knee
Article

Commission agenda: January 16, 2026

Commission materials have moved to MyODFW.com: Commission materials have a new look. ODFW is working to transition its older odfw.com site to a new web platform. Some Commission pages that used to be on the older site have been moved over to MyODFW.com during this transition period. View the agenda Meeting : Friday, January 16, 2026 - 8:00 AM Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife Virtual Meeting Viewing Room: Classroom 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem, OR 97302
January 16, 2026
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Educational Moment

Packs and vests

You’ll need a way to carry your shells, turkey calls, first aid kit, extra gloves, lunch, water and other gear into the field. The most popular choices are a daypack or a specialized turkey hunting vest. Daypacks are simple and affordable A daypack is a simple and affordable option. It will hold a lot of stuff, most have some pockets to help you organize your gear, and some are hydration bladder compatible to help you stay hydrated during hot, dry hunts. Keep these things in mind when packing a daypack: Make sure the things in your daypack are secure and…
May 19, 2020
image of hunter placing a pot call in a turkey hunting vest
Recreation Report

Game Bird Hunting Report - East Area

EASTERN OREGON January 15, 2026 Currently open Upland: Eurasian collared dove, ruffed and blue grouse, rooster pheasant, chukar/ Hungarian partridge, quail, *fall turkey (*Check regulations for specific units and boundaries) Duck, scaup, Wilson's snipe, crow, brant, Mid-Columbia zone - Canada, white fronted and white goose Upcoming Season High desert & Blue Mountain zones – Canada goose (Opens Dec 9) Announcements, resources A district-by-district look at how this year's migratory and upland bird seasons are shaping up. 2025-26 Game Bird Hunting Forecast Hunt by Reservation Program - ODFW's Hunt by Reservation Program connects bird hunters with private landowners. By making a…

September 05, 2017
Article

How to hunt waterfowl

Oregon supports diverse waterfowl populations, from sea ducks in coastal saltwater to puddle ducks in the alkali basins of southeast Oregon. You might think you need lots of gear (decoys, boats, a trained dog) to hunt ducks and geese, but you don’t. All of these things are nice but not necessary. All you really need is a hunting license/tag, shotgun, shells and some basic identification skills.
A hunter dressed in camo and a black dog walk down a snowy road
Educational Moment

Caring for the meat

Wild turkeys can be eaten either fresh or aged. It all comes down to personal preference, and there are adherents on both sides. Why and how to age a turkey Aging is a process by which changes in muscle enzymes tenderize the meat, and concentrate the flavor. Many hunters prefer to age their meat – both big game and game birds. Others adhere to the motto “fresh birds are the best birds.” Aging is particularly helpful in tenderizing the meat of older toms. If you choose to age your bird, here are some tips: Wild turkey can be aged right…
May 19, 2020
image of a cook in the kitchen preparing turkey meat
Recreation Report

Wildlife Viewing - Southeast Zone

SE WILDLIFE VIEWING January 15, 2026 Harney County Harney County has an array of species that can be viewed during the winter months. Upland game birds that are represented in the area include: chukar, California quail, ring-necked pheasant, sagegrouse, and Hungarian partridge. Look to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to have an opportunity at catching a glimpse of most of these species. Raptors are present in the district and opportunities abound throughout the county. Look on fence posts, telephone poles, and amongst cliff and talus slopes to see a variety of species that include red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons, ferruginous hawks, golden…

September 05, 2017
Educational Moment

Selecting shotgun shells and chokes

The variety of available shotgun shells can be dizzying, and there are more being introduced all the time. But taking into account the size of your shotgun and your intended target will help you narrow the choices to a more manageable number. Where to find shell information When you buy shells, the box they’re in will be labeled with the gauge, shell length, amount of shot inside the shell (in ounces), the size of shot and how many feet per second the load travels. Some of this information may also be printed on each shell to help you identify loose…
May 19, 2020
Shotgun shells
Article

Warmwater fishing in Oregon: An introduction

Whether it's a 6-inch bluegill or a trophy-size bass, Oregon's warmwater fish offer anglers of all ages a variety of fishing opportunities. Check out some basic tips here, then head to the article that details places to go looking for warmwater fish species within the area of the state you're interested in.
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Article

Fishing Oregon's hike-in lakes

Fishing Oregon’s high elevation lakes is not just for dedicated anglers. It also appeals to hikers and backpackers who head to the backcountry with a sense of adventure and a yearning for quietude.
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Article

Ways to get your animal tested for CWD

Learn more about CWD
November 20, 2025