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Features: Black rockfish are dark gray to black on top, with a lighter belly, and black spots on their dorsal fins. They can grow to be 25-inches long. Take the "Black Rockfish or Not?" quiz Habitat: They are found over rocky reefs most typically shoreward of 180 ft. of depth, and are common along jetties and other structure in estuaries. Occasionally schools of black rockfish will come all the way to the surface. Technique: Rockfish feed on squid, octopus, krill, and other fish . They readily take both bait and lures. Common lures include rubber-tailed lead head jigs and shrimp…

Features: Their eyed-side is greenish-brown to dark brown or black with lighter blotches. Their blind side is white to milky-white. They have a large, stout but flat body, shaped like an elongated diamond . Pacific halibut have been known to reach 500 pounds, but on average are 40 pounds. Habitat: Halibut are a large flatfish and so they spend much time near the bottom of the ocean looking above for food. They prefer chilly water and are primarily found in the Gulf of Alaska. Technique: Boat anglers use heavy rods to fish on or near gravel bottoms in water 150-500…

Features: They are orange red to orange yellow with a bright yellow eyes. Their fin tips may be black. On the top of their head they have a pair of rough ridges. Yelloweye, canary and vermilion rockfish can look similar. See this rockfish identification article for distinguishing features of each species Take the "Yelloweye Rockfish or Not?" quiz Habitat: Juveniles and subadults prefer shallower water than adults, and are associated with rocky reefs,and kelp canopies. Adults move into deeper water as they grow, and prefer rocky bottoms. Technique: Yelloweye rockfish are currently prohibited in the catch. Anglers are required to…

Features: The coloration tends to be golden-brownish with dark brown or black spots on the body, and on the dorsal and adipose fins. Usually few or no spots appear on the tail fin. Many body spots, especially those below the lateral line, are edged with pink, red, or orange, forming rings or halos. Breeding males develop strong teeth and a hooked snout. Size can range from 11-inches long in small streams to over 30-inches in large rivers or lakes. Habitat: Although brown trout can adapt themselves to sluggish streams and warmer temperatures than other trout, cold, spring-fed tributary streams with…

Features: As the name suggests, these fish have rosy red strip along their sides. Other identification clues include large, profuse black spots on the body and orange and yellow tints along the belly. Habitat: Redband trout are a subspecies of native rainbow trout that have adapted to the arid, desert conditions of eastern Oregon. During drought years distribution constricts as streams dry and become uninhabitable. Trout re-colonize these streams during wet cycles, expanding the distribution. Prime trout waters are clear, clean and cold. Good trout stream habitat is complex, consisting of an array of riffles and pools, submerged wood, boulders…

Features: The color of all trout varies with environment. In general, the rainbow is bluish-green on the back, silvery on the sides and belly, and has a white edge to the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. A generous sprinkling of black spots appear along the back, and on the dorsal, adipose and caudal fins. A pinkish band usually extends along the sides. Habitat: Rainbow trout are the most widely stocked and distributed trout in Oregon. They occur naturally in many rivers and streams, and each year ODFW stocks millions more in ponds, lakes and streams. Prime trout waters are clear…

Features: Great whites are blue to gray on top and white underneath. They can grow as large as 20-feet long and weigh in excess of 4000 pounds! They have several rows of teeth in their large mouths. Habitat: Great whites stay in temperate ranges with water temperatures between 54- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit, including waters off the west coast. Technique: Great white sharks are protected under federal and state laws making them illegal to target or keep.

Features: This species is relatively thin compared to other rockfish. It is easily recognized by its three to four horizontal green stripes that extend onto the caudal fin membranes. The body color ranges from white to reddish; red or orange areas can be observed on the body after capture. Habitat: Though found between 40 and 1,632 foot depths, these rockfish tend to stay between 300 and 825 feet with older/larger individuals found deeper. They live on muddy, sandy and rocky bottoms. Technique: Rubber tail jigs or shrimp flies are good choices when targeting greenstriped rockfish. Be wary of sharp dorsal…