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Article

Easy angling in the Northwest Zone

A dozen great rivers pour out of the Coast Range Mountains into tidal bays that welcome runs of salmon and the sea-going rainbow trout called “steelhead.” Bays are the year-round home to marine perch, rockfish, crabs and clams, while other species come and go with the seasons and the tides. In the Northwest Zone a handful of ponds dot the forested slopes, and there are dozens of dune lakes— many stocked with plump rainbow trout, and some that grow their own largemouth bass, perch, crappie and brown bullhead.

Article

Easy angling in the Central Zone

Known for its high desert climate, sage-covered canyons, glacial peaks and mountain lakes, this zone is defined by the reach of Oregon’s finest trout stream. The Deschutes River is no bigger than a creek when it passes close by South Twin Lake on its way toward Wickiup and Crane Prairie reservoirs. But it soon gains power enough to grow athletic rainbow trout. The considerably tamer Crooked River offers good practice if you’re just learning how to keep your footing in a slippery freestone stream.

Article

4 1/2 ways to take a rod with you this weekend

Hiking or camping plans getting in the way of fishing this weekend? Going to be busy kayaking or going to the beach? No need to choose between fishing and other fun – just take a rod with you.

Article

ODFW Tag Team reporting

Begun in 2014, the Tag Team Program helps ODFW fish biologists better understand the effectiveness of stocking efforts. It’s also a chance for anglers to participate in fishery management and, perhaps, come away with up to $50.

Article

Rockfish recompression

Rockfish must be released when retention is prohibited or when an angler has reached the daily bag limit, but continues to fish for other species. However, releasing rockfish isn’t as simple as just dropping them back into the water. Some rockfish need help to get back down to deeper water to recover from a condition called barotrauma.

Article

Easy angling in the Northeast Zone

The granite peaks of Oregon’s Blue and Wallowa Mountains form the backdrop for many of this zone’s glacier-carved lakes and crystalline streams. Pack trains are a common sight on steep backcountry trails. Bull trout thrive in this zone’s cold, clear rivers, which also sustain rainbow trout and welcome returning runs of hatchery-reared steelhead. Warmwater fisheries are few, but the John Day River offers world-class fishing for smallmouth bass.

Article

7 tips to catch more trout this winter

Dedicated fly-anglers don’t stop fishing in the winter, instead they adjust their tactics to the colder conditions.

photo of two anglers, dressed for winter, each holding a nice trout

Press Release

Columbia River 2025 summer/fall salmon and steelhead seasons announced

CLACKAMAS, Ore.—Oregon and Washington fishery managers have finalized preseason planning for 2025 Columbia River summer and fall recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries. Forecasts for summer steelhead, sockeye, fall Chinook, and coho will allow opportunity for anglers to target these fish. The planned 2025 fall-season fisheries are primarily limited by the…

June 3, 2025

Article

Easy angling in Oregon, Introduction

We've asked our fish biologists throughout the state to pick their favorite family fishing locations. These spots are great for novice and experienced anglers alike.

Article

Gifts for anglers

We asked some of the fisher folk at ODFW for their favorite gift-giving ideas. Here's what they said.

an image of two wading anglers holding nice rainbow trout from the Fall River

Article

Columbia Walleye Check all the Boxes

January 5, 2026

Article

Opportunities on the upswing for Oregon’s fall salmon anglers

Oregon salmon anglers in the summer and fall are like kids in a candy store. Treats abound regardless of which kind of salmon you want, or how you like to fish. Do you want to experience the epic Buoy 10 fishery? Perhaps you'd rather take your own boat onto a smaller, calmer estuary for a less intense experience. Or maybe you want to fish from the bank with a spinner. Whatever your taste in salmon fishing, Oregon has it this time of year. Find out the when, where, how many and other regulations by checking both the in-season regulation updates…

August 29, 2025

Two smiling female anglers each hold up a recently caught Chinook salmon

Press Release

Commission sets 2026 groundfish seasons

SALEM, Ore.— The Commission set 2026 groundfish regulations during their meeting in Salem today. The daily catch limit for lingcod will increase from 2 to 3 fish next year, since lingcod populations are healthy and bycatch of yelloweye rockfish (a protected species) is still low. The daily limit for general…

December 12, 2025

Press Release

Critical survey underway to inform management of Oregon’s black rockfish fishery

ODFW Marine Resources Program's Alex Copeland monitors scientific fish finders on board the research vessel. ODFW photo. NEWPORT, Ore. – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Fisheries Research team is conducting a nearly 10-week at-sea survey to better understand the population status of black, blue, and deacon rockfish—three species…

August 29, 2025

082925_Alex_Copeland_monitors_scientific_fish_finders_on_board_the_research_vessel_2025.jpg

Article

12 tips for catching wipers in Ana Reservoir

Wipers, a cross between striped and white bass, reach prodigious proportions in the productive waters of Ana Reservoir. Their size (up to 19 pounds) and hard-fighting nature make them a popular destination fishery with many anglers.

March 13, 2019

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.

Article

Who needs a Columbia River Basin Endorsement

All Oregon-licensed anglers fishing for salmon, steelhead or sturgeon (catch-and-release and retention) on all rivers and tributaries in the Columbia River Basin need to have a Columbia River Basin Endorsement (CRBE). Washington-licensed anglers need a Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

January 29, 2026

Press Release

No two-rod on the Willamette River in 2026 due to low forecast for hatchery spring Chinook

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The two-rod validation will not be available for the Willamette River in 2026 as the forecast for hatchery-origin adult fish does not meet the minimum return threshold. The 2026 Columbia River spring-summer forecast anticipates 43,700 adult Willamette-origin spring Chinook will return to the mouth of the Columbia…

December 16, 2025

Article

Offshore long-leader gear fishery

Long-leader gear is used to target midwater species like yellowtail rockfish, canary rockfish and widow rockfish, while avoiding bottom-dwelling species like yelloweye rockfish.

Press Release

General Marine Species bag limit reduced to lower risk of an early season closure

Cara Rupp with her 5 lb. 11 oz. Black rockfish near Beverly Beach State Park. Photo provided by Dennis J Rupp. NEWPORT, Ore. – The General Marine Species daily bag limit is reduced to three fish beginning Sept. 18 to lower the risk of an early season closure. The one-fish…

September 16, 2025