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Species and Subspecies

Features: Quillback rockfish are slate-brown and mottled with yellow and orange towards the head, while the rear half of their body is gray to dark brown or black. They have dark brown or black "freckles" on their head and gill cover. They have deeply incised membranes on their very long, spinous dorsal fins. Quillback rockfish can grow to be 24-inches long.‌ Habitat: They prefer rocky bottoms from the intertidal zone out to 800 feet.‌ Technique: Quillback rockfish are currently prohibited. Anglers are required to immediately descend back to depth any quillback rockfish encountered outside of the 30-fathom regulatory line and…

Species and Subspecies

Vermilion rockfish

Features: Its deep red sides are mottled with gray. They grow to be 30-inches long. Yelloweye, canary and vermillion rockfish can look similar. See this rockfish identification article for distinguishing features for each species. Habitat: The vermilion rockfish is found near the bottom of the ocean over rocky substrate. Technique: They readily take both bait and lures. Rubber tailed lead head jigs, metal jigs, shrimp flies, and baited hooks will all take vermilion rockfish. Header photo by Ratha Grimes, Flickr

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

Article

10 tips to catch more winter steelhead

Successful steelhead fishing is more about developing a good strategy for finding fish than about fussing over gear, techniques and colors. (Although pink worms really do work!)

photo of an anglers holding a winter steelhead

Press Release

Burns Pond fish die-off caused by natural “turnover” event; ODFW plans to re-stock trout this fall

HINES, Ore. – ODFW biologists confirmed that a natural mixing event, or "turnover," likely caused the death of stocked rainbow trout recently observed at Burns Gravel Pond on Hwy 78. The pond is located two miles east of Burns, Ore., on Hwy 78 on property owned by ODFW. The pond's…

September 30, 2025

Press Release

ODFW invites anglers to recreational bottomfish and Pacific halibut public meetings: Meetings held in Brookings, North Bend, Newport

NEWPORT, Ore. – Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff are hosting in person meetings Oct. 6, 7, and 8 to discuss the 2026 recreational bottomfish and Pacific halibut seasons with anglers. The Oct. 8 meeting in Newport also offers a virtual option. Meeting information: Oct. 6, Brookings: 5:30-7:30 p.m…

September 23, 2025

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).

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Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Program

The Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery Program, funded by the Bonneville Power Administration and administered by the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, pays anglers for each northern pikeminnow that they catch in the Columbia River.

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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.

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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

Press Release

General Marine Species bag limit decreases beginning Aug. 18.

NEWPORT, Ore. – The General Marine Species bag limit returns to a four-fish bag limit beginning Monday, Aug. 18. The one-fish sub-bag limit for cabezon and the one-fish sub-bag limit for canary rockfish remain in place, and retention of quillback rockfish and yelloweye rockfish is prohibited. Great weather in mid-July…

August 15, 2025

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2023 Sport Halibut Newsletter

This newsletter provides a summary of Oregon’s 2023 sport halibut fishery.

February 2, 2024

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Rockfish identification tips

It's important to be able to distinguish between the most commonly encountered rockfish. Knowing what you've caught, and how many you can possess, will keep you on the right side of the regulations. Reminder: Yelloweye rockfish and quillback rockfish are prohibited at all times and in all waters.‌‌

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Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation

The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30. In addition, a harvest tag is required to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.‌ Visit e-regulations

October 25, 2023

Several Rogue River fishing boats pulled up on shore

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

Fall coastal salmon management

Fall salmon fishing seasons in rivers along Oregon’s coast from Necanicum River to the Winchuck River depend on the outlook for wild Chinook and coho. Management of wild fall Chinook fisheries are guided by the Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (CMP) and the Rogue Fall Chinook Conservation Plan (RFCCP). ‌‌‌ Subscribe to this page for information on fall coastal salmon seasons. Sign up for email updates

August 15, 2025

Article

All about the bass

Bass are an increasingly popular game fish even in a state noted for its native salmon, steelhead and trout. Bass often thrive in the urban waters of places like the Willamette Valley where warmer temperatures limit trout fishing in the summer months. Whether you target them in the Columbia or Willamette rivers, a coastal lake or the neighborhood pond, throughout much of the year bass can offer a rewarding fishing opportunity relatively close to home.

October 27, 2025

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2026-2027 Draft Sportfishing Regulation Proposals

At its Sept. 12, 2025 meeting in Ontario, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following changes for 2026-27 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. Scroll down the page or select zone from the tabs below to view the proposed changes.

July 3, 2025

Float tube angler fishing on Laurance Lake

Article

Stocking Oregon's hike-in lakes

Not all of Oregon’s high elevation lakes support fish populations. To help create fisheries in some of these off-road areas, ODFW stocks hundreds of lakes every two years with brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Here are their locations.