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Coos Bay is Oregon’s largest bay. The lower bay (areas from the ocean entrance to the airport) is “marine dominated”, meaning there is little freshwater influence, and offers some of Oregon’s most productive shellfishing opportunities.

Small game species provide a variety of hunting experiences throughout the state and are an excellent way to introduce new hunters to hunting. Only the appropriate hunting license is necessary to hunt small game (no tags or permits). There are three major categories of small game in Oregon: western gray squirrel, unprotected mammals and furbearers.

To maintain boating access and to protect Oregon's waters from invasive species, all boaters must have the required permit. Visit ODFW's Electronic Licensing System to buy permits.

Dry conditions and the associated wildfire danger can have a large impact on your hunting opportunity. Check below for resources for finding fire closures and restrictions, and for ODFW's policy on tag refunds and restoration of preference points.

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!)

This list features some of the best performing videos of the year and takes viewers to unique parts of Oregon where biologists work to protect fish, wildlife and habitats for everyone to enjoy.

Hunter's Resources Hunter's Technique Hunter's Bounty Hunter's Plan Oregon hunter's bucket list: Over 34 million acres of public land open to hunters. Diverse habitats from coastal rain forests to eastern deserts, with a couple of mountain ranges in between offer several opportunities to hunt deer and elk.

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Updated December 31, 2025 Subscribe for updates Starting Jan. 1, 2026, an Ocean Endorsement is needed for most recreational anglers fishing in the ocean. Check the Ocean Endorsement page for more information. Ocean Endorsement

If you bought a tag you must report, even if you weren't successful or didn't hunt. Report your hunt online or at an ODFW license vendor. Hunters have until January 31 (or April 15 if purchased a late tag) each year to report their previous year's hunts.

Join the community scientists who have shared their wildlife observations in Oregon throughout the iNaturalist app. Record your sightings of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles from around the state and contribute valuable data to wildlife conservation.

Resources to help prepare for a successful hunt in sagebrush country.

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

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.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease infecting deer, elk, and moose across North America. While CWD has not yet been detected in Oregon, it has been found in three bordering states – Idaho, California, and Washington. We have a chance to manage CWD if both hunters and wildlife managers work together. Get your animals tested and educate yourself and others about CWD. Ways to Get Tested Check Results Sign up for Updates

The Winchester Dam was built in November 1890 and is in the National Register of Historical Places. Constructed from large timber cribs, the dam was originally built 4-feet high and in 1907 the dam was raised to sixteen feet. Winchester Dam provided water and electricity for the town of Roseburg until 1923. In December 1945 a more permanent fish ladder and the first fish counting station on Winchester Dam was built. Two counters working the daylight hours, counted fish that swim over a white board located about four feet below the counter. The ladder was closed when counting was no…

The southwest zone includes Umpqua River, Coos Bay, Coquille River, Port Orford, Rogue River and Chetco River‌ - all of which offer shellfishing.

If you love Dungeness crab, you’ll love that you can harvest them yourself.