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Article
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.
Educational Moment
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
Species and Subspecies
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
Recreation Report
NE Fishing December 4, 2025 Best bets for weekend fishing Trout and whitefish fishing should be good throughout the fall on the Wallowa River. Steelhead fishing has been good on the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Rivers 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 2025 stocking schedule. Trout stocking maps Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations, driving directions and descriptions of amenities. Announcements If your favorite fishing spot is no longer
September 05, 2017
Article
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.
Chance to comment on proposed 2026 Sport Fishing Regulations
SALEM, Ore.—ODFW will be proposing several changes to next year's Sport Fishing Regulations. The Commission will adopt 2026 regulations at their Sept. 12 meeting in Ontario. Major staff proposals for changes include: Allowing spearfishing for bass and walleye in more rivers and streams: Spearfishing…
July 29, 2025
Article
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
Razor clam conservation closure begins July 15 on Clatsop beaches
ASTORIA, Ore – The annual conservation closure of razor clamming on Clatsop beaches begins 12:01 a.m. July 15. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages clammers to take advantage of the low tide series that begins July 8. However, ODFW reminds clammers that although the low tide series…
July 7, 2025
Commission meets for online training Oct. 10
SALEM, Ore.–The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet virtually on Friday, Oct. 10 from 8:30 a.m.-noon for a training related to cultural resources, tribal sovereignty, and tribal treaty rights. The meeting will be livestreamed from the Commission page and via ODFW's YouTube channel. Invited…
October 6, 2025
Waterfowl hunting workshops coming to Klamath Falls, Medford, Roseburg
ROSEBURG, Ore. – Learn how to hunt waterfowl or sharpen your skills in one of three waterfowl hunting workshops in Southern Oregon offered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. ODFW hunter education specialists are teaching the workshops: Oct. 3: Klamath Falls, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Klamath…
September 22, 2025
Recreation Report
Willamette fishing December 4, 2025 Best bets for weekend fishing: The Willamette River and other water bodies are increasing in activity. Several waterbodies will be stocked with trout this week. Cascade Hike-in Lakes offer beauty, serenity, and the potential for untrammeled fishing opportunities. Trout stocking Stocked the week of Nov 17-21: Row River nature park (formerly Cottage Grove Lake) Scheduled to be stocked the week of Nov 24-28: Walter Wirth Lake, Mt Hood Pond at MHCC campus, Waverly Lake, Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake. Check the 2025 trout stocking schedule Trout stocking maps Check out the ODFW fishing and
September 05, 2017
Article
Information gleaned from the teeth of harvested black-tail deer will help ODFW biologists learn more about the deer population.
Veterans inspire improvements to shotgun range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area
Veterans invited to grand reopening event set for Nov. 15 MONMOUTH, Ore.—ODFW Hunter Education Coordinator Jered Goodwin used to see a group of disabled Veterans regularly visiting the shotgun shooting range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, a former military base turned wildlife area and popular…
November 7, 2025
Deadline extension: Grant opportunity to build wildlife crossings in Oregon OCRF seeks letters of interest for Wildlife Passage Infrastructure Projects
SALEM, Ore. – ODFW's Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund (OCRF) is now accepting letters of interest for its summer 2025 Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure Grant Opportunity, supporting capital construction projects that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and restore critical movement and…
July 15, 2025
Article
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
Article
ODFW welcomes everyone to hunt, fish, trap, harvest shellfish and participate in wildlife viewing to the degree their passion exists for the experience. ODFW is committed to providing programs and services to all Oregonians regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin (including language), sex, age, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation.
September 29, 2025
Educational Moment
A box calls is the most popular turkey call, and is a good choice for new turkey hunters. Box calls not only are easy to use, but they can sound very realistic. A box call can create a wide range of yelps, clucks, purrs, fighting purrs, cackles and gobbles. If you can get yelps, clucks and purrs to sound good on a box call, you’ll routinely bring in birds. Parts of a box call Box calls come in two parts – a narrow rectangular box with a paddle attached at one end. Attached with a single screw in the center
May 19, 2020
Article
Oregon offers spring and fall bear hunting seasons. Fall bear is an entirely general season hunt, while spring season is now all controlled hunt. There are no longer first-come, first-served SW Oregon bear tags.
Hunters urged to get deer and elk tested for CWD: Chance to win prize from Oregon Hunters Association
SALEM, Ore.— Hunters are the first line of defense against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). By getting their animals tested, hunters can help wildlife managers detect the disease early and slow its spread in the state's deer and elk herds. OHA and ODFW are again teaming up to encourage hunters who…
September 2, 2025
Exciting news for anglers: More wild coho fishing days added on Mid Coast
SALEM, Ore. – Anglers will have additional chances to fish for wild coho this November as ODFW announces extended fishing opportunities in the Siletz, Yaquina, and Alsea river basins. At the request of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, ODFW staff evaluated the potential for additional fishing…
October 7, 2025