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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

Ocean salmon fishing

Summer is a great time to be on the Pacific chasing ocean salmon. Whether you captain your own ship or book a commercial charter, there is an ocean salmon of fishing opportunity for you.

Press Release

Columbia River sturgeon retention opens for one day on Feb. 16 in Bonneville and The Dalles pools

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – Sturgeon retention in Bonneville Pool and The Dalles Pool will open for one day on Monday, Feb. 16. These retention fisheries had not opened on the traditional date of Jan. 1 as in previous years. Due to warmer-than-normal winter water temperatures, increased angling effort, and high catch…

February 11, 2026

Press Release

States add Columbia River spring Chinook recreational fishing days

CLACKAMAS, Ore.—Following an in-season assessment of the upriver spring Chinook return, fishery managers from Oregon and Washington added more recreational spring Chinook fishing days on the mainstem Columbia during a joint state hearing yesterday. Six additional fishing days downstream of Bonneville Dam and five additional fishing days upstream of Bonneville…

May 13, 2026

Article

Commission agenda: August 15, 2025

Commission materials have moved to MyODFW.com: Commission materials have a new look. ODFW is working to transition its older odfw.com site to a new web platform. Some Commission pages that used to be on the older site have been moved over to MyODFW.com during this transition period. View the agenda Meeting: Friday, August 15, 2025 - 8:00 AM Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife Commission Room 4034 Fairview Industrial DR SE Salem, OR 97302

August 15, 2025

Article

Warmwater fishing in the south Willamette area

The south Willamette area covers the upper Willamette Basin south of Salem and includes the communities of Albany, Corvallis, Eugene, Springfield and Cottage Grove. Fishing for bass and panfish can be outstanding in the Willamette River and its many sloughs, but you'll need a boat for most locations because much of the banks are privately-owned. There also is good warmwater fishing in the area’s larger lakes such as Cottage Grove, Dorena, Foster, and Fern Ridge reservoirs, where crappie and large bass attract both seasoned and causal anglers. There are many smaller ponds inside and near the urban communities that offer…

Article

Warmwater fishing in northeast Oregon

Most warmwater anglers traveling to the northeast area are probably heading to Brownlee Reservoir, a huge 15,000 acre waterbody located along the Oregon-Idaho Reservoir on the Snake River. Brownlee offers outstanding fishing for bass and catfish, but might be best known for its crappie fishery which attracts anglers from throughout the country. However, anglers shouldn't overlook the other fishing opportunities located further downstream below Brownlee in Oxbow and Hells Canyon Reservoirs, and in the Snake River itself. Even in the lower Grand Ronde, a river better known for trout and steelhead, anglers will find good smallmouth bass fishing during the…

Article

7 tips for catching coastal cutthroat

Wide distribution, an aggressive nature and willingness to take bait, flies or lures, makes cutthroat trout a popular target in western Oregon rivers and streams. Here are some tips for catching them.

image of a 12-14 inch cutthroat trout on stream bank

Article

How to recognize and report poaching on the water

Each year, thousands of fish are harvested illegally in Oregon. Anglers who wait all year for their favorite salmon or steelhead run shouldn’t face reduced opportunity because of poaching. To report poaching call *OSP or 1-800-452-7888

July 31, 2020

photo of oversize sturgeon with head and tail removed

Article

Turkey Hunter's Guide

Spring habitually leads turkey hunting season, however, Oregon opens up additional opportunities in the fall with an extended hunting season. While spring is primarily breeding season with many successful hunters often setting up in a well-camouflaged location to call a male turkey into shooting range. Fall harvest can be just as thrilling to bring home a bounty to share at your table.

March 24, 2026

Press Release

ODFW to host free upland game bird hunts for youth at locations across the state beginning in September

SALEM, Ore.— ODFW will host a series of free upland game bird hunts for youth hunters starting in September. The hunts will take place around the state and youth hunters (age 17 and under) who have completed hunter education by the time of the event can sign up now for…

August 6, 2026

Site Sections

Big Game Hunting: Seasons

Spring, fall and winter are the seasons when most big game hunters will be in the woods or on the grasslands. Visit e-regulations

Article

Where to crab & clam in Coos Bay

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.

Article

Warmwater fishing in central Oregon

The central area follows the Deschutes River Basin along the eastern slope of the Cascades, and includes the middle reaches of the Columbia River from Bonneville upstream to the mouth of the John Day River. The warm and dry summer months help to create productive warmwater fisheries in the area's larger reservoirs including Crane Prairie Reservoir, a consistent producer of sizeable largemouth bass, and Prineville Reservoir which is renowned for its crappie. In the Columbia River, outstanding fishing for bass and walleye can be found in Bonneville Pool and The Dalles Pool.

Press Release

Commission meets April 23-24 in Lincoln City to adopt ocean salmon seasons, Sauvie Island limited entry parking program

SALEM, Ore.—Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission meets April 23-24 in Lincoln City. View the agenda online. Commissioners will visit coastal coho habitat restoration and monitoring projects in the Siletz River Basin during a field tour on Thursday. To join the tour, meet at the Shearwater Inn, 120 Inlet Court at…

April 17, 2026

Workshop and Events

Hunter's plan for Big Game success

Hunter's Guide Hunter's Resources Hunter's Technique Hunter's Bounty

Date

Various seasons

Location

Online Learning

Press Release

Commission meets June 25-26 in Redmond to adopt fall salmon seasons, furbearer regulations

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission meets June 25-26 in Redmond. View the agenda online. On Thursday, Commissioners will visit projects showcasing the landscape scale work underway with partners to protect and restore sagebrush habitat for mule deer in central Oregon. To join the tour, meet at Comfort…

June 18, 2026

Article

Commission agenda: January 16, 2026

Commission materials have moved to MyODFW.com: Commission materials have a new look. ODFW is working to transition its older odfw.com site to a new web platform. Some Commission pages that used to be on the older site have been moved over to MyODFW.com during this transition period. View the agenda Meeting : Friday, January 16, 2026 - 8:00 AM Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife Virtual Meeting Viewing Room: Classroom 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE Salem, OR 97302

January 16, 2026

Article

ODFW photo submission terms and conditions

Please read these terms and conditions before submitting photos to ODFW for its use in web, print and other materials.

July 11, 2018

Article

Hunter's guide for Big Game success

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.

October 1, 2025