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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.

Press Release

Rogue Pikeminnow Roundup returns Sept. 26-28; anglers can win prizes

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – The seventh annual Rogue River Pikeminnow Roundup is set for Sept. 26 - Sept. 28, offering anglers the chance to win prizes while helping protect native fish. Participants can win fishing gear, apparel, gift cards, and more by catching non-native Umpqua pikeminnow in the Rogue River…

September 9, 2025

A pikeminnow lays flat on a metal background next to a measuring tape and fishing rod.

Article

10 steps to becoming an angler

Fishing isn’t hard, but it can be confusing to know how to begin. Here’s a step-by-step approach to get from thinking about it to doing it.

April 15, 2026

image of angler holding up a small smallmouth bass on the John Day R

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

Press Release

Catch-and-release only for native redband trout in Klamath Basin June 15-Oct. 31

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – ODFW is taking steps to protect native redband trout by requiring catch-and-release fishing for them and flies and artificial lures only (no bait) for all species from June 15 to Oct. 31 on Upper Klamath Lake and spring-fed creeks that feed into it. The waterbodies impacted…

June 10, 2026

Press Release

Two-rod validation extended in upper Willamette through Dec. 31 in areas open to coho retention

CLACKAMAS, Ore.— Anglers with the two-rod validation will be able to use two rods in areas of the upper Willamette River open to coho retention through the end of the year, under a temporary rule adopted by ODFW. Effective Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 for anglers with the validation, two…

August 6, 2025

Article

Easy angling in the Willamette Zone

Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbow trout. Some of these reservoirs also grow trophy-size largemouth and smallmouth bass, and lots of bluegill, brown bullhead and crappies. Salmon and steelhead navigate the Willamette and its productive tributaries, many of which are also home to rainbow and cutthroat trout.

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

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

Press Release

Two rods allowed in Willamette River June 3-July 31

CLACKAMAS, Ore.— Anglers will be able to use their two-rod validation in the Willamette River for hatchery spring Chinook and all other fish except sturgeon from June 3-July 31. Two rods were not originally authorized on the Willamette River this year because the forecasted return of hatchery-origin adult spring Chinook…

June 2, 2026

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

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.

Article

Steelhead management in Columbia & Snake river basins

Follow this page for background on steelhead management, to provide feedback and learn about decisions when they happen for the Columbia, Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, Walla Walla and Grand Ronde rivers. Sign up for email/text updates

Article

10 tips for targeting ocean coho

Some anglers think coho are more aggressive and easier to catch while they’re still in the open waters of the ocean. Here are some tips for targeting coho on big water.

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

Easy angling in the Southwest Zone

Salmon, steelhead and smallmouth bass offer world-class fishing here year-round. Rainbow trout are stocked in the upper Rogue and in lakes nestled in settings as varied as fir forest and wind-swept dune. Big reservoirs provide fishing for trout and for thriving populations of largemouth bass, catfish, perch and crappie. Coastal bays serve as gateways to rich offshore reef fisheries, and miles of public beach welcome anglers to fish for surfperch against a backdrop of rugged capes.

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.