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Article

10 ways to be a better cougar hunter

Oregon’s population of about 6,000 cougars occupies a wide variety of habitat across the state, offering a year-round, readily-accessible hunting opportunity.

August 29, 2019

Article

Take care out there: A guide to respectful recreation

Each year over 9 million Oregonians and visitors head to hills – and the desert, and the beach – to enjoy the outdoor beauty Oregon offers. But with that many people actively appreciating the hills (and the desert and the beach) it’s becoming even more important that we learn to enjoy our fragile ecosystems today while also protecting them for tomorrow’s visitors.

February 14, 2020

image of three bird watchers looking in a tree through binoculars

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).

Article

How to hunt upland game birds

Oregon offers some of the best upland game bird hunting in the West. The state’s diverse habitats support nine species of upland game birds— pheasants, chukar, Hungarian partridge, valley (California) quail, mountain quail, ruffed grouse, blue grouse, sage-grouse and wild turkey. There are upland hunting opportunities in every corner of the state, and one upland bird season or another is open continuously from September 1 through January 31. Throw in a six-week spring turkey season and you can hunt upland game birds in Oregon for more than half of the year! Also, since many of the species share similar habitat…

August 18, 2025

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

Press Release

Columbia River 2025 summer/fall salmon and steelhead seasons announced

CLACKAMAS, Ore.—Oregon and Washington fishery managers have finalized preseason planning for 2025 Columbia River summer and fall recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries. Forecasts for summer steelhead, sockeye, fall Chinook, and coho will allow opportunity for anglers to target these fish. The planned 2025 fall-season fisheries are primarily limited by the…

June 3, 2025

Article

Roadkills of Oregon

The purpose of this project is to help us understand the impacts roads have on Oregon's wildlife, and to identify roadkill hot spots and vulnerabilities among different wildlife species. This information can help make roadways safer and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Article

Warmwater Fishing in the Klamath Lake area

Oregon's Klamath and Lake counties offer outstanding warmwater fishing in the region's lakes and reservoirs, and even in the lower reaches of some of the rivers and streams. The area covers the Upper Klamath Basin and extends east to include the Chewaucan and Warner Lakes Basins.

Article

7 reasons to target trout in small streams

Oregon has miles and miles of small rivers and creeks where anglers can enjoy simple techniques, a sense of solitude and a taste of adventure.‌

Recreation Report

Wildlife Viewing - Central Zone

CENTRAL WILDLIFE VIEWING January 15, 2026 Crook County Fall ungulate migration will soon be upon us. You can find mule deer transitioning from high elevation summer feeding areas to the lower elevation sagebrush and agricultural areas. There are red-tailed, rough-legged and ferruginous hawks, northern harriers, American kestrels, prairie falcons and golden eagles throughout Crook County and they're usually associated more closely with open/agricultural areas. Bald eagles and ospreys, on the other hand, are more closely associated with water bodies. Look for northern goshawks throughout the Ochoco National Forest, and for ducks and geese in rivers and lakes. Prineville Reservoir Wildlife…

September 05, 2017

Article

Fishing Oregon's hike-in lakes

Fishing Oregon’s high elevation lakes is not just for dedicated anglers. It also appeals to hikers and backpackers who head to the backcountry with a sense of adventure and a yearning for quietude.

Landing page

2025-26 Fern Ridge game bird harvest statistics

Find the weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area.

September 15, 2017

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

Article

Big game statistics

Here you’ll find links to game population, harvest statistics and point summary reports that can help you decide on choosing a general season, controlled or premium hunt. Apply for a controlled hunt

December 8, 2025

image of an archery hunter with a large male mule deer

Article

Small game hunting in Oregon

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.

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

Recreation Report

Fishing Report - Willamette Zone

Willamette fishing January 15, 2026 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 Jan 26-30: Walter Wirth Lake, Waverly Lake, Walter Wirth Lake, Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake, EE Wilson pond. Check out the trout stocking schedule. Trout stocking maps Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing locations (including high mountain lakes), driving directions and descriptions of…

September 05, 2017

Article

Watercraft Inspection Stations in Oregon

Stop for boat inspections — it's quick, free, and protects Oregon waters. All vehicles towing or carrying watercraft or paddlecraft into Oregon must stop at any watercraft inspection station that is open to inspect for aquatic invasive species.

ODFW Aquatic Invasive Species Check Station spraying down kayaks on a boat trailer

Article

Oregon shellfish regulations

Oregon has over 360 miles of coastline -- that's a big sandbox in which to take the family clamming and crabbing. They're open throughout the year and are suitable for everyone in the family. It's fun, it's easy, it's delicious.

January 5, 2024

photo of three smiling women each holding a Dungeness crab

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.

October 26, 2020