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Species and Subspecies
Features: In breeding plumage, green-winged drakes have a cinnamon-colored head with a green eye-stripe, gray back, flanks, and a bright patch of iridescent green on the rear of the wing (speculum). Hens are brown with a green speculum. Habitat: Green-winged teal are primarily winter migrants in Oregon. They are puddle (dabbling) ducks that prefer shallow areas like ponds and marshes, where they feed on or near the surface of the water by tipping up. Techniques: Teal are early migrants that begin arriving in Oregon in August but will continue to arrive into November. There are good early season hunts in
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Take the Western Native Trout Challenge and you’ll learn about native trout and where to find them, earn bragging rights and rewards, and help the Western Native Trout Initiative (WNTI) conserve 21 native trout and char species in 12 states.
May 24, 2019
Article
The north coast area includes the Lower Columbia River downstream of St. Helens to the Pacific Ocean, and the Oregon Coast from Astoria south to Yachats. The Columbia, and particularly its backwaters and sloughs, provide excellent fisheries for bass, crappie, and catfish.
September 15, 2017
Article
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.
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ODFW has been reviewing big game hunting to simplify regulations, provide fair and consistent opportunity and ensure biological objectives are met. Here's how you can be a part of the review process. Sign up for email or text updates
August 17, 2020
Article
This is your one-stop platform for learning how to hunt and fish in Oregon. Register to participate in one or more of the many statewide events and workshops, check back items are updated weekly. Build your confidence and expand your knowledge to enjoy the great outdoors. Looking for the required youth hunter safety courses and field days, choose between a conventional in-person course or complete one of the online education courses and an in-person field day. Sign up for a location, date and time that works with your schedule. Hunter safety events are taught by certified volunteer instructors statewide. To
August 14, 2025
Recreation Report
NE Fishing Aug 21, 2025 Best bets for weekend fishing Trout fishing on the Wallowa River can be good throughout the summer. Large kokanee > 16 inches have been caught in Wallowa Lake this year. Bass fishing is good on McKay Reservoir. Nice sized bass and perch can be found on Willow Creek Reservoir. Trout stocking Stocked Aug 4-8: Wallowa Lake. Additional stocking in NE zone scheduled to resume Sept. 22. 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
September 05, 2017
Article
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
Lane County offers so much to explore — from coastal lakes and rivers to mountain lakes and streams. The Willamette River runs through the Eugene-Springfield metro area and is fed by three major rivers: the McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette and Coast Fork Willamette. Florence is surrounded by large dune lakes, the Siuslaw River and Pacific Ocean. With so many places to fish, it’s no wonder Lane County is an angler’s paradise. For current regulations, call your local ODFW office or check MyODFW.com.
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Oregon offers some great opportunities for the first-time hunter -- from deer and elk, to geese and ducks, to chukar and pheasants. Here are a few pointers to help you get started.
March 23, 2018
Recreation Report
Central Fishing Aug 21, 2025 Best bets for weekend fishing Steelhead fishing on the lower Deschutes has been great so far this summer Following recent stockings anglers report good fishing on the Fall River. Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and trout fishing at East, Paulina, and Odell lakes. Kokanee are beginning to darken in preparation for spawning, but quality fish can be caught for the next week or two. August is the month for the Metolius. Bull Trout have entered the river to prepare for spawning and anglers report aggressive takes on streamers. Anglers report excellent summer bass opportunities
September 05, 2017
Landing page
This is your one-stop platform for learning how to hunt and fish in Oregon. Register here to participate in one or more of the many statewide events and workshops offered. Enjoy the great outdoors even more by building your confidence and expanding your knowledge! Look no further: hunter safety courses and field days Choose between a conventional in-person course or complete one of the online education courses plus an in-person field day. Sign up for a location, date and time that works best with your schedule. Hunter safety education events are offered year-round and taught by certified volunteer instructors statewide
August 14, 2025
Recreation Report
Columbia Fishing Aug 21, 2025 Current and upcoming fishing opportunities: Columbia River regulation updates for the summer management period (June 16-July 31) and fall management period (August 1- December 31) are posted. Please see the fishing regulation update page for details. Announcements For the latest regulations, including in-season changes See the fishing regulations update page. Fish consumption advisories The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is important. Bonneville Dam fish
September 05, 2017
Article
Crappie are scrappy, hard-fighting fish, and with a two-rod validation you can double the excitement of reeling in these delicious panfish. Lucky for us, Oregon has lots of opportunity for crappie, and some of our waterbodies are considered premier crappie fishing destinations!
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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.
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Wide open spaces, wild windy places, and extreme temperatures characterize Oregon’s largest, most remote fishing zone. Scarcity makes water especially precious here, providing welcome oases in an often rugged, but spectacular landscape. Rainbow trout are native to its streams, including the Williamson, Malheur and Chewaucan rivers. And stocked rainbow and brown trout grow to trophy size in many of its lakes and reservoirs.
Landing page
Protecting and enhancing Oregon’s fish and wildlife, and the habitats they use, for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations is at the heart of what we do.
September 05, 2017
Chance to comment on proposed 2026 Sport Fishing Regulations
Public Notice
News
Contact
Comment by emailing odfw.sportfishingregulations@odfw.oregon.gov
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 is a popular alternative fishing method and the public has been requesting expanded opportunity. The change could also potentially help reduce impacts of bass and walleye on native fish.
Clarifying bag limits for kokanee: Currently, kokanee are considered trout and counted as part of the trout bag limit which can be confusing. The new bag limit would be a standard 10 kokanee per day (in addition to trout limits), no size limit, open all year, unless noted under Exceptions.
Making the coho seasons in the upper Willamette Basin permanent: There have been large coho runs above Willamette Falls the last few years, allowing for fishing seasons to be adopted under temporary rule. Moving forward, coho fishing would be open in the mainstem and some tributaries under permanent regulations with season dates (Oct. 1-Dec. 31) to protect spring Chinook and winter steelhead.
For a full list of proposed changes by zone
Anglers and others interested have several options to provide comments or feedback:
- Send an email to odfw.sportfishingregulations@odfw.oregon.gov These comments will be shared with the Fish and Wildlife Commission in advance of their decision.
- Comment via this form on the Rulemaking page at odfw.com
- Sign up to testify in person or remotely at the Sept. 12 Commission meeting. A sign up link will be available approximately two weeks prior to the meeting on the Commission web page, and you must register no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting (by Sept. 10 at 8 a.m.)
Under a new policy meant to streamline regulations, ODFW solicits input for changes to fishing regulations every other year. The 2027 Sport Fishing Regulations should be similar to whatever is adopted for 2026. However, ODFW takes suggestions throughout the year. Anglers and others should contact their local district fish biologist to discuss or propose regulation changes.
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Check out the Latest Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.
Workshop and Events
Date
September 13 and 14, 2025
Location
ODFW EE Wilson Wildlife Area - 29555 Camp Adair Rd Monmouth, OR 97361
Two-rod validation extended in upper Willamette through Dec. 31 in areas open to coho retention
Press Release
News
Contact
Beth Quillian, beth.s.quillian@odfw.oregon.gov
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 rods can be used in areas of the Willamette River upstream of Willamette Falls including tributaries and flowing waters that are open to retention of coho salmon. Two rods are not allowed when angling for sturgeon.
Before the extension, the two-rod allowance for the upper Willamette was set to expire July 31. Anglers with the two-rod validation are able to use two rods in the lower river downstream of Willamette Falls until Aug. 15.
The 2024 total return of coho salmon to areas upstream of Willamette Falls was the highest on record, indicating a likely strong run of coho salmon in 2025. The first coho passed over Willamette Falls on July 29.
Two-rod validations cost $28 for both residents and non-residents. Licensed anglers who purchase the validation can use two rods wherever regulations allow them, which is primarily in ponds and lakes.
Kids under the age of 12 do not need a two-rod validation to use a second rod in areas where two rods are authorized.
Anglers should always check for any in-season changes to permanent regulations by visiting the Recreation Report / Fishing Report for their zone and clicking the Regulation Updates tab. Find Willamette Zone updates.
Check out the Latest Recreation Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.