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This massive area is a cornucopia of geographic features and prime upland and waterfowl hunting opportunities. It is a gem of Oregon.
SALEM, Ore.—Head to a participating Jamba location for a new limited edition Wildlife Conservation tumbler that benefits wildlife. The colorful tumbler features five species: Sierra Nevada red fox, Northern red-legged frog, Western snowy plover, Northwestern pond turtle and Pygmy rabbit. All are native species facing population declines due to challenges…
ODFW Director Debbie Colbert (at podium) and Coquille Tribe Chairwoman Brenda Meade (to the right in black jacket) on July 31, 2025 in Bandon, Ore. to announce a major step forward in their combined management effort on salmon recovery in the Coquille River. The first fall Chinook fishery since 2021…
NW Fishing January 15, 2026 Best bets for weekend fishing Winter steelhead fishing is fair to good on the North Coast. The North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum River, and Lower Columbia tributaries (Gnat Cr, Big Cr, and Klaskanine R) all have hatchery steelhead being caught. The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers also have hatchery steelhead returning and those fisheries are off to a good start when conditions are right. Fishing conditions are good right now, but dropping flows will have streams low and clear before too long. Coffenbury Lake and Vernonia Pond have both been stocked with surplus hatchery winter steelhead to…
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…
Features: Female pheasants are brown on top and paler underneath. They have black spots on their sides and black bars throughout their tails. The males are much more conspicuous with bright red on their head, a white band around their necks, and an iridescent copper color on their sides and backs. Their tails are long and pointed with barring. Habitat: The ringneck is a farmland species, heavily dependent on cereal grains and other seeds. They also like taller vegetation for cover. Technique: Because pheasants are tied so closely to agriculture, the majority of hunting opportunity occurs on private lands. State…
Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area came under the shared management of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife & United States Bureau of Reclamation in 1962. It is managed for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, big game winter range, improving riparian wetlands, and to promote wildlife stewardship. Goals of the PRWA include creating recreational opportunities for viewing and enjoying wildlife, including mule deer, bald eagles, and a variety of waterfowl. Boating, hiking, and camping are a few popular activities permitted in the wildlife management area. Hunting and fishing opportunities are also available within Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area, as regulated…
The FRWA was created by a licensing agreement signed in 1957 and modified in 1982 and 2008, between the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Oregon Game Commission. This agreement authorized the state to develop, conserve, and manage all wildlife resources on 5,261 acres of land and water within the Fern Ridge Project. ODFW also acquired the 309 acre Coyote Creek South and 224 acre Coyote Creek Northeast units in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The wildlife area now totals 5,794 acres.
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund (OCRF) Advisory Committee is excited to announce that its next grant cycle will begin accepting applications on Monday, Dec. 15, with the application window open through Feb. 9, 2026. Visit the Online Application System and enter access code "OCRF" to begin…
Gnat Creek Hatchery was constructed in 1960 as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (Mitchell Act)—a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The facility is used for egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook and winter steelhead. Most of the production is released off-station. The hatchery is an easy drive toward Oregon’s coast on Highway 30 and a visitor-friendly place for the entire family. With lots to do, located on beautiful Gnat Creek and tucked away amid the rainforest, this is a worthwhile stop on the way to the coast.
Events in Coquille, Central Point, Monmouth, Eugene, Irrigon, John Day, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Madras, Portland, Tygh Valley SALEM, Ore.—Youth hunters (age 17 and under) who will have completed hunter education by the time of the event can sign up now for ODFW's free pheasant hunts happening around the state…
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Recreation access sites within the restored Klamath River reach between Keno, Ore., and Hornbrook, Calif., will remain open as winter conditions allow. The five recreation day-use access sites now open until further notice are as follows: Pioneer Park West (Ore.) Moonshine Falls (Ore.) K'utárawáx·u (prounounced ku-ta-ra-wa-hhu)…
Central Fishing January 15, 2026 Best bets for weekend fishing Expect high flows and increased turbidity on the lower Deschutes this week, which will impact fishing conditions The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent winter angling opportunities. Anglers report excellent dry fly and nymphing opportunities on Fall River. Anglers report good bank fishing opportunities for trout at Haystack Reservoir, now with surplus brood fish being stocked. Anglers report excellent kokanee and bull trout fishing at Lake Billy Chinook. Trout stocking Excess brood stock trout were released in Taylor Lake and Pine Hollow, and Haystack Reservoir this week. Weekly…
SE WILDLIFE VIEWING January 15, 2026 Harney County Harney County has an array of species that can be viewed during the winter months. Upland game birds that are represented in the area include: chukar, California quail, ring-necked pheasant, sagegrouse, and Hungarian partridge. Look to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to have an opportunity at catching a glimpse of most of these species. Raptors are present in the district and opportunities abound throughout the county. Look on fence posts, telephone poles, and amongst cliff and talus slopes to see a variety of species that include red-tailed hawks, prairie falcons, ferruginous hawks, golden…