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Article
ODFW welcomes everyone to hunt, fish, trap, harvest shellfish and participate in wildlife viewing to the degree their passion exists for the experience. ODFW is committed to providing programs and services to all Oregonians regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin (including language), sex, age, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation.
September 29, 2025
Landing page
Establishment of the Bridge Creek Wildlife Area initially started in 1961 when a parcel of land was purchased from the Frank Hilbert estate. After the initial purchase, several private holdings were acquired to consolidate the land under department ownership. The last parcel was purchased from the Colvin Cattle Company in 1975. The primary purpose of the wildlife area is to maintain and protect a key historic winter range for Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni).
February 21, 2018
Landing page
Coquille Valley Wildlife Area was initially established in 2013 with two equally important primary objectives; (1) To protect, enhance, and restore fish and wildlife habitats located on the WA, and (2) to provide a wide variety of wildlife-oriented recreational and educational opportunities to the public.
March 05, 2018
Site Sections
August, September and October are the months when most big game hunters will be in the woods or on the grasslands. Many hunters have long-standing traditions of deer or elk camp spent with family and friends. Visit e-regulations
Article
You can purchase an Oregon fishing license online or at an ODFW license vendor. Here are step-by-step directions for purchasing online.
Article
The north Willamette area includes the Columbia River from Bonneville downstream to St. Helens and the lower Willamette Basin north of Salem. The Columbia and Willamette both offer outstanding warmwater fishing for bass and a variety of panfish including crappie. Good fishing is also available in the area's lakes and reservoirs such as Henry Hagg Lake which has produced state record smallmouth bass and brown bullhead catfish.
Article
The southwest area follows Interstate 5 from Drain south to the Oregon-California border and includes the communities of Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland. In this area, anglers can fish the famed lower Umpqua River, which offers one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the country. Outstanding warmwater fishing for bass and panfish can also be found in the area's many lakes and reservoirs including Cooper Creek, Galesville and Emigrant Reservoirs, and Selmac Lake. Smaller ponds near Sutherlin, Grants Pass and Medford including those at ODFW's Denman Wildlife Area are also good bets, particularly for families or young anglers.
Landing page
White River Wildlife Area was established in 1953. Located along the east slope of the Cascade Mountains in the north central part of Oregon, the wildlife area encompasses 29,480 acres. An additional 1,280 acres of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is managed by the ODFW bringing the total acres managed by the department to 30,760. The primary purpose of White River Wildlife Area is to provide winter range habitat for black-tailed deer and Rocky Mountain elk and to minimize big game damage to adjacent private agricultural lands.
February 26, 2018
Workshop and Events
Date
February 22 and 23, 2025
Location
Glen Otto Park - 1102 E Historic Columbia River Hwy. Troutdale, 97060
Educational Moment
As with all types of hunting, it’s important to choose the right kind of clothing for turkey hunting. Early in the spring turkey season, conditions can be very cold and wet compared to later in the season. At the same time, higher elevations may be colder than the valley floors. The fall turkey hunting season also offers a wide-range of weather conditions, in a variety of places. The weather in October can be very different than conditions in late December. This means proper clothing is important no matter what time of year or where in the state you’re hunting. Layer
May 19, 2020
Educational Moment
Hunting involves a deadly weapon that can kill more than just your target. Hunting and handling your gun safely MUST be a top priority. Start with the fundamentals Start by learning these four gun safety fundamentals and you’ll be well on you way to a lifetime of safe hunting. Assume all guns are always loaded. The primary benefit of handling all guns as if they were loaded, is that it will help you develop safe gun handling habits. Never let the muzzle of the gun (the shooting end) point at something you’re not willing to shoot. Often referred to as
May 19, 2020
Article
You caught it, now it's time to cook it—and what better time than during a holiday meal with your family and friends. We rounded up some recipes from various hunting and fishing organizations.
November 6, 2025
Educational Moment
Turkey anatomy plays a big part in determining shot placement with a bow. Knowing where vital organs like the heart and lungs are will help you make a clean shot. Sometime getting to the vital organs may mean going through bone. In fact, a shot to the spine will drop a turkey quickly. But turkey bones are very strong, despite being hollow. That’s why many experienced archers prefer shooting a bow with a heavy draw weight, often the same setup they use for deer and elk hunting. Head shots, the most popular turkey shot for shotgun hunters, should be avoided
May 19, 2020
Article
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.
Species and Subspecies
With short pointed wings and long narrow tails, these small falcons are well built for fast pursuit and mid-air attacks. Sexes differ in color and size, with adult males about 25 percent smaller by weight than females. Males range from blackish gray to pale blue-gray on the back with a reddish wash along sides of the breast and a banded tail; females have brownish backs. In winter, it can be found throughout the state in open or semi-open habitats, but it is most regular near major estuaries, lakes, reservoirs, and occasionally in cities where food supplies are reliable. For nesting
Recreation Report
Columbia Fishing Dec 4, 2025 Current and upcoming fishing opportunities: Columbia River regulation updates for 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. Changes to 2026 sturgeon retention fisheries above Bonneville: Fishery managers are taking a new approach to the sturgeon retention fisheries in the Bonneville and The Dalles pools by delaying the openers in 2026. This is in an effort to increase the likelihood of the fisheries remaining open longer, after having to close within
September 05, 2017
Landing page
The development of the WWA began in 1953 with the acquisition of five parcels of land consisting of 4,400 acres. The Department continued to purchase additional lands, acquiring 1,670 acres in 1954 and another 760 acres in 1955. From 1961 to the present the department has purchased or received another 4,219 acres. The wildlife area currently consists of 12,419 acres owned by the department. In addition, the department, through agreements with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), manage 1,329 acres within or adjacent to the wildlife area. The WWA was established in response to continuing complaints from landowners concerned with
February 20, 2018
Educational Moment
The modern compound bow is the most popular choice for turkey hunting, but traditional recurve and longbows also have their fans. Hunting with crossbows is illegal in Oregon. If you already have a bow you use for deer or elk hunting, it will work fine for turkey Many turkey hunters, though, like to reduce the draw weight of their deer/elk hunting bow to 45 pounds or less for turkey. Unlike deer and elk hunting, where you’re usually standing or kneeling when you take a shot, you’re likely to be sitting when shooting a turkey. In this case, a lighter draw
May 19, 2020
Article
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.
Article
A few waterbodies in Oregon are set aside just for younger anglers and those with disabilities—offering everything from warmwater and stocked trout to salmon and steelhead fishing.
