Search myodfw.com
SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Thursday and Friday, Dec. 11-12 to set 2026 groundfish regulations and hear an informational briefing on the barbless hook requirement for Columbia River recreational fisheries. Both a Dec. 11 workshop and Dec. 12 meeting will be in a hybrid format, allowing for…
A black bear tried its best to get into a Neskowin homeowner's bear resistant trash can. The homeowner then built a small shed to enclose the trash can. The persistent bear left its prints and claw marks on the shed but did not succeed in breaking into it. This resident…
SALEM, Ore.— Hunters are the first line of defense against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). By getting their animals tested, hunters can help wildlife managers detect the disease early and slow its spread in the state's deer and elk herds. OHA and ODFW are again teaming up to encourage hunters who…
NW WILDLIFE VIEWING January 15, 2026 Tillamook County Birds Large numbers of waterfowl arrive before November and will likely spend the rest of the winter here. They will raft up out in the middle of most local estuaries on calm days but will move around with the incoming tide and on windy days. Many species of diving ducks can be seen on area lakes and bays. Likewise, many migrating geese are beginning to arrive and are using area fields, along with many egrets, herons and wintering raptors. Pastures and fields are heavily used by a variety of waterfowl when flooded…
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.—A video camera captured a Chinook salmon ascending the fish ladder at Keno Dam on the upper Klamath River this week (Sept. 24), the first picture of a salmon ascending the upper bays of the ladder since four hydroelectric dams were removed on the Klamath River last year…
The original portion of Fall River Hatchery construction was completed in 1929. Many improvements have been made since original construction. In 1952 the ten raceways were completed. The hatchery produces legal and trophy sized rainbow trout, and provides rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout fingerlings for air stocking programs throughout the state. The facility traps and spawns brown trout at a remote site.
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.
Klaskanine Hatchery was first operated in 1911 by the state of Oregon. In 1959 the hatchery was enlarged and renovated under the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (Mitchell Act)—a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The hatchery is now closely tied to the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) program and works closely with Clatsop County Fisheries (CCF). The facility is currently used primarily for rearing coho for SAFE commercial fisheries, as well as for adult collection and spawning of fall Chinook and as a rearing facility for fall Chinook and winter steelhead.
SALEM, Ore.–The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet virtually on Friday, Oct. 10 from 8:30 a.m.-noon for a training related to cultural resources, tribal sovereignty, and tribal treaty rights. The meeting will be livestreamed from the Commission page and via ODFW's YouTube channel. Invited speakers will share information with the…
Cole Rivers Hatchery was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 1973 to mitigate for spawning and rearing areas blocked by the construction of Lost Creek, Applegate, and Elk Creek Dams. The hatchery was named in honor of Cole M. Rivers, a biologist on the Rogue River for 20 years. The facility is used for adult collection, spawning, egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook, coho, summer steelhead, and winter steelhead, and egg incubation and rearing of fall Chinook and rainbow trout. Infrastructure Repair and Renovation Updates
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…
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Oregon Hatchery Research Center Board will meet in Corvallis on Tuesday, December 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife South Willamette Watershed District Office (7118 NE Vandenberg Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330). In addition to the regularly scheduled items…
This highly aquatic snake is found in wet meadows, riparian areas, marshes, and moist forests near rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. It requires streams with thick riparian vegetation for escape and exposed boulders for basking. The Pacific coast aquatic garter snake takes aquatic prey such as small fish and fish eggs, salamanders, tadpoles, frogs, toads, earthworms, and leeches. Photo by Simon Wray, ODFW