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Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs that are stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbow trout. Some of these reservoirs also grow trophy-size largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as bluegill, brown bullhead and crappies. Smaller lakes and ponds nearer the valley floor provide springtime trout fishing close to home. Salmon and steelhead navigate the Willamette River and its tributaries, many of which are also home to rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Big Creek Hatchery began operation in 1941. It was refurbished in 1957 under the Mitchell Act as part of the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program – a program to enhance declining fish runs in the Columbia River Basin. The facility is used for adult collection, egg incubation and rearing of winter steelhead, fall Chinook, and coho.

Piloted in 2014, the Tag Team program helps ODFW fish biologists better evaluate resident gamefish, bass, and stocked rainbow trout fisheries. It's also a chance for anglers to participate in fishery management and, perhaps, come away with up to $50.

Upper and Lower Bennett Dams are located southeast of the town of Stayton on the North Santiam River. Upper Bennett Dam is on the south side of Stayton Island and Lower Bennett Dam is on the north side.

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Follow this page for background on steelhead management, to provide feedback and learn about decisions when they happen for the Columbia, Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, Walla Walla and Grand Ronde rivers. Sign up for email/text updates Video

The Minto Fish Facility is part of the Marion Forks/ Minto Fish Facility complex. Minto is located upstream of Packsaddle Park on the North Santiam River. The Minto facility has year round fish collection, acclimation for Chinook salmon and steelhead, a spawning facility, juvenile acclimation, short and long term holding of adult salmonids, water to water transfers for all fish, and out planting and fish recycling capabilities. Minto Dam creates an impassable barrier that encourages migrating fish into the facilities fish ladder. All fish moving upstream are counted, and disposition is determined depending on species and time of the year.

Find the weekly statistics for waterfowl and upland game birds at Summer Lake Wildlife Area.

The white sturgeon is one of Oregon's most iconic and distinctive fish species with a lineage dating back to the age of the dinosaurs. Due to population concerns, the sturgeon fishery is highly regulated in terms of size, seasons and retention. This article outlines what you need to know before planning a sturgeon fishing trip.

Rockfish must be released when retention is prohibited or when an angler has reached the daily bag limit, but continues to fish for other species. However, releasing rockfish isn’t as simple as just dropping them back into the water. Some rockfish need help to get back down to deeper water to recover from a condition called barotrauma.

We've asked our fish biologists throughout the state to pick their favorite family fishing locations. These spots are great for novice and experienced anglers alike.

Begun in 2014, the Tag Team Program helps ODFW fish biologists better understand the effectiveness of stocking efforts. It’s also a chance for anglers to participate in fishery management and, perhaps, come away with up to $50.

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.‌

Each fathom line, conservation area, and marine reserve is defined by a connecting series of waypoints (latitude and longitude). The waypoints are used for regulatory enforcement, while maps are provided for visual reference.

Longleader gear is used to target midwater species like yellowtail rockfish, canary rockfish and widow rockfish, while avoiding bottom-dwelling species like yelloweye rockfish.

Marion Forks Hatchery began operation in 1951. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) funds the majority of operational costs as mitigation for the development of Detroit and Big Cliff dams. The hatchery is used for egg incubation and rearing of spring Chinook.