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A medium-sized hawk, the Red-shouldered hawk has bold black-and-white flight feathers and rusty shoulder patches. Seen in flight from underneath, especially when lit from the sun, its wings show a translucent 'window' near the tips. It relies on perches for hunting and is closely affiliated with wooded wetlands and riparian bottomlands. In the breeding season this hawk is found in moist woodlands with at least a few deciduous trees. It prefers riparian bottoms, especially those near shallow wetlands or open meadows. In winter, it may use more open lands such as found in the Rogue and Willamette valleys, depending on…
Summer Lake Wildlife Area was established in 1944, with primary objectives of protecting and improving waterfowl habitat and providing a public hunting area. It is now a popular destination for hunting, wildlife viewing and environmental education due to its geographic setting, the abundance of wildlife present and species diversity.
Following droughts in the 1930s that affected most of North America, major conservation efforts, by both private and governmental entities, were enacted to reverse trends of degrading and disappearing wetlands. During this time period there was a major creation and expansion of federal wildlife refuges and state wildlife areas. As the concept of waterfowl flyway management was endorsed and developed, wildlife areas were acquired and managed as part of a larger plan focused on migratory waterfowl needs. LMWA was one of several wetland-focused wildlife areas established in Oregon. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area was established in 1949, with primary objectives of…
Features: While in the ocean, Chinook salmon often have a purple hue to their backs with silvery sides and bellies, large oblong black spots on the back, and round black spots on both lobes of the tail (note that tail spotting may be obscured in ocean fish by “silver” in the tail). Upon returning to freshwater to spawn, Chinook darken in color and develop red on their bellies and fins. A key identifier is the black gum line on the lower jaw with dark colors both inside and outside of the gum line. Spawning generally occurs from August to early…
Features: When in the ocean coho salmon can look very similar to Chinook salmon . However, coho will have a white gum line on the lower jaw with darker color both inside and outside of the gum line, and will only have spots on the upper lobe of their tails. When coho return to freshwater they become red on their sides and dark greenish on their backs, heads, and fins. Coho adults may reach 25 pounds or more, but rarely exceed 15 pounds. Habitat: Small, relatively low-gradient tributary streams with pea to orange-sized gravel for spawning and juvenile rearing. Coho…
Features: Smallmouth bass are golden green to bronze with dark vertical bars and blotches on the side. The upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye. In some locations, it has a red eye. Somewhat smaller than the largemouth, smallmouth bass in Oregon may reach 23-inches and exceed 7 pounds. Habitat: Smallmouth bass are adapted to flowing waters and do well in warm streams with deep holes and rocky ledges. They also prefer lakes and reservoirs with rocky shorelines and limited vegetation. Adult smallmouth feed mostly on fish and crayfish. Technique: Much of what was written about largemouth bass also…
Features: Their eyed-side is greenish-brown to dark brown or black with lighter blotches. Their blind side is white to milky-white. They have a large, stout but flat body, shaped like an elongated diamond . Pacific halibut have been known to reach 500 pounds, but on average are 40 pounds. Habitat: Halibut are a large flatfish and so they spend much time near the bottom of the ocean looking above for food. They prefer chilly water and are primarily found in the Gulf of Alaska. Technique: Boat anglers use heavy rods to fish on or near gravel bottoms in water 150-500…
Features: Yellow perch are golden, with six to nine dark vertical bars. They have two well-separated dorsal fins; the second fin has two or three spines. Lower fins are yellowish-orange and, unlike walleye, yellow perch do not have canine teeth. Maximum size in Oregon exceeds 3 pounds and 18-inches long. They are prolific spawners, often resulting in an overpopulation of stunted fish. Habitat: Yellow perch prefer lakes, reservoirs and slower moving streams that have cool, clean water and ample vegetation. Perch bite readily and are therefore popular with young and novice anglers. Technique: In the spring and fall, find yellow…
Features: Bluegills are distinguished from other panfish by the black ear flap and black spot at the rear base of the dorsal fin. Five to eight greenish, vertical bars are faintly visible on their sides. The body is olive-green in color, bluish above and silvery below. Breeding males develop a bright orange to red flush on the throat area. Adults in most waters measure 5- to 8-inches, but the state record bluegill exceeded 12-inches. Habitat: Bluegills prosper in clear, clean ponds, lakes and backwaters of slow streams with abundant vegetation. They feed on both plant and animal life, but primarily…
NEWPORT, Ore. – The commercial Dungeness crab fishery opens Dec. 31 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. Fishermen can begin the presoak period – setting baited crab pots in the water – on Dec. 28 in this area. ODFW delayed opening the north coast until crab in Long Beach…
SALEM, Ore. – Bowhunters can warm up for the archery season at a free 3D shoot in La Pine on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Three Rivers Archers Park located at the intersection of Coach Rd. and Memorial Lane. This unique course offers hunting scenarios and learning opportunities to help you…
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – ODFW is urging waterfowl hunters and other visitors to use extreme caution after laboratory results revealed exceptionally high levels of microcystin in a water sample collected from the Barnes Unit of the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. The sample was taken from an area currently open…
The E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area came into existence in 1950 when the U.S. Government gave quitclaim title to the property to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The wildlife area covers approximately 1,788 acres, is located on Highway 99W about 10 miles north of Corvallis and is situated on the Willamette Valley floor. SHOTGUN RANGE BACK OPEN AS OF LATE OCTOBER 2025: The renovation is complete and the shotgun range is back open. Improvements include: four times as many shooting lanes, fully paved ADA-compliant walkway with pullouts that will make it easier for disabled shooters, a new covered pole…
Greater sage-grouse are best known for their elaborate courtship displays that occur on traditional strutting grounds, known as leks, where males gather each spring. At all seasons, both sexes are readily identified by large size and chicken-like build. Adults are mottled dark gray, black and buff, with black bellies and pointed tails. Males have specializations used in display. Their tail feathers are long and pointed with white spots. They have yellow combs over each eye and a chest sac with two bare, yellow patches of skin which are inflated during display. The display lasts only a few seconds and is…
Features: These fish are light silvery-white, dark on top, and have up to 8 dark, broken stripes running along the sides of their bodies. They are typically less than 10 lbs but can grow to 22 lbs. They have two dorsal fins, the front one with eight or nine spines and the rear one with one spine and 13 or 14 soft rays. Habitat: Hybrid bass were originally stocked in Tenmile Lakes on the south coast and in Ana Reservoir in Lake County. They have since been introduced into Thompson Reservoir, also in Lake County. The only established population is…
