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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.
CENTRAL WILDLIFE VIEWING March 5, 2026 Crook County Spring ungulate migration will soon be upon us. You can find mule deer transitioning from low elevation winter feeding areas to the higher 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: 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…
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…
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: Green sunfish have more of a bass-shaped body and a larger mouth than the other sunfishes, other than the warmouth. Also, unlike other sunfish except the warmouth, the pectoral fin is rounded, rather than pointed. Green sunfish are olive green on the back and sides with a yellowish-copper or brassy hue on the lower sides of the belly. Dusky, vertical bars are often present. Turquoise mottling, often in the form of bars, radiates backward from the snout and eye. They have a dark spot at the base of the rear lobe of the dorsal fin. Habitat: Green sunfish are…
The Wolverine is the largest terrestrial mustelid in Oregon that, to some degree, resembles a small bear. It is powerfully built with a broad, dog-like head; short round ears; small eyes; a slightly humped back; relatively short legs and a bushy, somewhat drooping tale. The pelage consists of a dense, wooly, crimped under fur overlain by course, stiff and somewhat shaggy guard hairs. Fur on the tail is about twice as long as on the body. The base color is blackish brown with a pale brown stripe extending along the sides from the head or shoulders to the base of…
The mountain goat is a stockily built bovid with black scimitar-shaped horns, large black hooves and prominent dew claws, and an entirely white, wooly pelage. Sometimes the pelage contains scattered brown hairs on the dorsum and rump. A long beard, pointed ears, and a squarish muzzle are also characteristic. Males are larger, and have longer, larger-diameter, and more evenly curved horns that females. Mountain goats are denizens of high altitudes, remote, and barren montane regions where they are capable of moving through exceedingly rugged and precipitous terrain with speed and agility. Nevertheless, mountain goats are known to fall occasionally, whereupon…
CLACKAMAS, Ore.— Anglers with the two-rod validation will be able to use two rods in areas of the upper Willamette River open to coho retention through the end of the year, under a temporary rule adopted by ODFW. Effective Aug. 1 through Dec. 31 for anglers with the validation, two…
ASTORIA, Ore. – Clatsop beaches reopen for razor clam harvesting Oct. 1 following the annual conservation closure that began July 15. Before harvesting razor clams or any shellfish, always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Webpage. During the closure, Oregon Department of…
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…
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.
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…