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Recreation Report

Fishing Report - Northwest Zone

NW Fishing April 30, 2026 Spring Chinook are starting to show up in the Lower Columbia Tributaries with a few fish being caught in Big Creek and increasing effort in lower Gnat Creek. Fishing for anadromous runs is a little slow on the rest of the North Coast right now. Winter steelhead are mostly done, with numbers of bright fish being low. Springers should start showing up in Tillamook Bay and Nestucca Bay over the next few weeks, and the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers should both start getting a few summer steelhead soon but no confirmed catches have been report…

September 05, 2017

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Sturgeon fishing in Oregon

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 retention opportunity and size limits. The structure of retention seasons is likely to change in 2026 with no New Year's Day opener in Bonneville and The Dalles pools, as quotas have been met in just a few days in recent years. Oregon and Washington will hold a joint state hearing Nov. 13, 2025 at 2 p.m. to discuss and lay out a new…

November 1, 2025

A legal-size sturgeon stretched across a canoe seat

Recreation Report

Fishing Report - Snake Zone

SNAKE FISHING April 30, 2026 Best bets for weekend fishing Bass and trout can be caught downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. As the weather warms, fishing for bass, perch, and crappie will get good in Hells Canyon Reservoirs Some large crappie are being caught in Brownlee Reservoir Announcements: Updates by section BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Crappie, bass, perch, catfish, carp Recently, crappie fishing has been good with some nice sized fish being caught. There were some good catches of perch, but that has since started to slow. Although early in the year, some catfish are being caught. Bass fishing will likely get…

September 05, 2017

Recreation Report

Fishing Report - Columbia Zone

Columbia Fishing April 30, 2026 Current and upcoming fishing opportunities: Columbia River regulation changes for the 2026 spring Chinook fishery 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. Forecasts for 2026 Columbia River Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook and Sockeye are available here. Fish consumption advisories The Oregon Health Authority has issued consumption guidelines for parts of the Columbia River due to high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. Fish with these chemicals look, act, smell and taste like any other fish, so caution is…

September 05, 2017

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Warmwater fishing in northeast Oregon

Most warmwater anglers traveling to the northeast area are probably heading to Brownlee Reservoir, a huge 15,000 acre waterbody located along the Oregon-Idaho Reservoir on the Snake River. Brownlee offers outstanding fishing for bass and catfish, but might be best known for its crappie fishery which attracts anglers from throughout the country. However, anglers shouldn't overlook the other fishing opportunities located further downstream below Brownlee in Oxbow and Hells Canyon Reservoirs, and in the Snake River itself. Even in the lower Grand Ronde, a river better known for trout and steelhead, anglers will find good smallmouth bass fishing during the…

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Warmwater fishing in central Oregon

The central area follows the Deschutes River Basin along the eastern slope of the Cascades, and includes the middle reaches of the Columbia River from Bonneville upstream to the mouth of the John Day River. The warm and dry summer months help to create productive warmwater fisheries in the area's larger reservoirs including Crane Prairie Reservoir, a consistent producer of sizeable largemouth bass, and Prineville Reservoir which is renowned for its crappie. In the Columbia River, outstanding fishing for bass and walleye can be found in Bonneville Pool and The Dalles Pool.

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Warmwater fishing in southwest Oregon

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.

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Warmwater fishing on the south coast

The south coast area extends along the Oregon coast from Yachats south to the Oregon-California border. The area offers some of the most productive and scenic warmwater fishing in the state with excellent fishing for bass and panfish available in large waters such as Mercer Lake, Siltcoos Lake, and Tahkenitch Lake.

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Warmwater fishing in southeast Oregon

The southeast area covers the high desert country of Harney and Malheur counties and is the most arid region of Oregon. Extended dry periods or droughts can affect the warmwater fisheries in this area, but these can be quick to rebound when water returns. The area’s most popular warmwater fishery is found in Owyhee Reservoir, a huge nearly 14,000 acre reservoir located on the Owyhee River south of Ontario that offers outstanding fishing for bass, crappie and catfish. There are few roads to and along Owyhee, but those with a boat will be rewarded with remote and spectacular scenery. Other…

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Oregon marine shore fishing

With some simple, inexpensive gear and a little knowledge, anglers of all ages can enjoy a day of marine fishing.

angler in the ocean surf casting for surfperch

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Wildfire and its impact on fish and wildlife

Most of the wildlife in Oregon evolved with wildfire. And even though fires are intensifying, they are nothing new to Oregon’s wild animals. There are also no documented cases of fires that have wiped out entire populations or species.

August 29, 2025

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Tips for e-tagging fish and game

The ODFW electronic licensing system makes it easy to tag your harvest for salmon, steelhead and halibut, as well as your deer and elk on your phone through the MyODFW app. Here are some tips for completing the task.

September 5, 2025

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Warmwater Fishing in the Klamath Lake area

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.

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Warmwater fishing in the north Willamette area

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.

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Warmwater fishing in John Day/Umatilla

The John Day – Umatilla area includes the John Day River and Umatilla River basins, and Oregon’s upper reaches of the Columbia River. The John Day Pool and McNary Pool of the Columbia offer outstanding fishing for bass and walleye, and many fishing tournaments are held here. Anglers also will find good fishing for bullhead catfish, crappie and other panfish in McKay Reservoir near Pendleton and Willow Creek Reservoir just outside of Heppner. For those who enjoy fishing for smallmouth, the John Day River offers one of the finest bass fisheries in the country and a unique opportunity for an…

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9 reasons to fish for herring (and anchovies)

To most anglers, herring and anchovies are best known as bait. But they also can be fun to catch and delicious for dinner.

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Warmwater fishing in the south Willamette area

The south Willamette area covers the upper Willamette Basin south of Salem and includes the communities of Albany, Corvallis, Eugene, Springfield and Cottage Grove. Fishing for bass and panfish can be outstanding in the Willamette River and its many sloughs, but you'll need a boat for most locations because much of the banks are privately-owned. There also is good warmwater fishing in the area’s larger lakes such as Cottage Grove, Dorena, Foster, and Fern Ridge reservoirs, where crappie and large bass attract both seasoned and causal anglers. There are many smaller ponds inside and near the urban communities that offer…

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2026 Free Fishing Days and events

January 14, 2026

Landing page

Fish Counts at Major Dams and Fish Traps

Find the latest fish counts across the state.

September 05, 2017

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Fishing Oregon's hike-in lakes

Fishing Oregon’s high elevation lakes is not just for dedicated anglers. It also appeals to hikers and backpackers who head to the backcountry with a sense of adventure and a yearning for quietude.