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He is an Oregon icon – Herman, the sturgeon, the state's most famous fish. At 10 ft. long and nearly 500 lbs., Herman is not only one of Oregon's most distinctive aquatic characters- some even consider him the unofficial state fish.

Take a look at what hunters can expect in 2026 for their specific hunt areas, details provided by wildlife biologists throughout the state.

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.

Find maps, boundary descriptions and hunts available in the new Juntura Hunt Area. Download printable PDF map

It is legal to salvage meat from deer and elk struck by vehicles in Oregon. You must complete a free permit within 24 hours of salvaging and you must surrender the head and antlers to ODFW within 5 business days. Roadkill Salvage Permit

Abundant rainfall feeds the massive Willamette River watershed, tamed by a system of reservoirs stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbow trout. Some of these reservoirs also grow trophy-size largemouth and smallmouth bass, and lots of bluegill, brown bullhead and crappies. Salmon and steelhead navigate the Willamette and its productive tributaries, many of which are also home to rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Wipers, a cross between striped and white bass, reach prodigious proportions in the productive waters of Ana Reservoir. Their size (up to 19 pounds) and hard-fighting nature make them a popular destination fishery with many anglers.

Oregon crabbing is a year-round activity that can almost always yield a successful trip. Crabbing trips require minimal gear, often available for rent in coastal towns, and while boat crabbing increases your likelihood for success, dockside crabbing is easy and very accessible. Before crabbing, be aware of crab regulations. Knowledge of where, when, and how to crab will increase your chances for success. Learn where to crab

Siletz Bay, located at the south end of Lincoln City, is a very popular destination for beach-goers and clam diggers. Some of the highest density purple varnish clam beds are easily accessed here. Its proximity to the ocean also makes it a very productive seasonal crabbing area

Bats are important pollinators and the only flying mammals; they use sound to locate their prey, and they live a long time. Oregon has 15 species of bats, and eight of those are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species. Strategy Species are those having small or declining populations, are at-risk, and/or of management concern. Some of Oregon's species migrate south in winter while some remain here and hibernate. Bats have echolocation which allows them to make high-pitched sounds then listen to the echo of those sounds to locate where objects are. Echolocation helps them find even the smallest insect.

Wide open spaces, wild windy places, and extreme temperatures characterize Oregon’s largest, most remote fishing zone. Redband trout are native to its rivers and streams, including the Williamson, Malheur and Chewaucan. Brown and hatchery rainbow trout can grow to trophy-size in many of its lakes and reservoirs, many of which also feature crappie, yellow perch and bass.

Updated February 19, 2026 Subscribe for updates Starting Jan. 1, 2026, an Ocean Endorsement is needed for most recreational anglers fishing in the ocean. Check the Ocean Endorsement page for more information. Ocean Endorsement

Some anglers think coho are more aggressive and easier to catch while they’re still in the open waters of the ocean. Here are some tips for targeting coho on big water.

Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregon’s sandy beaches, and there are plenty of fish within an easy cast from shore.