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Press Release

Commission sets 2026 groundfish seasons

SALEM, Ore.— The Commission set 2026 groundfish regulations during their meeting in Salem today. The daily catch limit for lingcod will increase from 2 to 3 fish next year, since lingcod populations are healthy and bycatch of yelloweye rockfish (a protected species) is still low. The daily limit for general…

December 12, 2025

Article

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.

Article

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.

Press Release

New pilot program for limited entry parking at Sauvie Island Beaches Free pass required summer weekends and holidays starting July 4

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDIFE AREA, Ore.— To manage ongoing traffic and parking problems at Sauvie Island Wildlife Area's beaches, ODFW is introducing a new limited-entry parking pilot program. Starting July 4, vehicles will need a free Sauvie Island Beaches Pass in addition to the Wildlife Area Parking Permit ($10 daily) to…

June 27, 2025

Article

Where to crab & clam in Netarts Bay

Clamming is the main attraction in Netarts Bay. The bay is also one of five major crabbing bays in Oregon with good populations of both Dungeness and redrock crab.

Species and Subspecies

Beavers

Nearly wiped out in much of their historic range by early fur trappers, American beavers are now restored to many state waters due to improved management, greater awareness of their benefits, and less demand for fur. The beaver has been so significant in Oregon's history that it is our state symbol, the mascot for Oregon State University, and holds honor on the reverse side of Oregon's state flag. Receive Beaver Action Plan Partnership Updates by E-mail Resources ODFW Living with Wildlife: American Beaver (pdf) ODFW Living with Wildlife: American Beaver (flier) (pdf) ODFW's 3-Year Action Plan for Beaver-Modified Landscapes (pdf)…

Article

Warmwater fishing on the north coast

The north coast area includes the Lower Columbia River downstream of St. Helens to the Pacific Ocean, and the Oregon Coast from Astoria south to Yachats. The Columbia, and particularly its backwaters and sloughs, provide excellent fisheries for bass, crappie, and catfish.

September 15, 2017

Article

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…

Article

Oregon is Worth Protecting

Conservation is at the heart of what ODFW does, and your support is important in the work to help Oregon's most vulnerable species and precious habitats.

Educational Moment

West Region February 2025

Chris Kern, Region Manager Fisher research in southern Oregon Fisher are a Species of Greatest Conservaion Need in Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan, and ODFW is actively conducting research to understand fisher occupancy and distribution east of I-5, as well as that of their competitors and predators. Wildlife Research staff maintained 30 baited camera traps in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and Southern Cascades. The cameras were deployed in mid-September on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in areas with proposed habitat management efforts. The goal is to evaluate how these land alterations influence changes in mesocarnivore occupancy…

February 25, 2025

Press Release

Short-term road closure at Bridge Creek Wildlife Area now in place; Foot traffic only beyond gate

Pendleton, Ore. – The access road at Bridge Creek Wildlife Area in Umatilla County is closed to vehicles for road and bridge maintenance until further notice. The wildlife area will stay open to the public for walk-in access. Visitors may enter beyond the closed gate on foot but are reminded…

August 26, 2025

Article

Youth Upland Bird Hunts

Youth game bird hunt opportunities give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus on safety and success.

August 5, 2025

Article

10 tips for targeting ocean coho

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.

Press Release

E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area shotgun range to close for renovation beginning July

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The shotgun range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area near Corvallis will be closed for renovation from July 14 through the end of October. Renovations on the range will include expanding the shooting bays and implementing ADA complaint access to the site. ODFW expects work to be complete…

July 2, 2025

Press Release

Final draft of Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan now available for public review; Meeting set for July 16

SALEM, Ore. – ODFW completed a final draft of the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), now available online for public review. A virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m., where ODFW staff will present highlights from the plan and answer questions. The public…

July 14, 2025

Press Release

Commission adopts 2026-27 Sport Fishing and 2026 Big Game Hunting Regulations

ONTARIO, Ore.–The Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-1 to open a hatchery Chinook salmon season in the Coquille River, the first Chinook season since 2021, during their meeting today in Ontario. The Coquille River will be open for fall salmon fishing from Sept. 13-Oct. 15 from the Hwy 101 bridge…

September 12, 2025

Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission Meeting 9-12-25

Press Release

Wild spring Chinook harvest prohibited on mainstem Umpqua River, moderate on North Umpqua River

ROSEBURG, Ore – A temporary rule prohibits wild spring Chinook salmon harvest on the mainstem Umpqua River and keeps the North Umpqua bag limit the same as 2025, ODFW announced today. Feb. 1 – June 30, 2026: Mainstem Umpqua River: only hatchery spring Chinook may be kept. Harvesting wild spring…

December 19, 2025

Article

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.

Article

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…

Article

Easy angling in the Willamette Zone

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.