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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
Educational Moment

Proper archery shooting stance

Shooting accurately starts with the proper form, and that begins with a good stance. From your feet up through your hips and torso, a solid foundation in your lower body will improve your shooting. Start with an open stance The “open” stance is a good one for beginners. It’s easy to master and to practice consistently. An open stance positions yours hips and shoulders in-line with the direction you ’re shooting. This perpendicular setup to the target is simple to do. First, place one foot on each side of the shooting line. Most ranges will have these lines. If not…
May 19, 2020
image of how to place feet when bow shooting
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
Fisher
Article

Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation

The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the south coast from Dec. 1 to April 30. In addition, a harvest tag is required to keep wild winter steelhead in this area.‌ Visit e-regulations
October 25, 2023
Several Rogue River fishing boats pulled up on shore
Article

Current volunteer opportunities

Here are the current volunteer opportunities at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Find the one that's right for you! Learn more about volunteering with ODFW
April 3, 2026
volunteers walking in stream looking for reds
Article

How to fish for steelhead

Steelhead have been called the ultimate game fish. These elusive and challenging fish can test an angler’s patience and persistence, but the reward is hooking into a fish that is famous worldwide for its line-peeling runs and spectacular, acrobatic fight.
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Recreation Report

Fishing Report - Southwest Zone

SW Fishing April 30, 2026 Best bets for weekend fishing: Trolling at Lost Creek and Applegate Reservoirs should be very good this weekend. Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs will be full of legal-size rainbow trout and holdover trout should be good sized this year. Spring Chinook are being caught in the upper Rogue River. Trout stocking Stocking schedules in SW Zone have been impacted by lower than normal water levels and accessibility. Please see individual waterbodies for updates or check the Trout stocking schedule. Trout stocking maps Check out the ODFW fishing and trout stocking maps to find nearby fishing…

September 05, 2017
Article

Favorite warmwater fishing rigs

Ask 10 anglers how to fish and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. However, there are a few types of fishing rigs that almost everyone can agree on – they’re both simple and effective. Here are 16 of some of our favorite rigs for warmwater species.
July 31, 2020
Photo of a colorful bluegill with a popper lure in its mouth
Zones or Areas

Southwest Zone

The southwest zone includes Umpqua River, Coos Bay, Coquille River, Port Orford, Rogue River and Chetco River‌ - all of which offer shellfishing.

Press Release

Updated ODFW statement on coyote incident in Portland

Updated statement Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 SALEM, Ore. – A coyote was captured and humanely killed on Oct. 31 and confirmed to be the individual animal that bit a 9-year-old child in the Alameda neighborhood on Oct. 23. ODFW worked with partners at the city, state, and federal levels to…

November 7, 2025
Landing page

Áreas de fauna silvestre de Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW Wildlife Areas)

August 16, 2018
Landing page

Criaderos de peces en el estado de Oregon (ODFW Hatcheries)

August 16, 2018
Landing page

Si ves un puma

August 16, 2018
Educational Moment

Bow shooting safety

Before shooting a bow, you’ll want to make sure it's safe to fire. Bow/arrow safety check list Check that the string and cable are in good condition and aren ’t rubbing or fraying at any point. Use bowstring wax regularly to keep your string in good condition and safe to shoot. Check that the cams, limbs and riser are all in good shape. Look for cracks, dents, breaks, delaminations, peeling fiberglass, and any mechanical parts that may be defective. If any part of the bow is suspect, don’t shoot it. Fix it or take it to an archery shop to…
May 19, 2020
image of a bow cam, to be inspected before shooting
Press Release

Commission adopts Minam Wildlife Area management plan

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a management plan for the Minam Wildlife Area, approved a land acquisition for Denman Wildlife Area and heard an update on Oregon's Native Seed Strategy. The plan was the result of extensive engagement with the tribes, community partners, and the…

March 20, 2026
Landing page

Si te encuentras con un oso

August 16, 2018
Press Release

Commission meets March 19-20 in Medford

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meets March 19-20 in Medford for a field tour on Thursday and a regular meeting on Friday. The Friday meeting agenda and livestream are available from the Commission page. To virtually testify on an agenda item, register here at least 48…

March 13, 2026
Article

Easy angling in the Northwest Zone

A dozen great rivers pour out of the Coast Range Mountains into tidal bays that welcome runs of salmon and the sea-going rainbow trout called “steelhead.” Bays are the year-round home to marine perch, rockfish, crabs and clams, while other species come and go with the seasons and the tides. In the Northwest Zone a handful of ponds dot the forested slopes, and there are dozens of dune lakes— many stocked with plump rainbow trout, and some that grow their own largemouth bass, perch, crappie and brown bullhead.
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Article

Steelhead management in Columbia & Snake river basins

Follow this page for background on steelhead management, to provide feedback and learn about decisions when they happen for the Columbia, Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, Walla Walla and Grand Ronde rivers. Sign up for email/text updates Video UPDATE AUG. 11, 2025: An in-season run update for the minimum expected A-Index steelhead abundance at Bonneville Dam now forecasts 137,700 adult fish ( see Aug. 12 fact sheet), a large improvement over the original poor forecast of 55,600 A-Index fish but still below average. It is too early to provide an in-season assessment of the B-Index return.
February 8, 2023
Article

Tuna fishing in Oregon

Albacore tuna fishing can offer nonstop action landing fast-moving, hard-fighting fish. Charter trips make tuna fishing accessible to all anglers. In addition, many well-equipped private boat anglers have been making the long trips offshore. If you don't see tuna fishing for yourself, we've even included a brief video on how to buy fresh Oregon tuna from a commercial fisherman at the dock.
Angler holding a large albacore tuna