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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.

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.

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

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

Harvested bear check-in

Successful bear hunters must appear in-person at an ODFW office to check in their bear's skull.

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

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.

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

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

Hunt by Reservation Program

October 1, 2025

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 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…

Landing page

Cole Rivers Hatchery Fish Counts

Cole Rivers Hatchery is the largest producer of hatchery fish on the coast of Oregon. Almost all of the fish production at Cole Rivers is done to mitigate for the fish production that was lost when miles of high quality fish habitat was blocked by Applegate Dam (Applegate Reservoir) and William Jess Dam (Lost Creek Reservoir). Visit Cole Rivers Hatchery

October 13, 2017

Article

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…

Article

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…

Article

Big game statistics

Here you’ll find links to game population, harvest statistics and point summary reports that can help you decide on choosing a general season, controlled or premium hunt. Apply for a controlled hunt

April 30, 2026