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There is year-round salmon, steelhead, trout and smallmouth bass in the Southwest Zone. Rainbow trout are stocked in the upper Rogue River and in lakes nestled among fir forests and wind-swept dunes. Big reservoirs provide fishing for trout and for thriving populations of largemouth bass, catfish, perch and crappie. Coastal bays serve as gateways to rich offshore reef fisheries, and miles of public beach allow anglers to fish for surfperch against a backdrop of rugged capes.

More people in Oregon fish for trout than for any other kind of fish. Anglers can experience a lifetime of varied and rewarding adventures fishing for trout in Oregon’s shaded coastal streams, alpine lakes, urban ponds and high desert rivers.

Piloted in 2014, the Tag Team program helps ODFW fish biologists better evaluate resident gamefish, bass, and stocked rainbow trout fisheries. It's also a chance for anglers to participate in fishery management and, perhaps, come away with up to $50.

Buy licenses/tags online and print them immediately from any printer—or choose electronic tagging to carry your documents and tag fish and game with the MyODFW mobile app on your phone. Buy a license

Bass are an increasingly popular game fish even in a state noted for its native salmon, steelhead and trout. Bass often thrive in the urban waters of places like the Willamette Valley where warmer temperatures limit trout fishing in the summer months. Whether you target them in the Columbia or Willamette rivers, a coastal lake or the neighborhood pond, throughout much of the year bass can offer a rewarding fishing opportunity relatively close to home.

Hunters know how easy it is to get focused on taking “the shot.” But a lot of planning and preparation goes into getting there. Use this hunter’s checklist to start planning early, and to remember what you need to carry in the field.

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has caused the death of many wild and domestic birds in Oregon. Here’s what hunters and others need to know about the disease.

Always have your camera with you, explore your backyard and 10 more pro tips.

On Free Fishing Weekends, you don't need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. That's no license, no combined angling tag, no endorsement needed (so no Columbia River Basin Endorsement, Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validations or Two-Rod Validations are required).

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 APRIL 15, 2025: While steelhead are challenging to forecast, the 2025 forecast for summer steelhead is poor and fishery managers are expecting another low return. Fishery managers keep a close eye on actual summer steelhead returns over Bonneville Dam starting July 1 and will take appropriate action in keeping with the frameworks as the actual return becomes evident.

Fishing licenses are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. You can begin buying your next year's license on Dec. 1 of the prior year. If you have questions, please call ODFW licensing staff at 503-947-6101.

Oregon offers some great opportunities for the first-time hunter -- from deer and elk, to geese and ducks, to chukar and pheasants. Here are a few pointers to help you get started.

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.

The number of big game hunters using blinds has increased over the last 20 years. Be sure to follow regulations if you plan to use them on federal land.

Lane County offers so much to explore — from coastal lakes and rivers to mountain lakes and streams. The Willamette River runs through the Eugene-Springfield metro area and is fed by three major rivers: the McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette and Coast Fork Willamette. Florence is surrounded by large dune lakes, the Siuslaw River and Pacific Ocean. With so many places to fish, it’s no wonder Lane County is an angler’s paradise. For current regulations, call your local ODFW office or check MyODFW.com.

Protecting and enhancing Oregon’s fish and wildlife, and the habitats they use, for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations is at the heart of what we do.

Some of ODFW's smaller field offices are not staffed to sell licenses to the public. However, staff at our larger offices will be happy to help you buy your licenses, tags and other documents. Here is a list of those offices.

Find links to the current fishing and hunting regulations, as well as in-season regulation updates.

This newsletter provides a summary of Oregon’s 2023 sport halibut fishery.