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The white sturgeon is one of Oregon's most iconic and distinctive fish species with a lineage dating back to the age of the dinosaurs. Due to population concerns, the sturgeon fishery is highly regulated in terms of size, seasons and retention. This article outlines what you need to know before planning a sturgeon fishing trip.

Before you apply for a controlled hunt, you'll need to know how to read a hunt number to find hunts that include what you want to hunt for, where you want to hunt and how you want to hunt.

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.

The time shared between a youngster and a mentor is invaluable. There simply is no better way to introduce a young person to safe, ethical and responsible aspects of hunting than in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program, under the close supervision of an adult mentor.

Many of the more popular fishing locations across the state are accessible to anglers with disabilities. ODFW tries to keep the information on this map current but it's always best to check with the waterbody manager for the latest information before going fishing. ‌

Due to customer demand for a more modern, easier-to-navigate website, ODFW is introducing MyODFW.com. This new mobile-friendly website was designed with the hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing customer in mind.

Public access to lands suitable to hunt can be a challenge. That's why we have the Oregon Hunting Access Map to help find your next outing.

Learning where hunters have been successful in the past may help increase your chances of being successful in the future.

Two commonly caught species of salmon are coho and Chinook. Fishing regulations require anglers to correctly identify salmon species as restrictions such as legal lengths and seasons often vary based on the species.

An emergency hunt is an unanticipated hunt held on short notice to address acute agricultural damage. Many damage situations are addressed by controlled hunts during annual big game seasons. ODFW expects to implement very few emergency hunts during any year. On average, about 200 tags are issued annually statewide. Emergency hunt tags are in addition to tags for general seasons, controlled hunts or leftover hunts. Emergency hunt participants are selected from a list established on a county-by-county basis. You may apply for only one county.

It's important to be able to distinguish between the most commonly encountered rockfish. Knowing what you've caught, and how many you can possess, will keep you on the right side of the regulations. Reminder: Yelloweye rockfish and quillback rockfish are prohibited at all times and in all waters.‌‌

Fishing with your kids or grandkids can be a lot of fun for all. Check out ODFW's fishing opportunities for youth, tips for parents/guardians, and free fishing events across the state.

Rockfish must be released when retention is prohibited or when an angler has reached the daily bag limit, but continues to fish for other species. However, releasing rockfish isn’t as simple as just dropping them back into the water. Some rockfish need help to get back down to deeper water to recover from a condition called barotrauma.

With just a couple of tools and a few minutes, The Fish Grip™, originally designed as a safer way for anglers to land fish, can easily be converted into a rockfish descending device. Fish Grips™ can be purchased at local tackle shops or online.‌

Whether it's a 6-inch bluegill or a trophy-size bass, Oregon's warmwater fish offer anglers of all ages a variety of fishing opportunities. Check out some basic tips here, then head to the article that details places to go looking for warmwater fish species within the area of the state you're interested in.

We've asked our fish biologists throughout the state to pick their favorite family fishing locations. These spots are great for novice and experienced anglers alike.

This example will show you how to read a point summary report.

A beginner's guide to waterfowl hunting on Sauvie Island - an introduction. Part 1 of a 5 part series.

A beginner's guide to waterfowl hunting on Sauvie Island- Hunting in the Westside Unit. Part 3 of a 5 part series.

A beginner's guide to waterfowl hunting on Sauvie Island - hunting in the North Unit. Part 4 of a 5 part series.