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The Swamp sparrow uses wet areas that have thick vegetation for cover. Several glimpses of this reclusive bird may be required before it can safely be separated from Lincoln's sparrow or the more common Song sparrow, though its distinctive call will give it away to observers familiar with it. Chestnut coloration on the wing coverts helps separate this species from other wintering sparrows. The Swamp swallow is a rare to uncommon spring and fall transient and winter visitant in western Oregon, especially along the coast. Hear the song of the Swamp sparrow Photo from USFWS

This species breeds from northeast British Columbia to Nova Scotia and south to north Georgia. It winters in Middle and South America. Small numbers regularly occur along the west coast, especially in spring. The majority of Oregon records have occurred from early March through July, mostly from mid-May to mid-June. Individuals are occasionally found from mid-September to mid-January, mostly birds that remained less than five days. Here the song of the Rose-breasted grosbeak Photo by Anna Hesser, Flickr

For many, the rich, melodious song of the Black-headed grosbeak is the music of springtime in Oregon. The handsome males, with their bold pattern of cinnamon, black, and white, are among our most striking songbirds, and area familiar site in parks and gardens as well as in almost every forest type in the state. The buffy, streaked females are less conspicuous, but are also accomplished singers. The Black-headed grosbeak is a common to fairly common breeder and common migrant in forested regions throughout the state. Hear the song of the Black-headed grosbeak Photo by David Bronson

The Wyoming ground squirrel is a medium-sized ground squirrel without spots, stripes, or splotches. The dorsal pelage is grayish with a slight buffy wash. In the field, it appears distinctly more yellowish than other ground squirrels that it might be confused with. The tail is usually longer, as well. This ground squirrel is found in southeastern Oregon and emerges from hibernacula in the spring and by late July has again entered torpor. During the active season, individuals usually become active within an hour after sunrise. Photo by Andrew Hoffman, Flickr

The Western gray squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in the state. It occurs from central Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes, and Klamath counties west, except for unforested portions of the Willamette Valley, to central Washington, Benton, Lane, Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties. It is commonly associated with mixed forest communities. These squirrels are wary and secretive, but curious; they examine new objects placed in their environment but, once captured, they often avoid live traps. Western gray squirrels are an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the Willamette Valley ecoregion. Photo from ODFW

Features: Opah are also known as moonfish due to their round, laterally compressed bodies. These fish are very beautiful with pale red colored and lighter spots throughout resembling the craters on the moon, and orange-red fins. Opah grow to an average of 3-feet long and 100 pounds. Habitat: Opah can be found in temperate and tropical waters. They tend to be at depths of 300- to 1,000-feet during the day and come above 300-feet at night. Technique: These fish are rare in Oregon's waters and are difficult to catch by rod and reel, though they are occasionally brought in.

Chance to comment on proposed 2026 Sport Fishing Regulations
Comment by emailing odfw.sportfishingregulations@odfw.oregon.gov

SALEM, Ore.—ODFW will be proposing several changes to next year's Sport Fishing Regulations. The Commission will adopt 2026 regulations at their Sept. 12 meeting in Ontario.
Major staff proposals for changes include:
Allowing spearfishing for bass and walleye in more rivers and streams: Spearfishing is a popular alternative fishing method and the public has been requesting expanded opportunity. The change could also potentially help reduce impacts of bass and walleye on native fish.
Clarifying bag limits for kokanee: Currently, kokanee are considered trout and counted as part of the trout bag limit which can be confusing. The new bag limit would be a standard 10 kokanee per day (in addition to trout limits), no size limit, open all year, unless noted under Exceptions.
Making the coho seasons in the upper Willamette Basin permanent: There have been large coho runs above Willamette Falls the last few years, allowing for fishing seasons to be adopted under temporary rule. Moving forward, coho fishing would be open in the mainstem and some tributaries under permanent regulations with season dates (Oct. 1-Dec. 31) to protect spring Chinook and winter steelhead.
For a full list of proposed changes by zone
Anglers and others interested have several options to provide comments or feedback:
- Send an email to odfw.sportfishingregulations@odfw.oregon.gov These comments will be shared with the Fish and Wildlife Commission in advance of their decision.
- Comment via this form on the Rulemaking page at odfw.com
- Sign up to testify in person or remotely at the Sept. 12 Commission meeting. A sign up link will be available approximately two weeks prior to the meeting on the Commission web page, and you must register no later than 48 hours in advance of the meeting (by Sept. 10 at 8 a.m.)
Under a new policy meant to streamline regulations, ODFW solicits input for changes to fishing regulations every other year. The 2027 Sport Fishing Regulations should be similar to whatever is adopted for 2026. However, ODFW takes suggestions throughout the year. Anglers and others should contact their local district fish biologist to discuss or propose regulation changes.
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Of several swans found in Oregon, the tundra swan is by far the most common during the non-breeding season. It is most readily distinguished from the similar-appearing trumpeter swan by voice, although subtle differences in physical appearance and behavior can separate the two with difficulty. It is a fairly common transient throughout the state but most abundant at large bodies of water and wetland complexes east of the Cascades including the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding Harney Basin, Summer Lake Wildlife Area and the Klamath Basin. Hear the call of the tundra swan Photo by Kathy Munsel, ODFW

The adult Lark sparrow is one of the most easily recognized passerines. The head pattern is sharp and crisp, with a chestnut crown and cheek patch surrounded by alternating white and black stripes. White underparts with a a small black central spot and a long, blackish tail with conspicuous white wing corners further aid identification. Courtship behaviors, including turkey-like strutting by males, differ markedly from that of other passerines. In Oregon, the Lark sparrow is a locally common summer resident and migrant east of the Cascades. Hear the song of the Lark sparrow Photo by Beken Bulgic Schneider, Flickr

The Snow bunting is a large finch that breeds throughout the high arctic tundra. In winter, many move south, sometimes forming large flocks in open grasslands, steppes, and dunes. When feeding in agricultural fields, these flocks may be hidden among the stubble, but when alarmed they often arise as a group and whirl about in a white cloud before returning to their spot or a nearby one. Oregon is at the southern edge of their winter range, and their wanderings about the state are erratic. In basic plumage, they are buffy and cream-colored with black and white wings. Hear the

The mountain beaver is a medium-sized, muskrat-like rodent often lacking a visible tail. It is not related to other beavers or rodents but are called beavers because of their habit of gnawing down young trees. The mountain beaver has an extremely short, fur-covered tail, and otherwise differs from the muskrat by possessing five-toed feet. It is dark brown with a small white spot at the base of each ear. In Oregon, are common in forested areas on the west slope of the Cascade Range west to the Pacific Ocean. They are, however, rarely seen as they spend most of their

The California vole is a medium-sized vole with a cinnamon-brown to tawny-olive dorsum overlain by dark brown or black hairs. The underparts are medium gray, sometimes washed with buff; the tail is bi-colored, black above and gray below. The feet are grayish. It occurs from near Eugene south through the interior valleys of Oregon and most of California. It has been found in the drainages of the upper Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue rivers in Lane, Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties. This vole spend most of the time underground in its burrows or in those of other species; it makes only

The Mink is a semiaquatic species. The body is elongate and cylindrical, the legs are short and stout, the tail is bushy and about half as long as the head and body. The head is flattened, the ears small and rounded, and the nose is pointed. The pelage consists of dense grayish underfur and long lustrous guard hairs. Dorsally, it is dark brown to blackish but somewhat lighter on the venter. In Oregon, the mink is found throughout the state and is associated with river, lake, pond, or marsh environments. They forage along overhanging banks, and in holes and crevices

Features: The purple varnish clam is named for the purple hue found inside the clam and the shiny varnish over the brown color outside the shell. It is oval in shape and is relatively flat with a prominent ligament near the hinge. Habitat: These clams can be found in cobble to muddy substrate. Technique: Purple varnish clams are found in very high densities. Limits are 72 a day. Learn more here before getting started clamming. See Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for information on the daily catch limits for bay clams. How to dig purple varnish clams (video)

This species is found in a variety of habitats. To make matters more confusing, four subspecies are found in Oregon, each of which has somewhat different habitat preferences. All can be found in moist areas such as marshes and lake or stream margins, but two may occur some distance from water. The diet varies among subspecies; the more aquatic forms feed on fish, frogs, tadpoles, and leeches, which are eaten in the water. Terrestrial forms take frogs and toads, but also lizards, small mammals, salamanders and slugs. Photo by David Bronson, ODFW

A small loon holding its slender head erect and narrow, upswept bill upward is most always a red-throated. A quick flyer, it can be identified by rapid deep wing-beats, humpbacked body with head and neck extending below the body, and wings appearing far to the rear due to the usual invisibility of the small feet. Often feeding near the surf, it may be spotted by beachcombing humans. It can take flight from a small water area, and can also, if pressed, take flight from land. It is an abundant Oregon nearshore transient from fall through spring. Hear the call of

The Black oystercatcher is easily recognized with its black plumage, long, strait, laterally compressed, orange-red bill with a yellow tip, orange-red eye ring, yellow iris, and pale pink legs. These birds are restricted to rocky coastal shorelines where they feed in the intertidal zone. They are an uncommon to fairly common resident on rocky shores and sand/gravel beaches along the entire coast. Along the sandy central coast, they are present only as an occasional dispersing or wandering individual, typically on jetties. Black oystercatchers are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the Nearshore ecoregion. Hear the call of the Black oystercatcher Photo

The Snowy owl is the largest North American owl. Its white plumage makes it uniquely adapted for life in the arctic and sub-arctic. Adult males are nearly pure white, females have black spots and some barring. Young birds can be strongly barred. Every few years, for reasons which are still not fully understood, Snowy owls move south of their normal winter range into Oregon. During these irruptive events, they can be found on coastal dunes, open high desert, agricultural areas, airport margins, and occasionally atop buildings in populated areas. Hear the call of the Snowy owl Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp

Insects swept up in a rising air mass are favorite prey of this species nicknamed the "cloud swift." It prefers to nest near or even behind the curtain of a waterfall. This dark swift glides for long distances, often very high in the sky, with its wings held somewhat downward. It is larger and darker than the more common Vaux's swift, and has a slightly forked tail. The Black swift is a rare to uncommon spring and fall transient and summer visitant throughout the state. It's an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the West Cascades ecoregion. Hear the call of
