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Press Release

Thief Valley Reservoir bag limits lifted ahead of reservoir drawdown

LA GRANDE, Ore. – Effective Aug. 1 through Sep. 30, minimum and maximum size limits as well as the daily and possession bag limits for rainbow trout and bass are suspended for Thief Valley Reservoir (Southeast Zone) located in Union County. Harvest will be allowed by hand, dip net, or…

August 1, 2025

Thief Valley Reservoir near North Powder, Oregon is used for irrigation and recreation. In this 2024 photo, the reservoir is completely drained revealing a muddy, brown lake bottom with a meandering stream running through it. Sage brush and cheat grass in the foreground and background. Photo by ODFW, 2024.

Article

Easy angling in the Central Zone

Known for its high desert climate, sage-covered canyons, glacial peaks and mountain lakes, this zone is defined by the reach of Oregon’s finest trout stream. The Deschutes River is no bigger than a creek when it passes close by South Twin Lake on its way toward Wickiup and Crane Prairie reservoirs. But it soon gains power enough to grow athletic rainbow trout. The considerably tamer Crooked River offers good practice if you’re just learning how to keep your footing in a slippery freestone stream.

Article

Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts

The Western Oregon Fee Pheasant Hunts offer new hunters a chance to hone their skills in a hunt that’s close to home and offers a good chance of bagging some birds.

August 25, 2025

Educational Moment

East Region February 2025

Nick Myatt, Region Manager Golden eagle research in northeast District wildlife staff in Wallowa County, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy, began a pilot project to study the survival, movement, and reproductive success of golden eagles. During the pilot phase, ODFW staff tested methods of capture as well as telemetry units to determine feasibility for a longer-term study. The first capture event during this pilot project took place in mid-December 2024. USFWS provided four GPS units for this pilot year. The data from golden eagles captured in northeast Oregon during this pilot phase…

February 25, 2025

Article

Hunting bear in Oregon

Oregon offers spring and fall bear hunting seasons. Spring bear season requires a controlled hunt application, while fall bear is an entirely general season hunt. Apply for a controlled hunt

February 19, 2026

Article

50 places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Medford

Let’s go fishing! not enough time? Think again. If you live in the Medford area, there are a number of places you can get to in less than an hour. Directions, mileage, and times are approximate.

Press Release

Bag limits lifted for Thief Valley, Pilcher Creek, and Wolf Creek reservoirs starting June 1

SALEM, Ore. – Effective June 1 through Sep. 30, minimum and maximum size limits as well as the daily and possession bag limits for rainbow trout and bass are suspended for Thief Valley Reservoir, Pilcher Creek Reservoir, and Wolf Creek Reservoir which are all located within the Southeast Zone in…

May 28, 2026

Press Release

Oregon hunters: Don’t wait, review changes to Deer Hunt Areas in Eastern Oregon and apply early

SALEM, Ore.—With the May 15 deadline approaching, ODFW is reminding hunters to apply early for 2026 controlled deer hunts and to carefully review changes to Eastern Oregon deer hunts. With the transition from Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) to Deer Hunt Areas in eastern Oregon, hunters who wait until the last…

April 23, 2026

Article

Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan approved

Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), officially approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on March 20, ensures continued federal funding eligibility and provides a science‑based roadmap to maintain healthy fish and wildlife populations, prevent further declines of at‑risk species, and reverse existing declines where possible. Along with the 2026 plan's approval, ODFW updated the user‑friendly SWAP website (formerly the Oregon Conservation Strategy and Oregon Nearshore Strategy) designed to help Oregonians easily navigate information about species, habitats and key conservation issues. Visit the 2026 SWAP website at: https://swap.oregon.gov

April 10, 2026

2026 State Wildlife Action Plan Graphic in Oregon outline

Landing page

Living with deer and elk

March 27, 2026

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.

Landing page

Northside Unit 47

Find maps, boundary descriptions and the percent public lands for the Northside Unit.

September 05, 2017

Article

Buying an ODFW Wildlife Area parking permit

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife owns or manages nearly 200,000 acres of land set aside for wildlife use and public recreation. The ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit helps fund habitat improvements and visitor amenities such as parking, restrooms and interpretive signs at these wildlife refuges. Buy a Parking Permit

November 17, 2025

Landing page

Melrose Unit 23

Find maps, boundary descriptions and the percent public land for the Melrose Unit.

September 05, 2017

Press Release

Hunters play key role in CWD testing: Reminder to stop at CWD Check Stations (in Baker City, Celilo Park, Elgin, Prineville, Riley, Ukiah)

SALEM, Ore.—As 2025 deer and elk hunting seasons begin, ODFW is ramping up its Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance statewide. Hunters are encouraged to take advantage of streamlined testing options and reminded that CWD check stations are mandatory to stop at when transporting harvested deer or elk. Sampling is quick…

September 25, 2025

Press Release

ODFW holds public meetings on commercial Dungeness crab fishery

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting three public meetings along the coast to discuss the state's commercial Dungeness crab fishery. Commercial fishermen, industry representatives and anyone interested in the fishery are encouraged to attend. ODFW staff will give updates related to marine life entanglement…

April 23, 2026

Article

12 tips for catching wipers in Ana Reservoir

Wipers, a cross between striped and white bass, reach prodigious proportions in the productive waters of Ana Reservoir. Their size (up to 19 pounds) and hard-fighting nature make them a popular destination fishery with many anglers.

March 13, 2019

Press Release

Umatilla River spring Chinook season to close May 30

PENDLETON, Ore. – ODFW will close recreational spring Chinook retention in the Umatilla River Basin from May 30 through June 30, 2026. The closure will be in effect from the mouth of the Umatilla River, near Highway 730 bridge, to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) boundary…

May 29, 2026

Article

Start hunting game birds

Whether it’s spending more time outdoors or harvesting food to fill the freezer, there are many reasons to become a hunter. Here’s how to take the first steps into the field.

August 18, 2025

Landing page

Elkhorn Hunt Area EH-01

Find maps, boundary descriptions and hunts available in the new Elkhorn Hunt Area. Download printable PDF map

November 14, 2025