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Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - South Central Area

SOUTH CENTRAL BIG GAME HUNTING December 4, 2025 Above average snowpack in higher elevations coupled with a low snowpack on winter range bodes well for a great year of antler growth and fawn/calf survival in Lake and Klamath counties. Significant snowpack helped offset a dry spring and early summer. Mild temperatures and late summer rains have us looking forward to an excellent upcoming big game season. Fire areas in recent years have begun to recover and recruitment for deer and elk is up from prior years. Open seasons Fall bear, cougar ( Check current harvest numbers), coyote https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/hunting/elk-seasons Announcements, resources

September 21, 2017

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Southwest Area

SW BIG GAME HUNTING December 4, 2025 Currently open Fall bear, Cougar ( check current harvest numbers), Coyote, Deer and Elk ( Check regulations for specific dates and units) Announcements, resources 2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast Big game harvest statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for next season. Please report elk with hoof disease - If you see elk showing signs of elk hoof disease, including lame or limping elk or elk with damaged, injured, missing or deformed hooves, please report it using this online

September 05, 2017

Article

Ocean salmon fishing

Summer is a great time to be on the Pacific chasing ocean salmon. Whether you captain your own ship or book a commercial charter, there is an ocean salmon of fishing opportunity for you.

Article

2023 Sport Bottomfish Newsletter

This newsletter provides a summary of Oregon's 2023 sport bottomfish fishery.

March 26, 2024

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2024 Sport Bottomfish Newsletter

October 13, 2025

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Learn to fish

There are several ways to begin your fishing journey – you can join a friend or family member on their fishing trip, you can attend a free ODFW fishing event, or you can strike out on your own (don’t worry, you can do this). In this article you'll find out what gear you need and where to go fishing in Oregon, along with a few basics of the sport.

Recreation Report

Big Game Hunting Report - Southeast Area

SE BIG GAME HUNTING December 4, 2025 Currently open General fall bear, cougar ( Check current harvest numbers), coyote Check regulations for current elk seasons Always check regulations for exact season dates and open areas prior to hunting big game. Announcements, resources 2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast Big game harvest statistics - You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for next season. Please report elk with hoof disease - If you see elk showing signs of elk hoof disease, including lame or limping elk or elk with damaged

September 21, 2017

Article

Benefits for uniformed service members

From license discounts to additional controlled hunt tags, ODFW wants to make sure our uniformed service members are given the opportunity to participate in the outdoor recreation Oregon has to offer.

Recreation Report

Game Bird Hunting Report - East Area

EASTERN OREGON December 4, 2025 Currently open Upland: Eurasian collared dove, ruffed and blue grouse, rooster pheasant, chukar/ Hungarian partridge, quail, *fall turkey (*Check regulations for specific units and boundaries) Duck, scaup, Wilson's snipe, crow, brant, Mid-Columbia zone - Canada, white fronted and white goose Zone 1 Mourning Dove Upcoming Season High desert & Blue Mountain zones – Canada goose (Opens Dec 9) Announcements, resources A district-by-district look at how this year's migratory and upland bird seasons are shaping up. 2025-26 Game Bird Hunting Forecast Hunt by Reservation Program - ODFW's Hunt by Reservation Program connects bird hunters with private

September 05, 2017

Article

How to hunt rabbit

Rabbit hunting is the third most popular type of hunting activity in the U.S., behind wild turkey and deer hunting. Few people take advantage of it in Oregon, but they should—rabbits and hares are abundant and there is no closed season or bag limit. Plus, they taste good!

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How to fish for surfperch

Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregon’s sandy beaches, and there are plenty of fish within an easy cast from shore.

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Apply for an emergency hunt

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.

Article

Hunting on private lands: Oregon Open Fields Program

Oregon Open Fields is a grant that the A&H Program has been awarded from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. First awarded in 2008 and renewed in the 2014 and 2020 Farm Bills, this program provides block grants to state agencies and tribes to increase public hunting access to private land and improve wildlife habitat on enrolled lands.

November 17, 2022

Article

High lakes stocking schedule - North Willamette District

Includes lakes in the Mt. Hood National Forest and the Bull of the Woods and Roaring River wilderness areas.

July 12, 2023

Image of father and son fishing at Mirror lake

Article

5 tips for fishing in hot water

During summer drought and high temperatures, fish start feeling the heat. Give them a break by following these warm weather fishing guidelines.

using hemostats to remove hook from fish's mouth

Article

Easy angling in Oregon, Introduction

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.

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What’s New for 2026

November 21, 2025

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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

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

Hunting on private lands: UCAP and Regulated Hunt Areas

Regulated Hunt Areas (RHAs) are cooperative programs between Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and private landowners that offer regulated hunting on private lands. Each RHA has special regulations so be sure to check them before hunting. The Upland Cooperative Access Program (UCAP) is an incentive-based program designed to provide quality public hunting opportunities for upland game birds on private lands in Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam and Morrow counties in the Columbia Basin.

September 11, 2017