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Wildfire season in Oregon and access to the place you like to hunt, fish or recreate may be impacted. So be sure to check for access restrictions before heading out.

In some Oregon state waters catch-and-release fishing is required in order to protect valuable fish resources. One way anglers can help maintain and restore native fish populations is to learn how to catch and release wild fish properly.

Each year over 9 million Oregonians and visitors head to the mountains – and the desert, and the beach – to enjoy the outdoor beauty Oregon offers. But with that many people actively appreciating the outdoors, it’s becoming even more important that we learn to enjoy our fragile ecosystems today while also protecting them for tomorrow’s visitors.

Looking for the perfect gift for the hunter on your holiday list? We’ve asked some ODFW staff, all avid hunters, to share their gift-giving (and gift-getting) ideas.

The southwest area follows Interstate 5 from Drain south to the Oregon-California border and includes the communities of Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland. In this area, anglers can fish the famed lower Umpqua River, which offers one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the country. Outstanding warmwater fishing for bass and panfish can also be found in the area's many lakes and reservoirs including Cooper Creek, Galesville and Emigrant Reservoirs, and Selmac Lake. Smaller ponds near Sutherlin, Grants Pass and Medford including those at ODFW's Denman Wildlife Area are also good bets, particularly for families or young anglers.

If you bought a tag you must report, even if you weren't successful or didn't hunt. Report your hunt online or at an ODFW license vendor. Hunters have until January 31 (or April 15 if purchased a late tag) each year to report their previous year's hunts.

Fishing Oregon’s high elevation lakes is not just for dedicated anglers. It also appeals to hikers and backpackers who head to the backcountry with a sense of adventure and a yearning for quietude.

Directions for purchasing a license or tag online or from a license vendor, for redeeming your Sports Pac voucher, and purchasing a tag after the sale deadline. Buy Online

Oregon requires all hunters under the age of 18 to complete a hunter safety education course before hunting in the state. Upon completing the course (and a Field Day for youth), participants will receive a Hunter Safety certification number and card. Adults are also encouraged to take the online course, as it may be required for out of state hunts. Note: Youth under the age of 9 may struggle with the course material and may not have the physical strength needed to safely handle a firearm during a Field Day, particularly during muzzle control, loading, and unloading drills.

Prioritize what you want out of your hunt Controlled Hunt Application Worksheet Steps on how to apply for a controlled hunt

Salmon, steelhead and smallmouth bass offer world-class fishing here year-round. Rainbow trout are stocked in the upper Rogue and in lakes nestled in settings as varied as fir forest and wind-swept dune. 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 welcome anglers to fish for surfperch against a backdrop of rugged capes.

Snipe fly fast and erratically. They aren’t hard to kill, just hard to hit. Here are a few tips to improve your odds.

Crappie are scrappy, hard-fighting fish, and with a two-rod validation you can double the excitement of reeling in these delicious panfish. Lucky for us, Oregon has lots of opportunity for crappie, and some of our waterbodies are considered premier crappie fishing destinations!

It's an iconic part of life in the Pacific Northwest—salmon returning to their natal rivers after years at sea to spawn and then die. ODFW fish biologists recommend the following locations to catch a glimpse of salmon spawning.

Following droughts in the 1930s that affected most of North America, major conservation efforts, by both private and governmental entities, were enacted to reverse trends of degrading and disappearing wetlands. During this time period there was a major creation and expansion of federal wildlife refuges and state wildlife areas. As the concept of waterfowl flyway management was endorsed and developed, wildlife areas were acquired and managed as part of a larger plan focused on migratory waterfowl needs. LMWA was one of several wetland-focused wildlife areas established in Oregon. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area was established in 1949, with primary objectives of…

A quick guide to cleaning and storing the fish you catch.