Get your 2019 license on paper or phone
ODFW will be launching a new electronic license system on Dec. 1 when 2019 fishing and hunting licenses go on sale. Under the new system you’ll be able to print your license at home or download it to your phone. And traditionalists will still be able to buy their license at an ODFW office or participating vendor.

Big game seasons start soon – are you ready?
Have you bought your tags? And sighted-in your rifle? And sharpened your knives? And found the right map? And, and, and…. If it’s all too much to keep track of, use this hunter’s checklist to help make sure you don’t forget something important in the days leading up to your hunt.

Best bets for weekend fishing
Though the hot, dry summer can make fishing tough, the fishing enthusiast will find plenty of choices in this week’s Recreation Report. Some highlights:

• Sea-run cutthroat trout are moving into many north coast rivers.
• Smallmouth bass fishing has been good on the Columbia, Umpqua, John Day, Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers.
• Halibut in the central coast all-depth fishery will be open this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-18.
• There are summer steelhead to be found in the Clackamas, the North and South Santiam, and McKenzie (below Leaburg dam) rivers.
• Trout fishing continues to be good in higher elevation lakes like Diamond, Anthony, Jubilee, Harriet, Lemolo, Hemlock and Lake of the Woods.

Fall Chinook season… it’s off and running!
Fall Chinook are being caught on the Columbia River at Buoy 10 and in south coast rivers like the Coos, lower Rogue and the mouth of the Umpqua. On the north coast, look for Chinook to start entering the bays and estuaries later this month. Keep an eye on the weekly updates to track the run and angler success.

Youth pheasant hunts in September
These hunts give hunters 17 and younger a head start on the bird hunting season. ODFW and its partners stock pheasants at each location for a better chance to bag a bird or two. Locations including Madras, Corvallis, Prairie City, Tygh Valley, Central Point, Portland, Hermiston and Eugene. Some rules apply so visit the MyODFW.com Workshop and Events page for dates, locations and eligibility.

Sage-grouse hunting permit deadline is Aug. 20
The deadline to apply for a sage-grouse hunting permit is Monday, Aug. 20. Review last year’s harvest success and check the 2018 permit allocation. Use the application here to help you with the application process.