From halibut in the Pacific to trout in the forest ponds of northeast Oregon, there’s good fishing across the state. For example,

• In the last two weeks, dozens of waterbodies have been stocked with thousands of rainbow trout, and fishing should be excellent!
• After a couple of weeks of warmer weather, fishing for bass and other warmwater species has really picked up. Many lakes on the north and mid-coast offer great warmwater fishing – something to consider when planning a getaway to the beach.
• Chinook fishing is heating up in the McKenzie below Leaburg and in the Middle Fork Willamette.
• Freeway Lake is one of the best places in the Willamette Valley to fish for large crappie.
• Chinook harvest has picked up on the Hood River in the last two weeks as the majority of the run has reached the river.
• Anglers should expect an excellent hatch of black drake mayflies on the upper Williamson River. Fishing should be excellent for redband trout near the Rocky Ford area.
• Smallmouth bass fishing on the Columbia River has been great.
• The mountains in northeast Oregon are green and beautiful, and with wildflowers in bloom, now is a great time to grab a map (or GPS) and take a tour of the stocked forest ponds.
• Walleye fishing has been good in The Dalles and John Day pools of the Columbia.
• The next Central Oregon Coast spring all-depth fixed opening is June 6-8, and the weather forecast looks promising.

Find more details about all the weekend opportunities in the zone reports.

Leave wildlife in the wild

As spring progresses, the chance to notice and watch young wildlife increases. Enjoy these moments, but be sure to leave wildlife where you find it. Even if the babies and toddlers seem abandoned, Mom is probably nearby foraging and will return soon.

More tips on what to do if you find young wildlife

How to hunt for deer and elk course

It’s not too early to start thinking about your fall deer and elk hunt. If you’re new to big game hunting, or could stand to brush up on few basics, take the ODFW online How to Hunt for Deer and Elk Course.

Take the Trout Challenge and help native fish

Take the Western Native Trout Challenge and challenge yourself to catch at least six native trout species in four different states. At the same time, you’ll be helping protect, restore and recover 21 native trout and char species in 12 states.

Learn more and register