Check for emergency fishing regulations

ODFW has implemented emergency fishing regulations throughout the state to help protect fish during hot, dry weather. Be sure to check the “Regulation updates” section at the top of each fishing zone for the latest.

Fishing tips for beating the heat
 

• Get up early. Fish early in the morning when water temperatures are cooler and fish are more active. You might also beat the swimmers, kayakers, paddle boarders, sailors, water skiers and others that might get in your way.
• Go higher. Lakes at higher elevations should be cooler than those on the valley floors. This is a great time of year to fish some of the hike-in lakes.
• Fish the headwaters. Water temperatures usually cool the higher you go in a river system. Elevations are higher, and streams are small – and more easily shaded by overhanging vegetation.
• Fish deeper. In lakes and ponds, fish will head to deeper, cooler waters. In rivers and streams, look for deeper pools to fish.
• Go to the beach. It’s cooler there and there are great opportunities for bay clamming and surfperch fishing.
• Check before you go. There already are several active forest fires in the state. Check for fires and related road closures on Oregon’s interagency status map.

Sign up for a First Time Youth Hunt

This program gives young hunters who have applied for, but not drawn, a tag a chance to apply for a limited number of youth-only deer and elk tags. Find more information about eligibility and applying.

Take a hunter education course

If there’s a young wannabe hunter in your life that hasn’t taken hunter education, now’s the time to be thinking about registering for a hunter ed class and/or field day. They fill up quickly. To learn more, start here to find the different ways to earn a hunter education certificate.

Register for shotgun skills, pheasant hunting workshops

ODFW is offering several of its popular shotgun skills and pheasant hunting workshops beginning in June. A shotgun skills class is a prerequisite to a pheasant hunting workshop. These classes fill quickly, so sign up soon. See more details and register.

Sign up for a youth pheasant hunt

Youth Pheasant Hunts give young hunters a chance to hunt in a controlled setting with a focus safety and success. Here are five reasons they're so popular:

• No adult competition. Youth hunts happen before the official pheasant season begins.
• Emphasis on safety. A review of safety procedures, controlled access and a defined hunting area characterize many of the hunts.
• Increased chance of success. ODFW releases pen-raised pheasants for each hunt, because early success can help build lifetime hunters.
• Available statewide. There are hunt locations from Ontario to the Willamette Valley to the Rogue.
• They're free!

Learn more about where to hunt and how to register.