ODFW Recreation Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us

Free Fishing Days

#optoutside for Black Friday

The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are Free Fishing Days in Oregon. That means you can fish, crab or clam for free – no license, tag or endorsement required. Some restrictions apply, as in all current closures, bag limits and other regulations still apply. If you’re looking for a place to take the family, we’ve got 101 suggestions. And if you live near PortlandBendMedfordRoseburgLane County or on the south coast, there are lots of nearby options.

Best bets for Free Fishing Days:

  • There are still some late season Chinook available in the Wilson, Trask and Nestucca rivers.
  • The first winter steelhead of the season are now in the North Fork Nehalem and Necanicum rivers and the Lower Columbia tributaries.
  • Steelhead anglers might also find an early fish in the Alsea, Siletz and Siuslaw rivers.
  • Coho fishing continues to be good in Siltcoos, Tahkenitch and Tenmile lakes.
  • Anglers are starting to get serious about winter steelhead on the Coos and Coquille.
  • Just in time for Free Fishing Days, both Expo and Reinhardt ponds will be stocked this week with some trophy trout this week.
  • Fish Lake has been fishing well (as it should given its name). Both the resort and boat ramp will open again for this weekend.
  • There are still lots of coho in the upper Rogue River.
  • There should be good trout fishing for holdover fish stocked earlier this season. Some familiar names include Cooper Creek Reservoir, Diamond Lake, Hemlock Lake, Lake of the Woods and several north coast lakes. Check the zone reports for more options.
  • Fresh fall Chinook are still arriving in several south coast rivers including the Chetco, Elk, Flora/New River, Pistol, Winchuck and Hunter Creek.
  • several locations in the Willamette Valley will be stocked with trout this week. These include Junction City Pond, Timber Linn Lake, Walling Pond, Waverly Lake, Hills Creek Reservoir and Alton Baker Canoe Canal.
  • After a few days for drier weather, look for crabbing to pick up in the bays and estuaries.

Winter whale watching

Gray whales will soon be making their migration south from Alaska to Mexico. The peak time to see these interesting animals along the Oregon coast is during the winter holidays. Many state parks make good spots for whale watching. More information about gray whales is available at orwhalewatch.org/

Report your 2020 hunt

It's not too early

If all that’s left of your 2021 hunt are the memories, there’s still one last thing to do. You need to report your hunt and why wait until the last minute?  You can report online or with an ODFW license agent. ODFW offices remain closed to walk-in traffic.

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, November 24th, 2021
Umpqua River: North Umpqua River reopens to angling
: Protect Oregon's native wildlife and think carefully about gift-giving certain pets
Umpqua River: North Umpqua River reopens to angling
John C Boyle Reservoir: Fishing is slow due to very cold water temps
Miller Lake: Access might be challenging due to snow
Agate Lake: Agate Lake is still hovering around 10 percent capacity, but slowly filling
Applegate Reservoir: The only useable boat ramp at Applegate Reservoir is the French Gulch Boat Ramp
Applegate River: The river is open to trout fishing through the end of the year
Arizona Pond: Slow. The pond is now full from fall rain, but is still a bit weedy
Ben Irving Reservoir: Ben Irving might be worth a try this weekend
Bradley Lake: Trout fishing has been good
Butterfield Lake: Butterfield Lake Fishing Report
Chetco River: Temporary rule changes for wild adult Chinook are now in place Aug. 31-Dec. 31
Cooper Creek Reservoir: There should be lots of leftover trout still available
Coquille River: The next big rain could bring the first steelhead up the Coquille River
Elk River: A good number of Chinook have had a chance to distribute throughout the river
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Zone regulations are back in place
Hyatt Lake: Emergency regulations have been lifted at Hyatt Lake and zone regulations now apply
Pistol River: Fish have had a chance to move into the river system
Rogue River- Lower: A good number of fish have moved into tributaries
Winchuck River: Fall rain has encouraged a good number of fish upstream into the river system
Alsea River: Winter steelhead typically start to show up in the Alsea River at the end of November
Siletz River: Winter steelhead typically start to show up in early December on the Siletz
Siuslaw River: The majority of the hatchery fish in the basin are headed to Whitaker Creek
Yaquina River: Winter steelhead will start to show up in the Yaquina basin
Clackamas River: Anglers can still find some dark coho around
Eagle Creek: Currently conditions are low and clear
Gold Lake: Gold Lake is now closed for the season
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir Fishing Report
Sandy River: Dark coho are now throughout the system
NEW #2 RECORD FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK IN OREGON

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

The antlers of a Union County bull elk have been officially scored at 406 6/8 which would make it the......

Read More


ABOUT US

Fly Fishing Reports is the newest member of the SportfishingReportsTM Network of fish reports, boats, landings, guides, locations and more. We open our doors to the Fly Fishing outdoor enthusiasts who have a passion for the sport.