ODFW Recreation Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

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

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming

Hunter education in time for spring bear and turkey seasons

If your young hunter wants to hunt for spring bear or turkey this year, make sure completing hunter education is on their to-do list. Hunter education is required for hunters younger than 18 to hunt in Oregon. Classes can be in person or online (additional field day required). Ways to complete hunter education.

Ice fishing: Have fun, stay safe

Ice anglers have been catching rainbow trout and yellow perch at several places throughout the state. But ice conditions can change quickly, so here are some guidelines for checking ice safety before you venture out too far. And here are some tips for catching more fish through the ice.

Send us your 2024 photos

Have you got some favorite hunting, fishing and viewing photos from 2024? Now is a great time to revisit them and send your best shots to ODFW. We'll share them with other hunters, anglers and wildlife appreciators on the ODFW website or social media channels. Here's how to submit your photos.

Best bets for weekend fishing

Even with some rain in the forecast, many rivers may remain low and clear for the weekend – making steelhead fishing challenging. Here are some suggested alternatives.

  • Change up your steelhead gear and tactics to match the conditions. Use light lines and small lures, be stealthy, look for fish holding in deeper pools.
  • Do some studying. The ODFW YouTube channel has dozens of where-to and how-to steelhead fishing videos. Find a new tip to try when the water conditions improve.
  • Think smaller. Native redband trout in eastside rivers, or holdover hatchery trout in lower elevation reservoirs can offer a challenging and rewarding alternative when steelhead fishing is slow.
  • Pull out the snowmobile suit – it's the perfect cold-weather costume for ice fishing. A few frozen lakes are already seeing ice anglers. If you venture out, be sure to follow these ice fishing safety tips from the Minnesota DNR – where they know a bit about ice.
  • Consider an ocean charter. When ocean conditions permit, bottomfishing can be very good during the winter. And recently, anglers have been averaging at least one lingcod per trip.

View the report

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, January 29th
John Day River: Popular month to target steelhead
Magone Lake: Ice fishing is popular
Hood River: The Hood has been low and cold
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout
Junction City Pond: This pond received an unscheduled stocking
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Santiam River (North Fork) Updates
Santiam River (South Fork): Still some scattered summer steelhead in the river
Walter Wirth Lake: Good access all the way around
Kilchis River: Winter steelhead are in the Kilchis
Necanicum River: Steelhead in the Necanicum River
Nehalem River: Fair amount of fishing pressure this last week
Nehalem River- North Fork: Fishing conditions challenging
Nestucca River: The Nestucca has been low and clear
Three Rivers: Three Rivers has been very low and clear
Trask River: Winter steelhead are in the Trask
Agency Lake: Agency Lake is thawing
Campbell Reservoir: The reservoir remains likely frozen
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir can be a good ice fishing destination
Klamath River - Middle: Klamath River Updates
Lake Of The Woods:  Anglers are doing well ice fishing
Link River : Fishing has been very slow
Lost River: The river remains mostly frozen
North Fork Sprague River: Cold Temperatures and High Flows
South Fork Sprague River: Fishing will be slow
Willow Valley Reservoir: The reservoir remains frozen
Applegate Reservoir: Trout fishing should be good
Emigrant Reservoir: Warmwater fishing success is slowing down
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is slowly filling
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt is currently iced-over
Lake Selmac: Bass and panfish are available
Lost Creek Reservoir: Very good opportunity for winter trout fishing
Rogue River- Upper: Flows are slowly dropping with ideal clarity
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, January 22nd
Detroit Reservoir: Fishing can be surprisingly good
Green Peter Reservoir: The water level in the reservoir is down
Quartzville Creek: Trout are active year-round
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Santiam River North Fork Updates
Santiam River (South Fork): The forecast is for dry weather
Kilchis River: Winter steelhead are in the Kilchis
Necanicum River: Challenging fishing conditions on the Necanicum
Nehalem River: Lower Nehalem is fishable
Nehalem River- North Fork: There is a boating hazard
Nestucca River: The Nestucca is low and clear
Trask River: Winter steelhead are in the Trask
Wilson River: Fishing conditions are challenging
Agency Lake: Agency Lake is mostly frozen
Fourmile Lake: Access is blocked by snow
Gerber Reservoir: Gerber can be a good ice fishing destination
Klamath River - Middle: Klamath River Updates
Lake Of The Woods: The lake is frozen
Link River : Closed to salmon fishing
Lost River: The river is mostly frozen
Applegate River: Steelhead fishing pressure is starting to pick up
Chetco River: Steelhead fishing is slow
Coos River: Best fishing is typically near slack tides
Coquille River: River in the Coquille Basin are low and clear
Fish Lake : Fish Lake is slowly filling
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie Updates
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt Lake Updates
Illinois River: Steelhead fishing should be getting good
Rogue River- Lower: January is a very good month for steelhead fishing
Rogue River- Upper: River flows are slowly dropping
Rogue River- Upper (Above Lost Creek): Catches of a Nice Rainbow Trout
Sixes River: Steelhead fishing has been slow
Umpqua River: South Umpqua River Updates
Willow Lake: The lake is iced over
: ODFW Recreation Report


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