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.

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