ODFW Recreation Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

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

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, and wildlife viewing (Tillamook, Clatsop and Harney counties)

Visit ODFW at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show
Free admission for Pioneer License holders and youth 17 and under

ODFW is excited to see you at the 2025 PNW Sportsmen's Show Feb. 12-16. Join us for expert seminars on hunting, fishing and shellfishing topics. Engage in the ODFW Passport activity to win prizes as your travel the show. Enter to win ODFW's Trip of a Lifetime raffles for volunteer experiences that include fishing research in the Marine Reserves and participating in a bighorn sheep capture and health check. We'll have Magnet Fishing for prizes, and more.

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

The cold, snowy weather has made fishing even more challenging – but not impossible!

  • Think twice about winter steelhead right now. There are fish around and river conditions can be good, but fish haven't been biting in the cold water temperatures.
  • 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. Snow may be limiting access in some areas, so check the zone reports before you go.
  • Pull out the snowmobile suit – it's the perfect cold-weather costume for ice fishing. The sustained cold temperatures have improved ice conditions at several locations. 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 anglers continue to average at least one lingcod per trip.

View the report

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, February 12th
Grande Ronde River: Steelhead fishing may begin to slow
Imnaha River: Anglers can still catch fish
Wallowa Lake : Any travel onto the ice is not advisable
Metolius River: The Metolius River continues to be excellent
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: The canoe canal is open to fishing all year
EE Wilson Angling Pond: EE Wilson Angling Pond Updates
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir Updates
Junction City Pond: Junction City Pond Updates
Quartzville Creek: Light tackle including flies works best
Row River Pond: Row River Pond Updates
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Fishing for steelhead is open year-round
Santiam River (South Fork): Still some scattered summer steelhead
Sunnyside Park Pond: Sunnyside Park Pond Updates
Walling Pond: ODFW will no longer be stocking Walling Pond
Walter Wirth Lake: Good access all the way around
Waverly Lake: Fair warmwater fishing for bluegill and bass
Kilchis River: The Kilchis River is still low and clear
Necanicum River: The steelhead run is starting to wind down
Nehalem River: Conditions should improve on the Nehalem
Nehalem River- North Fork: Rain predicted for this weekend should get fish moving
Three Rivers: Three Rivers will get some much-needed rain
Wilson River: Rain this weekend will improve angling conditions
Agency Lake: Agency Lake is almost completely frozen
Beulah Reservoir: Fishing was good this past fall
Burns Pond: Stocked this fall with rainbow trout
Bully Creek Reservoir: Fishing should be good for crappie
Campbell Reservoir: The reservoir remains frozen
Chickahominy Reservoir: There are some nice holdover trout
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir can be a good ice fishing destination
Upper Klamath Lake: Fishing has been very slow
Klamath River - Middle: Klamath River Updates
Lake Of The Woods: The lake is frozen
Link River : Link River is very slow fishing
Long Creek Reservoir: Fishing not recommended
Malheur Reservoir: There are some very nice trout
Owyhee Reservoir: There are some older, larger crappie
Owyhee River: Some good fishing can still be found
Phillips Reservoir:  Both perch and trout should be available
Pilcher Reservoir: Crappie and Rainbow Trout Available
Wolf Creek Reservoir: Crappie and rainbow trout available
Sprague River: Sprague River Updates
Unity Reservoir: Larger fish likely available
Agate Lake: Bass and panfish are available
Applegate Reservoir: Trout fishing should be good
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Fishing should improve
Diamond Lake: Diamond Lake is now frozen over
Elk River: Rain this weekend should improve conditions
Emigrant Reservoir: Warmwater fishing success is slowing down
Hyatt Lake: Hyatt Lake Updates
Illinois River: Flows are dropping from recent rain/snow melt
Lost Creek Lake: Lost Creek offers very good opportunity for winter trout fishing
Rogue River- Lower: Steelhead fishing has been slow
Rogue River - Middle: Middle Rogue River Updates
Rogue River- Upper: River flows are slowly dropping with ideal clarity
Umpqua River: Winter steelhead should start crossing Winchester Dam
ODFW Recreation Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, and wildlife viewing (Tillamook, Clatsop and Harney counties) Visit ODFW at the Pacific Northwest......

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