Share your wildlife sightings

Spring is the perfect time for wildlife watching. Some animals are still migrating and there are plenty of babies about. While you’re watching, use the iNaturalist app to identify and record the animals you see. Your information contributes valuable data to help improve wildlife conservation. Learn more about how to participate in the iNaturalist project. 

Leave wildlife in the wild

Speaking of young wildlife, you might come across a fledging bird on the ground, or a deer or elk calf hidden in the grass and be tempted to “help.” But don’t! It’s likely these animals haven’t been abandoned or orphaned; mom is probably nearby waiting for you to leave so she can return to her young. Learn more about why to leave these young animals alone. 

Spring fishing: so much to choose from

There are so many options for spring fishing in Oregon it can be hard to decide what to do. Here are just some of your choices:

• We’ve stocked dozens of lakes, ponds and streams with thousands of trout this spring in all areas of the state.
• There are native redband trout in major rivers like the Klamath and Deschutes, and native cutthroat in most coastal rivers and streams.
• Spring Chinook fishing continues in the Willamette Valley and along the coast.
• Summer steelhead have arrived in the lower Rogue, and rivers along the coast, in the Willamette Valley.
• With warmer weather finally here, bass, bluegill, crappie and other warmwater fish are active and ready to bite.
• Shad are running in the Columbia, Willamette and Umpqua rivers.
• This is the season for kokanee fishing in places like Paulina Lake, and Green Peter, Detroit and Wickiup reservoirs.
• Anglers can find good catfish fishing in the reservoirs on the Snake River.

Once you’ve decided what to do, check the zone reports to find out where to do it.

Sign up for the latest information on boater access 

Marine Board’s Opportunities and Access Report incorporates information from federal and  state agencies, local facility operators and fellow boaters to provide up-to-date information so boaters can decide where to recreate and what to expect this season. Subscribe to receive email updates.

Get an introduction to hunting in Oregon

If you’re a potential hunter, a new hunter or a current hunter that’s just new to Oregon, this two-hour seminar covers the “what, where, when and how” of hunting in Oregon. Get more details, including dates, times and locations.