ODFW Recreation Report


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
2-8-2024
Website

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, hunting and wildlife viewing

 

Two rods allowed for Willamette spring Chinook‌

Anglers will be able to use their two-rod validation in the Willamette River this year for hatchery spring Chinook and all other fish except sturgeon, beginning March 1 downstream of Willamette Falls and May 1 upstream of Willamette Falls. Learn more.

Report your 2024 hunts by April 15‌‌‌

If you purchased a tag for a 2024 hunt, you have until April 15 to report – even if you didn't hunt or harvest. Ways to report your hunt. ‌

Big game harvest statistics‌

You'll find links to population, harvest and point summary reports that can help you decide what hunts to apply for.‌

Best bets for weekend fishing‌

Trout and winter steelhead still offer the best bets for fishing. Here are just a few examples:‌

  • The Nestucca, Wilson and Trask rivers are the best options for winter steelhead on the North Coast.
  • The Mid Coast is finally starting to see the winter steelhead take off.
  • Fishing has been good for spring Chinook stocked in Lost Creek Reservoir and Fish Lake.
  • Winter steelhead fishing has picked up quite a bit in the middle Rogue.
  • Boat anglers may be able to float the Chetco this weekend as water levels have been coming up.
  • The spring trout stocking season is underway in the Willamette Zone and several waterbodies are scheduled to be stocked this week.
  • There are winter steelhead throughout the Sandy and Clackamas rivers. Keep an eye on water conditions and hit the water when flows and turbidity are low.
  • Winter fishing for brown and lake trout has been good at Crescent Lake, though access can be challenging.
  • Winter steelhead season on the Hood River is getting started as more fish come over Bonneville.
  • Thief Valley Reservoir is ice-free and anglers have been catching some nice fish from the shore.

This list is for demonstration purposes only. Check the zone reports for more options.‌

Shed hunt responsibly‌

Deer and elk shed their antlers at a time when they're not finding a lot of nutritious food and need to be conserving energy so they can migrate to summer ranges a bit later in the year. Follow these tips to help protect vulnerable animals.‌





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, February 1st

• Poacher drops Oregon moose population by one.
• ODFW Recreation Report
• Pneumonia hits Hells Canyon bighorn sheep, ODFW and neighboring states monitoring the effects

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, January 31st
Willamette River: ODFW sets minimum Willamette forecast for allowing two rods at 34,000 adult hatchery spring Chinook
Kilchis River: The Kilchis is dropping into shape
Necanicum River: The Necanicum River should be dropping into shape and will probably fish through the week
Nehalem River: The Nehalem remains big and brown and will likely be high and off color for the week
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem is just coming into shape today
Nestucca River: The Nestucca remains high and probably will be through the weekend
Trask River: The Trask River is on the drop and should fish by the weekend
Wilson River: The Wilson River is on the drop and may be in prime condition by the weekend
Applegate River: Reservoir outflow should stabilize around this number and begin to decrease next week
Diamond Lake: Diamond is starting to freeze over and likely is not fishable
Galesville Reservoir: Trout fishing has been good from the shore
Garrison Lake: The lake is pretty high, but conditions are good for finding some trout cruising the weed lines
Illinois River: The Illinois is dropping into great shape but rain in the forecast will likely blow it out again
Lake Marie: Holdover trout should be of good sizee
Rogue River- Lower: Lower Rogue River Report
Rogue River - Middle: The Rogue is currently a little off color but expect it to start clearing and dropping after the rain
Umpqua River: Should still be good winter steelhead fishing towards the upper end of the mainstem
North Umpqua River: Anglers have reported good success on the North over the last week
South Umpqua River : Anglers have reported good success on the South over the last week
Blue River: Will be stocked again in spring of 2024
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked again the week of March 11
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter Reservoir Report
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout from February through May
Gold Lake: Gold Lake fishing will open around May 22, 2024
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir Report
McKenzie River: Will be stocked later this spring
Middle Fork Willamette: Middle Fork Willamette Fishing Report
Santiam River ( North Fork) : This time of year is slow for fishing as there is not much currently in the river worth targeting
Crooked River: High flows will likely affect water clarity and fishing
Ochoco Reservoir: The reservoir is 45 percent full
Prinevile Reservoir: Prineville Reservoir at 74 percent full
Campbell Reservoir: The reservoir is not frozen and is filling fast
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is not frozen
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is mostly ice-free
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Report
Lake Of The Woods: The lake has a very thin layer of ice
Lost River: The river near Big Springs in Bonanza is very slow
Phillips Reservoir: Ice conditions are unsuitable for ice fishing
Pilcher Reservoir: We have not received any recent reports
Thief Valley Reservoir: We have not received any recent reports of ice conditions
Unity Reservoir: With mild weather, ice conditions are likely poor at Unity Reservoir