Last Recreation Report of 2023
We won’t be publishing a Recreation Report on Dec. 28, but we’ll be back again on Jan. 4, 2024.
Happy holidays from the ODWF Rec Report team!
Tight lines and happy holidays from the ODFW fish, wildlife and habitat biologists across the state who contribute to the Recreation Report. And a Happy New Year, too!
Last minute gift ideas
Waited too long to find the perfect gift for the hunter, angler or outdoor enthusiast on your holiday list? Order a pass, license or permit online from ODFW and it will be delivered immediately – can’t get faster than that. This includes parking passes for ODFW wildlife areas, waterway access permits for longer pontoons, kayaks and paddle boards, fishing/hunting/shellfish licenses, and conservation stamps. Here’s a whole list of ideas.
Best bets for winter fishing
- It’s still early for most winter steelhead but thanks to the recent rains, fish have been moving into some rivers on the North Coast and the Umpqua.
- Fishing for stocked trout can be excellent this time of year as fish are trying to bulk up for the winter. Consider low and mid-elevation lakes and reservoirs that were stocked regularly in spring and summer – there are still plenty of those fish around.
- Trout anglers should also consider native redband trout in rivers and streams on the eastside. There are several eastside rivers that are open year-round – check the zone reports for the latest updates.
- Look for crabbing in the bays to pick up with the drier weather. This time of year, crab should be large and full of meat.
- Ocean bottomfishing can be good throughout the winter, as long as the ocean cooperates. At the northern ports, Lingcod fishing has been excellent lately with most anglers catching limits.
Report your hunt
If you purchased a tag for a 2023 hunt, you must report by Jan. 31 – even if you didn’t hunt or were unsuccessful. Information from hunters who did not hunt or did not harvest an animal is as important as from those who did take an animal. Find ways to report.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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