ODFW Recreation Report

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming‌

Hunters, anglers: What to know about wildfires‌

Wildfire season is hitting Oregon hard. Here’s what hunters and anglers should know:‌

• You can check for the latest fire updates and closures using the links on this webpage.
• This page will also describe ODFW policies on refunding tags and reinstating preference points.
• A&H properties in NE Oregon remain closed indefinitely due to significant fire danger.

Best bets for weekend fishing‌

With summer winding down, there’s still time to plan a few late summer fishing trips. How about:‌

• Summer steelhead. Specific locations are too numerous to list but you’ll find options in the NW, SW, Willamette and Central zones.
• Trout in hike-in lakes. These high elevation lakes can offer quietude, good fishing and relief from the summer heat. But don’t forget the mosquito repellant! Learn more about this unique opportunity.
• Trout in drive-to lakes. Not all summer stillwater fishing for trout requires a hike. You can drive to many good summer fishing destinations like Howard Prairie, Hyatt, Fish (SW), Hosmer, Lava, Little Lava, Fish (SE) and Wallowa lakes. And reservoirs like Lost Creek, Ben Irving, Detroit, Crane Prairie, Ana and Chickahominy. That’s not all of them, but you get the idea.
• Trout in rivers and streams. This includes resident and sea-run cutthroat in coastal systems like the Alsea, Necanicum, Nehalem, Trask, Wilson, Siuslaw, Sixes, Elk and Chetco. And native rainbow/redband trout in eastside rivers like the lower Deschutes, Chewaucan, Crooked, Wood, Williamson, Sprague, Wallowa, Walla Walla and the lower Owyhee. Whew!
• Bass. In addition to bass fishing in lakes, ponds and reservoirs (see zone reports), Oregon has several rivers with world-class bass fisheries including the Columbia, Willamette, Umpqua and John Day.
• Ocean fishing. Deserves a spot all its own, see below.

Fishing can be better at the beach‌

While many inland fishing destinations are plagued by summer maladies like warm water temperatures, wildfire closures and blue-green algae blooms, things are looking good on the ocean for:‌

• Ocean salmon
• Halibut
• Bottomfish
• Albacore tuna
• Crabbing
• And saltwater taffy

Check the Marine Zone fishing report for details.‌

Fishing during blue-green algae (cyanobacterial) blooms‌

As temperatures heat up during spring and summer, be on the watch for harmful algae blooms when recreating in Oregon lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Before you go fishing, check water quality conditions at the Oregon Health Authority website.‌