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.
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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.
