ODFW Recreation Report Nov. 13, 2024

Nov. 13, 2024

Includes updates to fishing and hunting

CWD – what hunters can do

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease infecting deer and elk across North America. It has now been found in three bordering states – Idaho, Washington, and California, but has not yet been detected in Oregon. Hunters can do their part to protect local herds by getting their deer or elk harvest tested. ‌ Learn more about CWD and the threat to Oregon wildlife.

CWD check stations:

• Elgin Stampede Grounds, 790 S 8th Ave, Nov. 17-18, 2024, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Google map coordinates)
• Additional CWD check stations will also be open in some districts throughout the state, and hunters should contact their district directly for more information on potential locations.

Hunting big game out of state? Know the rules about Oregon’s Parts Ban.

It is illegal to transport any part of the brain or spinal column of deer, elk or other cervids into Oregon from another state. See page 16 of the Big Game Hunting regulations for guidance on how to transport your meat and antlers home to Oregon.

Put crab on your holiday menu

Dungeness crab for the holidays is an iconic Oregon tradition. So why not harvest your own! Crabbing is easy, affordable and fun. Here’s all the intel you need to get started.

Foragers – be visible in the woods

It’s elk hunting season in the western Oregon woods. So, if you’ve got mushrooming or other foraging on your agenda, be sure to make yourself (and your dog) visible by wearing red, hunter orange (it’s not just for hunters) or another bright color.

Free Fishing Days Nov. 29-30

The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are Free Fishing days in Oregon. That means you don’t need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. That’s no license, no combined angling tag, no endorsements, no validations needed. Click here to see the small pring.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

You might need your rain gear, but there’s plenty of fall fishing opportunities available.

• Salmon fishing continues to be good on the North Coast, and river levels should be dropping back into shape for the weekend.
• More coho should be moving into Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes thanks to recent rains.
• Anglers are starting to target early winter steelhead on the mainstem Umpqua.
• Anglers have been catching trout in Galesville and Lost Creek reservoirs.
• Coho fishing in the mainstem Willamette is winding down, but there’s still time to take advantage of this record-setting run.
• Trout fishing has been good in the Crooked, Fall and Metolius rivers.
• Anglers have been consistently catching trout in Malheur Reservoir using a variety of methods.
• Fishing for native redband trout has been good on the Chewaucan, Blitzen and lower Owyhee rivers.
• Steelhead have been moving into the Grande Ronde and John Day rivers.

These examples are for demonstration purposes only. See the zone report for a more complete list.