Best bets for weekend fishing:

With warm, dry weather in the forecast, this will be a good weekend for fishing. Dry conditions will leave river levels low and challenging, but warmer temperature will help put trout on the bite in lakes and ponds.

• After a few days for drier weather, look for crabbing to pick up in the bays and estuaries.
• The Kilchis has a late season run of Chinook, and there are still a few bright fish entering the Wilson.
• The first group of winter steelhead are starting to trickle into north and mid-coast rivers, including North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum, Alsea and the Lower Columbia tributaries. 
• Trout anglers have been catching recently stocked fish, as well as holdovers, in Bradley and Butterfield lakes.
• With mild temperatures in the forecast, this would be a good weekend to hit Diamond and Hemlock lakes and Lake in the Woods.
• Summer steelhead fishing continues to be very good in the middle and upper Rogue.
• The first winter steelhead have arrived in the Clackamas and Sandy rivers. 
• Trout fishing has been good in the Crooked, Fall and Metolius rivers. 
• Trout fishing at Cottonwood Meadow Lake has been very good. Fall fishing should continue to be good until snow limits access.
• The Klamath River from J.C. Boyle Dam to J.C Boyle Powerhouse usually fishes well this time of year.
• Trout are active and available in Marr Pond and Kinney Lake. With warmer temperatures in the forecast, fishing should be good this weekend.
• Trout fishing has been good on the Wallowa River with some fish to 18 inches.

Punch your cougar tag

Winter, after other big game seasons have closed, is a great time to hunt cougar. Their stealthy and nocturnal habits make for a challenging hunt to cap off your season. Here are some tips for being a better cougar hunter. 

Check out the ODFW’s Beaver State Podcast

The Beaver State podcast takes an in-depth look at hunting, fishing and wildlife management. With topics from budgets to bats, Chinook to chukar, and mule deer to mussels, you’ll likely find something you like. Sign up where you get your podcasts or go to our podcast page.

Snipe hunting: It’s really a thing

Stalking snipe is a cross between duck and upland bird hunting. With seasons lasting through late January or February, this can be a great late-season bird hunt. If you’ve never been, here are some tips.