ODFW Recreation Report


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
10-18-2024
Website

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming and hunting

See Salmon Spawn

It's iconic in the Pacific Northwest—the return of salmon to their natal rivers after years at sea. As they prepare to spawn (and then die ☹), these fish undergo an amazing physical metamorphosis, changing shape and color. See this for yourself at one of several locations recommended by ODFW biologists.

Get your deer and elk checked for CWD

There are several ways to get your deer and elk checked for CWD. This fatal, highly contagious disease is at the Oregon border, and early detection in Oregon will be key to managing it. Do your part and get your harvested animal checked. Here's how.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

  • Fall Chinook and coho fishing is fair to good in Nestucca, Tillamook and Nehalem bays.
  • Thousands of trophy trout have been stocked recently in several waterbodies in the Coos/Coquille basins.
  • Lost Creek Reservoir was freshly stocked with legal and larger rainbow trout in the last week. Along with holdover trout, fishing should be very good.
  • Fishing for largemouth bass has been very good at lakes, reservoirs and ponds around the Rogue Valley. Warmwater anglers should get out and enjoy some early fall fishing.
  • Coho numbers in the North Santiam are increasing every day. It's not too soon to go catch your own.
  • Steelhead fishing continues to be good on the McKenzie, above and below Leaburg Dam, and on the Middle Fork Willamette.
  • The Metolius River continues to be excellent for mountain whitefish, redband trout and bull trout.
  • Trophy trout averaging 3 pounds were recently stocked into the Fall River.
  • October is the last month to enjoy fishing at Crane Prairie Reservoir, Odell Lake and Wickiup Reservoir before they close for the season on Oct. 31.
  • Bass fishing on the John Day can be good in the early fall as weather cools and flows rise.
  • Many Wallowa County ponds have been stocked with trout.

These examples are for demonstration purposes only. Check the zone reports for more.

View the report





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