Recreation Report

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming

Apply for your big game tags‌

Less than a month to go before the May 15 application deadline. If you're a numbers person, here's a link to the big game population and harvest statistics to help you pick your targets.‌

Learn something new with ODFW:‌

• Introduction to fly-fishing. Get a hands-on opportunity to learn fly-fishing, and maybe land a trophy trout while learning.
• Introduction to hunting in Oregon. If you're new to hunting, this two-hour seminar offers an overview of hunting in Oregon. Offered in several locations throughout the state.
• Ocean surfperch. Gather at Ona Beach near Newport to learn how to fish the ocean surf.

Visit the workshop and events page to learn more, including how to register.‌

Best bets for weekend fishing‌

Anglers can be spoiled with choice this time of year with trout, kokanee, salmon, steelhead, and bass and other warmwater species all "angling" for attention.‌

• Trout stocking continues with thousands for fish headed for waterbodies near you.
• Fishing for bass, crappie and other warmwater species is picking up in locations throughout the state.
• Winter steelhead are spread throughout the middle Rogue. Anglers should target acclimation sites like Skunk, Greens and Jumpoff Joe creeks.
• The winter steelhead return continues to be excellent on the Clackamas River. The current run prediction is for over 4,000 returning adults.
• Nymphing has been the ticket for trout anglers on the Metolius River between Wizard Falls hatchery and Lower Bridge, and below.
• Nymph fishing for trout also has been good on the lower Deschutes, especially above White River.
• Hood River opened to spring Chinook on April 15. The limit is 1 adult hatchery fish per day.
• Fish for holdover trout in Krumbo, Malheur and Yellowjacket reservoirs has been great.
• There are some large redband trout moving up the Blitzen right now.
• Wallowa County ponds will have a mix of holdover trout from last year and new fish stocked throughout April.
• Spring Chinook are starting to pass over Bonneville in decent numbers.
• Bass fishing has started to pick up in all three Hells Canyon reservoirs.

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

2024 spring turkey hunting forecast‌

ODFW biologists share the latest updates for wild turkey hunting in their local district, as well as tips and tactics for bagging a bird.