ODFW Recreation Report


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-5-2024
Website

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming

 

Best bets for weekend fishing

Hardy anglers won't let the cooler temperatures keep them off the water. Not when there are so many great options for spring fishing. Here's just a sampling:‌

  • Winter steelhead are still being caught in North Coast and north Willamette Valley rivers like the Nestucca, Wilson, Sandy and Clackamas.
  • The spring Chinook season is underway on the Columbia but also Rogue, Umpqua and ocean near Charleston and Winchester Bay.
  • Some striped bass have been biting on the Coquille.
  • Anglers are catching smallmouth bass on the mainstem Umpqua and largemouth on Tenmile Lakes.
  • Conditions are looking really good for steelhead fishing on the Hood River, where the run is just about at its peak.
  • Wallowa Lake can be a good early season bet for kokanee.
  • Trout stocking continues with thousands for fish headed for waterbodies near you.
  • Look for surfperch to start gathering near river mouths in April and May.
  • Negative tides on Friday and Saturday will create great conditions for clamming.

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

Learn more, including how to register.‌

Spring bear hunting opened April 1

With green up coming early in many parts of the state, it's not too soon to start planning your spring bear hunting trip.‌ See what to expect in the 2024 spring bears hunting forecast.‌

Catch more kokanee

We're starting to see the first kokanee references of the season in this week's Rec Report. These fun-to-catch, delicious-to-eat fish are found in waterbodies throughout the state. Here are some tips for catching them.‌




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