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Fish for free this weekend
SALEM – June 12-13 will provide many novice anglers statewide with the chance to land their first fish – for free.
This year is the 16th anniversary of Free Fishing Weekend in Oregon. Fishing and shellfish licenses and tags are not required to fish, clam or crab in Oregon June 12-13, but anglers and shellfish harvesters must follow all regulations for species and daily catch limits. ODFW will sponsor clinics at more than 40 sites on Free Fishing Weekend. Most events are geared toward youths. More information may be found on the ODFW Web site at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/FFW/index.htm.
The harvest of razor clams is allowed on ocean beaches north of Seaside to the Columbia River. Minus tides are expected Father’s Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend. Harvesters are reminded that any small or broken clams must be included in the bag limit of the “first 15 clams taken.” In addition, the entire Oregon coast is open to the harvest of other clam and mussel species. Harvesters also are reminded that a shellfish license is required.
The ocean coho season south of Cape Falcon opens June 19. Only adipose fin-clipped coho may be harvested.
Temporary rules adopted recently give anglers additional fishing opportunities:
Angling for adipose fin-clipped summer chinook will be allowed starting June 16 in the Columbia River between Tongue Point and the Oregon-Washington border.
A temporary rule allows anglers to fish for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook in the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam and Dug Bar. The season is open through Aug. 5 with a daily bag limit of two chinook.
In the Willamette Basin, anglers may retain one additional adipose fin-clipped steelhead within the normal daily bag limit in those areas open to steelhead angling in the mainstem Willamette River above Willamette Falls and its tributaries through Nov. 23, 2004. The permanent daily limit within the Willamette fishing zone is two adipose fin-clipped salmon or steelhead. Fish with a missing adipose fin identifies them as hatchery bred.
The Powder River in the southeast zone between Thief Valley Dam and Mason Dam is open for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook May 28 through Sept. 5, 2004. The daily bag limit is two adipose fin-clipped spring chinook.
Most hunting seasons are now closed. The hunting report will not be published in June or July and will resume in August.
NORTHWEST ZONE
FISHING The following waterbodies will be stocked with trout this week: Cape Mears Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Hebo Lake, Loren’s Pond, and Town Lake.
ALSEA RIVER: Cutthroat trout fishing is fair.
BIG CREEK: A few spring chinook are available. Anglers may call 503-458-6529 for recorded fishing information.
BIG CREEK RESERVOIR: Has been stocked with rainbow trout.
CARTER LAKE: Adult hatchery winter steelhead were stocked to provide additional angling opportunities. There also has been stocking of rainbow trout.
NEHALEM RIVER: Catch-and-release angling should be slowing down for wild steelhead in the lower Nehalem River.
NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: Spring chinook angling is fair to good. A few summer steelhead are being caught
NORTH COAST LAKES: Angling for bass and other warmwater fish should be good. Coffenbury Lake is scheduled to be stocked this week.
OLLALA CREEK RESERVOIR: Has been stocked with rainbow trout.
SALMON RIVER: Cutthroat trout fishing is fair
SILETZ RIVER: Cutthroat trout fishing is fair. Consult the regulations for streams closed to angling. Summer steelhead angling is fair to good. Anglers are reminded that there is no retention of non fin-clipped steelhead. Anglers have reported catching spring chinook around the town of Siletz.
SIUSLAW RIVER: Cutthroat trout fishing is fair.
TILLAMOOK AREA LAKES: Local lakes remain open to angling all year. Town, Cape Meares, Smith, Spring, and Lytle lakes, and Lorens Pond have been stocked with excess adult steelhead.
TILLAMOOK BAY: Spring chinook angling has been fair to good. Best fishing will be in the upper bay. Angling for sturgeon has been fair.
WILSON, TRASK, AND KILCHIS RIVERS: Some summer steelhead and spring chinook have been caught. River levels are dropping and clearing fast.
YAQUINA RIVER: Cutthroat trout fishing is fair.
SHELLFISH All northwest coastal areas are open for shellfish, including razor clams at Clatsop County beaches (Seaside north to the Columbia River), according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Call the shellfish hotline at 503-986-4728 for more information. No oysters may be taken.
A recreational shellfish license is now required for everyone over 14 when harvesting marine abalone, clams, crabs, mussels, piddocks, scallops, shrimp and sand shrimp, and other marine invertebrates with shells. No license is needed to harvest crayfish or freshwater clams.
VIEWING Common murres are starting to nest on larger offshore rocks now and into mid summer. Three Arch Rocks near Oceanside and Pyramid Rock near Cape Meares are popular spots to watch these colonial nesting birds.
A walk through the woods will allow you to experience many of the sounds you may not have heard since late last summer. Many neotropical songbirds have been arriving back to the north coast and are starting to nest.
The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary, located off of Highway 30 between Astoria and Svensen, is an excellent place to observe the large variety of birds that use the lower Columbia River estuary. Not only are eagles found in the area, but waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds associated with wetlands abound. There is a great viewing platform located along the river that allow for some excellent viewing opportunities.
SOUTHWEST ZONE
FISHING The following waterbodies will be stocked with trout this week: Libby Pond, Clear Water #2, Cooper Creek Reservoir, Galesville Reservoir, Hemlock Reservoir, Herberts Pond, Lake in the Woods, Lemolo Reservoir, Marie Lake, Expo Pond, Fish Lake, Lost creek Reservoir, Medco Pond, Rogue River, and Selmac Lake.
ALL SPORTS PARK was stocked with 300 legal rainbow trout two weeks ago.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Should be good for legal-sized rainbow trout. The reservoir is full.
COOS COUNTY LAKES: Free Fishing Weekend events will be held this Saturday, June 12, at EEL LAKE and POWERS POND. Bass angling has been excellent at Tenmile Lakes. Rainbow trout are available at the Millicoma Interpretive Center pond, near Allegany, for Youth Angling opportunities.
COOS RIVER BASIN: Shad fishing is fair in the Coquille Basin at this time. Fish for them in upper tidewater on bright, sunny days.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Shad will begin running at any time. Fish for them in upper tidewater on bright, sunny days. Bay crabbing is slow. Coquille Basin streams open for trout on May 22. Striped bass have entered the river system, and anglers are reporting catches near Arago. Several marine perch species are available now in the bay, around pilings and rock structures. Shad will be running in the next few weeks. Fish for them in upper tidewater on bright, sunny days.
DIAMOND LAKE has been stocked with legal rainbows. A 18.5 lbs. rainbow was caught along with a few other large ones. Angling is fair to good for legal rainbows.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: Bass anglers have been catching fish, primarily smallmouth. Crappie, yellow perch and rainbow trout are also available.
EXPO PONDS: Will be stocked with 2,500 legal sized rainbow trout for free fishing day this weekend.
FISH LAKE: Lots of 8-12 inch trout are being caught. Fishing is expected to improve as the weather gets warmer. Debbi at the resort said that the algae is starting to bloom and that fishing picked up when that happened last year. Fish Lake was stocked with 5,000 legal rainbows last week.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR has been stocked with legal rainbows.
GOLD RAY DAM: The 2004 count: as of May 31, 14,248 spring Chinook and 104 summer steelhead.
HOWARD PRAIRIE: Chris, the resort owner, said that fishing is about at its peak, and should remain there for at least the next couple of weeks. Trollers are still catching limits in the early morning in about an hour. Bank fishermen are taking about one to two hours to limit out. The weather is constantly changing, making it impossible to predict what type of weather to fish in. More information can be obtained by looking at their WEB Page at: www.hplake.com.
HYATT: Should still be very good for rainbow trout in the 12-16 inch range at least through free fishing weekend.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: Fishing should be good on stocked rainbow trout and larger fish that over-wintered. Lost Creek will be stocked with 4,225 legal-sized rainbow trout this week for free fishing day this weekend. The reservoir is full.
MEDCO POND: Both warmwater fish and stocked rainbow trout are available. MedCo Pond will be stocked with 1,500 legal sized rainbow trout for free fishing day this weekend.
MIDDLE ROGUE RIVER: Jim’s Bait and Tackle reports that fishing for spring chinook salmon is good from the bank, and fair from the boats. The water temperature dropped a couple of degrees over the weekend and should improve fishing for both boat and bank anglers. The run is late, and fish are moving through the middle Rogue faster at the higher temperatures. Jim also reported that a few summer steelhead are showing up in the run.
Anglers are reminded that for non adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, only one per day and three per year can be kept as part of the salmon/steelhead bag limit from Jan. 1 through July 14 between Hog Creek boat landing and Gold Ray Dam.
PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: Ocean salmon is open from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain for all salmon except coho. Angling for chinook has been slow out of Winchester Bay and Charleston. The ocean Selective Coho Fishery will begin June 19 in the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain area, allowing harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho. Boaters need to be cautious of ocean and bar conditions, for those planning offshore trips.
ROGUE RIVER, LOWER (Gold Beach): Few spring chinook have been caught on the Lower Rogue. Fishing tends to improve with rain and increased river flow. Generally plunking from gravel bars and fishing from anchored boats is the most productive. New special regulations apply. Check the 2004 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.
ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: Angling for winter steelhead should be good. Non-adipose fin- clipped steelhead over 24 inches may be kept- one per day and five per year, as part of the daily steelhead/salmon bag limit. Please note the new salmon harvest codes when recording your catch. A new instruction sheet may be obtained by calling ODFW-Roseburg at 541-440-3353 or ODFW-Central Point at 541-826-8774.
ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: Spring chinook salmon fishing in the upper Rogue River area continues to improve as more salmon complete the trip to the upper river. Anglers are reminded of two new regulations: First, for non adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, no more than one per day and three per year can be kept as part of the salmon/steelhead bag limit between Jan. 1 and July 31 above Gold Ray. Second, a section of the upper Rogue River from Cole Rivers Hatchery downstream to the Highway 62 Bridge at McGregor Park is closed to all angling from 7 pm to one hour before sunrise April 1-July 31.
SELMAC LAKE The resort reported that fishing for trout, bass, crappies, bluegill, and brown bullheads was very good. The reservoir will be stocked again this week with 3,500 legal rainbow in preparation for free fishing day this weekend.
SMITH RIVER: Open for striped bass angling and trout angling. Check 2004 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.
SODA SPRINGS DAM: Angling for brown trout is fair. Check general regulations for size and limit.
SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: Legal sized trout have been stocked in Garrison Lake and Libby Pond. Monthly stocking will continue through June. Check regulations.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: A few spring chinook are being caught. Steelhead angling is slow to fair. Smallmouth bass angling is good. Shad angling is good. Sturgeon angling is slow to fair. Winter steelhead angling begins just above tidal influence at Scottsburg. Areas to bank-angle begin at Family Camp and continue upstream on the south side of the Umpqua River to Lutsinger Creek. Sawyer's Rapids and Scotts Creek are just upstream and are popular bank and drift boat spots. Drift boaters can access the river at the Scotts Creek boat ramp and the Sawyers Rapids RV Park. Bank anglers can also take advantage of the Bunch Bar wayside, which is owned by Douglas County. Hesters Boat Ramp is located on the south side of the river downstream of Bunch Bar. Boat anglers put in and fish upstream of the boat ramp. Both boat and bank angling are available upstream in the town of Elkton at Yellow Creek boat ramp, Osprey boat ramp, James Woods boat ramp, Calapooia boat ramp, Cleveland Rapids and River Forks Park boat ramp. Day drift trips can be made from many of these ramps. Anglers should be reminded that 100 percent of the hatchery adult population passes all these angling locations. Based on data collected by the Umpqua Fish district, about 50 percent of the wild winter steelhead use the mainstem Umpqua and tributaries for spawning, which makes for an exciting catch-and-release fishery.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: Steelhead fishing is slow in the all-angling section and in the fly-only section. Chinook angling is fair to good in the Swift water area.
WILLOW LAKE: Should be good for stocked rainbow trout, both legal and lunker-sized fish.
SHELLFISH All southwest coastal areas are open for shellfish, except razor clams. Razor clams are closed from south of Seaside to the California border by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Shellfish line at 503-986-4728 for updates.
A recreational shellfish license is now required for everyone over 14 when harvesting marine abalone, clams, crabs, crayfish, mussels, piddocks, scallops, shrimp and sand shrimp and other marine invertebrates with shells. Bay clamming continues to be good. Crabbing has been fair in Coos Bay.
VIEWING Large schools of sardines, anchovies, and herring can be viewed in the Charleston Marina. Crab megalops (larval stage) are also visible in the marina at this time.
WILLAMETTE ZONE
FISHING The following waterbodies are scheduled to be stocked this week: Alton Baker Canal, Big Cliff Reservoir, Blue River, Blue River Reservoir, Breitenbush River, Clear Lake, E E Wilson Pond, Fall Creek, Hills Creek, Junction City Pond, Leaburge Lake, McKenzie River Lower and Upper, Roaring River Park Pond, Salmon Creek, Salt Creek, Santiam River North Fork, Trail Bridge Reservoir, Walter Wirth Lake, Willamette River Mid Fork, Estacada Lake, Faraday Lake, Harriet Lake, Huddeston Pond, North Fork Reservoir, Rosyln Lake, and Silver Creek Reservoir.
CLACKAMAS RIVER: Spring chinook angling opportunities are still available throughout the river with good catches seen from the lower river up to McIver Park and Rivermill. The on again-off again rains have kept the river in very fishable condition. The typical spring weather also seems to have kept the effort down somewhat, leaving anglers with plenty of room to find that “perfect” spot. Bank anglers will find the best angling opportunities in the Gladstone/Cross Park area, at High Rocks, Carver, Barton Park, up in McIver Park at Dog Creek, and Rivermill Dam. Boat anglers should find access from McIver Park down to the mouth.
The Clackamas Hatchery is still recycling summer steelhead to downstream locations. These fish are identifiable by a “hole punch” in the gill plate. They are trapped at the hatchery then trucked down to the lower river and released, giving anglers an additional opportunity to catch them. Portland General Electric also recycles chinook and steelhead taken from their trapping facility. These fish can be identified by a “hole punch” in the tail fin. The water temperature in the Clackamas is running in the mid 50 degree range. Flows are holding steady but the river is in excellent shape and very fishable.
DETROIT RESERVOIR: Detroit Lake is at full pool. Fish are plentiful and shallow, and limits are common. The lake is scheduled for stocking with rainbow trout this week. Big Cliff Reservoir is also scheduled to be stocked this week.
E.E. WILSON POND recently was stocked with a few rainbow brood trout. Angling is allowed only with a free, self-service permit, available at the E.E. Wilson Pond check station.
FOSTER RESERVOIR: Angling pressure has decreased, but good numbers of trout are still being caught. Boats trolling at about 30 feet have been doing well. The lake will be stocked for Free Fishing Weekend.
GREEN PETER RESERVOIR: Anglers targeting kokanee continue to do well, with several limits being taken - mostly in the 9-10 inch group. The fish are relatively shallow, from right at the surface down to about 30 feet. Rainbow trout are also available in good numbers.
SANDY RIVER: Spring chinook fishing improved once the water level and clarity settled down. Anglers might see a brief deterioration of conditions while this past weekend’s heavy showers make their impact on the Sandy River system. Any change in conditions should be short-lived and overall angling has been good and should continue to be good to excellent. The Cedar Creek/Sandy Hatchery area has proven to produce the best catches but Spring Chinook can be found throughout the lower river, whether from the bank or boat. Steelhead angling has seen some recent improvement on top of what was already fairly decent fishing. Steelhead anglers are having the best success near the Dodge Park area and Cedar Creek. The water temperature is into the mid 50 degree range. Overall, look for spring chinook and summer steelhead angling to continue the steady pace, with bright fish available in much of the lower river.
SANTIAM RIVER flows have been fluctuating with the rain and the fish bite varies accordingly. Highest angling pressure and success has been in the Stayton to Mill City reach, with both chinook and steelhead being caught in good numbers. The South Santiam flow has been quite stable as Green Peter Reservoir is being filled. Anglers are doing well on summer steelhead and spring chinook in the upper reaches of the river, and success has been fair for chinook in the Waterloo area. Both rivers have lots of fish available.
SAUVIE ISLAND: The Gilbert River Boat Ramp and Disabled Person Fishing as well as the Columbia River beaches are open.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: The drier weather of last week has resulted in decreased flows while increasing both the visibility and the temperature. The flows as of Monday were running at 12,500 cfs. The water temperature was 63 degrees and the visibility improved to 5.8 feet. These are still fishable conditions for early June. Spring Chinook passage remains steady at the Willamette Falls Fishway. The cumulative count through May 21st for Spring Chinook was 74,415. For summer steelhead it was 14,444. Both of these numbers are well ahead of last years counts for the same date.
Catch rates for spring chinook have been low in most sections of the Willamette River. Angling effort has dropped off in much of the river with most of the boats in the lower channel, the St. Johns area, or in Oregon City. A few spring chinook were caught near the head of Multnomah Channel and up in the Oregon City area. There should still be an opportunity to catch a spring chinook in the Willamette, with the previously mentioned areas being your best bet. Effort typically declines in June as the run nears its end, while some effort shifts to tributaries above Willamette Falls or over to the Clackamas River.
Sturgeon angling has been fair throughout the river with the Oregon City/Milwaukie area producing some legal white sturgeon. Please make note of the current angling regulation changes on the Willamette before going sturgeon fishing.
Shad angling effort increased this past week as the weather warmed and conditions improved. Shad angling is typically at its best when the weather and water are warm. This was reflected by much better catch rates towards the latter part of last week and over the weekend. The Oregon City area is the most popular spot for both bank and boat shad angling, but Multnomah Channel near Coon Island can also produce some good shad catches. In Oregon City this past weekend 158 shad were checked for 13 boats.
VIEWING
Sauvie Island
All public access areas on the Wildlife Area are now open. The gate at Rentenaar Road and the Eastside levee is now open, but will be closed when the road is muddy. Legal trout have been stocked in Haldeman Pond on Oak Island. The water temperatures are still cool for bass and panfish. The beach gate at Willow Bar is now closed with the closure of spring chinook season. Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Parking Permits are required at all sites.
The first bald eagle chick has been observed and young waterfowl are staring to be observed in wetlands on the Wildlife Area. The best opportunity to view waterfowl is Coon Point, Eastside Viewing Platform and along Rentenaar Road. Bird watching is excellent with spring migrants and summer resident arriving.
Southern and Mid-Willamette Valley:
Yellow-headed blackbirds, an uncommon bird west of the Cascades, can be seen and heard at the south end of Fern Ridge Reservoir. These birds nest in the Bulrush patches along the edge of the Reservoir. Their raucous calls are very distinctive. Another distinctive call you are likely to hear is the “oonk-a-lunk” of the American Bittern. Black terns have established a breeding colony in recent years in this same area of Fern Ridge Reservoir. Another area to see yellow-headed blackbirds is at private farm ponds near Briedwell Rd., west of Amity.
Look for common goldeneye, Barrow's goldeneye, and hooded mergansers in the high lakes of the Cascades. A good opportunity with easy access is Lost Lake on Hwy 20 near Santiam Pass. Goldeneye ducks are uncommon at lower elevations and during fall when other ducks are seen in abundance.
CENTRAL ZONE
FISHING The following waterbodies are scheduled to be stocked this week: Ana Reservoir, Devils Lake, East Lake, Krumbo Reservoir, Lake in the Woods, Paulina Lake, and Spring Creek.
ANTELOPE RESERVOIR: Good opportunity for nice rainbow trout in the reservoir. Angling is generally best through mid-summer. By late summer, low water levels and warm water temperatures limit success. There is an unimproved boat ramp for small to medium-sized boats; however, this is often not operational by late summer. Trout numbers have decreased the last two years. Trout up to 18 inches are present in the reservoir.
BIG LAVA LAKE: Anglers are reporting good success. Fish are running 10 - 18 inches, with an occasional fish over 20 inches being caught.
CLEAR LAKE is open and accessible and has been stocked with legal and brood size trout.
CRANE PRAIRIE: Reports of good bass action and some nice rainbow being taken as well. Wild and hatchery rainbow trout are available. There is good opportunity for brook trout and largemouth bass. Kokanee are also available for the angler. Hatchery rainbow trout are 100 percent marked with an adipose fin clip or left ventral clip and anglers are asked to voluntarily limit harvest of wild trout to protect this fishery. Illegal introductions of black crappie and bluegill have occurred. There is no limit on size or number of crappie or bluegill.
CROOKED RIVER, MAINSTEM BELOW BOWMAN DAM: Angling is reported to be fair. Best opportunities are in the nine miles immediately below the dam. Flows are returning to normal range, currently running around 250 cfs between Bowman dam and the city of Prineville.
CRESCENT LAKE: Reports of nice brown trout being caught along with a few lake trout. Kokanee bite has picked up with nice catches reported.
CULTUS LAKE: Angling for lake trout is still reported to be good. With some nice size fish being caught.
DAVIS LAKE: No report. North Lava camp is accessible although there is no boat ramp at this site. West Davis boat ramp is open. (Contact USFS Crescent Ranger District for more information (541-433-3200).
DESCHUTES RIVER (LOWER): The Deschutes from the mouth to Sherars Falls is open for adipose fin clipped hatchery origin spring chinook until July 31, 2004. Daily limit is two fin clipped adult and five fin clipped jack spring chinook and you cannot continue to angle after retaining a daily limit of adult chinook. Chinook fishing is slow. The lower 100 miles is open for trout and adipose fin clipped steelhead. Salmon flies are out in force in the South Junction and Trout Creek areas.
DESCHUTES RIVER: Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls - Anglers are reporting some success on both brown trout and rainbow trout. The best fish populations are upstream from Bend to Benham Falls and downstream of Steelhead Falls. Wickiup Reservoir Dam downstream to Benham Falls: Good reports of nice brown trout and rainbow trout action.
EAST LAKE: Fly-anglers and some boat anglers are reporting good success. Kokanee are being caught up to 16 inches. Legal sized rainbow trout are stocked intermittently through the season. East Lake is becoming a popular fly fishing destination for Atlantic salmon.
ELK LAKE: Reports of some brook trout and kokanee being caught.
FALL RIVER: Angling is reported to be fair.
FROG LAKE is open and accessible and has been stocked with legal and brood size trout.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: No report. Moderate numbers of large brown trout are present. Kokanee angling should be fair in the spring while angling for bass, bluegill and crappie should improve as the water warms. Angling for brown bullhead should be good. Launch ramps on the east and west shores are in good condition. The daily bag limit is five trout including kokanee. This is an irrigation re-regulating reservoir; thus water levels fluctuate daily. However, there will be adequate boating water throughout the season.
HOSMER: Reports of good Atlantic salmon action.
KINGSLEY RESERVOIR is full and has been stocked.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: No report. Anglers hopeful of catching a legal bull trout should fish the Metolius arm of the reservoir. Folks are reporting good catches of kokanee. Kokanee size this year is averaging from 8 to 13 inches. Peak angling for kokanee is typically in July and August. Angling for trout should be fair in the uppermost reaches of all three arms. Bass angling should be fair in all three arms as the water warms. A tribal angling permit is required in addition to an Oregon State angling license to fish in the Metolius Arm. The Metolius Arm is open to angling from March 1 through Oct. 31 and a tribal angling permit is required. The balance of the reservoir is open the entire year.
LAURANCE LAKE: Has been stocked and the reservoir is full. Anglers are reminded that only adipose fin marked trout are legal to retain and all others, including bull trout, must be released unharmed.
LITTLE LAVA LAKE: Reports of nice rainbow and brook trout showing up in the creel.
LOST LAKE has been stocked and fishing is good.
METOLIUS RIVER: Good reports of nice rainbow trout being caught and released.
NORTH TWIN LAKE: No report. Provides a “put and take” fishery for nine to 11-inch rainbow trout. Some carryover fish up to 15 inches are available. Brown bullhead catfish have been illegally released into the lake and will likely overpopulate and stunt growth of rainbow trout. Motors are prohibited.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Anglers are reporting catching black crappie ranging from 8 to 11 inches. These are nice sized black crappie. Anglers chasing after these nice crappie should work the east end of the reservoir. Angling for rainbow trout has been good with fish ranging from 12 to 16 inches. The boat ramp has been improved and extended allowing use at lower water levels. There is no limit on this illegally introduced species. Bank anglers; please respect private property on the shoreline.
ODELL LAKE: Fair to good catches of kokanee running 12 - 16 inches. Lake trout angling is also reported to be good. Expect fair catches of kokanee early in the season with improved catch as water warms in May and June.
PAULINA LAKE: Reports of good kokanee catches. Anglers are also reporting nice brown trout in the creel. The current state record brown trout (28 pounds, 5-oz) was caught in Paulina in 1994. Kokanee angling is expected to be good with most fish ranging from 13 to 16 inches. Kokanee catches will improve as lake productivity increases in May and June. There is a five trout daily bag limit (includes kokanee) and may include one fish greater than 20 inches.
PINEHOLLOW RESERVOIR has been stocked and trout fishing is good. The reservoir is full.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Reports are that the bite is on for nice rainbow. Trolling by the dam has been the ticket for 13 to 16 inch rainbow trout. Black crappie angling should begin to pick up with the warmer temperatures. Bullhead enthusiasts should fish the upper end of the reservoir.
ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is full and has been stocked. Trout fishing is good.
SOUTH TWIN: Anglers are enjoying good catches with an occasional large fish showing up in the creel. . South Twin is a popular lake for rainbow trout angling and provides sheltered angling opportunity when early season cold temperatures and wind become a problem on larger water bodies. A number of large 4-5 lb. rainbow trout were caught from South Twin in 2003. South Twin provides good bank angling opportunity. Boat launching is available, however, motors are prohibited.
SUTTLE LAKE: Kokanee angling is said to be to good. Target brown trout early and late in the day for best results.
WALTON LAKE: No report. Angling for holdover rainbow trout should be good early in the season. Legal-sized rainbow trout will be stocked in early May and through the season. Beginning in late May and continuing on a monthly basis throughout the summer, the lake will be stocked with trophy trout (one to two pounds each). The daily bag limit is five trout. Walton Lake is open to year-round angling.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: Folks seem to be overly happy with the size and catches of kokanee in Wickiup. One satisfied angler reported that his kokanee bag included a 19 inch, 2 lb. 8-oz fish. Anglers have also reported some nice brown trout catches. Kokanee are running 12 - 18 inches. Wickiup Reservoir water level is improved over last year. Kokanee will be scattered early in the season and begin schooling in channels sometime in June. Target shallow water flats early in the season and river channel areas as the water warms. There is no limit on size or number of warmwater gamefish, including bass, in Wickiup Reservoir. Anglers interested in targeting brown bullhead should fish the southeast areas of the reservoir.
SOUTHEAST ZONE
FISHING ANA RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.
ANA RIVER: Fishing is fair for trout.
BEULAH RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 76 percent full and the water level is dropping. Fishing in the reservoir is fair. No angling report below the dam.
BLITZEN RIVER: Fair angling for 10 to 16 inch rainbow trout last week. Flows vary with air temperature, but were approximately 350 cfs Monday morning.
BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 83 percent full and water level is dropping. The ramp is usable. Angling for warm water fish is slow.
BURNS POND: The pond will be stocked for free fishing weekend. Angling should be good.
BURNT RIVER and tributaries upstream from Huntington-Richland Road Bridge: South Fork were stocked with 1,000 legal fish week of May 17.
CHEWAUCAN RIVER: Fishing is slow.
CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: The reservoir has been stocked with legal-size and fingerling rainbow trout. The reservoir was dry last year, so the fishery will depend on stocked legal-sized rainbow trout until stocked fingerling enter the fishery in September.
COTTON MEADOWS: Fishing is good where accessible.
COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: Fishing is good where accessible.
CRUMP LAKE: Fair numbers of white crappie in the 12 inch range. Crappie up to 17 inches have been reported.
DAIRY CREEK: Fishing is slow.
DELINTMENT LAKE: The lake was stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout several weeks ago. Angling should be good. However, there may not be holdover fish from last year. Reports were received of a fish die-off during the winter.
DOG LAKE: Fishing is slow.
DREWS RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.
DUNCAN RESERVOIR: Fishing is good for rainbow trout.
FISH LAKE: Loop road is closed.
GERBER RESERVOIR: Angling for crappie and bass has been improving. Bullhead fishing has been good.
HAINES POND was stocked with 1,000 legal trout week of May 10.
HART LAKE: Fishing is poor due to low water levels last year.
HARNEY COUNTY BLM STOCK PONDS were stocked with fingerling rainbow trout in mid May. Many had carry over fish. Fishing is fair to good in most.
HEART LAKE: Fishing is poor due to illegal introduction.
HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: Fishing is poor due to low water levels last year.
HWY 203 POND was stocked with 2,000 legal rainbow trout week of May 10.
JUNIPER LAKE: The lake was dry for the last few years, and is extremely low this year.
KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: Angling for wild redband has been good for both bank and boat anglers.
KLAMATH RIVER: Angling for wild redband trout has been good. Contact Pacificorps for updated flow information at 1-800-547-1501 or pacificorps.com.
KRUMBO RESERVOIR: The reservoir will be stocked with legal-size rainbow trout this week. Slow to fair angling for large rainbow. Anglers are successful with bait or spinners. Fly anglers have been successful nymph fishing.
LAKE OF THE WOODS: Brown trout angling has been fair. Angling for perch and kokanee has been good.
LOFTON RESERVOIR: Fishing is fair for legal sized trout.
LOST RIVER: Angling has been good for perch and brown bullhead.
LOST LAKE: Angling has been improving for perch and brown bullhead.
LUCKY RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.
MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River Water is being released from Warm Springs Reservoir, but flows are back up to near normal. No angling report.
MALHEUR RIVER (South Fork Malheur River downstream to Gold Creek): Water is being released from Warm Springs and Beulah reservoirs. Few trout survived last summer when reservoir went dry, so angling is poor.
MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK and MIDDLE FORK: No recent angling report.
MALHEUR RESERVOIR: The water level is very low. The reservoir received very little snowmelt. The reservoir will be dry by the end of summer. It will not be stocked this year. Fishing is still poor.
MANN LAKE: In the past few weeks, anglers have been averaging about one fish per hour. The lake is low, and may not fill well this year.
MILL FLAT RESERVOIR: Fishing is good.
MOON RESERVOIR: The reservoir is full. However, fishing is poor. Most of the fish have died due to low water the last two years. The reservoir will be stocked with fingerling rainbow trout in spring. These fish should enter the fishery by September.
MUD LAKE: Fishing is poor due to the illegal introduction of goldfish. It will not be stocked until it is rid of goldfish.
NORTH MALHUER COUNTY BLM STOCK PONDS were stocked with fingerling rainbow trout three weeks ago. Many had carry over fish in them. Fishing is fair to good in most.
NORTH POWDER PONDS: North Powder Pond #1 was stocked with 1,000 rainbows recently.
OWYHEE RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 52 percent full. All boat ramps are watered up. The Leslie Gulch boat ramp is only barely in the water, which would limit the launching and retrieval of larger heavy boats. Angling for crappie and bass is fair, while channel catfish is slow.
OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): Discharge below the dam is averaging about 210 cfs. Trout fishing is fair to good for rainbow and brown trout.
OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): Flows at Rome are about 300 cfs as of May 28. No angling report.
PAIUTE RESERVOIR: Fishing is good for trout up to 18 inches.
PHILLIPS RESERVOIR is 45 percent full. Was stocked with 5,000 rainbow trout the week of May 10.
Pilcher Creek Reservoir: Reservoir level is at 36 percent. Good fishing for crappie.
POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is low. Irrigation season began April 1. The reservoir will not last the summer and will not be stocked this year. No fish survived last year, so fishing is poor.
Powder River: The Powder River between Thief Valley Dam and Mason Dam is open for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook May 28 through Sept. 5, 2004. The daily bag limit is two adipose fin-clipped spring chinook.
NORTH POWDER PONDS: Pond #1 is scheduled to be stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout this week.
ROGGER POND: Fishing is good.
SHERLOCK GULCH: Fishing is fair.
SID LUCE: Access is through private property, so treat it with respect. Fishing is fair.
SLIDE LAKE: Fishing is fair.
SOUTH MALHUER COUNTY BLM STOCK PONDS: Many have carryover fish so fishing should be fair to good.
SPAULDING RESERVOIR filled this spring and was planted with fingerling trout, which should be entering the fishery this fall.
SNAKE RIVER: Discharge has dropped and water visibility is low with irrigation discharges. Fishing is fair in the lower river for catfish and poor for smallmouth bass.
SPRAGUE RIVER: Angling for brown and redband trout has been slow.
SYCAN RIVER: Angling has been slow.
THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: The reservoir is at 100 percent. The reservoir was drained last year.
THOMPSON RESERVOIR: There is no limit on largemouth bass. Fishing is fair for trout.
UNITY RESERVOIR State park is open. Water level is at 100 percent. Good-sized trout were taken this winter.
VEE LAKE is now accessible. Fishing should be fair.
WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 44 percent full. Fishing is slow.
WARNER POND: Fishing is good.
WOOD RIVER: Angling for brown trout has been fair.
WILLIAMSON RIVER, UPPER: Angling for wild redband trout has been good. Black drake mayflies will be emerging.
WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: Angling has been good for bass and crappie.
WITHERS LAKE: Fishing is good foe brook and brown trout.
WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: Water level is 66 percent.
YELLOWJACKET LAKE: The lake was stocked with legal-sized trout in May. Angling should be good. However, there are probably few holdover fish from last year. Many trout died last summer after a blue-green algae bloom.
VIEWING
Summer Lake Wildlife Area Viewing opportunities remain good due to breeding season activities, which is now in full swing for nearly all species. Some breeding ducks remain active in courtship displays, while at the same time bachelor groups of drakes are beginning to form. Broods are becoming more apparent now, especially for mallards. Later nesting species (gadwall and redhead) and renesting hens are well dispersed onto nesting territories.
Canada geese brood rearing is underway, but broods are difficult to observe due to their secretive nature.
Sandhill cranes are well dispersed throughout the Area on their breeding territories. Colts (young hatched this year) are becoming visible now. During nesting season cranes are very secretive, especially with newly hatched colts but as they growth they become more obvious.
Breeding shorebird species such as American avocet, black-necked stilt, common snipe, killdeer, long-billed curlew, snowy plover, spotted sandpiper, willet and Wilson's phalarope remain fairly numerous and are dispersed onto breeding locales. Nesting for most species is well underway.
If broods or nests are found, please move away from the site so as not to disturb these birds during this critical part of their life cycle.
Waterbirds such as Western, eared and pied-billed grebes, white pelican, great egret and black-crowned night-herons are increasing in number and in breeding season activities.
Resident raptors are nesting now and chicks should be in the nest at this time. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh areas. Ospreys are occupying the nesting platform at Ana Reservoir and nest building is underway here and at other sites in the basin.
Passerine species are numerous at the Headquarters, Summer Lake Rest Area, homestead sites and shelter break plantings at the north end of the Area where they are attracted to the tree and shrub cover found at those locations.
Newly fledged young are beginning to appear. The last of the spring migrants (common nighthawk) should be arriving any day now.
Habitat conditions remain good. Flood irrigated meadows on the Westside of the valley have increased wetland habitats dramatically. Duck pairs are utilizing these shallowly flooded areas where hens are finding invertebrates necessary for successful nesting. Warmer temperatures are allowing for considerable vegetative and invertebrate growth providing cover and food for many species. Water levels are generally good, but evaporation has increased substantially and in most areas, shorelines of ponds and marsh units are beginning to recede dramatically.
The major dike roads (Bullgate, Windbreak and Work Road) are now closed to motor vehicles to reduce disturbance to migrating and nesting waterbirds. These roads will remain closed until August 15. Non-motorized access on the dike roads remains available and encouraged for good wildlife viewing.
The Viewing Loop is open and provides excellent opportunities to see a wide variety of waterbirds.
For additional information on viewing opportunities please contact the Wildlife Area at phone (541) 943-3152, fax (541) 943-3204, or email at odfwslwa@gooselake.com.
NORTHEAST ZONE
FISHING The following water bodies are scheduled to be stocked this week: McGraw Pond, Teepee Pond, Salt Creek Summit Pond, Victor Pond, Wallowa Wildlife Pond, and Honeymoon Pond.
JOHN DAY RIVER: The bridge across the John Day River at the Flat Creek access to the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area and road south of the bridge is closed to motor vehicles. Smallmouth bass angling has been fair to good. River flow information at the Service Creek gauging station is available at waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/us/14046500.
KINNEY LAKE: Stocked with legal and trophy sized trout.
LADD POND Surplus steelhead from Wallowa Hatchery have been stocked into Ladd Pond on Peach Road. These steelhead are considered trout in Ladd Pond, so these fish can still be kept. 600 legal and 35 trophy rainbows were stocked in late April.
MAGONE LAKE AND BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout has been good.
MARR POND: Stocked with legal and trophy sized trout. Free Fishing Day activities will be held at Marr Pond again this year.
MORGAN LAKE: Free Fishing Day activities will be held at Morgan Lake this year on Saturday, June 12.
ROULET POND: Surplus steelhead from Wallowa Hatchery have been stocked into Roulet Pond. These steelhead are considered trout in Roulet Pond, so these fish can still be kept. The regulation that only one trout over 20 inches may be taken applies here. Also, 650 legal and 26 trophy rainbows were stocked in late April.
WALLOWA LAKE Fair for holdover and recently stocked rainbow trout. Kokanee up to 16 inches are being taken trolling and jigging.
WALLOWA WILDLIFE AREA PONDS: Have been stocked with legal and trophy rainbows.
SNAKE RIVER ZONE
FISHING BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Crappie and perch fishing have been very good when the water levels are stable. Bite goes off when the water levels are raised or dropped. Crappie are at all water levels. Bass fishing is good. There is a 12" minimum on bass in Brownlee. Some large trout are being caught with spinners, worms or eggs near stream mouths and just below Brownlee Dam (drift fishing with bait on the bottom). The reservoir is about 10 feet below full and they are starting the spring runoff, so water levels will fluctuate. Call Idaho Power Company’s recording (1-800-422-3143) to get information on access at recreational sites or access www.idahopower.com under the Rivers and Recreation heading. For reservoir level information, access http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/cgi-bin/dataquery.pl?k=brownlee.
HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: Trout and bass fishing has been good. Crappie fishing is starting to pick up.
OXBOW RESERVOIR: Trolling for trout is good. Catfish are being caught below the dam. Crappie fishing is slow right now. Bass fishing is good, but catch and release only until June 30.
SNAKE RIVER, HELLS CANYON DAM TO THE STATE LINE: Open for spring chinook from Dug Bar Boat Ramp to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam. Two chinook per day, barbless hooks required. Fishing is fair to good. Approximately 1,000 steelhead were trapped below the dam and were stocked in Hells Canyon Reservoir for angling opportunities.
COLUMBIA RIVER ZONE
FISHING
Please consult the 2004 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations pamphlet for further information regarding the Columbia River Zone.
Salmon, Steelhead, and Shad:
BUOY 10 LINE UPSTREAM THE ROCKY POINT/TONGUE POINT LINE This section of the Columbia River is currently closed to angling for salmon and steelhead, but is open to angling for shad.
THE ROCKY POINT/TONGUE POINT LINE UPSTREAM TO THE I-5 BRIDGE: This section of the Columbia River is currently open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead, adipose fin-clipped chinook jacks (chinook salmon under 24 inches in length), and shad. Effective Wednesday, June 16 through Saturday, July 31 the retention of adult adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon will be allowed in this section of the river.
I-5 BRIDGE UPSTREAM TO BONNEVILLE DAM: This section of the Columbia River is currently closed to angling for salmon and steelhead, but is open to angling for shad. Effective June 16, 2004 this section will open to angling for adipose fin-clipped steelhead and adipose fin-clipped adult chinook salmon through July 31.
BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE OREGON/WASHINGTON BORDER ABOVE MCNARY DAM: This section of the Columbia River is currently closed to angling for salmon and steelhead, but is open to angling for shad. Effective June 16, 2004 this section will open to angling for adipose fin-clipped steelhead and adipose fin-clipped adult chinook salmon through July 31.
In the lower Columbia River, steelhead angler effort increased this past weekend. Boat anglers fishing in the estuary area averaged 0.67 steelhead caught per boat and bank anglers averaged 0.26 steelhead caught per rod. Bank anglers in the Portland to Longview areas also had fair success this past weekend where anglers averaged 0.24 steelhead caught per rod, but there was no catch observed from boat anglers. Shad angling remained excellent throughout the Columbia River upstream to the John Day Dam.
Estuary Boat and Bank: Weekend checking showed five adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus one steelhead released for nine boats (incomplete trips). Weekend checking showed 30 adipose fin-clipped steelhead and three adipose fin-clipped chinook jacks kept, plus one chinook and one chinook jack released for 117 bank rods (incomplete trips).
Gorge Boat and Bank: Weekend checking showed three shad kept for three boats (completed trips). Weekend checking showed 1,235 shad kept, plus 72 shad released for 236 bank rods (incomplete trips).
Portland to Longview Boat: Weekend checking showed no catch for nine boats (completed trips).
Portland to Longview Bank: Weekend checking showed 14 adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus six steelhead and three chinook released for 82 bank rods (incomplete trips).
Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed 98 shad kept, plus eight shad released for 40 bank rods (incomplete trips).
The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed 128 shad kept, plus 325 shad released for 50 bank rods (incomplete trips).
Sturgeon:
BUOY 10 UPSTREAM TO WAUNA POWERLINES including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries: This section of the Columbia River is currently open to the retention of sturgeon. The daily bag limit is one fish between 45 and 60 inches in total length and the annual limit is five fish. Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during retention closures. The fishery will be managed for a 15,000 fish quota in this section of the Columbia River and specific retention dates may be adjusted to meet the quota.
WAUNA POWERLINES TO BONNEVILLE DAM including all adjacent Washington tributaries and the Multnomah Channel and Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls: The current daily bag limit is one fish between 42 and 60 inches in total length and the annual limit is five fish. Boat and bank angling for sturgeon is prohibited from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam to protect spawner broodstock until July 31. Catch and release fishing for sturgeon will not be allowed in the area between Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam during May 1 through July 31. Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during sturgeon retention closures, except during May 1 through July 31 in the area from Beacon Rock upstream to Bonneville Dam when catch and release fishing is prohibited. The fishery will be managed for a 12,000 fish quota in this section of the Columbia River and specific retention dates may be adjusted to meet the quota.
BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE DALLES DAM: The Bonneville Pool is currently open to the retention of sturgeon. The daily bag limit is one fish between 42 and 60 inches in total length and the annual limit is five fish. The annual catch guideline for the Bonneville Pool is 700 white sturgeon. The catch projection through April 30 is 350 legal white sturgeon.
THE DALLES DAM UPSTREAM TO McNARY DAM: The Dalles Pool and the John Day Pool are currently open to the retention of sturgeon. The daily bag limit is one fish between 48 and 60 inches in total length and the annual bag limit is five fish. The annual catch guidelines for The Dalles and John Day pools are 400 and 165 white sturgeon, respectively. The catch projection through April 30 is 250 and 90 legal white sturgeon in The Dalles and John Day pools respectively.
In the lower Columbia River, sturgeon angler effort remained high in the estuary area this past week. Boat anglers in the estuary area averaged 0.95 legal white sturgeon caught per boat this past weekend, but there was no catch observed from bank anglers. Boat anglers in the Gorge averaged 0.22 legal white sturgeon caught per boat and boat anglers fishing in the Portland to Longview areas averaged 0.08 legal white sturgeon caught per boat over the weekend.
Estuary Boats: Weekend checking showed 95 legal white sturgeon kept, plus one legal, three oversize, and 689 sub-legal fish released for 101 boats (mostly completed trips).
Estuary Bank: Weekend checking showed no catch for five bank rods (incomplete trips).
Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed five legal white sturgeon kept, plus 234 sub-legal fish released for 60 boats (completed trips).
Portland to Longview Bank: No report.
Troutdale Boats: No report.
Gorge Boats: Weekend checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus one legal, seven oversize, and 89 sub-legal fish released for nine boats (completed trips).
Gorge Bank: No report.
Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed five legal white sturgeon kept, plus two legal fish, nine oversize, and 39 sub-legal fish released for five boats and five legal white sturgeon kept, plus one oversize and 69 sub-legal fish released for 42 bank rods.
The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed two legal white sturgeon kept, plus one legal and 29 sub-legal fish released for two boats and one legal white sturgeon kept, plus 19 sub-legal fish released for 19 bank rods.
John Day Pool: No report.
Walleye:
Bonneville Pool: No report.
The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed two walleye kept for one boat.
MARINE ZONE
FISHING
Perch fishing in coastal estuaries is fair. Winchester Bay anglers are picking up Redtail perch and anglers at Tillamook and Netarts Bay are landing Pile and Striped perch.
Surf fishing for Redtail Surfperch is fair to good coast wide when seas allow. Anglers at Bandon and Gold Beach are doing well and anglers at Seaside are picking up a few.
Coastal jetty fishing has been slow coast wide. Catches consist of mostly greenling, cabezon, and striped sea perch and an occasional lingcod.
Charter boats coastwide are returning with bag limits on legal rockfish and some lingcod when seas allow. Halibut trips are limiting out.
Anglers at Winchester Bay, Coos Bay and mouth of the Chetco are landing herring, shad, anchovy and sardine. Netarts Bay anglers picked up a few Top Smelt this past week.
Angling for flounder is slow at the mouth of the Necanicum.
Ocean salmon:
-Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR is open Sunday through Thursday June 27 through Sept. 30 or attainment of coho quota. The season closes Aug. 1 between Cape Falcon and Tillamook Head. The allowed bag limit is two salmon per day, only one of which may be a chinook. Retained coho must have a healed adipose fin-clip. Consideration to re-open the fishery seven days a week will occur around July 28. Minimum lengths are: chinook 26 inches, steelhead 20 inches and coho 16 inches.
-Cape Falcon to Humbug Mtn. is open for all species except coho March 15 through Oct. 31 seven days a week. Coho retention is open June 19 through Aug. 31 or attainment of quota between Cape Falcon and the California-Oregon border. Retained coho must have a healed adipose fin-clip. Minimum length for chinook and steelhead is 20 inches, coho is 16 inches.
-Humbug Mtn. south to Horse Mtn., CA, the salmon season is open seven days a week May 15 through Sept. 12 for all salmon except coho except during the selective fishery mentioned above. In the Tillamook Triangular Control Zone, between March 15 and July 31, all retained chinook must have a healed fin clip. More information is available at: www.hmsc.oregonstate.edu/odfw/salmon/
Pacific halibut: Statewide bag limit is the first halibut that is 32 inches or longer in length. No groundfish (excludes halibut) may be possessed during June through Sept. in Oregon waters outside of 40 fathoms.
-Leadbetter Pt., WA to Cape Falcon, OR: Open May 1 through the earlier of 14,241 pounds or October 31. Open seven days per week in all-depth water. Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain inside 40-fathom line season (defined by legal waypoints): Open May 1 through the earlier of 22,574 pounds or October 31. Open 7 days per week.
-Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain Spring All-depth season: Open dates are May 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and June 10, 11, and 12. If the spring guideline is not taken after these dates, the fishery will continue on the following dates until the spring guideline is taken: June 25, 26 and July 9, 10, 23, and 24 (open days will be announced on NMFS hotline 1-800-662-9825). Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain Summer All-depth season: Opens August 6 unless the spring fishery exceeded the 2004 season total all-depth quota of 259,604 pounds. The fishery will occur on the following dates until the season total all-depth quota is taken: August 6, 7, 20, 21; September 3, 4, 17, 18; and October 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, and 30 (open dates will be announced on NMFS hotline 1-800-662-9825).
-South of Humbug Mountain, OR through California: Open May 1 through October 31 seven days per week in all-depth waters.
SHELLFISH Crabbing is fair coastwide. Razor clamming is open north of Tillamook Head to the Columbia River and clamming is open to all other clam species coast wide. Call the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Shellfish hotline at 503-986-4728 for updates on open shellfish harvesting.
A recreational shellfish license is now required for everyone over 14 when harvesting abalone, clams, crabs, mussels, piddocks, scallops, shrimp and other marine invertebrates with shells. |
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