Tag: fishing

No organized events, but Fish for Free Weekend still set for June 6-7

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June 3, 2020

SALEM, Ore.—Fish for free in Oregon is set for this weekend.

No fishing licenses or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement or Two-Rod Validation) are required to fish, crab or clam in Oregon that weekend.

Although no licenses or tags are required, all other fishing regulations apply including closures, bag limits and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations to find out more and remember to check for any in season regulation changes at https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/

June’s Free Fishing Weekend is usually a special one for ODFW staff and fishing groups that host events all over the state, bringing all the gear newcomers need to try fishing.

Unfortunately, due to concerns and restrictions related to COVID-19, ODFW is not hosting or sponsoring any events this year.

A number of waterbodies are being stocked in advance of Free Fishing Weekend as in past years. (Due to concerns about crowding where fish are stocked, ODFW is not currently providing its trout stocking schedule or announcing which waterbodies are stocked.) Hatchery trout are a great fish for beginners and there are plenty of tips at MyODFW.com including a video series about How to fish for trout. Beginners can also consider warmwater fishing, which is a good opportunity during summer.

Nonresidents can also fish for free June 6-7, but there are still special restrictions on the coast. Currently, clamming is closed to nonresidents coastwide. Crabbing is open to nonresidents along most of the Coast but is closed to nonresidents in the Columbia River and in ocean areas north of Cape Falcon (nonresidents may crab in bays and estuaries north of Cape Falcon e.g. Necanium River estuary).

Both residents and nonresidents should follow ongoing precautions in place due the virus:

  • Check for access before you go. Many spots have reopened to public access but some may still be closed. Remember even if fishing is open, the boat ramp or park where you want to go might be closed. ODFW does not control access to land or facilities it doesn’t manage, so check with the land manager or facility owner where you want to go about what’s open before you leave home.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Stick close to home. Don’t travel far to hunt, fish, clam or crab.
  • Be prepared. Restrooms and other facilities may be more limited. Bring your own soap, water, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, food, etc.
  • Avoid crowds. Go someplace else if your destination looks crowded.
  • Practice social distancing. Keep six feet between you and anyone who doesn’t live in your immediate household, including while on a boat or at a fish cleaning station.
  • Wash your hands often. Keep up on personal hygiene and bring your own water, soap, and hand sanitizer with you.
  • Pack out what you pack in. Take any garbage with you, including disposable gloves and masks.

If you are planning to crab or clam, remember to call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474​ or check ODA’s Recreational Shellfish page beforehand. The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat.

Columbia River at Deschutes River Mouth Closes to All Fishing

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August 9, 2019

SALEM, Ore.— ODFW is closing all fishing (including catch-and-release) in the Columbia River around the mouth of the Deschutes River and in the lower Deschutes River from the mouth upstream to markers placed on the downstream end of Moody Rapids, from Monday, Aug. 12 through Sept. 15.

The decision comes per direction from the Fish and Wildlife Commission at their Aug. 2 meeting,

The closure is to protect wild summer steelhead and follows several other regulatory steps ODFW and WDFW have taken to protect wild steelhead this year. Returns of ESA-listed wild Snake River steelhead this year are forecasted to be similar to the extremely poor return of 2017, and there are ongoing concerns about the potential effects of angling on wild steelhead that may gather in cooler water near tributary mouths like the Deschutes.

The boundary of the angling closure is defined by a line projecting from the South Channel Range “B” marker located approximately 3/4-mile upstream of the mouth of the Deschutes, downstream through Red Buoy Marker “4”, and terminating at the flashing red USCG light #2 on the Oregon shore downstream of the mouth. (See map on Columbia River Zone fishing regulations page.)

The Commission directed ODFW to take similar steps to close the mouth of the Deschutes last year. Based on additional discussions with the public and regional biologists, the boundary of this year’s closure has been refined to reduce the impact on Chinook fishing opportunities.

This action follows a number of regulatory steps ODFW and WDFW have taken to protect wild steelhead during Columbia River summer and fall fisheries this year. Bag limits in the Columbia River were reduced to one hatchery steelhead per day for the month of July. For fall fisheries, all steelhead (hatchery and wild) must be released during the following periods:

  • Aug. 1-31 from Buoy 10 upstream to The Dalles Dam,
  • Aug. 1 – Sept. 30 from The Dalles Dam upstream to John Day Dam,
  • Sept. 1 – Oct. 31 from John Day to McNary Dam, and
  • Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 from McNary Dam upstream to the OR/WA state line.

For the latest fishing regulations in the Columbia and Deschutes Rivers, visit
https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/columbia-zone
https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/central-zone

The Great Outdoors: Restoring Bull Trout in Odell Lake

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May 9, 2019

Three-hundred and five feet deep at its deepest and covering 3,600 acres, it is one of the largest lakes in the Cascades and it is home to the state-record lake trout, land-locked kokanee, rainbow trout and native bull trout. For this week’s Great Outdoors, Gary Lewis takes us into the Cascades to find out the efforts to restore bull trout numbers in Odell Lake.

A special thanks to our Great Outdoors sponsor, Parr Lumber, for giving us the time and resources to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains across our beautiful state every Wednesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

The Great Outdoors: World-Renowned Pro-Cure Fish Bait

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March 22, 2019

Thirty-thousand pounds of salmon eggs, a truckload of shiners, and a thousand pounds of squid. No, it’s not a sushi restaurant, it’s Pro-Cure Bait Scents, a bait store. In this week’s great outdoors, Gary Lewis shows you a Northwest business that has grown from humble beginnings into a worldwide brand.

A special thanks to our Great Outdoors sponsor, Parr Lumber, for giving us the time and resources to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains across our beautiful state every Wednesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

Taste This! – Fresh Fish at Newport Avenue Market

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June 3, 2018

For this week’s Taste This!, Donna Britt learns about the fresh fish in season this spring. Newport Avenue Market‘s Chris Alcorn shows her how the big fish that are arriving at the store now are turned into fillets you can take home and eat. 

Donna says if you’ve never tried Copper River salmon, now is the time!

Thanks to Chris and the crew for teaching us about fish.  A special thanks to Newport Avenue Market for giving us the resources each week to take you on these culinary adventures. Life is short.  Eat good food! 

The Great Outdoors: Kokanee Karnival

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May 23, 2018

There are three sure signs of spring every year in Central Oregon: the re-opening of the Cascade Lakes Highway, the Pole Pedal Paddle event and the annual Kokanee Karnival at Shevlin Pond.

For this week’s Great Outdoors, Brian Jennings spent some time at the event where fourth and fifth graders had the chance to learn about local waterways and the trout that inhabit them.

Thanks Brian for that report.

A special thanks to our Great Outdoors sponsor, Parr Lumber, for giving us the time and resources to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains across our beautiful state every Wednesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

The Great Outdoors: New Fishing Regulations at Wickiup Reservoir

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May 2, 2018

It’s one of the best places to catch Kokanee in Central Oregon, but the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has changed the rules at one of the area’s best fishing spots. In this week’s Great Outdoors, Brian Jennings looks at the new fishing regulations at Wickiup Reservoir.

Thanks Brian for that report. A special thanks to our Great Outdoors sponsor, Parr Lumber, for giving us the time and resources to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains across our beautiful state every Wednesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

The Great Outdoors: Whychus Creek Fish Release

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April 11, 2018

It’s that time of the year when fish are being released into some of your favorite fishing areas in Central Oregon. For this week’s Great Outdoors, Central Oregon Daily’s Brian Jennings was there for the fish release at Whychus Creek.

Thanks Brian for that report and a special thanks to our Great Outdoors sponsor, Parr Lumber, for giving us the time and resources to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains across our beautiful state every Wednesday night on Central Oregon Daily.

The Great Outdoors: Teaching Hunting and Fishing to Girls

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November 1, 2017

For generations of Central Oregonians, hunting and fishing can be a rite of passage for young boys. However, today young girls are showing they can do everything the boys can do, and more.

For this week’s Great Outdoors, Brian Jennings introduces us to a couple of parents who are encouraging young girls to learn the finer points of hunting and fishing in Central Oregon.

A special thanks to our Great Outdoors sponsor, Camp Abbot Trading Company in Sunriver, for giving us the time and resources to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains across our beautiful state every Wednesday night on Central Oregon Daily.