Recreation Report

Includes updates to fishing, crabbing and clamming, hunting and wildlife viewing

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.‌

Learn something new with ODFW:‌

• 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.
• Hunter education. If your young hunter wants to hunt turkey or bear, or big game this fall, get them registered for a hunter education class and/or field day.

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

Best bets for weekend fishing‌

The spring weather is improving and so is the fishing.‌

• Trout stocking continues with thousands for fish headed for waterbodies near you.
• Spring Chinook have been caught in the lower and middle Rogue and winter steelhead fishing has been good in the middle and upper Rogue.
• Anglers are still picking up a few bright winter steelhead in the Clackamas and Sandy rivers. Early summer steelhead and spring Chinook are in the mix, too.
• 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.
• Spring fishing for kokanee and bull trout has been excellent on Lake Billy Chinook.
• The Fall River headwaters continue to be a solid option for spring fly-fishing and will receive a fresh stocking of rainbow trout the week of April 8.
• Mayflies and small stoneflies have been hatching on the Blitzen River. This is a great time to look for rising fish before spring runoff kicks in.
• Wallowa Lake can be a good early season bet for kokanee.
• 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.‌

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

Our biologists have been getting a few early kokanee fishing reports. These fun-to-catch, delicious-to-eat fish are found in waterbodies throughout the state. Here are some tips for catching them.‌