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Oregon Recreation Report - Albany Democrat-Herald

Posted: 16 Oct 2009 03:07 PM PDT

Oct. 17 is waterfowl opener for rest of Oregon

Duck and goose hunting opens this Saturday in Western Oregon and parts of northeast Oregon. Rain should improve conditions, and cold weather in Canada should get birds migrating down the flyway earlier than usual. If you're a beginner, learn how to hunt waterfowl.

Fall turkey starts

There are fall turkey tags available for the general season hunt in 17 Western Oregon wildlife management units, and the bag limit increased to two turkeys this year. Use ODFW's turkey hunting brochure if you are new to the sport.

Cascade elk season Oct. 17-23

Rain should improve hunting conditions. The wet weather will make the forest quieter and will allow hunter to distinguish fresh tracks from old tracks. Remember Cascade buck deer is closed from Oct. 17-23 during the elk season. Western Oregon deer hunting continues through Nov. 6 in the Coast hunt area.

Fish viewing is great in the fall

See Northwest, Southwest, Willamette and Central zone viewing reports to learn where you can see coho, chinook and kokanee as they return to rivers and streams to spawn.

Send ODFW your hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing photos

Email the photo and a release form to ODFW_Info@state.or.us and you might see yourself on these pages! Please describe where, when the photo was taken.

Steelhead galore in the Snake Basin

There are so many hatchery summer steelhead headed for the Grande Ronde, Imnaha, Wallowa and Snake rivers that ODFW has increased the bag limit to 5 fin-clipped steelhead per day on these rivers beginning Oct. 18. And, the rain predicted for this week should help get fish moving and improve fishing opportunity. If you've always wanted to go steelhead fishing on the Grande Ronde, this is your year.

WILLAMETTE ZONE

Expect increased fire safety restrictions and possible fire-related closures. Check with the land manager where you are going before you head out. The InciWeb site lists Oregon fires and land manager sites (below) may list closures and restrictions.

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* The week's rain could get coho moving into the Sandy and Clackamas rivers.

* Large numbers of coho continue to move into the upper Willamette River and its tributaries, where a 3-fish bag limit is in effect.

* Retention sturgeon fishing is now open on the Willamette River and continues through the rest of the year.

* Several valley lakes, ponds and reservoirs have recently been stocked with legal-sized or larger trout. Check the reports below to find some great nearby fishing.

EVENTS

October 17 & 18 - Salmon Homecoming at Oxbow Regional Park, 1 - 2:30 p.m. Take a walk along the edge of the Sandy River with a Metro naturalist to help spot spawning salmon and interpret their behavior and life cycle. Special salmon-viewing glasses are available on loan. Walks proceed rain or shine; dress for the weather. The trail is unpaved and fairly level; wear good walking shoes. Inquire at the park entry booth for starting location of the walks and location of the salmon-viewing station then follow the signs to the salmon. Suitable for all ages. 3010 SE Oxbow Parkway, Gresham, OR 97080.

STOCKING SCHEDULE

The schedules are posted at our website. Note the scheduled stocking dates for each pond are set for the Monday of that respective week and may not coincide with the actual stocking date that could occur on any given week day.

North Willamette stocking schedule

South Willamette stocking schedule

ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: rainbow trout

Stocked recently with larger and trophy-sized rainbow trout.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: steelhead, coho

Angling on the Clackamas over the past week continued to be slow due to low water conditions, despite the fact that a few coho are distributed throughout the system. Flows remain an issue, but there is great hope that rain predicted for this week will both get fish moving and bring new, bright coho into the river. Water levels are still too low for jet sleds to reach the upper stretches and very few drift boats have been spotted between McIver and Barton.

A scattering of coho can also be found in the lower river with anglers finding little success in Gladstone near the Bowling Alley Hole. The Dahl Park/Blacktop area has seen very limited action as a few coho move upstream and into the Clackamas, but overall the catch has been slow.

Under new temporary rules that took effect Sept. 1, anglers are allowed to keep up to three migratory fish per day on the Clackamas. Anglers were already permitted under permanent rules to keep two fin-clipped adult salmon or steelhead in any combination on the Clackamas. The new "bonus bag" rule allows retention of a third fish, as long as it is a hatchery coho, denoted by a clipped adipose fin.

Anglers should take note of the deadline below Rivermill Dam and the fish ladder. Angling or even casting above the deadline is in violation of regulations.

The Clackamas Hatchery at McIver Park opened the trap in June and has processed over 3,000 spring chinook this season, with spawning activity in full swing the past two weeks.

Another new fishing opportunity opened on the Clackamas earlier this year and remains in effect. Under this rule, anglers are allowed to keep up to two fin-clipped fish per day from the mouth of the river upstream to Rivermill Dam and also from the Hwy. 211 Bridge upstream to North Fork Dam. There is no restriction on length as long as the fish are adipose fin-clipped. The bag limit between Rivermill Dam and the Hwy. 211 Bridge (Estacada Lake) is unchanged at 5 fish per day. The fish may be no less than 8 inches long in this area in order to be retained.

The Clackamas River upstream of the highway 99 bridge will remain open for spring chinook under permanent rules.

This will hopefully be the last week of extremely low flows on the Clackamas. The Monday readings showed 908 cfs and a gage height of 10.87, with the water temperature falling to 50°.

Bank anglers can find access to the river in the Gladstone/Cross Park area, at Carver near the mouth of Clear Creek, along Clackamas River Rd, at Barton Park, at Bonnie Lure Park, at McIver Park.

DETROIT RESERVOIR: trout

Stocked this week with 7,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Detroit Reservoir is located 50 miles east of Salem, off Hwy. 22, two miles west of Detroit. The town of Detroit is near the upper (east) end of the lake.

DEXTER RESERVOIR: trout

Recently stocked with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. The reservoir is located next to I-5 about 15 miles southeast of Eugene. Exit to Hwy. 58, then head east.

EAGLE CREEK: coho

Under a new rule that took effect Sept. 1, anglers are able to keep up to three steelhead and salmon in combination, as long as one is an adipose fin-clipped adult coho. Flows continue to be the problem with water levels extremely low in Eagle Creek. The few coho that made their way into the creek in early September are now widely scattered and turning dark. The anticipated rain event this week should move fresh coho into the creek and improve angling prospects. The hatchery has yet to open the ladder and accept incoming fish, but preparations are underway.

ESTACADA LAKE: trout, steelhead, salmon

Recently stocked with 1.200 legal-sized rainbow trout. The lake now has a new boat ramp and ADA accessible fishing platform, which opened last week. The new facilities can be accessed from Milo McIver State Park. Estacada is a 150-acre lake on the Clackamas River behind River Mill Dam at Estacada.

FARADAY LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 1,200 legal-sized rainbow trout. Faraday is a 25-acre lake 2 miles SE of Estacada by way of Hwy 224 on the Clackamas River. This is a bank fishing only lake, but good access can be found around most of the shore line.

FERN RIDGE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead

This 9,000 acre lake just 12 miles west of Eugene is the Willamette Basins largest waterbody. It has four boat ramps and there is good bank angling along the dam and at the shoreline parks. This lake is mostly shallow with a band of deep water from the original channel of the Long Tom River. The reservoir produces crappie over 12 inches and bass angling has been very good this year. Fish the shoreline along the southern part of the reservoir, especially the sloughs and inlets where there is underwater structure.

FOSTER RESERVOIR: trout, kokanee

Recently stocked with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 1,200-acre reservoir near the town of Foster, about three miles east of Sweet Home, north of Hwy. 20.

GOLD LAKE: trout

Fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for rainbow trout. There is no limit on size or number of brook trout taken.

HARRIET LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Harriet holds some trophy-size brown trout and brook trout. Trolling with spinners and worms is the most effective method from a boat. Casting spinners from the bank can prove to be successful. This is a 23-acre reservoir on Oak Grove Fork of Clackamas River in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

HARTMAN POND: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, perch, trout.

From I-84, take the Benson Lake exit. The pond is adjacent to the Columbia River adjoining Benson State Park.

HENRY HAGG LAKE: trout, warmwater fish

Recently stocked with 8,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This popular and boat accessible lake is heavily stocked all spring with hatchery rainbow trout. The lake is frequently stocked with rainbow trout, and some holdovers should be available. Warmwater fish like bass, sunfish and perch may be available nearer to shore, particularly in the morning and early evening. Hagg Lake spans 1,110 acres and has miles of bank access as well. It is located 7 miles southwest of Forest Grove off of Hwy. 47.

MCKENZIE RIVER (below Leaburg Lake): trout, steelhead

Steelhead fishing is fair on the McKenzie.

MCKENZIE RIVER (above Leaburg Lake): trout

Last stocked for the season in early September with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout from Forest Glen boat ramp near Blue River to Ben and Kay Dorris.

MT HOOD POND: trout

Stocked this week with 400 legal-sized rainbow trout and 50 larger trout. The pond is located on the Mt. Hood Community College campus.

NORTH FORK RESERVOIR: trout

Stocked recently with 7,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 350-acre reservoir on the Clackamas River 7 miles south of Estacada off of Hwy. 224.

Boat anglers will find trolling to be a successful method, particularly along the shore opposite the marina and ramp. Worms or other bait behind a flasher can be effective. Bank anglers will find access fishing the shoreline along Hwy 224. There is also a nice ADA accessible fishing platform near the store and marina. Popular methods include cured single salmon eggs, artificial trout baits, or worms.

NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, chinook, coho

Prospects still fair for steelhead in the North and South Santiam rivers. Although recycling of summer steelhead from the Minto and Foster traps has been discontinued for the season there should still be nice fish available for the persistent angler. Anglers are reminded that this year's new regulation allowing retention of non-adipose clipped steelhead only applied to the months of July and August, therefore, only adipose-clipped steelhead may be retained at this time. The new regulation restricting angling to artificial flies and lures in the Little North Fork Santiam is in effect year round.

Under new temporary rules that took effect Sept. 1, the daily bag limit for coho salmon and steelhead in combination increases to three fish on the Santiam River. Under the new rule, anglers can catch up to three fin-clipped steelhead or clipped or unclipped coho in any combination. The new rules also provide additional coho angling opportunity in the Santiam basin. Effective Sept. 1, coho angling will be allowed in the mainstem Santiam, North Fork up to the Stayton-Scio Bridge in Stayton, and South Fork up to the Grant Street Bridge in Lebanon. The Forks above these points will remain closed to salmon angling through October 31 to protect spawning spring chinook. Coho angling prospects should improve dramatically from mid-Sept. on as this season's anticipated large return begins to materialize.

SANDY RIVER: steelhead, spring chinook, coho

Coho angling on the Sandy River has slowed in recent days with new fish struggling to move into the system. The crowds at the hatchery have diminished somewhat, as has the angling success. As of Monday 688 adult coho and 157 jacks have been processed at the Sandy Fish Hatchery, out of an expected run of 15,000 fish. Rain this week should give the fishery a good boost.

Monday flow readings on the Sandy showed the river down to 341 cfs (7.77 ft) with the water temperature down to 50°.

Collection/recycling receptacles for discarded or lost fishing gear can now be found along the Sandy River. Look for them near boat ramps at Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge parks. Any tangled fishing line or old gear can be collected and disposed of in these canisters as an effort to maintain a healthy, clean Sandy River. Littering has become a big problem on the Sandy below Cedar Creek. In other areas along the Sandy this has been cited as the rationale for restrictions on access. Please use nearby garbage cans for any other types of trash.

SANTIAM RIVER: trout

New trout regulations that went into effect this year allow anglers to keep up to two fin-clipped trout per day in the mainstem, North Fork up to Big Cliff Dam, and South Fork up to Foster Dam. There is no restriction on length as long as the fish are adipose fin-clipped.

SMALL FRY LAKE: trout

Stocked recently with 300 legal-sized rainbow trout. Small Fry Lake is a youth only fishing venue located on the Clackamas River 7 miles south of Estacada off of Hwy. 224. Fishing is restricted to youngsters 12 and under.

SOUTH YAMHILL RIVER: trout

The river is open from its confluence with the North Yamhill near McMinnville, upstream about 20 miles to Rock Creek near Grand Ronde through Oct. 31. The daily bag limit is 5 fin-clipped fish of any size, however no bait may be used, a measure needed to protect wild trout and young steelhead rearing in the river.

ST LOUIS PONDS: rainbow trout, crappie, catfish

Recently stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout, ranging from 8 inches to 1 ½ pounds. Several other species are also available, including bass, crappie and bluegill. This 54-acre complex of 7 ponds is owned and managed by ODFW. The site is located west of the town of Gervais. Take St. Louis Road west to Tesch Lane, turn left and follow the road to the ponds.

TRILLIUM LAKE: rainbow trout

Recently stocked with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Trillium is a 60-acre lake 3 miles east of Government Camp off of Hwy 26.

WALLING POND: trout

Stocked this week with 400 legal-sized rainbow trout and 50 larger trout. The pond is located within the Salem city limits west of I-5. Take Turner Road off Mission St.

WALTER WIRTH LAKE: trout

Stocked this week with 1,700 legal-sized rainbow trout and 150 larger trout. The lake is located east of Salem within Cascade Gateway Park, west of I-5 at Hwy. 22. Take Airport Rd. or Turner Rd. to reach the lake.

WEST SALISH POND: trout

Recently stocked with 3,000 rainbow trout. Located off NE Glisan between 201st and 207th in Fairview, east of Portland, the pond is located just a short distance from Reynolds Middle School. From I-84, take Exit 16 and travel south on Fairview Parkway.

WILLAMETTE RIVER: steelhead, chinook, coho, warmwater fish

Spring chinook passage counting ended on Aug. 15. The preliminary season total is 25,795 spring chinook adults and 2,719 jacks, while mini-jack counts go on. Summer steelhead are still passing through the ladder with daily counts in the single digits. A total of 14,942 have gone past the viewing window through Oct 5.

Coho numbers are holding strong with the cumulative count at 16,478 adults through Oct 5. These high counts are trending towards record numbers of coho passing Willamette Falls.

Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on Monday showed flows steady at 9,300 cfs, the temperature down to 56°, and the visibility near 7.6 ft.

Coho can now be found in the Willamette as they migrate upstream towards the Clackamas or onward past the falls. Boat anglers should try the mouth of the Clackamas and along the Meldrum Bar area. Opportunities to bank fish for coho can be found anywhere from the lower Clackamas at Dahl Park to down along Meldrum Bar.

Anglers are now allowed to keep up to three coho per day under a new "bonus bag" rule that took effect Sept. 1. Below Willamette Falls, anglers on the Willamette were already permitted under permanent rules to keep two fin-clipped adult salmon or steelhead in any combination. The new "bonus bag" rule allows retention of a third fish, as long as it is a hatchery coho, denoted by a clipped adipose fin.

Above Willamette Falls, anglers are now permitted to keep up to three migratory fish. Of the total daily bag, up to three fish may be steelhead or coho. Only two may be chinook. Steelhead and chinook must be adipose fin-clipped to be retained. Coho may be either clipped or unclipped fish. Boat anglers should try the mouths of the medium to large tributaries such as the Molalla, Tualatin, Yamhill and Santiam rivers. Anglers are reminded that the Willamette remains closed to salmon above the Highway 20 bridge in Albany.

The Willamette provides an excellent warm water fishery in the summer and early fall months. You can expect to find an abundance of bass, crappie, and bluegill available. Target the rocky outcroppings, structures, or old pilings. Casting a variety of plugs or jigs near the shoreline can be successful. A simple bobber and night crawler might prove to be the right choice also. The local tackle shops can set you up with the right gear and direct you to the best spots. Lately, warm water anglers have reported catching primarily smallmouth bass at depths of 30 to 40 feet.

Anglers fishing the Multnomah Channel recently have reported catching some nice walleye. Successful tactics include trolling plugs as well as bottom draggers with worms.

Sturgeon season reopened for retention Oct. 1 in the Willamette and Columbia from Wauna power lines to Bonneville dam. This time of year can be good for sturgeon retention above Willamette Falls.

WILLAMETTE ZONE HUNTING

Check for fire restrictions before you go hunting!

Private industrial forestlands

InciWeb

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

OPEN: WATERFOWL (opens Oct. 17), WESTERN OREGON RIFLE DEER, (Cascade season closed Oct. 17-23), CASCADE ELK (Oct. 17-23), PHEASANT, FOREST GROUSE, CALIF. QUAIL, COUGAR and BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.

ODFW offices closed Oct. 16: Exchange Cascade bull elk tag by Oct. 15!

Friday Oct. 16 is a mandatory unpaid furlough day for all state employees so ODFW offices are closed. Hunting and fishing licenses and tags can still be purchased online or at a license sales agent that day. Any exchange involving a Cascade bull elk tag must be done at an ODFW office by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Tags cannot be exchanged at license sale agents.

EVENTS

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

Hunters should be aware that fire danger is still a concern for private timberland owners and this may affect access on to private timberlands. Please check access restrictions prior to hunting on private land.

Western Oregon General Rifle DEER season is open, though the Cascade area closes from Oct. 17-23 for elk season. Hunters are encouraged to bring the heads from any harvested deer or elk into the ODFW offices in Clackamas or Sauvie Island so that samples can be taken for ongoing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) monitoring. Call ahead (Clackamas 971-673-6000 and Sauvie Island 503-621-3488) to ensure someone will be around to collect the sample or to make an appointment for another day.

DEER hunting is expected to be fair this year. Buck ratios are high, indicated that some older age bucks are available, however overall deer numbers are still somewhat low. Some of the higher densities of deer occur on private timberland properties where clearcuts have increased forage availability. Remember to obtain permission before hunting on private property. Hunters looking to hunt on the National Forest should look for patches of available forage. Forage may be found in burned areas, recent thinnings, or old clearcuts. Many of the old clear cuts are brushing in and becoming difficult to hunt but hunters may have luck finding deer in the large timber next to the old cuts.

Hunters in the Indigo Unit need to be aware that the USFS has implemented a large public access closure due to the Tumblebug Wildfire. Hunters in the Indigo Unit should check with the Willamette National Forest for closure details and update. Closure information can also be found at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1894/.

General black BEAR hunting season started on Aug. 1. Hunters participating in the western Oregon black-tailed deer season, who also had a black bear tag in their pocket, found a few bears out in clear-cut's and grassy meadows. Harvest was low since most hunters were not specifically targeting bears. Hunting for bears will become increasing difficult as the summer food sources start to disappear. Both the huckleberries and blackberries are about done for the year. Hunters may want to target late food sources such as apple trees or manzanita and madrone berries where they are available. Bears will also feed on acorns that are now starting to drop from the oak trees.

For hunters wanting to be more mobile and explore new areas away from berry patches, their best success would be using predator calls. Bears tend to respond best when hunters use a constant calling strategy. It can take a long time for a bear to respond to a predator call and hunters are advised to spend up to an hour at each calling location. Hunters are also advised to hunt with a partner when using predator calls. These are large animals that are expecting a meal when they arrive, so use caution.

Hunters are reminded that the skull of any bear taken must be presented to an ODFW office or designated collection site within 10 days of the kill to be inspected, tagged and have a pre-molar tooth removed for aging. Only the skull is required for the check-in and it should be unfrozen when presented. ODFW staff recommends that the hide be removed, by the hunter or taxidermist, before check-in and hunters call ahead to make arrangements to have the bear checked. Please review the 2009 Big Game Hunting Regulations before your hunting trip to ensure that you are familiar with all of the requirements.

COUGAR season is open. Hunters will find cougars widely distributed from high alpine meadows in the Cascades to low elevation forests in the Coast Range. Most hunters who harvested cougar over opening weekend of deer season stated that they were primarily hunting for deer but happened to find a cougar while out in the field. Those hunters specifically targeting cougar continue to use predator calls that imitate the sounds of a deer or elk to draw cougars within shooting range. All report that the cougars responded very slowly to their calls and hunters need to be patient and observant. It is always best to hunt with a partner when using predator calls. Sit back to back so you can observe any approaching cougar. Hunters headed for the northern end of the Willamette Valley to hunt cougar should concentrate their efforts in the Cascade Mountains.

Successful cougar hunters will need to check-in any cougar taken at an ODFW office within 10 days of the kill. Hunters are reminded that biologists located in field offices may be out in the field handling other issues so call ahead to make arrangements to have your cougar checked-in. The hide and skull must be unfrozen and the skull and proof of sex must be attached to the hide. Hunters are required to submit the reproductive tract of any female cougar taken. Please review the 2009 Big Game Hunting Regulations before your hunting trip to ensure that you are familiar with all of the requirements.

GAME BIRD hunting has been slow and few hunters have been checked out in the field. Harvest of forest grouse should improve as more hunters get out into the woods during the ongoing deer season. Hunters targeting Blue grouse should concentrate their efforts in the upper elevation ridges of the Cascade and Coast range. For those looking to harvest a Ruffed grouse your effort should be focused down on the streams and riparian zones that have alder stands. ODFW biologists can a learn a lot about our local game bird populations from the collection of grouse and mountain quail wings and tails and we encourage hunters to submit these parts from harvested birds. Review the information provided on page 40 of the 2009-2010 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more details.

FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA

Open for upland birds. All hunters are required to check in and out of hunt areas at self-service stations located on each area and carry the permit while in the field.

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA

Waterfowl opens Oct. 17; see the regulations for details on how to reserve a spot. Water levels are good on both the Eastside and Westside Hunt Units, very little water in the North Unit. The area started to see a good number of birds using flooded wetlands this week, mainly mallards and green-winged teal.

EE WILSON WILDLIFE AREA

Waterfowl season opens Oct. 17. Waterfowl hunting is always slow on the opener, due to very little water. As a reminder, hunters need a fee pheasant tag to hunt pheasants on EE Wilson during October.

WILLAMETTE ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Owl Prowl, Fri., October 16, 7 - 9 p.m.

Bring your family a guided evening tour at Whitaker Ponds at 7040 NE 47th Ave

Portland. Hike around the trail in search of nighttime creatures, including the resident Great Horned Owls and colonies of bats. For more information.

Night Flight 2009, Sat., October 24, 4 - 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween and learn all about creatures of the night at this event hosted by the Audubon Society of Portland. Come Come face-to-face with Portland Audubon's great horned owl, northern spotted owl, turkey vulture, common raven and little brown bat. Trick or treat with naturalists and enjoy a night walk to investigate what creatures haunt the sanctuary at night. Cost: $10. Call 503-292-6855, ext. 122 for more information.

Animal tracking workshop at Oxbow Regional Park, Sat., October 24, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Oxbow Regional Park is rich in tracks at this time of year when beaver, otter, fox, mink, mouse and deer often leave clear footprints in the sand. With practice you can learn to read the ground like a book. Learn how to make plaster casts of animal tracks. Local tracker Terry Kem introduces the basics of track identification and interpretation and the awareness and stealth skills needed to watch wildlife at close range. Suitable for adults and families. Bring a snack and meet at the floodplain parking area. Registration and payment of $10 required in advance. There is a $5 per vehicle entry fee payable at the gate. To register, call 503-797-1650 option 2. Hosted by Metro

Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Thurs., November 12, 7 p.m.

An evening of environmental films hosted by the Willamette Riverkeepers at the Bagdad Theater & Pub, located at 37th & SE Hawthorne in Portland. Tickets are $8 and include entry in a raffle for a day touring kayak. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., films begin at 7 p.m.

FISH VIEWING

Salmon are now returning to ODFW fish hatcheries throughout the region, including Sandy, Clackamas and Bonneville. This is a good time to see Oregon's signature fish in pools and streams below the hatcheries and in runways at the hatcheries themselves. All ODFW facilities are open to the public.

AROUND THE AREA

Foster Dam and Reservoir

Viewing sites are at the boat ramps, roadsides and a county park. A flock of Barrow's Goldeneye regularly winters just below Foster Dam, sometimes with Common Goldeneye. Deep water above the dam draws migrant Common Loon and Horned, Eared, Western, Clark's and (rarely) Red-necked Grebes in migration, along

with Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Common Merganser, and other diving ducks. Red-breasted Merganser, Surf Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, and migrant terns may drop in as rarities. US Hwy 20 at the E end of Sweet Home, take 60th Ave/Foster Dam Rd N to North River Dr.

EE Wilson Wildlife Area

Waterfowl and shorebirds numbers are building. A waterfowl blind is available to photographers. Call the office at 541-745-5334 to reserve the blind.

From Albany, take Highway 20 toward Corvallis and after 5 miles turn right on Independence Highway. Go 3 miles and turn left on Camp Adair Road, then proceed 2 miles to the wildlife area. Find directions to EE Wilson Wildlife Area.

Fern Ridge Reservoir

Fern Ridge Reservoir has extensive wildlife habitat that can be accessed from many access points including Royal Avenue which extends from west Eugene to the reservoir and ends at a gated access point. This is an excellent place to observe wildlife. Berms were built in this area during 2000 and 2001 to retain water along the edge of the reservoir during the winter months when the reservoir is drawn down for flood control. These ponded areas are very attractive to wildlife at this time of year. Also accessible from this access point are natural prairie habitats (to the north and south) that are very rare in the Willamette Valley. In addition to the abundance of waterfowl, many raptors can be seen in this area. Look for short eared owls and peregrine falcons. Also visible from this area are wading birds, such as egrets and herons and various shorebirds.

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area

All units of Fern Ridge Wildlife Area are open to public access for the summer months. There are many access points available and viewing opportunities are excellent for a wide variety of wildlife, particularly birds. Wildlife viewing platforms are available in the Fisher Butte unit located a short walk from parking lots on Royal Avenue and Hwy 126. The viewing platform located north of the Hwy 126 parking lot provides a great overlook of the adjacent wet low prairie. Many varieties of wild flowers are now in bloom and the colors of the landscape are remarkable.

Visitors are reminded that dogs must be kept on leash at all times.

Parking areas are located along Highway 126, Nielson Road, Cantrell Road, Territorial Highway, and Clear Lake Road. Visitors are cautioned that there have been recent vehicle break-ins at area parking lots. Please secure your valuables before leaving your vehicle unattended. Contact the wildlife area headquarters, (541) 935-2591 if you have any questions.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

Cackling Canada geese arrived in large numbers last week. Wildlife Area staff conducted the first goose survey of the seasonand documented the presence of 1,130 geese. The majority were loafing on Sturgeon Lake mudflats.

The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Eastside units and Westside, Oak Island and North are now closed and will remain so through April 30. The trail to Warrior Rock Lighthouse will remain open for hiking and Rentenaar Road, Eastside Viewing Platform and Coon Point will remain open for viewing. All areas require a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Parking Permit.

Sauvie Island is a main stopping point for migratory birds as they travel along the Pacific Flyway, and ODFW actively manages the Wildlife Area to provide food and cover for them. An abundance of ducks and geese can be seen from many points around the island, as can raptors, including bald eagles, northern harriers, sandhill cranes, red-tailed hawks and American kestrel.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is located on Sauvie Island, only 10 miles north of Portland off Highway 30. A parking permit is required for the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and can be purchased at ODFW License vendors, at the Sauvie Island ODFW office, Monday through Friday during office hours or online. For more information, call (503) 621-3488. Directions to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

NORTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

The Nehalem and Yaquina basins wild coho fisheries attained their quotas and were closed on September 23. Retention of non-finclipped coho salmon is now prohibited.

Tillamook County is implementing day use fees at many County owned and operated access sites beginning in October. Users should be aware of the daily fee and plan accordingly. Annual passes are available. Contact Tillamook County Parks Department at 503-322-3522 for more information.

NORTH COAST LAKES

Trout stocking is complete for 2009. Trout stocking will resume in March.

Warmwater species, such as largemouth bass, are available in many lakes. Cape Meares, Lytle, Cullaby, Sunset, Coffenbury and Vernonia lakes offer fair to good populations of warmwater species. Cooling water temperatures will likely slow angling for these species.

MID COAST LAKES

Munsel Lake (in the Florence area) was stocked on Monday, Sept. 28 with 1500 rainbow trout.

WARM WATER FISH ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES

The mid coast has numerous lakes or reservoirs which offer good angling for naturally produced warm water fish species, such as large mouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullhead and crappie. Typically the best fishing is from late spring to mid fall while water temperatures are warm. Tactics such as casting or trolling lures, jigging baits near bottom or using the traditional bait and bobber technique are all productive from either a boat or from shore. Below is a list of lakes near local coastal cities that offer warm water angling opportunities.

Devils Lake (Lincoln City): Offers good trout fishing and provides some angling opportunity for largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill.

Big Creek Reservoirs 1 & 2 (Newport): Offers fair largemouth bass fishing, slow to fair angling for yellow perch and bluegill and good year-round angling for rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Olalla Reservoir (Toledo): Offers fair largemouth bass fishing, slow to fair angling for yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead and good year-round angling for rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Sutton and Mercer Lakes (northern Florence): Fair to good angling for largemouth bass and decent angling for bluegill, and potential for crappie and brown bullhead. Offers year-round rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing.

Woahink Lake (southern Florence): Can be good to very good for yellow perch and offers fair to good angling for largemouth bass and bluegill.

Siltcoos Lake (south of Florence): A large lake with numerous fingers, lots of shoreline structure and a couple large tributaries. Offers fair to good angling for largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and brown bullhead. There is good year-round rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing and a good seasonal fishery for coho salmon.

Tahkenitch Lake (south of Florence): A large lake with numerous fingers, lots of shoreline structure and a couple large tributaries. It offers good angling for largemouth bass and yellow perch, and fair to good angling for bluegill, crappie and brown bullhead. There is good year-round cutthroat trout fishing and a good seasonal fishery for coho salmon.

ALSEA RIVER: chinook salmon, cutthroat trout

Fall Chinook angling has picked up with the rains this week. A rise in river has moved some fish up above tide water. Fresh Chinook should continue to move into the bay up through the river this week. Trolling herring, plugs, or large spinners are typically effective techniques in low to mid tidewater. Bait and bobber tactics or casting lures in the river above tide water can be good when fish are moving upstream. Anglers are also catching coho salmon however ONLY adipose fin clipped coho (adult or jack) may be retained. Sea-run and resident cutthroat trout fishing is fair to good throughout the mainstem. Trolling in upper tidewater with small lures and fly fishing or casting small lures above tide water can be very productive. There is typically very little pressure this time of year for cutthroat trout and catch rates can be excellent. The season goes through October.

KILCHIS RIVER: cutthroat trout, chinook

Sea-run cutthroat are available in tidewater and upstream areas. Try small spinners or flies in areas with some depth and/or hiding cover. A few chinook may be available in tidewater areas.

NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat trout, coho, chinook

Angling for sea-run cutthroat trout is fair to good. Many fish seem to be lower in the river, but there are fish in upstream areas. A few coho and chinook are being caught in tidewater areas. Hatchery coho may be retained as part of the daily salmon limit. These are stray fish from other areas.

NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: cutthroat trout, coho

Angling for trout has been fair to good. Effort has been low. Anglers should concentrate on upper tidewater areas or upstream, particularly in riffles or pools near the confluence of cooler tributary streams. Flies or small spinners are very effective. Angling for coho has been fair to good as more fish have moved into the bay. The Nehalem closed to retention of wild coho at the end of the fishing day on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Retention of adipose fin-clipped coho will continue on the Nehalem through the rest of the year. The three fish bag limit for hatchery coho remains in effect. Anglers should use spinners fished well off the bottom to avoid hooking chinook. Many hatchery coho may be staging in the north fork tidewater, and some fish have moved upstream. Forecasted rains should move many fish upstream in the north fork up to the hatchery. (Note: The entire Nehalem Basin is closed to chinook angling for the remainder of 2009). Crabbing in Nehalem Bay slowed during the recent big tides, but has improved again as the tides slow down. Local marinas on the lower bay and in Wheeler have boats and equipment available for crabbing and fishing.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: chinook, steelhead, cutthroat trout

Summer steelhead angling is slow. Forecasted rains should raise river levels and angling should improve. Angling for cutthroat trout should be fair to good, with fish available from tidewater on upstream. Try trolling or casting spinners or streamer type flies, especially near banks with wood or other cover. A few chinook are being caught throughout tidewater, including on the Little Nestucca. Trolling herring near the mouth of the bay or fishing with bobber and eggs in upper tidewater are productive techniques.

SALMON RIVER: chinook salmon, cutthroat trout

Some fall rains have started and this should help move more fish into the river. Fresh fall chinook should continue to move in through the bay up into the lower river this week and improving angling. The best success in tide water is on an incoming tide or during the morning or evening hours above tide water. Bait and bobber tactics or casting spinners or spoons from the bank can be effective. Anglers are also catching coho salmon but ONLY adipose fin-clipped coho may be retained. Sea run and resident cutthroat trout angling is fair to good through out the basin. Good returns of sea run cutthroat trout have been observed this year. Anglers should concentrate in upper tidewater and the lower river. The cutthroat trout season remains open through October.

SILETZ RIVER: summer steelhead, cutthroat trout, chinook salmon

The first good fall rains have begun. This will activate the summer steelhead fishery in the upper river as well as the cutthroat trout fishery. Angling should be fair to good this week. Anglers are reminded that there are access restrictions in the gorge road upstream from Moonshine Park on weekdays due to heavy logging traffic.

A rise in the river level will move holding fall chinook above tide water and into some spawning grounds this week. Anglers are reminded that the Chinook angling deadline has been lowered to Morgan Park and are asked to not target or harass spawning chinook. Some coho salmon are also being caught but anglers are reminded that ONLY adipose fin-clipped coho (adult or jack) may be retained.

SIUSLAW RIVER: chinook salmon, cutthroat trout

Fall chinook anglers are having better success this week as fall rains have helped to move more fish into the bay and up into the lower river. Anglers are reminded to review the 2009 temporary rules prior to fishing. Good success is coming during the incoming tide through the slack period. Trolling herring or lures in lower to mid tidewater on the incoming tide can be productive as well as bait and bobber in upper tide water. Anglers are also catching coho salmon but are reminded that ONLY adipose fin-clipped coho (adult or jacks) may be retained. Fishing for resident and sea-run cutthroat trout is fair to good in most of the main stem river.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon, coho, chinook

A few chinook and hatchery coho are being caught, with fish available throughout the bay and tidewater areas. Casting or trolling spinners in the west channel or upper bay or tidewater areas has produced the best for hatchery coho. Forecasted rains will spur most hatchery coho to move upstream. A few chinook are being caught on spinners in the upper bay or by trolling herring in the lower bay or nearshore ocean. A few better bites were reported recently, but angling overall remains only fair. Angling for sturgeon has been slow, but sturgeon are present in the bay and upper tidewater of the Tillamook River. Fishing the upper bay and river tidewaters will help anglers avoid crab and other bait stealers. Crabbing in the lower bay has been good.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead, cutthroat trout, coho, chinook

Summer steelhead angling is slow. Fish are spread up river to the County Park. Try using smaller baits and lighter lines. Look for angling to improve after the first fall rains raise the river. Angling for trout has been fair, with fish available throughout the river. A few hatchery coho moved upstream, and many more should be moving when forecasted rains raise river levels. Fall chinook are available in tidewater areas.

Construction of a new boat slide at the Cedar Creek launch site has been completed and is ready for use. Contact ODFW in Tillamook at 503-842-2741 for details.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead, cutthroat trout, chinook

A few summer steelhead are being caught. Until fall rains raise the river, use light gear and fish early or late to avoid spooking fish. Angling for cutthroat trout has been fair. Sea-runs are available throughout the river. The river is still very low and clear, but forecasted rains should raise river levels. Some fall chinook are available in tidewater areas and should move upstream when the river rises.

YAQUINA RIVER: Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout

Fall chinook angling is improving as recent rains and rise in river levels have helped move more fish into the bay up through tide water. Anglers are having better success fishing the incoming tide through the slack period. Trolling plugs or herring from the LNG tank in the lower bay well into upper tide water can be effective while fish are on the move. Bait and bobber techniques can also be effective in upper tide water when fish are holding.

Resident and sea-run cutthroat trout fishing is fair to good throughout the mainstem Yaquina River and Big Elk Creek. There is very little angling pressure on cutthroat trout during the fall but this can be a very effective time of year. Trolling small lures or drifting bait and bobber near the bank in upper tide water can be effective as well as fly fishing or casting small spinners in the main stem river. This fishery goes through October.

NORTH COAST HUNTING

Check for fire restrictions before you go hunting!

InciWeb

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

OPEN: DEER RIFLE, WATERFOWL (open Oct. 17), TURKEY (opens Oct. 15), FOREST GROUSE, CALIF. QUAIL, COUGAR AND BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.

General DEER rifle season is open (Cascade area closes Oct. 16). The north coast is home to modest populations of black-tailed deer, but the ratios of bucks to does are relatively high, especially in the Wilson Unit. Look for deer early in the morning and late in the evening in clearcuts or other openings. During the middle of the day, stalk-hunting timbered areas or making drives through cover areas is more productive. In general, areas on the eastern slope of the coast range tend to have higher deer numbers than those in the far western side near the coast. When hunting on private industrial forest lands, please be mindful of the company's access policies.

COUGAR and BEAR seasons go through the end of the year on the north coast. Successful hunters, remember you must check in cougar (hide and skull) and bear skull at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest and bring them in unfrozen. It's also a good idea to prop their mouths open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging. See regulations for details.

Both species are most effectively taken by using predator calls, although one can successfully stalk-hunt bear in the early morning and late evening hours, especially in areas with plentiful food supplies, like berries.

DUCK and MERGANSER season opens Oct. 17 on the north coast and goes through the 25th of the month. After a brief break, it reopens on Oct. 28 and goes through January 31, 2010. There are special seasons and/or bag limits on certain species, such as scaup, mallards, pintails redheads and canvasbacks - please check the 2009-10 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for details. In the last week, several thousand early migrating pintails, mallards and widgeon have been seen on Tillamook Bay. Along with the locally produced birds (mainly mallards) the opening weekend should be decent if weather conditions cooperate. Best hunting generally occurs during rainy or stormy weather, which forces birds off of the larger bay waters and into the shallows along edges where hunters have better access to them.

FOREST GROUSE and MOUNTAIN QUAIL appear to be in decent numbers, based on anecdotal observations in recent months, especially for mountain quail. Ruffed grouse occur mainly in mid-slope and riparian areas, whereas blue or sooty grouse are generally only at the highest elevations, such as ridge-tops. Mountain quail prefer brushy clearcuts, especially those on south-facing slopes in the forest. If you harvest a forest grouse, ODFW is interested in getting samples of wings and the tail for studies related to the age structure of the population. Many ODFW offices have wing/tail collection bags available to hunters interested in assisting in this effort. See page 40 in the 2009-10 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for details.

Although CALIFORNIA QUAIL season is open, the north coast has very limited numbers.

NORTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

FISH VIEWING

Cascade Hatchery

There are thousands of coho in Eagle Creek this week. During the fall, you may see chinook and coho salmon spawning. For directions and more information.

Klaskanine Hatchery

There is an excellent chance to see adult fish in shallow clear water in fall. In October, see hatchery fall chinook and coho. There are also some wild coho and steelhead. Salmon can sometimes be seen spawning below the hatchery in the Klaskanine River. The public is welcome to come to the hatchery and talk to staff to find out the best place to view fish. For directions and more information.

Gnat Creek Hatchery

See coho spawn in the creek near the hatchery during October and November as water conditions allow. Year-round expect to see great blue heron, kingfisher, American dippers and songbirds. For directions and more information.

Pelicans

Large numbers of brown pelicans have been converging in localized areas of both Tillamook and Netarts Bays as they prepare to head south. On occasion, flocks of pelicans number in the hundreds, when the conditions are right. Pelicans are still listed under the Endangered Species Act, although their numbers have swelled along this part of the coast. These concentrations are among the highest anywhere in their range.

Jewel Meadows Wildlife Area, Coast Range

Elk breeding is starting to wane as October progresses. Evening viewing should still be best with many viewers staying until just after dark to listen for the few bulls still bugling. In general, the best elk viewing is limited to the early morning and late evening hours, but with fall here elk should be out in the fields longer during daylight. Elk have been visible either along Hwy 202 or Beneke Creek Road regularly. The meadows have been mowed so visitors should be able to easily spot elk when they are out.

Visitors are reminded that areas posted as wildlife refuge are closed to public access and posted portions of the Beneke Tract are closed to entry during any open Saddle Mt. Elk Season.

Newport Area

The trail behind the Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport is a good place to observe shorebirds and waterfowl in the Yaquina estuary.

Tillamook Area

Bird migrations will be ramping up with the onset of fall weather patterns. A number of seldom-seen visitors will pass through the area during their migrations from the far north. Shorebird species, especially, that are not resident to this area will stop on local beaches and estuaries briefly on their way south ? sometimes only for a day or two before continuing their journey. Others, including many waterfowl, swans and egrets, will arrive on the north coast for longer stays. The first flights of migrating ducks, including pintails and widgeon arrived in late September at Tillamook Bay, where they can often be seen along Bayocean Road.

Great egrets are large, white wading birds that are slightly smaller than their cousin, the great blue heron. They have recently returned to Tillamook County, and can often be seen foraging in the southwestern portion of Netarts Bay, along fields adjacent to the lower Tillamook River, and in various parts of Tillamook Bay. The birds typically stay in the area through the winter and into the spring before they disappear to nest in parts unknown.

SOUTHWEST ZONE

Check fire restrictions

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

Closure information for the Umpqua National Forest

FISHING

Weekend opportunities:

* The lower Rogue is still kicking out chinook, coho, and steelhead. Anglers fishing the lower Rogue are picking up fish on anything from spinners, flies or eggs. Rains this week may move a lot of fish out of the lower river and into tributaries or the up river.

* Wild coho are still available on the Coquille River with the best fishing between Bandon and Rocky Point boat ramp.

* Trout anglers should consider the upper Rogue River where fishing has been good.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

The weather has cooled with the approach of fall, and fishing for trout and crappie is improving. Applegate Reservoir is low, but boats should be able to launch at the French Gulch ramp across the dam. Trollers have been working the west side of the lake using size 4 & 6 Panther Martins with either silver or gold blades (depending on weather conditions), and yellow bodies. Smallmouth bass are being caught using 4 and 5-inch plastic baits such as Senkos while fishing points and rock drop-offs. Nightcrawlers may also be a good bet.

APPLEGATE RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout

Anglers may retain up to two adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout per day, with an 8-inch minimum length. Cutthroat trout must be released unharmed, but provide a fun opportunity for catch and release angling.

Applegate River flows at Wilderville

ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout

Located approximately half way between Gold Beach and Port Orford, Arizona Pond is an excellent place to take kids trout fishing. The best time to fish is in the morning or evening when the fish are actively feeding. Flies, spinners, or a worm under a bobber all work really well. Angling is limited to youth 17 and under. The pond level has been lowered for aquatic weed control but remains fishable.

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Ben Irving Reservoir, west of Winston, has been stocked with 4,000 trout. For Labor Day weekend, the reservoir received an additional 1,000 lunker fish which were 1.5 to 2 pounds apiece.

CHETCO RIVER: chinook

Temporary regulations for fall chinook started Aug. 1. Anglers are reminded to check these regulations before fishing the Chetco River as some parts of the river will be closed to fishing. The river above Highway 101 is closed to all fishing until Nov. 7. Chinook fishing has been fair to good in the estuary. Anglers have reported catching a few coho in the estuary, with some being stray hatchery fin clipped coho. Anglers can keep hatchery coho as part of their daily bag limit.

Chetco River flows near Brookings

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Cooper Creek has been stocked with about 9,050 trout to date. For Labor Day weekend Cooper Creek was stocked with an additional 2,000 lunker trout that were 1.5 to 2 pounds each. Fishing for the lunkers has been good recently as the cooler nights cool the water temperatures.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: rainbow trout

Rainbow trout were stocked last week in Empire Lakes, Bradley Lake, Powers Pond and Saunders Lake. Fishing for stocked trout has been excelent. PowerBait, spinners, or casting small streamers with flyfishing gear have been effective techniques for catching trout. Empire Lakes will receive an additional stocking of trophy and legal sized rainbow trout later this month. Bluebill Lake and Butterfield Lake will also be stocked with rainbow trout later this month. The dates for the additional stocking of Empire, Bluebill, and Butterfield lakes are still to be determined.

COOS RIVER BASIN: trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon, Dungeness crab, clams

Trout fishing is open in Coos Bay and the rivers. The use of bait while fishing for trout in streams above tidewater is now allowed. Trout season is open until Oct. 31.

Harvest of fall chinook has been steady but slow this past week in Coos Bay but there are still plenty of fish to be caught. The best places to fish have been in the Coos River, South Fork Coos River, and Coos Bay city boardwalk. Many of the Chinook caught in the South Fork Coos River and mouth of Daniels Creek are dark fish but there are still a few bright fish being harvested in these areas. A few of the bank fishing area are at the Coos Bay City Boardwalk, the mouth of Daniels Creek, and the upper end of Isthmus Slough near the House of Confusion. The 2009 temporary regulations for fall chinook are now in affect until Dec. 31.

The quota has been met for the wild coho fishery in Coos Bay and harvest of wild coho is no longer allowed. Anglers may still retain fin-clipped coho.

Coastal bays along the entire Oregon Coast are now open to recreational mussel and clam harvest. Before any shellfish harvest trip, make sure to check the Oregon Department of Agriculture website for any recent shellfish closures recent shellfish closures at: http://oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml.

Recreational crab harvest inside the bay has been excellent for those with boats and decent for those crabbing from the docks. Red rock crabs are the main harvest at the Charleston and Empire docks but there are also a few legal Dungeness crabs being harvested as well. The best time to crab is a few hours before high tide and the preferred baits to use are fish, chicken, or turkey legs.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: trout, fall chinook salmon, coho

Trout fishing is open in the Coquille estuary and rivers. The use of bait while fishing for trout in streams above tidewater is now allowed. Trout season is open until Oct. 31.

Fall chinook fishing has picked up a little this past week but over all fishing is slow. The mouth of Sevenmile Creek is a very good place to fish from the bank. The 2009 temporary regulations for fall chinook are now in affect until Dec. 31.

There is a wild coho fishery in the Coquille River that opened Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30 or until a quota of 1,500 wild coho has been caught. The limit on wild coho is one non-fin clipped coho per day and a total of five non-fin clipped coho for the season. See the 2009 temporary regulations for more details.

Fishing for wild coho has been steady this past week. The best fishing for wild coho has been between Bandon and Rocky Point Boat Ramp. There a lots of coho jumping throughout the lower river but only a few coho have been willing to bite.

Wild coho harvest estimates for the Coquille (pdf)

DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout

Recently quite a few of the fingerlings have been caught; most of these fish are now 8 to 10 inches long and very plump. Spinners have been working well for both the now-legal fingerlings and some of the larger 18-inch-long trout. A prize fish may still be available from last week's Kokanee Power Derby. If an angler catches a floy tagged fish, know the tag number and call the number listed on the tag for additional information. For additional fishing information, Call Diamond Lake Resort (800) 733-7593 or check their fishing report online. Diamond Lake is open to fishing through Oct. 31.

ELK/SIXES RIVER: chinook

Temporary regulations for fall chinook start Aug. 1. Anglers are reminded to check these regulations before fishing the Elk or Sixes River. Chinook fishing should kick off toward the middle part of October.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie

Trout fishing has improved off the bank using worms, but you have to cast into deeper water. Smallmouth bass fishing has been good with a few largemouth mixed in. For smallmouth, try small lures or plugs against rocky banks near drop offs. Nightcrawlers may also be a good bet. Perch fishing has been good for 6-8 inchers in the west arm. They are going after everything, worms, eggs, small plastic grubs, jigs, and even bass lures.

Anglers should be aware that a health advisory has been issued recommending limits on consumption of all fish from Emigrant except rainbow trout. Information on the Emigrant Reservoir advisory, along with general information on mercury and fish can be found on the DHS Web site.

EXPO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill

Trout fishing has been fair, with worms, PowerBait and spinners all catching fish. Fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie has been good.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout

Trolling for rainbow trout, both legal and trophy-sized fish, has been most productive in the deeper water in the middle of the lake. Still fishing has been fair while anchored near the dam, using eggs, worms, or PowerBait below bobbers. An angler trolling a wedding ring/worm combination behind a medium split shot caught a limit of 10-13 inch rainbow trout near the resort on Saturday morning. Casting flies also produced fish on Saturday. Good numbers of trout were observed jumping at the resort end of the lake. The resort owners report seeing good catches of 15-20 inch fish also. Nine hundred trophy-size rainbows were stocked in Fish Lake last week. Also try the North Fork of Little Butte Creek for brook trout just below the outflow of Fish Lake.

FLORAS LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout

The lake is located a few miles south of Langlois. Bank access is limited, but there is a boat ramp at Boice Cope County Park. Fly fishing or slow trolling wedding ring spinners can work really well. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather as it can be very windy.

GALESVILLE RESERVIOR: rainbow trout, bass

Galesville Reservoir is open to angling year-round. The reservoir was stocked in 2008 with about 55,000 adipose-clipped hatchery coho. In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon are considered trout. Thus, there is a five per day trout limit, with only one trout over 20 inches in length allowed for harvest. About 8,000 trout have been stocked in 2009. Some fingerlings were stocked recently, so be sure to release trout under 8 inches long. Angling from the bank and from a boat has been slow to fair for 11 to 13-inch coho. Anglers are reminded all bass between 12 and 15 inches must be released, and only one bass over 15 inches may be taken per day. Galesville now has a campground.

GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bass

The best way to fish is by boat, but there is some bank access at the State Park or ODFW's access site on 12th street. Weed growth is making bank fishing tough. Fly fishing or slow trolling wedding ring spinners are regular producers for trout. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather, as the lake can be very windy.

HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE OF THE WOODS: trout

These two Umpqua basin lakes which occur up Little River out of Glide, have both been stocked this year. Hemlock received about 6,000 legal sized trout, plus some fingerlings. Lake of the Woods received about 1,000 legal sized trout plus some fingerlings. Harvest of legal trout has been slow; however, the Hemlock Lake received about 1,500 lunker trout just before Labor Day weekend while Lake of the Woods received about 50 lunker trout. These trout were over 1 pound each.

HERBERT'S POND: rainbow trout, warmwater fish

Herbert's Pond is a small pond just east of Canyonville on Tiller Highway. The pond has a good warm water fishery for kids including bluegill, crappie, and bass. The pond has very good bank access. Angling is slow.

HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: trout, bass

With the first major cooling period of the fall, surface water temperatures have dropped. Pressure is down from the summer months, and most people are fishing for trout. Boat anglers have done well, averaging over one trout per hour. Most boats are trolling wedding rings and worms, lures, rapalas, and ford fenders with worms or spinners. Bank anglers have been less successful but are still picking up some fish. Large and smallmouth bass are also available, but catch is expected to decline as water temperatures decrease.

HYATT RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Trollers have been staying near the campgrounds and fishing PowerBait and worms outside weed lines for trout. Try trolling near the weed beds in the mornings or evenings.

Hyatt Lake has an abundance of largemouth bass, and fishing for them has been excellent. Lots of small 8-inch bass are being caught using 6-inch plastic worms in green and browns. They are also being caught on red PowerBait and lures near the BLM campground and the Orchard. Although small, they offer the opportunity to catch a lot of fish. This makes Hyatt Lake a good destination for beginning anglers. The orchard has been better for larger bass.

ILLINOIS RIVER: trout

Resident trout are available for catch-and-release angling using artificial flies and lures only.

Illinois River flows at Kerby

LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout

Lake Marie is at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park near Winchester. About 4,000 trout have been stocked this year. Fishing with PowerBait has been successful recently. Lake Marie received about 400 lunker trout just before Labor Day weekend. These fish were over 1 pound each.

LAKE SELMAC: trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie

Trout fishing has been fair on worms and PowerBait. Casting and retrieving or trolling lures or flies has also been effective. Fishing for largemouth bass and panfish has been good. Evening and night fishing has been best for large bass. Use dark color baits that have a lot of vibration. Brown bullheads have been caught in the coves using catfish pellets or dough balls. Crappie and bluegill are holding near the fishing docks. Bluegill and crappie can be caught by suspending a worm or jig under a bobber. If bank fishing, there are a lot of weeds, so plan on using a heavy weight to cast your baits into the clearer water.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

Lemolo was stocked with about 30,000 rainbow trout this year. Angling for rainbows has been good recently while fishing has been moderate for brown trout. As the water temperatures cool, the brown trout fishery should improve even more. Lemolo should offer excellent an excellent opportunity for rainbow and brown trout fishing this fall. Lemolo will be open for fishing through Oct. 31.

LOON LAKE: rainbow trout, bass

Loon Lake was stocked with 8,000 trout so far in 2009. The lake was also stocked with some fingerlings so anglers should remember to release trout less than 8 inches long.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

Trout fishing has been good in the upper arm of the lake with many boat anglers obtaining limits. PowerBait, trolling worms, and salmon eggs all produced fish. Bank anglers should do well using PowerBait. Smallmouth bass fishing has also been good.

On Sept. 18, the Oregon Department of Human Services issued a blue green advisory on Lost Creek Reservoir. To find out more about the advisory and recommended precautions, please go to the DHS Web site.

MEDCO POND: rainbow trout, bass, panfish

Trout fishing has been fair. Fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill has been good. Fishing a worm just off the bottom, casting lures, and trolling have all been productive technique.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, Dungeness crab

When the ocean has been "calm" fishing for rockfish, greenling and lingcod has been good. Fishing from shore for rockfish and greenling has been decent. Concentrate your fishing near rocky outcroppings and drop-offs.

Crab harvest for Dungeness crabs in the ocean has been excellent. The ocean will be closed for Dungeness crab harvest from Oct. 16- Nov. 30.

PLAT I RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, warmwater game fish

Bass fishing at Plat I is now open to harvest. The limit is 5 per day with only 3 over 15 inches per day. Plat I has been stocked with 4,500 trout to date.

REINHART POND: rainbow trout, warm water fish

Trout fishing has been fair. Anglers should try fishing with nightcrawlers or casting small spinners or spoons. Fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill has been good.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: chinook, summer steelhead, half-pounders, coho

The Rogue is still kicking out chinook, coho, and steelhead. Anglers fishing the lower Rogue are picking up fish on anything from spinners, flies or eggs. The mouth of Indian Creek is the hot spot for chinook and coho in the estuary. Trolling anchovies or even fly fishing are two good methods this time of year. Anglers will want to keep an eye on the weather and river flows. Rains this week may move a lot of fish out of the lower river and into tributaries or the up river.

On an annual basis ODFW seines the Rogue River at Huntley Park (approximately 8 miles upstream of highway 101) from July 15 to Oct. 31 to monitor salmon and steelhead migrating upstream. Anglers wanting to fish the Rogue will find this information valuable in planning when to fish. ODFW will post this information every two weeks starting July 31. Click here to see the most current counts.

Emergency regulations (pdf) are in effect for the Rogue River.

Rogue River flows

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: chinook salmon, steelhead

Beginning Oct. 1, the Rogue River between Hog Creek and Gold Ray Dam is closed to chinook angling. Steelhead fishing is improving with fish being caught in the Grants Pass area on nightcrawlers and globugs. Steelhead fishing should improve as more salmon move onto their redds. At this time easy eggs or other egg patterns work well. The flow at Grants Pass on Oct. 12 was 1,260 cfs.

Anglers wishing to navigate the river at Savage Rapids Dam should use extreme caution. Changing and unpredictable conditions in the new navigable channel make the river potentially dangerous at this location. Boat and wade with caution. Accidents have recently occurred.

Emergency regulations (pdf) are in effect for the Rogue River. Beginning Aug. 1, the Rogue River between Hog Creek and Gold Ray is open to harvest of adult non adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon. The bag limit is two adult salmon or steelhead per day, 20 per year, of which only 10 may be non adipose fin-clipped chinook.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: steelhead

As of Oct. 5, 4,467 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam. Some steelhead are being caught, pressure is moderate. Copper johns and bead headed princes are working well. Egg patterns are not working well yet. Try this pattern more when salmon are on their redds. Fish riffles and runs on or near the bottom with weighted flies. Swinging flies may also produce fish in mornings and evenings. Only adipose fin-clipped fish may be harvested.

On Oct. 12, the flow out of William Jess (Lost Creek) Dam was 1050 cfs. On Oct. 12, the flow at Gold Ray Dam was 1,230 cfs. Trout fishing has been good. Anglers should try using flies or small lures. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be retained.

ROGUE RIVER, ABOVE LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will not stock the Rogue above Prospect this week. However, there are likely some stocked rainbows still available as pressure has been light the past few weeks. A few brook trout and some browns are also available. Try worms, eggs and wooly bugger flies.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout

Soda Springs Reservoir and the tributaries upstream of Soda Springs are open to trout angling. There is no limit on brook trout taken in addition to catch limits for other trout. Fishing has been fair for browns.

SMITH RIVER: striped bass, trout, fall chinook, steelhead

Open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead from mouth to Spencer Creek and North Fork from mouth upstream to Johnson Creek. Open for chinook salmon to Spencer creek. Chinook harvest will be limited to one non fin-clipped chinook per day, five per season. Trout season closes starting Sept. 16 for Smith River and its tributaries. Striped bass season is open year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. The North Fork is open from mouth to Johnson Creek for stripers. On Aug. 1 the North Fork will close to chinook angling as the emergency sport fishing regulations take effect.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: trout

Trout season in the Umpqua tributaries, Smith River, South Umpqua, North Umpqua tributaries below Soda Springs Reservoir and Cow Creek basins closed Sept. 16. The mainstem Umpqua and mainstem North Umpqua to Soda Springs Dam are open year-round for catch and release trout.

TENMILE LAKES:

On Sept. 18, the Oregon Department of Human Services issued a blue green advisory on Tenmile Lakes. To find out more about the advisory and recommended precautions, please go to the DHS Web site.

TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout

Fishing is open in Toketee year-round, and the best fishing occurs early in the morning or late eventing on insect patterns. The lake has both good bank and boat access throughout.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon, bass, chinook

Both sturgeon and striped bass fishing have been slow in the lower Umpqua. Crabbing has been good lately. Emergency sport fishing regulations take effect Aug.1. For the Umpqua, chinook harvest will be limited to one non fin-clipped adult chinook per day, five per season. Coho harvest will be for fin-clipped only. Coho have entered the Umpqua and some have already moved above Elkton. The Umpqua has a hatchery program for coho and anticipates that several thousand fin-clipped coho will return this year. Chinook are moving upstream, but some are still available at Winchester Bay and the lower estuary. Bank anglers using spinners are fishing for salmon at Half Moon Bay, Osprey Point and Salmon Harbor. Note the local STEP program is gathering information about salmon fishing in the Winchester Bay area. Please check the fish cleaning stations to fill out a survey card regarding your experience. Some chinook have already been caught near Roseburg. A rain should get both the chinook and coho moving.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

Clearwater Forebay #2 has been stocked with over 4,000 trout this year. Other high lakes including Maidu, Bull Pup, Connie, Skookum (N. Umpqua), Calamut, Fuller, Wolf, Cliff, Buckeye, Linda, and Big Twin Lakes were stocked with fingerling brook trout in 2008. Brook trout stocked in 2008 are about 6-10 inches now in most lakes. In 2009, all lakes were again stocked with brook trout except Linda and Calamut which were stocked with rainbow trout fingerlings. These high lakes will remain open until snow closes the roads.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: steelhead, spring chinook, smallmouth bass

Umpqua Basin Note:

Due to high mortality of hatchery steelhead, smolt releases in 2007 were much lower than normal. Consequently, fewer hatchery steelhead will be returning to the Umpqua basin. Angling opportunity and catch rates throughout the basin will still be good due to the strong wild steelhead population, however only hatchery steelhead can be harvested.

Mainstem:

Remember the main stem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Small mouth fishing has slowed with the cooler water temperatures. Both coho and Chinook have been on the move and can be found up to River Forks. The first coho have already crossed Winchester Dam.

Umpqua River flows near Elkton

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, chinook

As of mid-September, over 14,000 spring chinook and 4,450 summer steelhead have crossed Winchester Dam. Due to production problems in 2007, the hatchery steelhead numbers are lower than normal. Fishing in the North Umpqua for chinook is closed. Summer steelhead angling is slow. Remember that only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested on the North Umpqua. The North is open to catch-and-release trout fishing from the mouth upstream to Soda Springs Dam. Some coho have already passed Winchester Dam. The North Umpqua hatchery coho program was discontinued in 2005. However, the North Umpqua is open to angling for hatchery coho since it is open to steelhead fishing. Last year out of over 4,000 coho passing Winchester Dam, fewer than 6% were fin-clipped hatchery fish.

North Umpqua River water levels at Winchester Dam

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH:

Closed to all angling until Dec. 1

South Umpqua River water levels near Riddle

WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bullhead

The lake level is low and fishing for trout is picking up. Anglers should try using floating bait or worms. Casting or trolling lures or flies can also be effective. Fishing for bass and crappie has been good.

WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon, coho, chinook

Fishing for sturgeon is slow. Crabbing has been good lately. Some Chinook and coho are still in Winchester Bay and anglers are bank fishing from Half Moon Bay, Osprey Point and Salmon Harbor. Note the local STEP program is gathering information about salmon fishing in the Winchester Bay area. Please check the fish cleaning stations to fill out a survey card regarding your experience.

WINCHUCK RIVER:

Closed to chinook fishing until Dec. 31.

OREGON COAST CLOSED TO CLAMMING

Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

Razor clams and current status of particular areas

Crabbing has been good. Crabbing from public docks or boat if available is a great opportunity for families to catch a delicious dinner. Kids often enjoy sorting out the smaller crab that can be abundant. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.

Clamming. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has opened coastal bays along the Oregon Coast to recreational mussel and clam harvest. Before any shellfish harvest trip, make sure to check the Oregon Department of Agriculture website for any recent shellfish closures recent shellfish closures at: http://oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml.

ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

* Razor clams and current status of particular areas

* Bay clams

* ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

SOUTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

Weather has lessened fire restrictions but still check before you hunting!

InciWeb

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

OPEN: CASCADE ELK (Oct. 17-23), WATERFOWL (opens Oct. 17), FALL TURKEY (opens Oct. 15) WESTERN OREGON RIFLE DEER (Cascade area closed Oct. 17-23), FOREST GROUSE, CALIF. QUAIL, COUGAR and BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.

ODFW offices closed Oct. 16: Exchange Cascade bull elk tag by Oct. 15!

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Western Oregon buck DEER rifle season is closed Oct. 17 - 23 in Dixon, Indigo and Evans Cr. units in Douglas County. Coast units Melrose, Siuslaw, Tioga and Powers continue to be open in Douglas County for General Western Oregon Buck rifle season. Many of the controlled doe seasons are open from Oct. 24 - Nov. 6 in Douglas County.

Cascade ELK rifle season is open Oct. 17 - 23. Elk populations are similar to last year so this hunting year will be average. Hunters should find elk widely scattered, and good numbers can be found in dense conifer stands. Elk numbers are good in both the Dixon and S. Indigo units.

General BEAR season is now open. Hunters can expect an average year. Hunters should concentrate their efforts in the berry patches in early morning and late afternoon. Bear numbers are good with the highest numbers in the coast range. Successful bear hunters are reminded there is a mandatory check-in for all harvested bear within 10 days of harvest (see regulations for details).

COUGAR season is open. Hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant and wildly distributed. Hunting success is best around high deer population areas using a predator call.

WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL season is currently open. Hunters can expect an average year. Squirrels are widely distributed throughout the county with good numbers in areas of oaks and conifers. Many areas of high squirrel populations are on private lands so hunters are reminded to ask for permission on these lands before hunting.

UPLAND GAMEBIRDS:

Grouse & Quail - Hunters can expect an average hunt year. The season is currently open.

Hunting availability and success for forest grouse and quail should be good this year. Blue grouse success is best in mid to high elevations of the Cascades in partly open conifer stands. Ruffed grouse can be found near creeks mostly at mid elevations of both the Cascades and Coast Range. Hunters that kill grouse are asked to drop off in a paper bag the frozen wing and tail of each grouse at the local ODFW office. Please use 1 bird per bag with each frozen bag of grouse parts including the species, sex, age, unit and general area of harvest for proper analysis.

Success is best in the lower elevation agricultural lands for California quail and mid-elevations of the Cascades and Coast Range near brushy clear cuts on secondary forest roads for Mountain quail. Hunters are also asked if they kill a mountain quail to drop off in a paper bag the frozen wing and tail of each mountain quail at the local ODFW office. Please use 1 bird per bag with each frozen bag of mountain quail parts including the species, sex, age, unit and general area of harvest for proper analysis.

The FALL TURKEY season is from Oct. 15 - Dec. 31. Hunters can expect an above average year. The 2009 summer chick counts showed average production this year. Most turkeys are on or adjacent to low-mid elevation private lands associated with oak savannah habitat. Hunters are asked if they kill a turkey to drop off the crop of each turkey in a paper bag with harvest details (date, location of harvest, sex of turkey) at the local ODFW office.

MIGRATORY GAMEBIRDS:

CROW season is currently open. Hunters can expect an average year. Crow are abundant and widely distributed on the Umpqua Valley floor. Hunting crow is a challenge with most being on or adjacent to private lands.

WATERFOWL:

Duck & Goose hunters can expect an average to above-average year. The season opens for ducks, geese, snipe and coot on Oct. 17. Local duck production is historically good but small so a fair number of local ducks are available now with improved opportunity as the fall migrating ducks arrive later in the season. Hunting for resident geese in Douglas County should be very good because of an excellent production again this year. Nearly all waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley is on private property and hunters should obtain landowner permission before hunting.

COOS COUNTY

Most WATERFOWL seasons will open Oct.17. However scaup will not open until Nov. 17. Many birds have moved into the coastal bays in the past few weeks. Hunters should find good numbers of ducks working the mud flats and flooded grassy areas in local bays. Most hunters do best by hunting the incoming or outgoing tides since the birds often move with the tides.

RIFLE DEER season is open and the Coast season continues through Nov. 6. Deer will become most active during rain and shortly afterwards, as weather fronts pass. Walking roads closed to motor vehicles and glassing clear cuts will be most effective.

FOREST GROUSE and MOUNTAIN QUAIL seasons are open. Hunters have been doing quite well recently hunting closed roads and ridge tops. As fall progresses and deciduous leaves fall from trees visibility will improve and hunters will find better success hunting creek bottoms. Hunters are asked to save one wing and tails of grouse they kill and turn these in to ODFW offices. These are used to determine sex, age and species of birds they kill, which provides important management information.

General BEAR and COUGAR is open. Cougar are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Bear are also plentiful. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar or bear in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging. Reports indicate bears are quite active. As fall progresses bears become increasingly desperate for food as they try to put on fat to get them through winter. Hunters may find success hunting black berry patches where the last few berries are available. Other successful means of hunting them include setting up a stand in areas where evergreen huckleberries are abundant or hunting with predator calls.

COYOTE populations are good in Coos County and they will respond to calls. However, calling coyotes on the coast range is challenging due to brush. Since specific license and tag requirements exist for hunting some of these animals new hunters should contact local ODFW offices to learn more about hunting these animals before they start.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES

DEER rifle season is open until Oct 16 and will reopen Oct 24 for the Cascade units (Rogue, Evans, and Dixon). Coast season will remain open (Applegate) through Nov 6. With the wet conditions of opening weekend a big portion of deer have migrated down although more will trickle for the next three or so weeks. When deer season reopens lower elevation will be the best areas to find deer.

ELK rifle season opens Oct 17 thru 23. From our spring elk surveys we had good bull ratios. This season should be average with a slight chance of higher success with the possible weather conditions during the hunting season. The wet weather will make the forest quieter and will allow hunter to distinguish fresh tracks from old tracks. Reminder the Green dot road closer will be in effect beginning Oct 14.

WATERFOWL opens Oct 17. Duck and Goose hunting this year will be average. Weather will have a big factor in hunter success. Storms can bring in migrating birds. Denman Wildlife Area fields will be flooded when rain provides enough water to flood. Many ponds exist in the Rogue valley although most are on private lands; hunters need to ask for permission.

UPLAND GAME BIRDS season are open. Both mountain quail and forest grouse numbers appear to be average with hunters expecting to have a fair harvest. With the spring showers that caused many to loose there brood most were able to re-nest. Forest grouse can be found in timbered creek draws and mountain quail will be found in brushy clear cuts near water. A good bird dog will aid greatly in bird retrieval.

PHEASANT state wide season will run thru the end of the year. Rogue Valley has low numbers of pheasants; the pheasant that do exist are found on private lands so you will need permission to hunt.

BEAR season is currently open. Hunters can expect to have an average year. Bear numbers appear to be abundant. The best times to look for bears are in the early morning and late evenings. Successful bear hunters are reminded there is a mandatory check-in for all harvested bear within 10 days of harvest (see regulations for details). Hunters need to remember that in order to be hunting bear during the Cascade bull elk firearm season they need to have a valid unused elk tag while in that area. In other words as soon as the elk tag is filled hunters are no longer allowed to hunt bears until elk season is over.

COUGAR general season is open. Due to the nature of cougars, hunters find it hard to locate cougars without locating prey animals and the use of predator calls. Locate major ridge lines where cougars travel looking for deer. Hunters are also reminded that they must bring their cougar into an ODFW office within 10 days to be checked and tagged, refer to regulations for details. Hunters cannot hunt cougars during the Cascade bull elk firearm season unless they have a valid unused elk tag while in that area. When the elk tag is filled hunters are no longer allowed to hunt cougars until elk season is over.

COYOTES are abundant in our area. Hunter can find coyotes around meadows where ground squirrels are found. Predator calls are very useful when used in conjunction to known prey base.

WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL is open in all of our units; refer to regulations for more detail. Much of our area has high numbers of squirrels. This is a great animal to hunt for first time hunters.

SOUTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

FISH VIEWING

Rock Creek Hatchery

Spring chinook spawn here September through November. The best viewing place at the hatchery is from a deck located on Rock Creek. For directions and more information.

Fish Passage, Douglas County

Coho Salmon are now migrating upstream and passing through Winchester dam fish ladder on the N. Umpqua River which is open to the public. The best time to view fish movement is from noon to 6pm. To view the migrating fish go to exit 129 on I-5, proceed southeast on 99 to the fish ladder on the north side of the river.

Fish Spawning, Douglas County

Each year there is opportunity to observe wild Fall Chinook spawning along the South Umpqua River and lower portion of Cow Creek. The South Umpqua has a large run of Fall Chinook so look for them spawning on the major gravel bars from Roseburg to Canyonville and on Cow Creek from Riddle to Byers.

Coos County

Loons and other birds that winter in or around the coastal bays are beginning to move into the area. Opportunities to see these migrants can be found at many locations near all local bays. A few include Bandon Marsh US Fish and Wildlife Refuge located on the lower Coquille River, South Slough Nations Estuarine Research Reserve, located near Charleston and locations near Winchester Bay located along the lower Umpqua River.

Migratory ducks and geese are beginning to appear in and around local bays. The number of birds present locally will increase rapidly as October approaches. As the first fall rain storms move onto the coast from the Pacific Ocean, observers will notice groups of migratory geese moving south along the coast. Many of these are Aleutian cackling Canada geese. These birds are destined for the central valleys of California. Generally, they take a direct rout from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to California, staying over the ocean for the whole trip. However, when storms approach the coast some of them will move closer to shore during their migration giving people who live near the coast or are here visiting an opportunity to see them.

Shorebirds are common around local bays at low tide. Many of these migrants will move to wintering areas early in the fall. This is a great time to view large groups of western sandpipers and other small shorebirds which are sometimes seen in mixed groups.

Douglas County

Bird Migration

Many species of birds are starting their southward migration so look for species congregating at roosts and feeders or in the air just before or during migration. Some migratory species to watch are: ospreys, turkey vultures, swifts, swallows, cedar waxwings, and some species of flycatchers, warblers, finches and shorebirds.

Migratory Waterfowl have been observed throughout the Umpqua Valley migrating south for the fall/winter. Look for the migratory ducks and geese at local ponds and reservoirs.

Hummingbirds

People are encouraged to take down their hummingbird feeders in October to encourage natural migration of a summer hummers.

Josephine, Jackson Counties

ODFW Denman Wildlife Area, Central Point

Hunting season has started on the Denman Wildlife Area. It is encouraged for other recreational users to wear bright orange or other bright colored clothing and to stick to the trail systems.

Take one of two trails off of Touvelle Road and enjoy bird watching and sightseeing. Below the fourth pond and to the north, you will find the newly-built horse trail that provides great views of the Upper Table Rock and opportunities to see birds that live in oak trees, wedge leaf ceanothus and areas of riparian vegetation along the Little Butte Creek.

Another trail exists on the south side Touvelle. This is set aside as our interruptive trail for hikers. Visitors can come to the ODFW office to get a pamphlet that describes the wildlife and vegetation found along the path, which runs through oak trees and areas of riparian along ponds and along the Rogue River.

Many people are visiting the area for fishing opportunities-bass, blue gills and bull head cat fish are being caught. Carp are seen in the shallows spawning during early mornings at this time of the year.

Ken Denman Wildlife Area: 1495 E. Gregory Road, Central Point, (541) 826-8774.

From I-5: Take exit 33 at Central Point. Travel east on Pine Street to Table Rock Road. Turn left (north) on Table Rock Road to E. Gregory Road. Turn left at the wildlife area headquarters sign.

From Hwy. 62: Turn onto Agate Road. Take the first left (E. Gregory Road). Proceed one mile to the wildlife area. For more information about the wildlife area, visit ODFW's Web site.

Check fire restrictions

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Antelope Flat Reservoir and Walson Lake will close Oct. 18 for chemical treatment to remove illegally introduced bullhead catfish.

* With the arrival of cooler fall temperatures, fishing has picked up at several of the high Cascade lakes.

* The Deschutes River is crawling with anglers for good reason - steelhead fishing has been very good. Even trout anglers are getting their share with big mayfly hatches bringing trout to the surface.

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bullhead catfish

There are no daily catch limits, possession limits, or minimum length requirements for rainbow trout and bullhead catfish on Antelope Flat Reservoir from Sept. 1 through Oct. 18, 2009. Harvest is allowed by hand, dip net, or angling. The reservoir will close after Oct. 18, 2009 when it is scheduled for chemical treatment to remove illegally introduced bullhead catfish. Bullhead catfish populations have stunted, degraded water quality, and reduced success for trout anglers.

BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout

Fishing has picked up with the advent of cooler temperatures. Big Lava is a great place to catch nice rainbow trout ranging from 12 to 20 inches in length.

CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass

With the advent of cooler water temperatures fishing for both redband and brook trout should be improving.

Please note new angling regulation specifying the daily trout bag may only include one non-fin-clipped rainbow trout per day. Crane is a great place to catch larger rainbow trout, though the novice angler will require patience.

CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout

Clear Lake has been stocked with lots of fish and should be a great opportunity to catch a limit.

CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee

With cooler temperatures there should be good opportunities for some kokanee and brown trout.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish

Flows are slightly lower than they were over the summer (165 cfs) and they will be lowered to winter levels the week of Oct. 12. However, fishing is good will likely rebound quickly after flows are lowered. With cool winter temperature approaching, anglers are encouraged to use caution when wading on the slick rocks of the Crooked.

All anglers should visit informational kiosks located in the BLM campgrounds in the Wild and Scenic portion of the river where a flier has been posted to assist anglers in collecting valuable information. ODFW and OSU initiated a radio telemetry study on redband trout and whitefish in the fall of 2007. ODFW and OSU deployed new radio-tags in early October in fish caught by dedicated volunteer anglers from the Central Oregon Fly Fishers, Sunriver Anglers, ODFW, and OSU. Anglers are reminded that radio-tagged fish cannot be legally harvested. To determine if a fish is radio-tagged, anglers should check for an eight-inch wire antenna protruding from the rear of both redband and mountain whitefish. A sample of redband trout and mountain whitefish are also tagged with a numbered floy tag protruding from the back. Anglers who later catch a trout or whitefish with a floy tag are encouraged to release the fish after recording the tag number, fish length and location caught. Anglers can send the information to ODFW at (541) 447-5111 ext. 24 or michael.r.harrington@state.or.us.

CULTUS LAKE: lake trout, rainbow trout

Pressure has been light: no angler reports.

DAVIS LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass

Cooler temperatures should improve trout fishing, and there's still good opportunity for largemouth bass. Remember Davis is a fly angling lake only.

DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout

Mouth to Warm Springs: steelhead, trout, fall chinook (mouth to Sherars Falls)

Excellent fishing was reported from the mouth upstream to the Sherars Falls area. Some reports of good success on steelhead upstream from Sherars Falls are beginning to show up. Anglers are reporting good success on both flies and lures. Anglers should be aware that predicted returning hot weather conditions may increase turbidity.

Angling for steelhead and chinook salmon in Sherars Falls has improved, with several large chinook and many steelhead reported in the catch.

Anglers can check the trap catch at Sherars Falls as an indicator of fish movement in the Deschutes at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/fish_counts/sherars_falls/index.asp.

Trout anglers are reporting good fishing on caddis hatches. Look for some morning hatches and big evening hatches. Mayfly hatches also have been good, particularly on overcast days.

Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout

No recent reports. The flows are now well-suited for fishing. This reach of the Deschutes provides good spring angling opportunity for brown trout and redband trout.

Benham Falls to Wickiup Reservoir: brown trout, rainbow trout

Reports of fair success for brown trout and rainbow trout. No reports from the past weekend.

Wickiup Reservoir to Crane Prairie Reservoir: rainbow trout, brown trout

Closed to angling for the remainder of the year beginning Sept. 1.

Crane Prairie Reservoir to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brook trout

Closes to fishing after Sept. 30.

EAST LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, Atlantic salmon

Anglers are still finding fair success for rainbow trout and brown trout.

ELK LAKE: kokanee, brook trout

No recent reports.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout

Recent reports from a couple of experienced angler types indicate that the angling has been slow fair with a few nice fish being caught. Despite the warmer temperatures and increased insect hatches it appears that nymphing is still the most productive method for catching fish. River water temperatures are generally in the 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit range. This is a popular spring fishery for fly-fishers.

FROG LAKE:

No recent reports.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

All fishing has been consistent. Anglers have reported catching large bass and trout at the inlet of the lake recently.

On Sept. 18, the Oregon Department of Human Services issued a blue green advisory on Haystack Reservoir. To find out more about the advisory and recommended precautions, please go to the DHS Web site.

HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead

Glacial flow from Mt. Hood has made visibility low.

Find out how many fish are being captured at the Powerdale Dam trap.

HORSESHOE LAKE: rainbow trout

Horseshoe has been recently stocked and should offer good opportunity for legal and trophy-sized trout.

HOSMER LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brook trout

Some reports of Atlantic salmon being caught. Remember, it's catch-and-release fishing for Atlantic salmon.

KINGSLEY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Along with earlier stocking of legal trout, Kingsley has received many excess summer steelhead that have returned to the Hood River.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass

Fishing is average for this time of year. Kokanee bag limit is five fish per day, included in the trout daily bag limit. Anglers should consult 2009 Sport Fishing Regulations for new angling regulations on Lake Billy Chinook.

LAURANCE LAKE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Laurance Lake has been recently stocked and should offer good opportunity for legal and trophy-sized trout.

LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

No recent reports.

METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout

Some recent reports of good success. The warmer temperatures continue to make for good hatches.

NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout

Fishing should improved with the arrival of cool fall temperatures. Good beaches, good wind protection and good numbers of stocked rainbow trout are North Twin positives.

OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout

Bait fishing is now allowed. Five trout per day, 8-inch minimum length.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Anglers continue to report occasional catches of large fish.

ODELL LAKE: kokanee, rainbow trout, lake trout

The fishing at Odell has been fair. Please note that all bull trout must be released unharmed.

OLLALIE LAKE: rainbow trout

The lake has been stocked and should offer a great opportunity to catch lots of trout.

PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Fishing for brown trout and kokanee remains good. Rainbow trout fishing is fair.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

No recent reports.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, bass

Trout fishing should improve as temperatures cool and fishing for warmwater species is excellent. Anglers should note an error in the 2009 fishing regulations for Prineville Reservoir (p. 63). The CORRECT regulation is: largemouth and smallmouth bass, 15 in. MAXIMUM length, only one of which may be a largemouth.

PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: Rainbow trout and largemouth bass

Rainbow trout were stocked in the Prineville youth pone on Sept. 29, and fishing is excellent. The Prineville Youth Fishing Pond is open to children 14 and younger with a bag limit of five fish.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Rock Creek Reservoir has extremely low water due to irrigation withdrawals.

SOUTH TWIN: rainbow trout

With the advent of cooler temperatures anglers should expect good fishing. South Twin provides plenty of opportunity for rainbow trout, great wind protected shoreline and good beach-like shoreline for the kids to run around on when they're tired of catching fish. A great family lake.

SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

No recent angler reports.

TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout

Taylor Lake is a great spot to catch carp with flies; look for carp in the shallows as water temperatures warm to summer temperatures.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

Anglers should access Walton Lake should from the Round Mountain Trail approximately a quarter mile uproad from the Walton Lake gate and should avoid all construction equipment and construction zones. There are no daily catch limits, possession limits, or minimum length requirements for any fish species on Walton Lake from Sept. 1 through Oct. 18, 2009. Harvest is allowed by hand, dip net, or angling. The reservoir will close after Oct. 18, 2009 when it is scheduled for chemical treatment to remove illegally introduced bullhead catfish and bass. Bullhead catfish populations have stunted, degraded water quality, and reduced success for trout anglers.

WICKIUP RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass

There should be very good opportunity for catching brown trout. Kokanee fishing appears to be winding down. Anglers are encouraged to work the shallows for browns and rainbow during the early morning hours and hours just before dusk. Please note that the Deschutes arm of Wickiup upstream of the ODFW marker located near the West South Twin Boat launch closed to angling Sept. 1.

CENTRAL ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: QUAIL, CHUKAR/HUN and PHEASANT, WATERFOWL (some counties open Oct. 17), EARLY RIFLE ANTLERLESS ELK, and FOREST GROUSE, COUGAR and BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.

Check for fire restrictions before you go hunting!

InciWeb

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

EVENT

Canyon Creek Youth Pheasant Hunt, Nov. 21-29 at Canyon Creek Outfitters in Dufur, Ore. Hosted by OHA Bend Chapter, Canyon Creek Outfitters, and ODFW. Register Oct. 5-Nov. 16 by calling 541-382-7229.

PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT

Hunters should come prepared for typical fall to early winter conditions, which can mean everything from sun to snow, and everything in between. All hunters and outdoor recreationalists should dress and be equipped accordingly. Hunters planning to hunt public lands should check with Ochoco National Forest or Prineville BLM offices for the latest information on access and camping.

Hunters are reminded the Rager and South Boundary Travel Management Areas (TMA's) are in effect in the Ochoco unit.

The Ochoco Unit ANTLERLESS ELK Youth Hunt starts Saturday, Oct. 17. Judging from the reports from buck hunters the youth should find good opportunities for elk on the Ochoco National Forest. Maps of the forest are available at the Ochoco National Forest office in Prineville. Parents are reminded the Rager and South Boundary Travel Management Areas (TMA's) are in effect in the Ochoco unit.

EARLY RIFLE ANTLERLESS ELK hunts are active on mostly private lands in portions of the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units. These hunts include private agricultural and ranch lands that require having landowner permission for access.

COUGAR and BEAR seasons are open and hunters are reminded they must have valid controlled buck or elk tags to be hunting when those seasons are open. Both species require check in at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest that includes calling ahead of time to make an appointment, and remembering to bring in the unfrozen skull, hide, and other necessary parts needed for check in. Please consult the synopsis for all required parts. It's also a good idea to prop the mouth open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

BEAR are more plentiful in the more forested Ochoco and Grizzly units. The denser forested north slopes at higher elevations in both units would be areas to scout and look for bear sign. COUGAR are also present in these 2 units and the Maury as well. Cougars are present at all elevations, and use the more open juniper-sage desert habitats, as well as the forested country. Areas with known cougar activity include the Maury Mountains and S. Fk. Crooked River (Maury unit); S. F. John Day River, N F. Crooked River, and Lookout Mtn. (Ochoco unit); Upper Mill Crk., Green Mtn., and Grizzly Mtn (Grizzly unit).

FOREST GROUSE opportunities are limited to higher elevation forest lands on the Ochoco National Forest. Hunters should check the more heavily forested portions of the Lookout Mtn. and Paulina Ranger districts for these elusive birds.

This years QUAIL and CHUKAR populations appear down due to a difficult nesting conditions earlier this spring. Mountain quail season is open only in the Grant and Wheeler County portions of the District. Hunters are encouraged to check likely habitat areas on the Crooked River National Grasslands and the breaks of the John Day River system for opportunities.

WATERFOWL hunters will find opportunities limited as most birds in this area are closely associated with private lands where access may be difficult

THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT

Be sure to check with local state forestry and US Forest offices for fire season regulations before planning your outdoor adventure.

FOREST GROUSE in the area are scattered, with the best hunting generally being found in stream bottoms or on open ridges on either side of the Hood River Valley. Successful hunters are asked to give a wing and a tail to ODFW to help manage grouse populations in the state. Wings can be turned in at any ODFW office, or in one of the many wing barrels scattered throughout the district.

COUGAR season is open. Successful hunters, remember you must check in cougar (hide and skull) and bear skull at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest and bring them in unfrozen. It's also a good idea to prop their mouths open with a stick after harvest for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging. See regulations for details.

BEAR hunters should focus their efforts within higher elevation berry fields or recent clearcuts within the Hood unit, or in one of the stream canyons along the eastern edge of the Cascades in the White River unit. Finding a good vantage point and spending time with good optics can increase the odds of finding a bear.

Those wishing to pursue COYOTE will find the best success near agricultural lands. Be sure to ask permission to hunt private lands. Limited opportunities may also be found at White River Wildlife area, and on lower elevation forest service lands.

California Ground SQUIRRELS, or gray diggers, are still active. The best hunting opportunities for squirrels are generally found on private agricultural ground, but good opportunity also exists on White River Wildlife area. Focus your efforts in the morning or evening to find the highest squirrel activity. Make sure to ask permission to hunt on private lands.

WHITE RIVER WILDLIFE AREA

BEAR and COUGAR hunting are open. BEAR hunters will find the best success adjacent to major drainages such as White River, Tygh Creek or Badger Creek.

COYOTE hunters should be looking in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area.

GROUND SQUIRRELS, or gray diggers, can be found throughout the wildlife area.

The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. Open roads have a green dot on them. Hunters bringing their ATVs are reminded that all vehicles are to stay on roads; cross country travel is prohibited. As summer progresses, fire danger increases. Please be aware of current fire regulations and their impact on the wildlife area.

Fire restrictions are in affect and ATVs and motorcycles are prohibited on all unimproved roads and any road with vegetation growing in the middle of the road way they also have to have fire tools and fire extinguisher with any vehicle traveling on these roads. You may find out more about fire restrictions and regulations by contacting the Oregon Department of Forestry in The Dalles, Oregon at (541)296-4626.

CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING

FISH VIEWING

METOLIUS RIVER

See wild kokanee spawn in the Metolius River from late September through October. The best location to view this activity is in the upper portion (above Camp Sherman) of the river-Riverside Campground is a great place. Visit nearby Wizard Falls Hatchery. For directions and more information.

Prineville Area

The upper Crooked River and Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) offer wildlife viewing opportunities. Ducks, geese, and other waterfowl are common and visible along the Crooked River and Prineville Reservoir WMA. Additionally, a variety of other shorebirds and birds of prey are present along the shoreline and rimrock areas. The access road along the north side of the WMA is open and offers great camping, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. A map of the area is available at the ODFW's Prineville Office and the Oregon State Park office located at the Prineville Reservoir State Park.

Directions to the wildlife area: From Prineville, take Paulina Highway 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Juniper Canyon Road at the Prineville Reservoir State Park sign. Take Juniper Canyon Road 12.5 miles to Prineville Reservoir State Park. Access to the WMA is via the primitive N. Side Access road at the northeast corner of the state park. Visitors can also access the WMA by continuing southeast along Paulina Highway for 15 miles (from Prineville) and turn right at the bottom of the hill after passing Eagle Rock near milepost 14 onto the signed WMA primitive road. For more information, visit ODFW's Web site.

Sherman County and Deschutes Canyon

Many different species frequent the Deschutes Canyon at this time of year with opportunities to view a wide variety of waterbirds, passerines, deer and bighorn sheep.

Bighorn sheep are a common site in the canyon. This is the time of year that sheep in the Deschutes are into the peak of the rut. One of the most popular spots to view Bighorn sheep is down the Mack's Canyon road between the mouth of Jones Canyon and Mack's Canyon. Good binoculars and a spotting scope will improve the odds of viewing sheep.

The Dalles Area

ODFW White River Wildlife Area

Visitors to White River can find a variety of bird species on the area. Some of the most notable are Lewis' Woodpeckers, which inhabit the open oak areas throughout the wildlife area and Pileated Woodpeckers, which can generally be found near the forest boundary. The area also hosts a variety of passerines, as well as turkey, quail and a few waterfowl. For more information and directions to the wildlife area, visit ODFW's Web site.

ODFW Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area

Note: Fire season is winding down but users should still use caution with fire. Check with the Prineville district of the BLM for current fire regulations.

Many different bird species are present in the Deschutes Wildlife Area, including osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons and waterfowl. ODFW's Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area is located east of The Dalles. Directions and more information about the Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area are on ODFW's Web site.

Check fire restrictions

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Trout fishing on Lake of the Woods continues to be good, and brown trout fishing is getting better as fish move into shallower water and become less wary.

* Fishing on the Klamath River below Keno Dam for native redband trout has been good. Most fish are 12-16 inches; many are in the 18-inch class; and a few are up to 30 inches.

* Trout fishing has been improving with declining temperatures and there should be good fishing on several area lakes and reservoirs including Cottonwood Meadows, Duncan, Sherlock and Thompson Valley reservoirs.

ANA RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout, hybrid bass

Ana Reservoir is open year-round for rainbow trout and hybrid bass angling. Water temperatures in the reservoir stay fairly consistent throughout the year. There appears to be a plankton bloom occurring in the reservoir. A record size 30 inch hybrid bass was caught in early February weighing 18lb, 9.5 oz. The use of live fish for bait is prohibited.

ANA RIVER: hatchery rainbow trout

Rainbow trout in this river can be very spooky so stealth is required. Bait angling is allowed. Tui chub and pit roach are abundant in Ana River so large lures and flies mimicking minnows can be very successful. Most rainbow trout appear to be concentrated from the head of the river down to around the Desert Spring hatchery complex.

ANTHONY LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing should be good for rainbow trout. The lake has been stocked twice.

BALM CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Fishing is poor but may pick up as the weather cools. Water level is low.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout

The reservoir is at minimum water level and average inflow was 40 cfs on Oct. 9. Angling in the reservoir and below the dam is poor.

BIG ROCK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is down to a small pool, fishing for rainbow trout has been slow.

BLITZEN RIVER: trout

Flows remain stable, ranging from approximately 36 cfs to 38 cfs from Sept. 21 through Sept. 28. Angling has been fair to good for trout, with mostly 8 to 12-inch trout in the Page Springs area, and a few larger trout higher in the system. Mainstem Blitzen and tributaries (except Little Blitzen) have a two fish trout bag limit from late May through Oct. 31, and a catch-and-release fishery from Nov. 1 through late May. The Little Blitzen is a catch-and-release fishery year-round.

BLUE LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout

Blue lake was recently stocked with fingerling-sized hatchery rainbow trout. Access to Blue Lake was closed by the USFS to remove beetle-killed trees and improve safety condition; it is not expected to open again during 2009.

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, white crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and trout.

The reservoir was 3 percent full on Oct. 9. Current water level is well below the bottom of the ramp, launching any size boat will be difficult. Angling is slow.

BURNS POND: trout, bass

Angling should be slow for rainbow trout.

BURNT RIVER: trout

Fishing may get better as the weather cools. Has been stocked.

CAMPBELL RESERVOIR (KLAMATH COUNTY): redband trout, largemouth bass, crappie

Many small largemouth bass and crappie are available. The reservoir is half full. Angling is best in the evening for nice sized crappie up to 14 inches. Crappie are primarily feeding on midge larvae and zooplankton. Small flies under a bobber can be effective.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout, largemouth bass

Redband trout are available in the main river and tributaries; brook trout are available in Dairy and Elder Creeks. The Chewaucan River just above Paisley has been producing good catch rates on fish 8-12 inches. Angling in the lower river downstream from Paisley, into and including Rivers End Reservoir, will close Oct.31.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout

The reservoir is very low, the water is turbid, and we have received reports some trout are dying. Some trout may have survived the summer, but we cannot recommend traveling long distances to fish this reservoir.

COTTONWOOD MEADOWS LAKE: brook trout, hatchery stocked rainbow trout

Fishing for hatchery stocked rainbow trout has been good, and catch rates on brook trout have become slow as they begin spawning. Vegetation in the lake can make angling challenging; try trolling lures and flies over the top of them near the center of the lake.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: native redband trout

Fishing has been improving with declining temperatures. The reservoir is still very turbid; large flashy lures and flies are producing near the inlet of Cottonwood Creek.

DEADHORSE/CAMPBELL LAKES: hatchery rainbow trout, brook trout

The USFS closed access to the lakes in 2008. Deadhorse will not open during 2009; Campbell will likely not open until late fall at the earliest. The lakes will not be stocked in 2009. Questions concerning the closure should be directed to the Paisley Ranger Station at (541) 943-3114.

DELINTMENT LAKE: trout

Fair angling for rainbow trout. Most anglers have been catching 10 to 12-inch trout, but a few have reported catching 12 to 14-inch holdover trout from last year. Extensive aquatic vegetation may make angling somewhat challenging.

DEMING CREEK: redband trout, bull trout

The creek is open to fishing but it is rare to catch redband trout over eight inches in this very small stream. Angling is closed for bull trout.

DEVILS LAKE: yellow perch, largemouth bass, brown bullhead

Angling is fair for yellow perch and brown bullhead.

DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead

The retention of redband trout is prohibited; the lake is not stocked with hatchery trout. Largemouth bass angling has slowed with declining water levels and increasing temperatures. Trolling lures in deeper water and targeting the weed line with jigs can improve catch rates. Yellow perch fishing at night has been good recently.

DREWS RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead, channel catfish, redband trout

Access is open to the reservoir, water at the boat ramp is very low and the dock is out of the water completely. The water is low in the reservoir and very turbid; it will continue to decline through the summer. Channel catfish and largemouth bass fishing has been good recently in the declining pool. The reservoir will be drained down to dead pool by the end of September to allow the water right holder to repair the dam.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Recent fishing reports show good catch rates on hatchery stocked legal and trophy-sized trout. Water temperatures are declining.

EAGLE CREEK: rainbow trout

Rainbow trout were re-stocked in late August. Fishing is good.

FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): brook trout, rainbow trout

Angling is fair to good for 8 to 12-inch rainbow trout and fair for 8 to 10-inch brook trout.

FISH LAKE (Halfway): rainbow and brook trout

The lake has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing is good.

FOURMILE LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout

Angling has slowed with very cold weather but expect angling to improve as the weather warms this week. Larger lake trout are available as two seven pound lake trout were caught in a net by ODFW in October of 2006. The wind usually picks up in the afternoon so fish early and late if you are fishing from a boat. Covering lots of water by trolling various lures can be effective. A good fish finder can be helpful. The lake trout are hungry so finding them is more important than the type of bait, lure or fly you use. Angling should be good for hatchery rainbow trout. The lake was stocked a month ago with trophy and legal rainbow trout. Angling for brook trout and lake trout should improve as both these fish move towards the shallows to spawn. Fishing from shore with various baits can be effective at catching hatchery rainbow trout. Angling for kokanee will be slow as most are spawning. Covering lots of water out of a boat is more effective at finding and catching brook trout, lake trout and larger rainbow trout.

GERBER RESERVOIR: crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass

Angling is slow for all fish. Largemouth bass are available but are difficult to locate and catch. Brown bullhead and small yellow perch are available to bank anglers fishing with bait. Reservoir levels are low. Launching a boat could be difficult.

GRANDE RONDE LAKE: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing is good for rainbow and brook trout. Some trout may have small white parasites on them. They do not affect the flesh and are harmless to humans, but always cook your fish thoroughly. These parasites occur each year when the water gets warm.

HAINES POND: rainbow trout

Fishing is slow.

HART LAKE: crappie, brown bullhead, largemouth bass

Catch rates for crappie last summer were very good. The lake is very low. The lake is only 2-3 feet deep in most places. Launching large boats is impossible from the primitive boat ramp, as is running a boat engine in the lake.

HEART LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee

The lake is full. Fishing reports have been very good for kokanee and good for rainbow trout. Last years fingerling plants are just around 8 inches, please be careful with undersized fish, they are the base of the fishery in 2010.

HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir has been lowered by the water right holder. It will remain at this level until spring. Catch rates have slowed with declining water levels and increasing water temperatures; but should pick back up as fall rolls in. Holbrook will not be stocked again until spring 2010.

HWY 203 POND: trout, bluegill, bass

Fishing is poor-fair for trout. There also are numerous bluegills for the kids.

JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout

The lake is nearly dry.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout and largemouth bass

Fair to good angling for largemouth bass. Slow to fair angling for rainbow trout.

KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: redband trout and yellow perch

Angling is poor in most areas. The main part of Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes has poor water quality. Fish are still available under the algae but have moved into the spring areas and mouths of the rivers and streams. Redband trout in Agency Lake and Upper Klamath Lake are feeding primarily on minnows, sculpins and leeches at this time. Trolling lures that mimic minnows from a boat is slow. Flyfishing and trolling lures in the spring areas is fair.

KLAMATH RIVER: native rainbow-redband trout

Angling below Keno Dam is good. The river flow is optimal for successful and enjoyable angling experience. Most fish range in size from 12-16 inches with many fish in the 18-inch class and a few up to 30 inches. Most anglers use flies and lures that mimic minnows. Access to the river is difficult. Wading anglers should use studded wading boots, a wading staff and a wading belt. The Klamath River from J.C. Boyle Dam bridge crossing to the J. C Boyle Powerhouse provides good angling this time of year for small redband-rainbow trout (6-12 inches) due to low, stable flows from 220 cfs of spring water. Fly-fishing with small dry flies can be excellent this time of year. Small tan caddis are abundant. Angling in the river below the powerhouse is very slow due to high flows (1880 cfs) and murky water but improves in the evening as the river drops. Fish are feeding on various food items including midges, crayfish, sculpin, caddis flies, and stoneflies. Most fish range from 10-12 inches but 16-inch fish are being caught this year. A good caddis and mayfly hatch is occurring in the evening. The best method is casting small flies downstream and letting them swing in the current. Remember the river below JC Boyle Dam is catch-and-release for trout.

LA GRANDE RESERVOIR: rainbow, brook trout

Fishing is good for rainbow and brook trout. Flies and lures only.

LAKE OF THE WOODS: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee, hatchery brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, crappie, and smallmouth bass

Angling is good for hatchery rainbow trout. The lake was stocked a month ago with legal and trophy-sized rainbow trout. The most effective method for catching rainbow trout is trolling various lures from a boat. Visit Lakeofthewoodsresort.com for more information. Yellow perch and brown bullhead are available to bank anglers. Most yellow perch are very small so use small bait or flies. There is a good population of brown bullhead and a worm fished just off the bottom in the evening can be very effective. Largemouth bass are available near the dock areas along the lake and in the shallow vegetation along the edges of the lake. Angling for largemouth bass has been slow. Kokanee and brown trout are beginning to spawn. Large brown trout become susceptible to angling as they move into the shallows and become less wary. Angling for trout is open 24 hours a day.

LINK RIVER: redband trout

The river is very green due to an algae bloom in Upper Klamath Lake and angling is very slow as most redband trout have moved out of the river.

LOFTON RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir was stocked with legal and trophy-sized rainbow trout at the start of September. Illegally introduced tui chub begin to interfere with trout fishing during the summer and fall months. Try fishing the deeper sections of the reservoir to avoid tui chub and position lures and flies in likely positions to attract trout.

LONG CREEK: redband trout, brook trout and bull trout

Angling should be good for brook trout and redband trout. Most fish run small (6-8 inches). Dry fly fishing should be good.

LONG CREEK RESERVOIR - Unity: rainbow

Should be fair-good for rainbow trout.

LOST RIVER: brown bullhead, yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill

Angling is poor for brown bullhead and yellow perch using bait at the Crystal Springs day use area. A few largemouth bass can also be captured under or near the Crystal Springs Bridge.

LUCKY RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Fishing reports have been good. The reservoir is very turbid; large flashy lures/flies and scent attractants are recommended.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The water level is near minimum water level. Water extends out from the neck to about the main boat ramp. Launching any kind of boat is difficult. Catch rates are slow.

MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout

Warm Springs Reservoir is at minimum water level. Flows below Warm Springs Dam are 28 cfs. Angling for trout is poor.

MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout.

Beulah and Warm Springs reservoirs are at minimum water level. Flows in the Juntura area are about 78 cfs. Angling for trout is poor.

MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: redband trout, whitefish, and bull trout

No recent angling report. Remember to release bull trout.

MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: redband trout, brook trout, and bull trout

No recent angling report. Trout angling should be fair to good. Remember to release bull trout.

MANN LAKE: trout

No recent angling report. The lake is very low, and illegally introduced goldfish have disrupted the trout fishery.

MILLER LAKE: brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Angling has been slow for rainbow trout from shore. Angling for brown trout has improved with colder weather as they begin to move to the shallows to spawn. Trophy brown trout are available. Kokanee are rare and are typically less than eight inches in length. Fishing is more productive from a boat to be able to access these fish. Lures that mimic kokanee or rainbow trout can be effective for catching the elusive brown trout. Angling is best very early and very late for brown trout. Remember you can fish for trout 24 hours a day on Miller Lake.

MILL FLAT RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Aquatic vegetation in the lake can make angling challenging. Dry flies mimicking hatches placed on top of the vegetation and deep diving lures along the weed line can produce large rainbow trout.

MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout

The reservoir was very low after last irrigation season, but filled this spring. No recent angling report.

MUD LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout

Mud Lake is very low; fishing is expected to be slow until fall. Fall sampling in 2008 showed lots of fish available to the angler, most in the 8 to 10-inch size range.

MURRAY RESERVOIR: trout

No recent report, but fishing should be fair.

NORTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER: Brown trout, redband trout, brook trout, bull trout

Flows in the North Fork Sprague are low. Angling should be good for redband trout and brown trout. Brown trout are found in the deeper pools and near any large wood in the river. Target the shady areas for brown trout with sculpin fly patterns or small lures mimicking minnows. Brown trout will also take caddis and terrestrial patterns. Redband trout are typically in the fast moving water out in the middle of the river. Larger brown trout are beginning to move higher in the system on Forest Service land.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout

No recent angling report. Pence Springs, Peavine, South Cottonwood, South Mountain, and Squaw Creek reservoirs were stocked with fingerling rainbow trout on May 29. Littlefield Reservoir has a good carryover population with fish running 12 to 15 inches. Squaw Creek Reservoir also has good number fish up to about 13 inches.

NORTH POWDER POND 1: rainbow trout

Fishing is slow.

OBENCHAIN RESERVOIR: bluegill, largemouth bass

The landowner has closed access to Obenchain Reservoir due to vandalism. Access is by permission only.

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, catfish

The reservoir was 16 percent full on Oct. 9. The only boat ramps open for are at the powerhouse and the resort. All other ramps are out of the water. Warmwater fish are starting to move off shore and into deeper water fishing is slowing.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout and hatchery rainbow trout

Flows below the dam have been fairly stable, ranging from 158 to 161 cfs over the last week. Fishing for rainbow and brown trout is fair to good. Brown Trout have started to spawn. Anglers need to be careful around redds as there are eggs in the gravel.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish

Discharge at the Rome gauge dropped to 126 cfs on Oct. 9. Fishing for smallmouth and channel catfish is slowing due to the cool weather.

OVERTON RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Few trout were captured during sampling in the fall of 2008. Catch rates have been very low. Few fish are available in the lake. The aquatic vegetation that sits on the surface of the reservoir is difficult to fish through.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch

Fishing is fair for trout 10 to 12 inches with most fish being caught near the dam. Perch fishing is slow but may pick up some as the weather cools. No recent report on bass. The reservoir is 60 percent full.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout

Fishing is slow-fair. The reservoir has heavy algae growth. Water level is at 25 percent full. Fishing for trout may pick up as the water cools.

PINE CREEK and NORTH PINE (Halfway): rainbow

Fishing for rainbow trout near Cornucopia is very good.

PIUTE RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout and hatchery Lahontan cutthroat trout

Rainbow and cutthroat trout are available. Recent fishing reports have been very good. The reservoir is holding at two acres. Catch-and-release fishing is not recommended in the lake as most of these fish will likely winter kill even if the reservoir does not go completely dry.

POWDER RIVER: trout, spring chinook

Fishing for rainbow trout is fair below Mason Dam.

ROGGERS POND: hatchery rainbow trout

Legal-sized trout are available from last years planting.

SEVENMILE CREEK: brown trout, brook trout, redband trout

Brook trout are abundant from Nicholson road upstream to headwaters. Brown trout and redband trout are very rare in this section. The lower section below Nicholson Road is on private property therefore permission is needed to fish.

SHERLOCK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Fall sampling showed lots of trout in the 10 to 12-inch size range. Fishing in the late evenings, when heavy hatching and active feeding is occurring is likely to improve success.

SOUTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brook trout, brown trout

Flows in the South Fork Sprague are low and angling should be fair for redband trout and brown trout. Most of the redband trout caught range from 6-14 inches. Large brown trout over 20 inches are available. Most brook trout are located upstream near Corral and Camp Creek. Brook trout are abundant in this section but most of them are small (6-8 inches).

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: hatchery rainbow trout

No recent angling report. Many of the ponds in the Jordan Valley area were stocked with fingerling trout on June 2 or 3. Several reservoirs north of Jordan Valley have carryover populations.

SPAULDING RESERVOIR:

Spaulding reservoir went dry in 2007 and has not sufficiently refilled to support fish. The reservoir will not be stocked this spring.

SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch.

Angling should be improving for redband trout as water temperatures begin to cool and fish begin to feed actively. Look for redband trout along the spring areas of the river and the higher gradient sections. Bait angling for brown bullhead and yellow perch should be good in between Saddle Mtn. Pitt Bridge and Godowa Springs Road. The Chiloquin Dam has been removed and angling regulation signs have been posted at the prior dam location.

SPENCER CREEK: redband trout and brook trout

Angling will be excellent for small redband-rainbow (4 to 8-inch) trout. The upper reaches just below Buck Lake have small brook trout available.

SUMMIT POND: hatchery rainbow trout

Legal-sized rainbow trout are available from last years planting.

SUNSTONE RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is dry.

SYCAN RIVER: redband trout, brown trout and brook trout

Angling should be slow in most areas including the canyon near Coyote Bucket for small redband trout 6-12 inches. Angling should be good for brook trout above Pikes Crossing. Large brown trout over 20 inches are available. Brook trout are more abundant above Pikes crossing and redband trout are more abundant below. The Sycan River is a great place to fish if you do not want to see another angler. The most effective method in this small river is to try small dry flies. Flows are very low and water temperature is high in most areas of the Sycan River below Pikes Crossing.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout

Fishing is slow. The water level is 32 percent full. The dirt road that follows the reservoir has been upgraded to provide good access to the Powder River below the dam. Public access only goes approximately 1,000 ft below the dam. Please respect private property and remain within 1,000 ft of the dam.

THOMPSON VALLEY RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout, largemouth bass

The reservoir is declining; however, the boat ramps are still usable. Decreased water temperatures have put both largemouth bass and trout on the bite.

TOPSY RESERVOIR: brown bullhead, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, goldfish

Angling is slow for warmwater fish. Fishing for brown bullhead or yellow perch would be your best bet at this time. Fishing at night for brown bullhead is very effective. Bass fishing is best from a boat.

TWIN LAKES (Halfway): rainbow

Fishing is fair for rainbow trout. The lake has been stocked with legal rainbow trout.

UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie

Crappie fishing is good off the dock. Trout and bass have been biting well also. Some trout have been 18-24 inches. Water level is at 23 percent.

VEE LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout

The lake is full and fishing reports from the lake have been good.

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, white crappie, catfish, perch, and hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is at minimum water level. Inflows averaged 42 cfs on Oct. 9. No recent angling report.

WARNER LAKES (Hart and Crump Lakes are listed separately): crappie

The northern Warner Lakes are dry.

WARNER POND: hatchery rainbow trout

This is a great place to fly-fish and take young anglers. Many large rainbow trout are available in this small pond.

LOWER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, brook trout

Angling has slowed as the river has dropped and cleared. Pressure has been high on the fish. Smaller redband trout are abundant and aggressive. Please release these fish carefully as they are future trophy trout. ODFW suggests using barbless hooks in this fishery. Small trico mayflies are hatching in the early morning. Anglers are having success trolling lures from boat below the Modoc Point Bridge. ODFW encourages catch-and-release in this remarkable fishery.

UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout and brook trout

Flows are low but water clarity is fair. Bring your mosquito repellant as mosquitoes are abundant. Angling should be fair for redband trout and brook trout on public land and exceptional on the private land. Grasshopper patterns are effective this time of year. Anglers have the opportunity to pay to fish on the Sand Creek Ranch and the Yamsi Ranch.

WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie

Angling is slow for warmwater fish. The largemouth bass population might have experienced a winter kill. The reservoir is currently very low and boat anglers should be aware of log hazards. Launching a boat might be difficult. New angling regulations are in place that allow only one bass harvested per day greater than 15 inches in length. Crappie angling is slow but large crappie are available. Bluegill are abundant but small is size.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout

Fishing from the dock for crappie is good with 8 to 9-inch fish being taken. Fish very early in the morning for best results. Trout fishing is fair. Water levels is at 33 percent.

WOOD RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, brook trout.

The Wood River was accidentally omitted from the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. The Wood River angling regulations remain catch-and-release for trout from April 25- October 31. Some anglers are doing well angling with lures and spoons for brown trout above Loosley Road. Flyfishing with various dry flies by matching the hatch is very good this time of year in the section above Weed Road. Various caddisfly patterns can be effective by skating them across the surface.

Fisherman should be aware of several fish habitat improvement projects in the Wood River for the next several weeks. One habitat project near the Wood River BLM wetland bridge could affect angling enjoyment. This habitat project will create occasional loud noises. Water clarity will change suddenly to a brown color as sediment moves as result of this project. This project will benefit redband trout by creating deeper pools.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout

Angling has been fair for 10 to 13-inch rainbow trout. Anglers have had success with a variety of gear. Extensive aquatic vegetation may make angling somewhat challenging.

SOUTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: WATERFOWL, CHUKAR/HUN, PHEASANT and QUAIL (mtn quail closed except Klamath Co), FOREST GROUSE, COUGAR and BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.

Check for fire restrictions before you go hunting!

InciWeb

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

HARNEY COUNTY

ELK rifle season opens in a few weeks and hunters are beginning to scout. Elk populations are stable, with good numbers of yearling bulls available due to good recruitment last spring. The mild winter and wet spring experienced throughout southeast Oregon in 2008 has benefited most desert species. Elk season is expected to be fair to good depending on weather conditions.

COUGAR and BEAR hunting are open. Fall bear hunting in berry patches in the National Forest can be productive. COUGAR populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base.

COYOTE hunting has been slow due to relatively low population levels associated with a low period in cyclic rabbit and rodent populations. Coyotes are generally scattered on summer ranges. The highest concentrations are associated with irrigated private land where there are good numbers of mice or other small rodents. Hunters are reminded to ask permission before entering private lands. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and open season limitations exist for these species.

WATERFOWL hunting will be limited in Harney Basin due to extremely low water conditions in Malheur Lake and most local reservoirs. Best hunting opportunities will be for Canada geese on private lands, hunters are reminded to get permission from the landowner before hunting on private lands. Waterfowl season opens on October 10.

CHUKAR and CALIFORNIA QUAIL production was fair to good due to extensive rains in June. Many adults appear to have re-nested and it appears that second brood survival may have been successful. Overall chukar and quail populations are expected to be higher than the past two seasons, but still below the 10 year average. Both seasons open on October 10.

KLAMATH COUNTY

Waterfowl season is open. End of season lower lake levels may make access to some peripheral areas difficult.

Hunting has been fair for FOREST GROUSE. Best prospects are ridge tops for blue grouse and creek drainages for ruffed grouse. Please provide one wing and tail from each grouse harvested. A wing barrel with paper bags has been placed at the Klamath District Office. Use one bag for each grouse harvested.

CALIFORNIA QUAIL and MOUNTAIN QUAIL are open. Hunters are reminded of the mountain quail daily bag limit of 2 for Klamath County. Excellent production this year should provide great hunting opportunities.

COUGAR and BEAR hunting are open. Though populations are stable, harvest in the units is generally low. The Cascade Mountains region of the Klamath District traditionally provides the most opportunity for bear hunters in the area. The Keno and West Sprague and West Fort Rock units offer the best bear hunting opportunities.

KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA

Waterfowl and upland bird seasons are open at Klamath Wildlife Area.

Gorr Island Unit

Gorr Island is located four miles south of the Miller Island Unit in the Klamath River, accessible only by boat, and is open daily for hunting with no permit required.

Shoalwater Bay Unit and Sesti Tgawaals Unit

Shoalwater Bay and Sesti Tgawaals are both located on the west side of Upper Klamath Lake approximately 10 miles to the north and west of Klamath Falls. Both units are opening to hunting daily with no permit required.

Miller Island Unit

The Miller Island Unit is located 6 miles south and west of Klamath Falls. Permits are required for all hunting.

Reservation hunting is in effect during the first two weekends of the season, with standby and refill available.

This area is divided into three subunits: A, B and C. Check in is required daily during all authorized seasons beginning Sept. 1. Entry permits shall be in possession while in the field; checkout is required.

The check station is located under the area light on Miller Island Rd. The check station is staffed by ODFW personnel in the mornings from Oct. 10 - Dec. 13, and is a self-service station in the afternoons on hunt days and all day after Dec. 13.

Hunting dates for Miller Island will be Oct. 13, 15, 17*, 19, 21, 23, 25*, 27, 29, 31, even-numbered days in Nov. and Dec. and odd-numbered days in Jan. *Reservation hunting is in effect. Oct. 25 is reserved for youth hunters in subunits A and B only. Subunit C is open to all hunters on a first come, first served basis.

The check station opens 1-1/2 hours before waterfowl shooting hours.

To prevent hunter crowding, a reservation application procedure will be in effect for weekends through Oct. 19 and Oct. 25.

All hunters must have in their possession a valid reservation permit to check into the area. See Reservation Application Procedures on page 35. Reservation holders must check in ½ hour before shooting time.

Upland game bird shooting hours are from 8 a.m. until the close of waterfowl shooting hours. Reminder: Successful applicants must purchase their reservation permit before arriving at the WA. Licensing documents are not available at the WA.

Throughout the pheasant season a pheasant release program will occur. These birds have been donated by Unlimited Pheasants and will be released into subunits A, B and C.

No person shall use or possess any shot other than federally-approved nontoxic shot while in the Miller Island Unit.

For the most up-to-date waterfowl population flights in the Klamath Basin, please visit the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge website at http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/menurec.html

The Klamath Wildlife Area Miller Island Unit is closed to all deer hunting.

Overnight camping is not allowed on the Miller Island Unit. Discharge of firearms is prohibited except by permit. If you have any questions, please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5734 or lanny.a.fujishin@state.or.us .

Some wetland units in Subunit B are dry to facilitate habitat management activities to reduce encroaching bulrush and cattail and increase open water for waterfowl and shorebird use.

LAKE COUNTY

BLUE GROUSE had fair production this year. Hunters should work the natural forest openings next to pine or fir stands at higher elevations. With the recent cold weather most birds will be feeding on fir needles.

CHUKAR season is open. Production was only fair due to extensive rains in June. Many of the adults re-nested and it appears that hunting will be better than last year but below the 10 year average.

Throughout the county QUAIL production has been good. Most Quail are found on private land and hunters are reminded to get permission from the landowner.

WATERFOWL hunting will be very limited in the Warner Valley. Hart and Crump lakes have very low water levels and all other lakes in the valley are dry. Lake Abert and Goose Lake are also very low with extensive mudflats between the shoreline vegetation and water.

COUGAR and BEAR hunting is open. BEAR habitat is limited so populations are low compared to other areas of the state. COUGAR populations are healthy due to good habitat and prey base.

COYOTE numbers appear to be very low throughout the county. The best numbers are near the crested wheatgrass seedlings in the southern portion of the Wagontire unit. Populations in forest habitats also are more abundant and calling around natural forest openings can be productive.

SUMMER LAKE WILDLIFE AREA

This section of the report was last updated October 5, 2009.

The weekly count conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 30 found nearly 15,000 ducks and 1,600 geese present. Conditions during the count were poor (windy) so a large number of birds may have gone undetected. The next weekly count is scheduled for Oct. 6.

Controlled mule deer buck hunting for Wagontire Unit tag holders opened on Saturday Oct. 3. Seven (7) hunters reported the harvest of 3 bucks over the weekend.

Hunters must remember that the use of centerfire rifles and handguns are prohibited. Shotguns and muzzleloaders are acceptable. Also, the entire area south of Thousand Springs Lane (Lake Co. Road 4-17), excluding the Foster Place will be closed to all entry and hunting during the buck mule deer season. Please remember, buck mule deer hunting on the Wildlife Area will end once game bird hunting seasons begin on October 10.

Hunters must check in and have a free daily hunting permit in their possession.

General waterfowl season will open Saturday Oct. 10 and prospects are favorable. Fair numbers of waterfowl are staging across the wildlife area at this time. Water conditions are good throughout most of the hunt area with the exception of Gold Dike Impoundment west of Windbreak Dike and the area south of Gold Dike to the head of Summer Lake. These areas are being held dry for marsh enhancement and restoration. Ring-neck pheasant and California quail seasons will also open on Oct. 10. Fair numbers are found primarily on the north end of the wildlife area in brushy areas and old homestead sites.

Please remember that federally approved non-toxic shot is required for all game bird hunting.

Hunters must have a free daily hunting permit in their possession while hunting. Daily hunting permits are available at the Headquarters Office.

Opening weekend hunt permits will be available beginning at 1:00 pm on Thursday Oct. 8. The Checking Station will be open from 8:00 am until 11:00 pm on Friday October 9 and open at 4:00 am on Saturday morning.

Please remember to have a current hunting license, Harvest Information Program (HIP), waterfowl and upland game bird validations prior to checking-in. These are available at any POS agent.

Take note: Closure prior to waterfowl opener

Most of the marsh area of Summer Lake Wildlife Area (south of Thousand Spring Lane or Lake Co Rd 4-17), excluding the Foster Place is now closed to all public access (except campgrounds and open roads) prior to the opening day of waterfowl season. This is to decrease disturbance to birds and give them a chance to settle before the opener. It should improve success on opening day. This year the closure began on Oct. 3, 2009. This area will reopen at 4:00 am on Opening Day (Oct. 10).

Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 or email martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us for additional information.

MALHEUR COUNTY

COUGAR and BEAR season are open.

UPLAND BIRD - seasons opened Oct. 10.

Chukar

Rains in May and June were a mixed blessing for chukar production. In areas where the rains were not too heavy the result was excellent range conditions and good production of chukar. However, in some areas high rainfall intensity resulted in loss of production. The good news is we are seeing evidence of re-nesting and hopefully good survival of these late broods.

Chukar surveys on established routes yielded 32 chukar per 10 miles and production of 8.3 chicks per brood. This is well above the 17 per 10 miles measured last year, but still below the 10 year average of 55 birds per 10 miles.

The only area not exhibiting much recovery from last years low count was the Succor Creek /Leslie Gulch area. It is likely that heavy rains during the nesting period impacted this area harder than some others. The poor range conditions caused by ongoing invasion of medusahead likely limits the ability of birds in this area to successfully re-nest and raise broods.

Pheasant

Pheasant numbers vary widely according to the availability of winter cover in a particular area. The surveys along established routes were similar to last years with 6.5 birds per 10 miles but 26% below the 10 year average. Chick production was good, averaging 5.2 chicks per brood. Hunting prospects will vary depending on the farming practices in the area you have permission to hunt. The outlying areas around Willow Creek, Vale and Adrian have higher bird numbers than areas closer to Ontario and Nyssa.

California quail

Like Chukar, the quail benefited from good brood rearing conditions this year. Surveys on established routes showed 35 quail per 10 miles up from 20 last year and on par with the 10 year average. Production was 8.4 chicks per brood and there are still new broods being hatched. Hunting prospects in the rangeland areas should be improved over last year. Hunting around the irrigated agricultural areas should be similar to recent years.

COYOTE hunting has been slow due to relatively low population levels associated with a low period in cyclic rabbit and rodent populations. Hunters are reminded to ask permission before entering private lands. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and open season limitations exist for these species.

SOUTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

Harney County

Waterfowl migration has slowed in and around the Harney Basin. Very few birds stopped in our area due to extremely low water conditions this year. Sandhill cranes can still be seen congregating on private farmlands but are expected to start leaving soon.

The best bird viewing opportunity is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers excellent viewing opportunities at the refuge headquarters, along the Central Patrol Road, and near Page Springs.

Klamath Falls Area

Fall migration is underway for waterfowl, shorebirds and some raptors. Thousands of lesser scaup and northern shovelor are using Howard Bay along Highway 140. White-fronted geese have arrived from Arctic breeding areas and will be staging in the Klamath Basin before moving south to Central Valley California.

Greater sandhill cranes are staging and can be found foraging in agricultural fields in Langell Valley along the Lost River and near Alkali Lake near Dairy, Oregon.

The Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges offer excellent viewing opportunities during the fall. Shoalwater Bay located along Eagle Ridge accessed from Highway 140 is a great spot for viewing this time of year. Ducks, geese, and shorebirds are the main attraction now.

Lake County and Lakeview Area

With the recent snow and cold weather most shorebirds have moved out of the county. The best viewing opportunities are along the mudflats on Lake Abert. This time of year shorebirds are in eclipse plumage which makes identification of the peeps considerably more challenging. Snow geese have started arriving and winter raptors will be in abundance by late October.

Summer Lake Wildlife Area

This section was updated on Oct 5th. Vehicle access to the Wildlife Viewing Loop and major dike roads is now closed and will remain closed through the end of waterfowl hunting season.

On Saturday October 3 most of the marsh area of Summer Lake Wildlife Area (south of Thousand Spring Lane or Lake Co Rd 4-17), excluding the Foster Place was closed to all public access (except campgrounds and open roads) for seven days before the opening day of waterfowl season (Oct. 10).

Waterbird numbers continue to fluctuate now as the fall migration progresses. Viewers can expect to find good numbers of migrant waterfowl, but only a few shorebirds, other waterbirds and marsh dwelling passerines. Many species have already departed to wintering areas in California and Central America.

Waterfowl

Waterfowl have spread out across the entire area and a large number of migrants have recently arrived. Newly flooded wetland restoration sites are attracting large numbers of birds. The weekly count found nearly 15,000 ducks present with many migrants such as Am. green-winged teal, Northern pintail and Northern shovelers making a strong showing. Resident Canada geese are dispersed widely across the Wildlife Area and adjacent private lands. Fall migrant tule white-fronted geese are beginning to depart to winter areas in California. Lesser snow have arrived and are increasing in number. Over the past weekend, over 800 birds were present.

Shorebirds, waders and other waterbirds

Shorebirds numbers have declined tremendously, but a few individuals of most species can still be found.

Large flocks of post-breeding shorebirds have declined. Fall migration continues, and few northern breeding species are staging but in very low numbers. Most species have already departed the area enroute to wintering grounds to the south.

Wading birds are scattered widely across the Wildlife Area. Great egrets, white-faced ibis and white pelicans continue to decline just a very small number remain. American bitterns have been observed frequently near the River Campground.

Very few sandhill crane remain, most have migrated to wintering areas in California.

Double-crested cormorants, gulls (California and ring-billed) and grebes (eared, pied-billed and western) numbers are scattered and most have departed the area. American coot, eared and pied-billed grebe remain fairly numerous especially in Bullgate Refuge and Link Marsh.

Raptors and Others

Resident raptors remain scattered throughout the Wildlife Area as well as on private lands along Hwy 31. Young are very apparent at this time. Recently hayed and flooding meadows offer excellent foraging opportunities for many raptors. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadows. The occasional bald eagle continues to be observed, probably one of the several pairs found in the Summer Lake Valley. Peregrine falcons make frequent visits to the area this time of the year, responding to the abundance of prey (ducks, shorebirds and other water birds).

Other falcons (prairie, merlin and Am. kestrel) can frequently be found as well as migrant accipiters (Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks).

Great-horned owls remain fairly common, especially at the River Ranch Barn.

Upland game birds

California quail pairs are dispersed widely across the Area and several large sized broods/coveys have been observed recently. Several ring-necked pheasant broods have been observed at the Turner Place and at other locations. Eurasian collared doves remain fairly numerous (20-25) at Headquarters Complex and are vigorously calling.

Passerine (perching) species, especially sparrows, and finches remain fairly common around the Headquarters complex, Summer Lake Rest Area, homestead sites and shelter break plantings at the north end of the Area where they are attracted to tree and shrub cover. Brewers, red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds are decreasing in number; most have migrated south.

Viewers can expect to continue to have good photo and viewing opportunities for migrating waterfowl species. Shorebirds, other waterbirds and passerines have largely passed through the area enroute to wintering grounds further south.

Facilities and Access

Take note: Closure prior to waterfowl hunting season opener

Most of the marsh area of Summer Lake Wildlife Area (south of Thousand Spring Lane or Lake Co Rd 4-17), excluding the Foster Place is closed to all public access (except campgrounds and open roads) until the opening day of waterfowl hunting season. The Wildlife Viewing Loop is closed at this time as well.

Camping is permitted at four sites on the Wildlife Area. Campgrounds are primitive but each has vault toilets, trash barrels and a few picnic tables.

Habitat

Emergent vegetation is beginning to go into senescence but most stands remain very robust and erect. Water levels are beginning to increase throughout most of the Area at this time. Gold Dike Impoundment and the area south of Gold Dike are mostly dry due to habitat enhancement activities that are underway at this time. The River Ranch unit, where habitat enhancement activities have been completed is being flooded at this time and is receiving tremendous waterbird use. Meadows and hayfields found on adjacent private lands and in selected locations on the Wildlife Area are drying at this time. These intermittently flooded wetlands are providing considerable foraging opportunities to a wide variety of wildlife species.

Upland habitats are in very good condition with forbs and grasses exhibiting tremendous growth and seed production. These areas are providing an abundant food source to many species.

Trees and shrubs are heavy with fruit at this time and are providing another important source of food to many bird and mammal species.

Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 or e-mail martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us for additional information.

NORTHEAST ZONE

Check fire restrictions

Check with the land manager where you are going before you head out. The InciWeb site lists Oregon fires and land manager sites (below) may list closures and restrictions.

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities

* Trout fishing has been fair to good in the Wallowa, lower Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Umatilla rivers; look for steelhead fishing to improve once there has been some rain.

* Good numbers of coho, fall chinook and summer steelhead are available at the mouth of the Umatilla River. Water temperatures have cooled and angler success has improved. Rainfall and increases river flows will move more fish into the system.

ALDRICH PONDS: trout

Fishing is good at the lower pond but poor at the upper pond. Excessive weed growth is still a problem at the lower pond. These ponds will be closed to fishing after Oct. 31.

GRANDE RONDE, WALLOWA, IMNAHA RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES: trout

Trout fishing in the Wallowa, lower Grande Ronde, and Imnaha rivers is fair to good. Trout fishing in all northeast Oregon streams will close Oct. 31. Steelhead angling in the lower Grande Ronde and Imnaha Rivers has improved. Anglers averaged 10.6 hours per steelhead landed in creel surveys conducted since Oct. 1. More rain is forecast for the upcoming week which should improve river flows and steelhead angling. The bag limit for steelhead on the lower Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha Rivers will increase to five adipose fin-clipped steelhead per day beginning Oct. 18. The increased bag limit is in response to record numbers of steelhead returning to the Snake River system this year.

Check river flows

HONEYMOON, TEPEE, SALT CREEK, and McGRAW PONDS: Rainbow trout

Ponds on the Wallowa Whitman Forest are providing fair to good angling for stocked rainbow trout.

JUBILEE LAKE: trout

Fishing for rainbow trout should be good. The gate to the campground will be closed Oct. 16, but walk-in access is still allowed.

JOHN DAY RIVER: trout, bass and channel catfish

Fishing is fair for smallmouth and channel cats; however, flows in the lower John Day remain too low for boats. No steelhead have entered the lower river at this time. Remember the bass limit changes below Service Creek to 5 fish per day with no more than one over 16 inches. All bass between 12 and 16 inches must be released unharmed. Trout fishing is good in the upper river but will close Oct. 31.

Stream flow levels at Service Creek

KINNEY LAKE: trout

Fishing at Kinney Lake has been fair for stocked rainbow trout. Kinney Lake closes to angling on Oct. 31.

MAGONE LAKE: trout

Fishing for rainbow and brook trout is good. Rainbow are feeding in the shallows and brook trout are staging to spawn near the swimming beach.

MORGAN LAKE: trout, bullheads

Legal and trophy-sized trout have been stocked. Fishing is fair-good for small crappie and 12-inch catfish.

OLIVE LAKE: trout, kokanee

Fishing will remain good here throughout the fall at this high elevation lake. Fish for rainbow in the shallow weedy areas and search for the kokanee in the deep portions of this lake. Anglers have reported several fish with white spot parasites on their skin. If these fish are quickly released they will shed the parasites during the cooler months.

PENDLAND LAKE: trout

Late fall fishing for rainbow trout should be good.

ROWE CREEK RESERVOIR, BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR, LONG CREEK POND, CAVENDER POND: trout

Fishing is fair for rainbow trout. Water levels are low so anglers must cross several feet of mud to access these ponds but some large rainbow are available. These ponds are open year-round.

TROUT FARM POND: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing is good in this spring-fed pond. It is very weedy so a float tube is advised.

UMATILLA RIVER: summer steelhead, coho, fall chinook jacks and trout

October is the most productive month for salmon and steelhead angling on the Umatilla River. Catch rates for the week of Oct. 5-11 were, 6.8 hours/fish landed. Anglers should target the lower river downstream of Threemile Dam and near the Hwy 395 crossing for early season success. Returns to date to Threemile Dam are 468 summer steelhead, 688 adult, 1,882 jack fall chinook and 400 adult and 67 jack coho. The upper Umatilla should be good for catch-and-release fishing for rainbow trout. Updated Threemile Dam fish counts can be accessed at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/fish_counts/

UMATILLA FOREST PONDS: rainbow trout

Hunters may want to give these ponds a try while deer and elk hunting. The Ukiah and Walla Walla Ranger District ponds have been stocked and angling is fair.

WALLA WALLA RIVER: trout

River flows have reached summer flow levels and trout fishing has been good.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee

Wallowa Lake is providing good fishing for stocked rainbow trout.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

Trout angling should be good.

NORTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

Check for fire restrictions before you go hunting!

InciWeb

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

OPEN: WATERFOWL (some counties open Oct. 17), CHUKAR/HUN, PHEASANT, QUAIL, FOREST GROUSE, COUGAR and BEAR

Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt.

Wolves in northeast Oregon

Wolves are protected by state law and it is unlawful to shoot them. Coyote hunters in northeastern Oregon need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall.

ODFW needs hunters' assistance to establish wolves' presence in Oregon; please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to La Grande office (541) 963-2138 or online.

BAKER COUNTY

FOREST GROUSE can be found in abundant numbers on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest. Look for ruffed grouse in riparian areas and blue grouse on ridge tops and edges of high meadows.

CHUKAR and QUAIL are open. Chukar numbers are higher than previous years. Hunters should have the best success along Brownlee Reservoir. Look for Quail in lower elevation brushy draws and borders of agricultural areas.

TURKEY is open for hunters who drew a controlled hunt tag. Highest densities of birds can be found in the area around Halfway, along the base of the Elkhorn Mountains, or south of Baker City in the Auburn area.

COUGAR and BEAR are open. Find cougars just about anywhere; remember to carry a tag. Hunt for bears in areas with abundant forage. Tracking bears after early fall snows can be effective.

SQUIRRELS can be found throughout the agricultural valleys. Hunters should ask permission before hunting on private land.

COYOTE numbers are good throughout the district. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon.

GRANT COUNTY

COUGAR and BEAR seasons are open. Elderberries and old orchards are ripe and may be a good place to find bears.

COYOTES numbers are good in most of the district. They may be found "mousing" in agricultural areas this time of year but remember to ask permission first before hunting. They may respond to distress call as the weather cools.

GROUSE appear to be doing well in the Desolation Unit. The best areas to hunt are open ridges for Blue grouse and riparian area for Ruffed grouse.

MORROW, GILLIAM and WHEELER COUNTIES

COUGAR and BEAR hunting are open. Hunters more regularly see cougars but also encounter bears. Remember to carry a tag.

COYOTE hunting: Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful.

UNION COUNTY

ELK and DEER hunters should bring cold weather/snow gear including tire chains, shovels and tow straps as snow can occur anytime starting in October. The elk population in the Starkey unit is about average and above average in the Catherine Creek unit. Elk are still in their summer range; no movement to lower elevations is apparent. Hunters that camp along the upper Grande Ronde River (Vey Ranch upstream) be aware that most of the campsites in that area will be closed this fall due to a stream improvement project.

GAME BIRDS - Quail, Chukar, Hungarian partridge and pheasant seasons opened Oct. 10. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area and private lands with good shrub cover around the perimeter of the Grande Ronde Valley are good locations to find pheasants, huns and quail. Union County has a few Chukar in the Powder River Canyon.

FOREST GROUSE - Look for Blue Grouse above 5000 feet elevation and Ruffed grouse along streams and in moist draws. Concentrate in areas with where residual berries remain on the shrubs

COYOTE numbers are strong throughout the county. Using predator calls as a lure and moving call sights after 20 minutes is an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

BLACK BEAR occur throughout the county. Deer and elk hunters have a good chance of encountering a bear while in the field. Look for bear sign around fruit trees and in canyon bottoms. Hawthorn thickets and orchards are great places to harvest fall bears. Be sure to ask for permission to hunt around private orchards. Bear skulls must be checked in within ten days of harvest, with the jaws propped open.

COUGARS are common in Union County. Look for recent kill-sites and set up a stand down wind of the kill. A cougar kill site is often covered with sticks, leaves and other debris. Cougars are most active in the mornings and evenings. Using a remote call box (possibly in conjunction with a remote motion devise) can also be effective as it draws the cougars attention away from your location. Be VERY patient when calling cougars. They usually come in very slow using every bit of cover when approaching a call or remote motion devise. Be well hidden when calling and keep your motion to an absolute minimum. Cougar's eye-sight is nothing short of excellent; especially in low light conditions.

LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA

The Ladd Marsh upland birds and waterfowl general seasons began Oct. 10. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is open Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and all state observed holidays during these seasons. Above average temperatures and no rainfall in September reduced water levels when conditions normally improve. Water levels are extremely low and many traditional hunting areas are dry. Cooler temperatures should improve water conditions and hunting.

Pheasant and quail hunting will be good. Weather conditions were good throughout the nesting period and the number of broods and size were up from recent years.

WALLOWA DISTRICT

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT RESTRICTIONS: Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock travel management areas are in effect in the Sled Springs unit.

FOREST GROUSE hunting has been generally slow. Blue and ruffed grouse numbers have improved slightly over last year, but locating blue grouse is expected to be spotty. Hunters are asked to keep wings and tails and place them in collection barrels located through the county.

Good numbers of COYOTES can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling coyotes with rabbit distress type calls has been effective for hunters. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote sign and little human activity.

COUGAR numbers are strong through out Wallowa County. Most lions are taken incidental to other hunting; however, calling with fawn bleat, or locating a cougar kill and waiting for a cat to return are often successful techniques.

BLACK BEAR densities are good in all units and hunters will increase their odds of spotting a bear by hunting around old fruit orchards, or in drainage bottoms where hawthorn or other berries are ripe.

NORTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

Baker County

Migrant waterfowl are beginning to show up in area lakes and wetlands. Good viewing can be found at Philips Reservoir and the surrounding dredge tailing ponds. Keep an eye out for beaver, white-tail deer and elk in this area.

Bighorn sheep are beginning to rut. Sheep can be viewed easily from Burnt River Canyon Road just west of Durkee. Look for sheep in Hooker Gulch, Cave Creek, and Dark Canyon.

Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler Counties

As in the spring, fall is heralded in by the migrating Sandhill Cranes as they return to the South where they winter. Many flights have stated to pass over daily. Most of our summer migrants have headed south for the winter.

Winter raptors are showing up as well-one can spot Sharp-shinned hawks along most of the waterways. Prairie falcons are more visible along the grasslands. Soon Rough-legged hawks and Short-eared owl will be showing up as well.

The waterways and wetlands will be filling up with waterfowl as their migration comes on in full swing. Turkeys are more easily seen in the forested regions of the District.

Union County

Pronghorn Antelope can be viewed on Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, often along Pierce Road and Hot Lake Lane. Deer and elk can be seen around the edges of the valley. Many young birds are hatching around the valley. Look for game birds such as California Quail and Ring-necked Pheasants along rural roads in the evenings and at dusk. Turkey polts have been reported at several sites around the county. Songbirds are plentiful throughout the Grande Ronde Valley and are most active during the cooler portions of the day.

There are still many elk at the Anthony Creek feed site on the Elkhorn Wildlife Area.

ODFW's Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, La Grande

The Tule Lake Public Access Area is closed for the season. Access to the area has reverted to that of the rest of the wildlife area. That is, it is open Sat., Sun., Wed. and state observed holidays during the waterfowl, quail and pheasant hunting seasons. The Public Access Area and auto route will reopen March 1, 2010. There are numerous quality viewing opportunities from county roads that pass through the area. Binoculars or a spotting scope will help as many animals are best viewed from a distance.

Changing weather patterns may result in southward movement of birds that have summered in the area but may also bring in migrating birds from the north.

Over 100 Sandhill cranes have been seen in the refuge as they gather to head south. As the mornings warm up, they have been moving into the south end of the refuge. A spotting scope is a must to pick them out in the shallows, visible from Foothill Road.

NOTE: Please report any observations of banded sandhill cranes to the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area office (541-963-4954) or to Gary Ivey, Western Crane Conservation Manager, International Crane Foundation (541-383-2033). Please note the positions of the colors on each leg (right leg means the crane's right leg, no matter which way the bird is facing) along with the date, time and location of the observation.

Wildlife viewers are reminded that hunting seasons have begun and all users are asked to share the area with respect for others.

Dogs are not permitted within the Wildlife Area, on or off leash except during authorized hunting seasons. For more information on access rules for the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, please consult the Oregon Game Bird Regulations or call the wildlife area (541) 963-4954.

Umatilla County

Soon large flights of Swainson's hawks will begin forming in agricultural areas near the Columbia River in preparation for flights south. They will be seen flying in the Hermiston, Stanfield, Echo area in the earlier half of the morning as September approaches. Neotropical migrant passerine birds will also be common along riparian zones from the lowlands near the Columbia River up to the high elevation areas of the Umatilla National Forest as they begin to slowly start moving south as the fall approaches.

Flocks of ducks and geese can be seen along the Columbia River and large reservoirs in the County. Elk will still be common along the upper open areas of the west slope of the Blue Mountains. Deer will be seen in herds from the valley floor to the upper Blue Mountains. The riverine and agricultural areas near the base of the mountains will be dominated by white-tailed deer. The desert and mountain areas will be inhabited primarily by mule deer. Elk can be viewed throughout the day while deer will be most visible in the first and last two hours of the day.

Gulls and raptors can be seen along the Columbia River. Visit local wildlife areas to see shore and marsh birds in addition to perching birds and raptors. Wood ducks, mallards and mergansers can be seen traveling in flocks up and down the river systems that have cottonwood trees along the banks.

Wallowa County

Raptors

Red-tailed and Ferruginous hawks, as well as a variety of owls can be observed through out Wallowa Valley and Zumwalt prairie. Most raptors can be easily observed from county roads. A good pair of binoculars will improve viewing opportunities.

Bald eagles

Most wintering bald eagles have left the Wallowa valley to return to summering areas; however, interested birders can still observe a pair of eagles at the head of Wallowa Lake where the Wallowa River empties into the lake. A large nest can be observed in an old cottonwood tree and the eagles will continue to utilize the nest area.

Mule and White-tailed Deer

Mule and white-tailed deer are common in agricultural areas adjacent to Highway 82. Animals can be observed during early morning and late evening hours.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep can often be observed along the canyon walls of the Grande Ronde River when driving both up and down stream from the town of Troy.

Mountain Goats

Mountain goats can be observed from Hat Point lookout. A short walk to the Snake River canyon rim from the lookout and the use of binoculars will improve a person's chance of spotting goats in the rough rocky cliffs. Hikers and backpackers can observe mountain goats many places in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Ridge tops and peaks along Hurricane Divide between Hurricane Creek and the Lostine River are good places to spot mountain goats.

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

Check fire restrictions

Expect increased fire safety restrictions and possible fire-related closures. Check with the land manager where you are going before you head out.

Oregon National Forests

Oregon BLM

Oregon Department of Forestry

FISHING

Crappie fishing has picked up and the fish are heavy. Red and white jigs are working well. Catfish angling is good with some large fish being taken. Some catfish are dying. ODFW is attempting to do some testing to find the cause. This occurred 3 years ago and was caused by a virus not harmful to humans. Bass angling has picked up and some nice bass are being caught. Some perch are starting to bite as well. The water level is 23 feet below full. Call Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit their Web site under the "Rivers and Recreation" heading.

Reservoir level information

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

No recent report but trout fishing should pick up due to cooler weather. Fish for trout nears stream outlets. Fishing for perch and crappie may pick up also.

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass

Fishing for adipose fin-clipped steelhead has opened. Beginning Oct. 18, the bag limit for steelhead will increase to five adipose fin-clipped steelhead per day, with no more than three 32 inches in total length or greater.

Get updated information on flow levels.

SNAKE RIVER (Above Brownlee Reservoir): channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass

Flows at the Nyssa gauge averaged 6,687 on Sept. 27. Flows at the Weiser gauge ranged from approximately 8,836 Sept. 27. Flows at both gauges are slightly below flows observed last year at this time. Angling for smallmouth bass remains slow while angling for catfish is slowing.

COLUMBIA ZONE

The Columbia River Zone report is currently in transition, but we hope to have it back in the Recreation Report shortly. In the meantime, the most recent harvest numbers for the Columbia River can be found at

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/OSCRP/CRM/sport_fishery_updates.asp

MARINE ZONE

MARINE FISHING

Although there were a few catches of tuna last week, ocean conditions don't look favorable for pursuing albacore off the Oregon coast any time soon. This ranks as the second best tuna year on record with more than 42,000 fish landed. It's still a ways from the record year of 2009 when Oregon anglers landed nearly 59,000 tuna. Last year sport anglers landed more than 24,000 fish.

Bottom fish anglers on average continue to land two or three rockfish coast wide. Lingcod landings have improved dramatically as lingcod move closer inshore and anglers may now pursue them at any depth. The average lingcod catch last week was more than one fish per angler with Garibaldi posting a near-perfect 39 fish for every 20 anglers.

With the reopening of bottom fishing to all depth, some charter boats are offering combination lingcod and Humboldt squid trips. The squid are medium to large (up to six feet).

Bottomfish anglers on average continue to land two or three rockfish coast wide. Lingcod landings are improving slightly as lingcod move closer inshore and anglers may now pursue them at any depth. The average lingcod catch one fish for every two anglers.

Cabezon retention by sport boat anglers is not allowed effective Sept. 12 through Dec. 31 because the ocean boat harvest cap of 15.8 metric tons has been reached. Cabezon have a high survival rate when released carefully. Shore anglers, including shore-based divers, may continue to keep cabezon.

The marine fish daily bag limit is seven fish (effective since May). This is the highest marine bag limit since the summer of 2005. The marine fish bag includes rockfish and other species such as greenling. The increased bag limit is based on a favorable stock assessment for black rockfish, the dominant species in the nearshore groundfish fishery. There are separate daily limits for lingcod (2) and flatfish other than Pacific halibut (25).

Remember: yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish may not be retained. The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area approximately 15 miles west of Newport is closed to the harvest of rockfish, lingcod, flatfish and others.

Sport fishing for salmon in the ocean between Leadbetter Point, Wash., and Humbug Mt., closed Sept. 30.

For season details about sport ocean salmon fishing visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/Regulations/OceanSport2009.asp.

Halibut fishing is closed off Oregon coast and will not reopen this year.

For more information on the halibut season, go to http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/finfish/halibut/index.asp.

SHELLFISH

Recreational razor clam harvesting is now open from the south jetty of Yaquina Bay to the California border. All razor clamming from the mouth of the Columbia river to the north jetty of Yaquina Bay remains closed because of elevated levels of PSP.

Recreational mussel harvesting is now open from Bastendorf Beach near Charleston to the California border. All mussel harvesting north of Bastendorf beach remains closed.

Recreational and commercial clam harvesting is open inside all bays along the entire Oregon Coast, from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border.

For more information go to the ODA shellfish safety page or call the shellfish hotline, 1-800-448-2474. Waters can be closed on short notice because of contaminated waters due to coastal flooding and because of elevated levels of naturally occurring toxins. Crabs are not affected by this closure.

Check out the recreational clam pages on the ODFW Web site: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/ then click on the shellfish icon. The pages contain everything you need to know for identifying and harvesting Oregon's clams.

CRABS

Crabbers in Coos Bay brought in an average of 10 crabs. Other ports report catches between four and five.

The best months for bay crabbing in Oregon are August through November.

Crabbing success is often best during the slack tide at high tide or low tide when crabs are looking for food.

Recreational Bay Crab Survey data are updated every month on the ODFW Web site Crabbing Reports page (last update 9/10). The crabbing report provides prospective crabbers information on the success of crabbers in sampled bays.

Crabbing is open year round in estuaries, on beaches, and off jetties, but the ocean is closed to recreational crabbing from Oct. 16 through Nov. 30.

Some sport crabbers have difficulty correctly measuring the minimum size for Dungeness crab, which is 5 3?4 inches measured in a straight line across the back immediately in front of, but not including, the points. For a photograph and diagram see page 96 of the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

MARINE ZONE VIEWING

Late October viewing

For all you pelican lovers it's time to visit the coast to see these magnificent birds before they fly south to nest in the Sea of Cortez. About 12,800 brown pelicans visit the Oregon coast each year. Prior to the 1982-83 El Niño, the birds didn't show up much before June and left after November. But now they arrive earlier and stay later each year. Starting in 1982, they were first reported coming to the coast in May. Now it is not unusual to see them in April. Often there are stragglers into December, and occasionally January.

Bays and estuaries play host to several kinds of ducks and geese this time of year including surf scooters and harlequin ducks. The waterfowl attract bald eagles and you can often see them harassing the ducks.

Although the Rufous Hummingbird has flown south, the Oregon coast has mild enough weather for the Anna's Hummingbird stay the whole winter. If you keep a hummingbird feeder full they will visit.

As many as 6,000 harbor seals, northern elephant seals, Steller sea lions, California sea lions haul out on Simpson's Reef this time of year. It is about the only place in Oregon where you can see all four of the state's pinnipeds in one place. The Simpson's Reef overlook, located in Cape Arago State Park just south of Coos Bay, provides breathtaking views of Shell Island and Simpson Reef, part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. With a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope you can watch these marine mammals interact with each other and their environment.

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Automotive ATV

Sabtu, 17 Oktober 2009

Automotive ATV - MSN

Automotive ATV - MSN

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