plus 1, Granite Digital Battery System Adds Life to DiMora's $2 Million Sport ... - PR.com |
| Granite Digital Battery System Adds Life to DiMora's $2 Million Sport ... - PR.com Posted: 02 Jan 2010 12:02 AM PST Union City, CA, January 02, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Granite Digital is the latest world-class innovator to become a Technology Partner in DiMora Motorcar's program to create the Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan. Its Save A Battery system will be standard on-board equipment, providing real-time battery monitoring on the road and continuous testing, conditioning, and charging in the garage. This is the first time that a complete battery maintenance system has become an integral part of a production automobile. According to Frank Gabrielli, President of Granite Digital/Save A Battery, "We are very excited to be a part of such a revolutionary automotive design and we take this job very seriously. Using our advanced charger technology to keep the Natalia SLS 2 ready whenever it is called upon means that our system will have to not only be the best but also keep the battery fresh, alive, and maintained to perfection. Our added monitoring features will also protect the charging and electrical systems by alerting the driver of problems before damage can occur." Data from the customized Save A Battery 1702 Charging System will be integrated into the Natalia's dashboard information systems, allowing the driver to check the status of the battery and electrical system at any time. For an advanced electrical system like the Natalia, this means that the driver can be assured of the vehicle's reliability before setting out on a journey. DiMora Motorcar Founder Alfred DiMora noted the importance of Save A Battery systems for the car collector. "When you have classic cars and custom motorcycles that you need to keep in showroom condition all the time, batteries rarely get enough activity to keep them healthy. Trickle chargers keep the voltage up but do nothing to overcome crystallization of lead sulfate, which ages a battery prematurely. I solved that problem by using Save A Battery systems, which perform desulfation as part of their automatic battery conditioning and maintenance." DiMora went on to say, "Each Natalia will have a retractable 110 or 220 volt AC cord that the owner will extend to any power outlet when the automobile is parked. This is a unique feature, only to be found on the Natalia SLS 2." About Granite Digital and Save A Battery About DiMora Motorcar and DiMora Custom Bikes The founder, CEO, and driving force behind both companies is Alfred J. DiMora, who produced two of America's finest luxury automobiles, the Clenet (as owner) and the Sceptre (as co-founder). When President Reagan declared 1986 the Centennial Year of the Gasoline-Powered Automobile, Mr. DiMora's Clenet was selected as the Official Centennial Car. As a result, he and the Clenet were honored at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Michigan. For more information, please visit www.dimoramotorcar.com. ### Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
| Oregon Recreation Report - Albany Democrat-Herald Posted: 31 Dec 2009 03:50 PM PST New license needed to fish and hunt as of Jan. 1, 2010 Don't forget that a 2010 hunting or fishing license is needed with the New Year. Hunters pursuing cougar will need a 2010 cougar tag. Game bird validations are valid through June 30, 2010. It's whale watch week on the Oregon Coast Volunteers at 26 "Whale Watching Spoken Here" sites help visitors spot gray whales during the winter migration. The volunteers are on duty 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to help visitors see the marine animals. More information is available on the Oregon Park and Recreation Department's Web site. Sign up now to hunt pheasant or rabbit in the New Year ODFW Outdoors is hosting three workshops in January and February 2010. Join us at a family-friendly rabbit hunting clinic (Jan. 23, E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area); a pheasant hunt geared towards women (Feb. 20 near Dallas) and a Mentor Youth Hunter Program pheasant hunt for ages 9 to 13 (Feb. 21 near Dallas). http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/workshops.asp Apply now for 2010 controlled hunt: You could win a Sports Pac! Hunters that apply for and are issued a controlled hunt application by April 15, 2010 will be entered into drawing(s) to win a 2011 Resident Sports Pac (a $164.75 value) or a 2011 Non Resident Hunting License (a $140.50 value). More information Winter steelhead is picking up Winter steelhead are showing up in rivers up and down the coast, and in the Willamette Valley. Check out the NW, SW and Willamette Zone reports for the latest update. Holiday meal ideas: Seafood and game recipes Serve an Oregon Surf and Turf (see this flyer for recipes for Oregon Dungeness crab cakes, Juniper elk and Venison mincemeat pie) or bring home the bird (duck, goose and pheasant recipes). WILLAMETTE ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Pick up a copy today! Weekend fishing opportunities: * Winter steelhead fishing is off to a good start in both the Sandy and Clackamas rivers. Anglers reported good catch prior to the cold snap and now that local rivers have dropped back into shape the trend appears to be continuing. * Large brood trout were released this week in Junction City and Walter Wirth ponds. The fish are 4- and 5-year-old rainbow trout from ODFW's Roaring River hatchery and range in size from 8 to 18 pounds. * Sturgeon fishing is fair on the lower Willamette River and effort by anglers is increasing. Attention anglers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. EVENTS Jan. 9 - Steelhead and sturgeon fishing clinics, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dick's Sporting Goods, Two locations: 700 N.W. Eastman Parkway in Gresham & 7280 N.W. Butler St. in Hillsboro. 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 CLACKAMAS RIVER: steelhead Conditions are good for winter steelhead angling on the Clackamas, and fish should be spread throughout the system now. Temperatures are a bit chilly but the color is good and flows are approaching ideal. Tuesday hydro readings showed a gage height of 12.43', and water temperature near 37°, and flow running at 2,540 cfs. 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. EAGLE CREEK: winter steelhead Winter steelhead should be available throughout much of the creek, with conditions good, although the creek is running cold and quite clear. Anglers should adjust their gear appropriately during the clear water. Effort was up over the weekend, usually an indication of steelhead in the system. GREEN PETER RESERVOIR: kokanee, trout, bass This reservoir east of Sweet Home is a very good kokanee fishery with bag limit of 25 fish per day. It also supports stocked rainbow trout and some large smallmouth bass. Kokanee can be found in the 12-14 inch range, and 21,000 catchable trout are stocked in April. 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. HUDDLESTON POND: trout Stocked recently with 35 rainbow trout brood stock weighing from 8 to 18 pounds apiece. From Hwy. 18, take Willamina City Center exit, turn left on Main St., follow Main St. to NE E St. and turn right. Proceed to NE Yamhill St. and turn left. Follow Yamhill St. to the pond. JUNCTION CITY POND: trout, bluegill Stocked this week with 25 large rainbow trout brood fish. Junction City pond is located about 2 miles south of Junction City on 99W on the west side of the highway. There is excellent access around the entire 8-acre pond. MCKENZIE RIVER (below Leaburg Lake): trout, steelhead Summer steelhead continue to arrive at the base of Leaburg Dam. Angling pressure has been fairly light. MCKENZIE RIVER (above Leaburg Lake): trout The McKenzie River from Leaburg Dam to Forest Glen Boat Landing remains open until Dec. 31. Trout angling has been fair with some native fish being caught and released. The river upstream from Forest glen Boat Ramp closed on Nov. 1. MT HOOD POND: trout Stocked this week with 30 rainbow trout brood trout ranging in size from 8 to 18 pounds. The pond is located on the Mt. Hood Community College campus. NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, chinook, coho The new regulation restricting angling to artificial flies and lures in the Little North Fork Santiam is in effect year round. The temporary rules allowing for a bag limit of three salmon or steelhead ends Dec. 31. Starting Jan. 1, daily bag limits return to two adult salmon or steelhead per day, plus one additional fin-clipped steelhead. River levels have come down and water clarity is very good. With the onset of cold weather the fish will be looking for the warmer water upstream out of Detroit Lake. There are still a few coho and steelhead around, especially below rapids or other fast water areas where they tend to rest and congregate before pushing further upstream. Pink lures as well as egg clusters tend to work best. SANDY RIVER: winter steelhead Warmer weather and improved flows add up to better conditions for winter steelhead fishing. The east wind has subsided for now, making angling much more pleasurable. Although Sandy winter steelhead are a later returning stock, as we head into the New Year there should be fish available Monday readings for the Sandy showed river flows down to 1560 cfs (9.29 ft) with the water temperature at 38°. WARNING: Anglers are reminded that seasonal rain storms can cause sudden increases in water flows on the Sandy. Anglers should use extreme caution before considering fording the river, and should wear PFDs when entering the water. SANTIAM RIVER: trout Trout season is closed on the Santiam River until May 23, 2010. ST. LOUIS PONDS: trout This 54-acre complex of 7 ponds is owned and managed by ODFW, and in addition to stocked trout contains several species of warmwater fish. The gate to the ponds is now closed for the season so anglers who want to try their luck at this site will have to walk in. 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. The gate to the pond is now locked, so anglers should be prepared to make a short hike to the ponds. WALLING POND: trout Stocked recently with 20 rainbow trout brood stock ranging in size from 8 to 18 pounds. 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 25 rainbow trout brood stock ranging in size from 8 to 18 pounds. 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 Stocked recently with 30 rainbow trout brood trout ranging in size from 8 to 18 pounds. 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: sturgeon, winter steelhead Salmon and steelhead passage through the fish ladders at Willamette Falls has remained slow, but should improve with warmer water conditions. The coho are about over, but winter steelhead are just moving in. Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on Monday showed flows down to 19,700 cfs, the water temperature steady at 40°, and the visibility improving to over 2 ft. Bank angling can be found from the point of the bar all the way up to the Blacktop near the mouth of the Clackamas River. If you are unsure of how to approach this fishery, drop down and observe the anglers who have been fishing this water for years. Boat anglers will often fish out from the old bulkhead, but should try to stay clear of the bank angler's casting space. Sturgeon season reopened for retention Oct. 1 in the Willamette and Columbia from Wauna power lines to Bonneville dam. Prior to the water getting extremely cold, the catch rates had been fair for both keepers and shakers. When the water warms again this week, anglers should try the stretch of river near Willamette Park on up through Milwaukie. The lower Portland harbor and down into Multnomah Channel should also produce some fish. A successful sturgeon trip can often be dependent on what bait is offered, and location. Anglers should carry multiple baits and be prepared to switch until finding one that brings a bite. Anglers have been finding success using a variety including smelt, anchovies, squid, or sand shrimp. Some extra "scent" can also be helpful. WILLAMETTE ZONE HUNTING Don't forget to purchase a 2010 hunting license, which is required to hunt as of Jan. 1! OPEN: WATERFOWL (see regulations), PHEASANT (closes Dec. 31), FOREST GROUSE, QUAIL, TURKEY (closes Dec. 31), FURBEARERS, COUGAR and BEAR (closes Dec. 31) Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt. EVENTS Jan 23 - Small Game Hunting Clinic for Families, E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area. More information Feb. 6 - Rabbit Hunt for Disabled Hunters with Mary's Peak Hound Club. Contact EE Wilson Wildlife Area for more information tel. 541-745-5334. Feb. 20 - Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Pheasant Hunt, Luckiamute Valley Pheasant Preserve (near Dallas). More information Feb. 21 - Mentor Youth Pheasant Hunt, Luckiamute Valley Pheasant Preserve (near Dallas). More information Feb. 20 and 21 - Youth Rabbit Hunt, E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, sponsored by the Marys Peak Hound Club. See page 23 of the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more information. Registration opens Feb. 1 by calling EE Wilson WA at tel. 541-745-5334 REMINDER 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 BE PREPARED Hunters are reminded to prepare for cold temperatures: dress appropriately and keep survival equipment such as food, water, sleeping bags, fire starting material with you and in your vehicle during this cold period. Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return just in case your vehicle becomes stuck. Late season DEER hunts have ended and deer hunting will be shutting down for the year in all areas except the Willamette Unit controlled deer hunt which ends on February 28, 2010. Hunters participating in the Willamette Unit controlled deer hunt should find plenty of deer available. Private lands limit access for this hunt and participants need to obtain permission before hunting on private lands. Hunters without private land connections can explore hunting opportunities on Willamette Greenway parcels. Information about these areas can be found in the Willamette River Recreation Guide published by the Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon State Parks or by contacting the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department at 503-986-0707. Controlled elk rifle seasons open Jan. 1 in the Scappoose, northeast portions of the Trask and northern portion of the Santiam Unit. Check the 2009 Oregon Big Game Regulations for the specific dates and boundaries of your hunt. Elk herds forced down to low elevation agricultural fields to find forage are remaining in these areas even though weather conditions have improved. Though these herds have not been exposed to hunters they remain wary of humans and move in and out of the fields during the night or very early or late in the day. Hunters who have access to private agriculture lands will need to be in the field well before daylight to catch moving elk. On private timberlands hunters may want to glass clear cuts early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Elk will often bed down during the day in larger timber or timber reproduction stands. Some private timberlands may be open for hunting during this season. Please check with the landowner before hunting on private lands. General black BEAR hunting season closes Dec. 31. Opportunities to harvest a bear are minimal as most bears have denned up for the winter. At low elevations hunters may encounter bear tracks in the snow which would allow the opportunity to try tracking a bear. 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 remains open but hunter success rates in both the Cascades and Coast range remains low. Remember a 2010 tag is needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. Hunters are finding access to many areas difficult due to poor weather and road conditions. Hunters are reporting that snow conditions for tracking cougar are good and will only improve over the winter. Several animals have been harvested by hunters taking a stand near a recent cougar kill. Hunters continue to use predator calls that imitate the sounds of a deer or elk to draw cougars within shooting range. 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 2010 Big Game Hunting Regulations before your hunting trip to ensure that you are familiar with all of the requirements. GAME BIRD FOREST GROUSE hunting conditions are deteriorating as wet and cold weather fronts continue to move across northwest Oregon. Forest grouse will be out feeding on dry days and hunters should be concentrating their efforts where food sources are most abundant. Hunters targeting Blue grouse should concentrate their efforts in the upper elevation ridges of the Cascade 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. QUAIL and PHEASANT hunting has dropped off and hunters are reporting difficulty in locating birds. Those hunters able to locate local concentrations of birds should have fair shooting until the season ends. The best hunting will be found along the forest edge and across the Willamette Valley and hunters are reminded to obtain permission to hunt before entering private land. PHEASANT hunting closes Dec. 31. TURKEY hunting closes Dec. 31 and should remain poor in the Trask, Santiam and northern Willamette Units. Most turkeys are found on private lands and access is limited. Those hunters without local contacts should be out talking to landowners to acquire access to the few and widely scattered flocks. WATERFOWL hunters are having good success and harvest levels in the upper Willamette Valley are better than expected. Hunters on the Columbia River have reported improved success on diving ducks during the cold weather conditions. Weather, tides and water levels play a large part in having a successful day. Finding protected coves and back eddies where ducks settle in during stormy weather will give you your best chance for success. Please review the 2009-2010 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more information. Canada GOOSE hunters are experiencing fair to good success. Hunting Canada geese in the Willamette Valley is closely regulated and hunters should carefully read the 2009-2010 Oregon Game Bird Regulations for more information on opening and closing dates, bag limits and possession limits. The Northwest Oregon Permit Goose season protects dusky Canada goose populations while allowing harvest of more numerous subspecies. The department is asking hunters to refrain from purposely shooting any dusky Canada goose due to the long-term population decline and this year's population survey in Alaska that was the lowest on record. FURBEARER trappers and hunters should be getting out in the field. Bobcat, gray fox, red fox, marten, muskrat, mink, raccoon, river otter and beaver trapping and/or hunting is currently open. Trappers are reminded that waters within the exterior boundaries of the Mt. Hood National Forest are closed to beaver trapping (see page 2 of the Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations). Furbearer hunters can use a variety of sounds from their mouth or electronic calls to lure bobcat, fox, coyote or raccoon out into the open. Remember to keep the volume low when you start to avoid scaring any animals near your stand, then increase the volume. Bobcats are usually slow to respond and can loose interest if the hunter does not call continuously which makes an electronic call a valuable tool. Bird and rabbit sounds tend the catch and hold a bobcat's attention and are worth trying. To improve your chances of success plan on staying on stand a minimum of 45 minutes and up to an hour. SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA See Sauvie Island harvest statistics and the regulations for information on how to obtain a waterfowl hunting permit. . Goose hunting is now closed for the 2009-2010 season because the Wildlife Area's harvest quota of three dusky Canada geese has been achieved. Dusky geese numbers have dwindled in recent year, and these birds are protected under the multi-jurisdictional Pacific Flyway Management Plan. The goose season closure does not affect the duck hunting season, which continues at SIWA. Hunting has picked up this last week with the best units on the Eastside being Johnson, Malarky, Rentenaar and Deadwillow. Mud Lake topped all units with a total of 263 birds. Mallard, green winged teal and widgeon were the species most harvested. To date, this year's total harvest is ahead of last season by 1,736 birds. FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA Reservation waterfowl hunt continues on a Monday, Wednesday, Saturday schedule. Hunters are checked in two hours before sunrise on each day of the hunt. Ice has melted from the recent cold snap and birds returned to the area once open water was available. Access regulations for five units at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area change concurrent with hunt season dates. Visitors are advised to carefully read posted signs and consult game bird regulations before entering the wildlife area. The Fisher Butte and Royal Amazon units are open to hunting 7-days/week during duck season with hunting ending at 1 p.m. each day. These units are closed to all public use at 2:00 PM each day to provide wildlife sanctuary. The Kirk Park unit remains open to public use daily year-round, however during duck season, hunting is only authorized on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. Free daily hunt permits are required for hunting in these five units. The permits are available on-site at area parking lots. All other units at Fern Ridge lake and wildlife area are open to hunting daily according to authorized seasons and posted access restrictions (for example hunting is not allowed in designated park areas or administrative areas near Fern Ridge dam). Hunters are reminded that the entire Fern Ridge area is closed to goose hunting during the general season and NW Oregon Goose Permit Zone hunts. A new rule in place this year encourages hunters to pack out all litter, including spent shotgun shell casings. We appreciate your effort to keep the area clean and presentable for all visitors. 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. EE WILSON WILDLIFE AREA Waterfowl numbers are beginning to build as ponds are accumulating water. Duck hunting only (no goose hunting). Rabbit hunting continues to be good, especially if you have a dog that can flush the rabbits out of the brush (i.e. beagle). For hunters with a 600 series Willamette deer tag, deer are still being seen around the area EE Wilson will host a rabbit hunt for disabled hunters on Feb 6, a BOW small game family hunting clinic on Jan 23, and a youth rabbit hunt on Feb 20 & 21. WILLAMETTE ZONE VIEWING EVENTS Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Jan. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Portland Tryon Creek State natural Area, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd. For more information, contact Friends of Tryon Creek State Park, 503-636-9886, ext. 225. Build bat houses at Cooper Mountain Nature Park, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Jan. 9 Cooper Mountain Nature Park, 18892 SW Kemmer Road, Beaverton,.503-629-6350. Hosted by the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. EE Wilson Wildlife Area Waterfowl numbers are beginning to build as ponds are accumulating water. 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. 12/1/09 Fern Ridge Wildlife Area 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. 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. Wintering concentrations of waterfowl and migrant shorebirds can be observed on the lake and surrounding mudflats and wetlands. Several thousand Canada geese use Fern Ridge Lake for an evening roost site and the sunset and sunrise departures and arrivals of the large flocks of geese provides an outstanding viewing opportunity. Observant visitors may also catch a glimpse of blacktail deer and furbearers including beaver and otter, mink, red fox and coyotes. Royal Avenue and the trail to the Fisher Butte viewing platform remain open all day every day year round. There is a second elevated viewing platform in the Fisher Butte unit located 1/4 mile north of the Fisher Butte unit parking lot on Hwy 126. The majority of Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is open daily for public use providing great wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors are reminded there are seasonal access restrictions in place in five units during the fall and winter to provide wildlife sanctuary. The East and West Coyote units are closed to all public use until the end of January except for a limited three-day-per-week reservation waterfowl hunt program. The Fisher Butte and Royal Amazon units are open daily through the end of duck season; however the units are closed to hunting at 1 p.m. daily and closed to all public use at 2 p.m. daily to provide rest periods for waterfowl. The Kirk Park unit is open daily for public use and hunting is limited to three days per week plus holidays. 12/8/09 Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Large numbers of sandhill cranes are using the bottomlands at the end of Oak Island Road. On Tuesday there were close to 400 cranes at this location. Most of the wildlife area waters are frozen and waterfowl viewing has been rather slow. The viewing should return to normal once open water starts reappearing. Raptor numbers have increased over the past few weeks, especially eagle numbers. The best locations to see these birds are Coon Point, Rentenaar Road and the Eastside Viewing Platform. 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 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. 12/15/09.
NORTHWEST ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations have been printed and are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Attention anglers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. Temporary fall chinook regulations end Dec. 31 Anglers should consult the 2010 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the rules that take effect on Jan. 1. The fall chinook season ended Dec. 31. Many fish are spawning, or are ripe and are about to spawn. Anglers are urged to release fish that are in this condition. Even fish that appear bright can be in spawning condition, and make low quality table fare. Look for soft, rounded bellies on females as a sign of loose eggs and readiness to spawn. Let these fish spawn to help improve future returns. NORTH COAST LAKES Trout stocking will resume in March. Surplus hatchery steelhead have been released in Town Lake, Coffenbury Lake, and Lost Lake. These fish will bite sand shrimp fished under a bobber, medium sized spinners or spoons, or a variety of flies at times. Be persistent as these fish are sometimes very finicky. MID COAST LAKES SILTCOOS LAKE Coho fishing is slow. Coho may be retained through Dec. 31. Anglers may retain one wild (non-adipose fin clip) adult coho and one jack coho per day. There is a seasonal limit of five wild (non-adipose fin clip) adult coho per year. TAHKENITCH LAKE Coho fishing is slow. Coho may be retained through Dec. 31. Anglers may retain one wild (non-adipose fin clip) adult coho and one jack coho per day. There is a seasonal limit of five wild (non-adipose fin clip) adult coho per year. ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead Winter steelhead angling is slow to fair. Fish can be found throughout the river with good opportunities coming from below the Fiver Rivers junction during the early season. This week should have favorable fishing conditions. BIG CREEK: steelhead Winter steelhead fishing improved after recent rains. Fish are available throughout the stream below the hatchery. A few steelhead were recycled downstream from Big Creek hatchery recently. Bobber and jig, spinners, or baits drifted along the bottom all will produce fish. GNAT CREEK: steelhead Winter steelhead fishing is improving as more fish have entered the stream. This is a good early season, small stream opportunity. There is good access near the hatchery. Look for pockets of holding water to find fish. Spinners often draw strikes in these areas. Bobber and jig or small baits drift fished will produce some fish also. KILCHIS RIVER: steelhead Winter steelhead are being caught, particularly in the lower river. Fishing has been fair to good depending on water conditions. Drift fishing is the most productive when flows are up. Side drifting or pulling plugs from boats has produced fish lately. KLASKANINE RIVER AND NORTH FORK KLASKANINE: steelhead A few early winter steelhead are available in the system. Fishing has improved as more fish enter the system and with better angling conditions. Good access is available near the hatchery on the North Fork. Use light gear and approach holes carefully to avoid spooking fish. NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead Winter steelhead angling has been fair to good, depending on water conditions. Fish are available throughout the river. Drift boaters should be able to float the river now. Bobber and jig or bait is very effective on this stream. NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead Winter steelhead angling has generally been good in the North Fork Nehalem. Quite a few fish have been caught around the hatchery recently. Fish are available throughout the river, with best chances for hatchery fish from Waterhouse Falls downstream. Steelhead are being recycled from Nehalem hatchery each week. Winter steelhead angling in the mainstem Nehalem is generally slow. Best opportunities are later in the season. NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead Steelhead angling is fair to good. More fish are moving into the system. Fish are being caught in Three Rivers and in the mainstem Nestucca River. Best fishing in the main river should be in the lower reaches, below Beaver. Drift fishing on the bottom will probably be the most productive until flows recede. Plunking in the travel lanes on the main river is another option. A few hatchery winter steelhead have been trapped and recycled from Cedar Creek Hatchery. SALMON RIVER: winter steelhead Native winter steelhead typically return from December through March. Fair to good numbers of wild winter steelhead should return this season. Good fishing conditions are expected this coming week. SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead Winter steelhead angling is slow to fair. Fish are spread out and can be found from just above tide water up to Moonshine Park. Some winters have made it up into the gorge area. Angling from boat or bank can produce good catches on the right days. SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead Steelhead angling is slow with a few reports of anglers catching fish in the lower sections of the Siuslaw and Lake Creek. Good fishing conditions are expected for the week. TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon Angling for sturgeon should be fair to good with increased river flows. Concentrate on the channel edges on the outgoing tides or the first part of the incoming, with sand shrimp the preferred bait. TRASK RIVER: steelhead Steelhead angling is beginning to improve as a few more fish enter the river. A few fish are spread out up to the forks, but the best angling is likely to be in the lower river for the near future. A few hatchery fish have been showing in the catch. WILSON RIVER: steelhead Steelhead angling has been fair to good when the river clears. The lower river has been slow to clear following rains. Fish higher in the system first, then lower as the river drops and clears. Use brighter color lures and slightly larger baits while the river has some color. Look to the edges of the current for holding fish. Side drifting has produced fish for boat anglers, with drift fishing has been the most productive for bank anglers. YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead Steelhead angling is slow to fair in Big Elk Creek but should start to pick up any time. River conditions should be good through the weekend. NORTH COAST HUNTING Don't forget to purchase a 2010 hunting license, which is required to hunt as of Jan. 1! OPEN: WATERFOWL (see regulations for dates), FOREST GROUSE, CALIF. QUAIL, COUGAR (2010 tag needed Jan. 1) AND BEAR (closes Dec. 31) Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt. 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 BEAR season closes Dec. 31 while cougar hunting continues Jan. 1 - a 2010 tag is needed. 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 abandoned orchards. Around Thanksgiving is when bears usually go into their "winter sleep" or torpor, so opportunities on them will be rather limited from now on. DUCK and MERGANSER season goes through Jan. 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 few weeks, several thousand migrating pintails, mallards and widgeon have been seen on Tillamook Bay. 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. NORTHWEST PERMIT GOOSE season is open in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties. Local geese should be plentiful and generally make up a significant portion of the harvest early in the season. However, substantial numbers of migrant geese have already showed up and will continue to increase in numbers as the season progresses. Notice: Aldrich Point boat ramp access is closed due to hill slide activity over the county road. Contact Clatsop County Road Department for further information. 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 Waterfowl Migratory waterfowl, including ducks and geese, have been showing up on north coast estuaries. The lower Columbia River has some great areas to view them, including the Twilight Eagle Sanctuary off of Highway 30 east of Astoria and the viewing bunker on trestle bay at Ft. Stevens State Park. A drive along Bayocean road west of Tillamook usually offers good viewing along Tillamook Bay. Netarts Bay is a great place to find sea ducks, where they can be seen along the eastern edge of the bay from the paved road. 12/29/09. Unusual birds Unusual birds are occasionally found on north coast beaches, and even further inland, as a result of fall and winter storms. These situations are opportunities to find migrants from Asia or pelagic seabirds that were blown off course by strong west storms. Jewel Meadows Wildlife Area, Coast Range Elk viewing has been excellent at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Elk have been visible throughout the day on the Fishhawk Tract. Best viewing times are from 9 a.m. to about noon each day. Visitors should start near the main viewing area and along Hwy. 202 to observe larger herds of females and young. The older bulls are usually found near the west viewing area. The Beneke Tract is also a good bet if the elk are not out along Hwy. 202. Elk are currently being fed a supplemental diet of alfalfa hay on the wildlife area. Staff tries to feed close to the viewing areas on weekends to enhance viewing opportunities. Reservations for the winter elk feeding tours have been completely filled for the three-month season. 12/8/09 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 Now that winter is just about upon us, it's a good time to go out to Netarts and Tillamook Bays for some birding. Especially on calmer days, it's easy to spot birds on these estuaries that are not seen during the fall and summer months. A variety of grebes, loons, scoters, diving and puddle ducks can be seen along Whiskey Creek Rd along Netarts Bay and Bayocean Rd along Tillamook Bay. Look for the sea ducks lower down in these estuaries, while the puddle ducks prefer the shallower upper portions of the estuaries. If you're lucky, you might even find Harlequins on lower Tillamook Bay at the Three Graces Rocks near Barview. Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge west of Oceanside is always home to some type of viewable wildlife. Long gone are the thousands of nesting murres, puffins and auklets. During the winter months, bald eagles and peregrine falcons are common on the rocks, as are a smattering of pelicans, cormorants and gulls. Steller sea lions are also regulars at the refuge, and actually use it as a breeding ground in the summer. These larger, blonder cousins of the California sea lion are still listed as a threatened and endangered species as they have not recovered to the extent that California sea lion has. Great egrets are large, white wading birds that are slightly smaller than their cousin, the great blue heron. In Tillamook County they can often be seen foraging in the southwestern portion of Netarts Bay, along fields adjacent to the lower Tillamook River, in various parts of Tillamook Bay and the Tideland Road area of Nehalem Bay. The birds typically stay in the area through the winter and into the spring before they disappear to nest in parts unknown. 12/29/09.
SOUTHWEST ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations have been printed and are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Pick up a copy today! Weekend opportunities: * Winter steelhead are starting to appear in many rivers and creeks, including the Chetco, Coos, Coquille, Rogue, Umpqua and Tenmile. Look for fishing to pick up after some good rain helps get fish moving. * Don't overlook trout fishing in many area lakes and reservoirs. Fishing has been good in Emigrant Reservoir, Lake Selmac and several Coos County lakes. Temporary fall chinook regulations end Dec. 31 Anglers should consult the 2010 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the rules that take effect on Jan. 1. If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improve. Attention anglers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. AGATE LAKE: trout, largemouth bass, black crappie Agate Lake was stocked this fall with 500 large and 150 trophy rainbow trout. The fish should provide a family fun fishing opportunity throughout the fall. Bank fishing is available in the reservoir drawdown zone. The water level is low, but small boats may be launched from the ramp. APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass Applegate was stocked this fall with 1,000 large and 200 trophy rainbow trout. This should make for some good fishing during the winter months. Bank anglers are catching fish on nightcrawlers with a small red egg on the hook. Water level at Applegate Reservoir is currently 16 feet below minimum flood pool and the mud flat is exposed below the boat ramp. It is recommended that you do not launch a boat until the reservoir level gets back up to 1890 feet above sea level. Daily reservoir level in feet above sea level can be obtained by calling 1-800-472-2434. 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 Recent reports indicate there are still some trophy trout lurking around. With the water levels lowered for weed control, anglers will want to target the deeper pockets. 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. 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: steelhead Steelhead fishing has been pretty good in the lower river, with most fish being caught on small baits such as eggs, corky and yarn, or small spin and glows. Drift boat anglers will fare the best this week as flows are expected to be excellent by late this week. Anglers will still want to check the flows before heading out. Bank anglers can start catching fish around 8000 cfs, but boat anglers will want to wait until flows hit 4000 cfs and dropping. 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. COOS COUNTY LAKES: rainbow trout Fishing pressure for trout is very low but fishing is good at Empire Lakes, Bradley Lake, Powers Pond and Butterfield Lake. The trout being caught are holdover fish from the previous trout stockings. Trout are biting PowerBait, spinners and small streamers. There will be no more trout stockings until next spring. COOS RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead, Dungeness crab, clams Steelhead fishing was decent this past weekend throughout the Coos Basin. The steelhead bite slowed down with the rivers dropping and clearing. Fishing should pick back up with the next rain that colors up the water. Bottom bouncing eggs, corky, or sand shrimp have been real effective for catching steelhead. Fishing a marabou jig suspended under a bobber is another effective technique for catching steelhead. We are expecting a good return of steelhead (hatchery and wild) to the Coos Basin this year. Access to the South Coos River above Dellwood is by permit from Weyerhaeuser Company, and is subject to their rules. Anglers can call the Weyerhaeuser hotline number at 1-888-741-5403 for recorded information on access and permit purchases. Clamming will be good this week in the afternoons due to negative low tides. 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 remains good 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 baits to use are fish, chicken, or turkey legs. COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead Steelhead fishing was good this past week in the North Fork, East Fork, and Couth Fork Coquille rivers but fishing was starting to slow down due to the water levels dropping and clearing. Steelhead fishing should pick back up with the next rain. Bottom bouncing eggs, corky, or sand shrimp have been real effective for catching steelhead. DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout Diamond Lake is closed for angling from Nov. 1, 2009 until April 24, 2010. The area is still open for other winter sports. Contact Diamond Lake Resort or the Forest Service for additional information. ELK/SIXES RIVER: chinook, steelhead Anglers may want to start turning their attention to steelhead in both rivers as the chinook runs are winding down. The best river height for Elk River is 5.0 feet and dropping. Anglers can check river height and color of Elk River by calling Elk River Hatchery (541) 332-7025. EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie Trout have been caught on small jointed Rapalas in brown colors at a depth of 15-20 feet. Trout fishing has improved off the bank using worms. Boat anglers should try small lures such as triple teasers, shiny lures, and eggs or worms with a wedding ring or a similar flashing device. The North boat ramp is the only one where it is safe to launch at this time. 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 Expo Pond was stocked this fall with 250 large and 100 trophy-sized rainbow trout. This should provide some excellent fishing opportunities this winter. Trout anglers should try fishing with worms, PowerBait, and spinners. FISH LAKE: rainbow trout Nine hundred trophy-size rainbows were stocked in Fish Lake this fall. Fishing for both legal and trophy-sized rainbow trout has been good. FLORAS LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout Slow. 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. 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. Over 200 adult, fin-clipped coho were stocked into Galesville Reservoir recently. It is allowable to harvest one of these fish per day as a "trout" over 20 inches. Call 541-837-3302 for information on boat launching conditions. GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout Garrison carries a lot of trout over from the spring and summer. Anglers fishing around the 12th street boat ramp should do fairly well. The best way to fish is by boat, but there is some bank access at the State Park. 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. 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. The road to these lakes is not plowed during the winter so check local road conditions. 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 Howard Prairie Reservoir closed to fishing on Sunday, Nov. 1. HYATT LAKE: trout, bass Hyatt Lake closed to fishing on Sunday, Nov. 1. 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. 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 Lake Selmac was stocked this fall with 1,000 large rainbow and 150 trophy trout. This stocking should provide some excellent fishing opportunities this winter. Anglers have been catching fish using nightcrawlers and Pautzke egg. Casting and retrieving or trolling lures or flies has also been effective. Try little cleos or #4 Panther Martins. LEMOLO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout Lemolo is closed to angling from Nov. 1, 2009 until April 24, 2010. The area is still open for other winter recreation. Contact the resort or Forest Service for additional information. 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 The reservoir was stocked this fall with 850 trophy-sized rainbow trout. If you are after large trout from a boat, try above the bridge where Hwy 62 crosses the reservoir. Trout fishing is good along the dam face, but you need to fish deep. Troll lures, Tazmanian Devils, Acme Frisky Fish, plastic worms, or worms or eggs on wedding rings and flashers. Small flashers and rooster tails with night crawlers or worms have been working well. Bank anglers should do well using PowerBait, worms and salmon eggs. PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, Dunganess 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. The ocean is now open again for harvest of Dungeness crabs. Crabbing has been excellent in the ocean but be careful of large swells during frequent winter storms. PLAT I RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, warmwater game fish Bass fishing at Plat I is catch-and-release only from Nov. 1, 2009 through Feb. 28, 2010. Plat I has been stocked with 4,500 trout to date. REINHART POND: rainbow trout, warm water fish Reinhart Park Pond was stocked this fall with 100 large and 50 trophy trout. Fishing should be good. ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: winter steelhead Steelhead fishing remains hit and miss as the flows continue to be low. Anglers will want to keep an eye on the river flows and try to fish after a storm when the river is dropping. Public bank access is really good on the Lower Rogue from Quosatana Creek campground to the old Mill Site just above tidewater. Boat anglers can launch their boats at the Port of Gold Beach, Lobster or Quosatana Creek campgrounds. Some of the best methods are plunking a spin and glow or running plugs from a boat on the inside corners of the river. Rogue River flows ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: steelhead Summer steelhead fishing in the Grants Pass area is picking up. Anglers are catching steelhead on plugs and by drifting nightcrawlers. Coho are being caught; however, numbers are dropping as they move on their redds to spawn. Anglers are anticipating the arrival of winter steelhead as soon as the rains come. The flow at Grants Pass on Dec. 22 was 1780 cfs. Only adipose fin-clipped fish may be harvested. ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: steelhead Boat and bank anglers are catching a few steelhead using small baits of roe and worms. Try to fish close to the bottom. The Rogue River from the boat ramp at Shady Cove Park upstream to the deadline markers located downstream from Cole Rivers Hatchery Diversion Dam is open to the use of bait, while angling between Gold Ray and Shady Cove is restricted to artificial flies and lures. As of Dec. 16, 5,983 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam. A total of 2,571 coho salmon have passed Gold Ray Dam as of Dec. 16. Copper johns and bead head prince fly patterns have been working well. 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 steelhead and coho salmon may be harvested. On Dec. 22, the flow out of Lost Creek Reservoir was 1204 cfs and the flow at Gold Ray Dam was 1830 cfs on Dec. 22. 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 Rogue River above Lost Creek Reservoir closed to fishing on Nov. 1. SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout The North Umpqua mainstem and the tributaries upstream of Soda Springs Reservoir closes to trout fishing from Nov. 1, 2009 until April 24, 2010. 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. Angling for adipose fin-clipped steelhead on the Mainstem from Spencer Creek to Sisters Creek, and the North Fork to Johnson Creek opens on Dec. 1. 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 CREEK/EEL CREEK: steelhead A few steelhead have been caught in Tenmile Creek. Eel Creek is closed to steelhead fishing until Jan. 1. We are expecting a good return of steelhead (hatchery and wild) to Tenmile and Eel creeks this year. 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. A warm rain will is needed to get the steelhead moving into the system. 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, coho Umpqua Basin Note: The number of hatchery winter steelhead will start improving this winter. The number of 2-salt winter steelhead will still be relatively low due to rearing loses at the hatchery. However, the number of 1-salt hatchery steelhead will be about normal since over 90,000 South Umpqua hatchery steelhead were released in 2009. Angling opportunity and catch rates throughout the basin will also 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. The cold dry weather has stopped fish movement. Once the rains return, the fish should start moving and biting better. Umpqua River flows near Elkton UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead 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. 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 percent were fin-clipped hatchery fish. Please report any anglers observed illegally snagging coho. North Umpqua River water levels at Winchester Dam UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead The South Umpqua opened for winter steelhead on Dec. 1. Angling will improve as winter progresses. Presently a warm rain is needed to get the steelhead more widely distributed in the basin. The number of hatchery steelhead should start improving this winter. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested. Concurrent with the steelhead opener, angling for adipose fin-clipped coho will also open. The same boundaries used for steelhead angling will apply to coho fishing. South Umpqua River water levels near Riddle WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bullhead The lake level is low. Anglers should try using floating bait or worms. Casting lures or flies can also be effective. WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon, coho, rockfish Fishing for sturgeon is slow. Crabbing has been good lately. Fishing for rockfish at the South Jetty has also been productive. A warm rain is needed to get the winter steelhead moving and biting. 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 clam harvest. Mussel harvesting, from the mouth of the Columbia River closed south of Bastendorf Beach near Charleston to the California border because of elevated levels of paralytic shellfish toxins. The closure of mussel harvesting north of Bastendorf Beach north to the Columbia River is now open. 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 Don't forget to purchase a 2010 hunting license, which is required to hunt as of Jan. 1! OPEN: WATERFOWL (see regulations for dates), FALL TURKEY (closes Dec. 31), FOREST GROUSE, CALIF. QUAIL, COUGAR (2010 tag needed Jan. 1), and BEAR (closes Dec. 31) Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt. 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 DOUGLAS COUNTY BIG GAME: A few controlled DEER hunts are open. Deer populations are similar to last year. A few controlled ELK hunts are open. Elk populations are similar to last year. A new COUGAR season will open Jan. 1, 2010 so remember to purchase a new tag. Hunting cougar is most successful adjacent to private land with high deer populations. UPLAND GAMEBIRDS: The season is currently open. 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. 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. The season ends for these species on January 31, 2010. MIGRATORY GAMEBIRDS: CROW season is now 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. The season ends for crow on January 31, 2010. WATERFOWL: Duck & Goose hunters can expect an average to above-average year. The season is open for ducks, geese, snipe and coot. Nearly all waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley is on private property and hunters should obtain landowner permission before hunting. The season ends for waterfowl on January 31, 2010. TRAPPING & HUNTING: Furbearers - A reminder to trappers and hunters that specific licenses and tags are required to hunt many furbearer species, and hunters should refer to the 2008-10 Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations for details. Bobcat, Red & Gray Fox - Currently open. Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. River Otter, Beaver & Raccoon - Currently open. Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for these species is March 15, 2010. Mink & Muskrat - Currently open. Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for mink and muskrat is March 31, 2010. Marten - Currently open. Good populations at higher elevations of the Cascades. The last day of the season is January 31, 2010. COOS COUNTY WATERFOWL are abundant in local bays. Hunters report seeing many green-winged teal and American widgeon. There are also large numbers of northern pintail in the area presently. Most hunters do best by hunting the incoming or outgoing tides since the birds often move with the tides. Decoys set on the down-wind side of grassy islands in the bays will attract ducks. FOREST GROUSE and MOUNTAIN QUAIL seasons are open. Now that big game seasons are over with the exception of a few antlerless elk hunts it is a good time for hunting quail and grouse. Numbers of both are good this year. Mountain quail will be most numerous near ridge tops on the sunny side. Ruffed grouse can also be found in good numbers. They will likely be scattered across slopes. Since deciduious trees have lost their leaves flushing birds should be easier to get a shot on. 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. BEAR season closes Dec. 31 while cougar hunting continues but new tag needed as of Jan. 1, 2010. 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. Bears have become very inactive due to clod weather. If warm sunny days occur before the end of the season (Dec. 31) hunters may find a last minute bear by hunting south facing slopes. Predator calls may be useful to get bears to show themselves. Other hunting opportunities are available for furbearers and other animals with fur value like coyotes. There are specific license and tag requirements for hunting some of these animals. Contact your local ODFW office for details. 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. Bobcat populations are also healthy in Coos County. They are one of the furbearers that require specific tags and licenses to hunt. Bobcats respond well to calls but are generally slower to show themselves than coyotes. JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES DEER Youth season ends January 3. New license is required for the New Year but tag is good to the end of the season. ELK Youth hunt ends January 3. New license is required for the New Year but tag is good to the end of the season. A few select controlled hunts are also open. WATERFOWL: South West Zone Goose season has reopened. Denman fields are slow to fill due to low rain fall. With past cold temperatures the ponds did freeze but with the current rains they are thawing to where ducks are able to use them. The current rains will help the ponds to fill and the success of hunters. Many ponds exist in the Rogue valley although most are on private lands; hunters need to ask for permission. SNIPE is another challenging bird to hunt for they are small, fast and erratic low-flying birds that can be hard to identify. Be sure to know how to differentiate it from killdeer and other shorebirds before you hunt. Snipe may be spooked in areas where there are high numbers of hunters but other times a person can walk up on them. Snipe almost always emit a call when they take off in flight. Now is the best time to hunt snipe. Denman Wildlife Area has decent numbers of snipe. UPLAND GAME BIRDS season ends January 31. New license is required for the New Year. 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 December 31. Rogue Valley has low numbers of pheasants; the pheasant that do exist are found on private lands so you will need permission to hunt. Fall TURKEY season ends December 31. We continue to have a large number of turkeys spread throughout our area. Hunters are allowed to shoot either sex, and are allowed to have two tags. Majority of our turkeys are found in low elevation and around private lands, although a growing number are found in conifer stands that have meadows or clear cuts. BEAR season ends December 31. So far for the season hunters have had an above average year. Bear numbers appear to be abundant. The best times to look for bears are in the early morning and late evenings. Bears are trying to put on weight for the winter and will be searching for any food available; locating these food sources and the use of predatory calls will prove useful. 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 general season continues on Jan. 1 with a 2010 tag needed to hunt. For 2010 a general statewide season will occur where the cougar tag will be active throughout the state for the complete year or until zone quotas are met. Refer to regulations for more information. 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. COYOTES are abundant in our area. Hunter can find coyotes around meadows where ground squirrels are found. Although fewer ground squirrels are seen they will still come out on warm sunny days. Predator calls are very useful when used in conjunction to known prey base. WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL season is only open in a select area of the Rogue unit; refer to the regulations for more detail. Much of this area has high numbers of squirrels. This is a great animal to hunt for first time hunters. TRAPPING & HUNTING: Furbearers - A reminder to trappers and hunters that specific licenses and tags are required to hunt many furbearer species, and hunters should refer to the 2008-10 Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations for details. Bobcat -Harvest season is open. River Otter, Beaver, Mink/Muskrat, Gray Fox & Raccoon - Harvest season for these listed animals opened Nov. 15. Western Oregon populations are healthy with gray fox and raccoons slightly higher than normal. Pursuit season is currently open for fox and raccoon. Marten - Good populations at higher elevations of the Cascades. The season is currently open. SOUTHWEST ZONE VIEWING EVENT Annual Dipper Walk, Sat. Jan. 2, Ashland Rogue Valley Audubon Society, Ashland Creek Leader: Bob Quaccia; Meeting place/time: Ashland Plaza, 9:30 a.m. Those wanting to meet for breakfast will meet at 8:30am at Brothers Restaurant near the Plaza. For more information. Coos County Sea ducks Ducks that spend most of their time in salt water are referred to as sea ducks. There are many species of sea ducks. Some of the most common in Oregon are surf scoters, black-winged scoters and harlequin ducks. These birds are beginning to make a strong appearance in Coos County bays and along the ocean shore line, which is normal for winter. Some of these birds are very colorful and can be a lot of fun to watch as they dive for invertebrates and vegetation along the shore. Any of the ocean beaches are good places to see them, but viewers need to be very careful on the beaches if the surf is large as it often is this time of year. They can also be seen in Coos Bay or along the lower Coquille River. Good places to see them in Coos County bays would be in the vicinity of Charleston or the boat docks in Bandon. Migratory birds 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 in the area in good numbers. Presently most are around local bays. They can be seen moving in and out of the bays following feeding opportunities as they become available by the tide change. Soon the fall rains will start in earnest. This will cause the local inland valleys to fill with water and the waterfowl populations will move to these valleys. At times remarkable gatherings of ducks can be seen around Winter Lake and other inland locations as this newly flooded habitat becomes available to the birds. Songbirds Some of the wintering song birds are beginning to appear locally in good numbers. Birds like waxwings and others that are not seen as frequently in summer are appearing at back yard bird feeders. 12/8/09 Douglas County Songbirds Winter songbirds including Western Bluebirds can be seen at Stewart Park and Stewart Park trail in Roseburg. Viewing is best in the late morning to early afternoon. Winter Raptors Wintering raptors, especially red-tail hawks, can commonly be seen along highways throughout the county. Bald Eagles Bald Eagles are now commonly seen along the mainstem portion of the Umpqua River from Roseburg to Reedsport. 12/29/09
CENTRAL ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Pick up a copy today! Weekend fishing opportunities: * There still are good numbers of summer steelhead in the Deschutes River upstream of Maupin. * Bright winter steelhead should be showing up in the Hood River soon. If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improve. Attention anglers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Closed to angling through May 21, 2010. The reservoir will be restocked with catchable rainbow trout in May of 2010. CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee December can provide good opportunity for lake trout and brown trout at Crescent though access may be limited by snow. CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish Flows are remaining steady around 70 cfs and fishing should remain consistent. Please use extreme caution when wading during the cold winter months. 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. DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout Mouth to Warm Springs: steelhead, trout, fall chinook (mouth to Sherars Falls) Mouth to Warm Springs: steelhead, trout, fall chinook (mouth to Sherars Falls) The Deschutes River upstream of the northern border of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation closes to sport anglers Dec. 31, 2009. The Deschutes River will remain open to angling for steelhead and trout from the mouth upstream to the northern border of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Anglers that brave the cold can still expect active steelhead and trout in the area from Maupin upstream to the reservation boundary. Winter is a great time to see the Deschutes canyon. Trout anglers going deep with large nymphs might catch a steelhead as well. Anglers who catch a tagged hatchery steelhead with an orange anchor tag, are encouraged to report catch information to ODFW at 541-296-4628 or via the internet at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/The_Dalles/fish_tag_returns.asp. Anglers catching a tagged wild fish should release it immediately without recording any information.
Anglers can check the trap the seasons 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. The trap was removed on Nov. 1 for the season. 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 winter angling opportunity for brown trout and redband trout. Please note this reach of river is restricted to the use of flies and lures only. FALL RIVER: rainbow trout Fall River above the falls remains open to fly angling only. No recent angler reports. HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout No recent reports, however the reservoir will be stocked between Dec. 14 and Dec. 18 if conditions allow it. On Oct. 2, the Oregon Department of Human Services lifted the 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 High flows have subsided to clear visibility on the Hood River. Some bright winter steelhead should be showing up soon. Fishing will only get better as the winter progresses. 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. KINGSLEY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout Along with earlier stocking of legal-sized trout, Kingsley has received many excess summer steelhead that have returned to the Hood River. Access may be difficult due to snow and the lake is likely frozen. LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass No recent reports. The Metolius arm is closed, the remainder of the reservoir remains open. METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout No recent reports. The mainstem Metolius upstream from Allingham Bridge is currently closed to angling. NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout No recent fishing reports as angler activity is minimal. Please note North Twin Lake remains open year round though accessibility may be limited during the winter months. OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout Angling is now permanently restricted to artificial flies and lures only; two trout per day and eight-inch minimum length. The Prineville Youth pond now provides an opportunity for children to learn beginning angling practices. OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout No recent reports. PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout Pine Hollow has been recently stocked and offers a great opportunity to catch multiple size classes of trout this winter. No recent reports, but Pine Hollow may have some areas of ice. PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, bass No recent reports. 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 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 low water due to summer and fall irrigation withdrawals. The lake is likely frozen. SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee No recent angler reports. TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout Taylor Lake has been recently stocked with rainbow trout and should offer a great opportunity to catch trout this winter. Areas of the lake have ice shelves. WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout Closed to angling through May 21, 2010. The reservoir will be restocked with catchable rainbow trout in May of 2010. CENTRAL ZONE HUNTING Don't forget to purchase a 2010 hunting license, which is required to hunt as of Jan. 1! OPEN: QUAIL (Mtn. Quail closed some areas), CHUKAR/HUN, PHEASANT (closes Dec. 31), WATERFOWL (see regulations for dates), FOREST GROUSE (Hood Rvr and Wasco counties only) COUGAR (new license/tag needed Jan. 1) Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt. 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 PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT GENERAL: Snow is present, but most accumulations are at higher elevations. Be prepared for winter conditions, including cold temperatures, ice, and snow. Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts need to have cold weather gear, and have their vehicle properly winterized. Winter restrictions on motorized vehicle access are in effect on portions of the Ochoco National Forest and Prineville BLM managed lands. Those federal agencies should be contacted for maps and further information (BLM: (541)416-6700, Ochoco Nat. For. (541) 416-6500). COYOTES will be closely associated with deer and antelope on winter ranges. Both the Maury and Ochoco have sizeable areas of public lands that should provide good hunting opportunities. Areas to consider include BLM lands around the S. Fork. Crooked River, Camp Creek, and Hampton Butte (Maury unit); and mixed USFS/BLM lands along the S. Fork John Day River and Paulina Valley (Ochoco unit). COUGAR are present at all elevations in the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units. Like coyotes, cougar will be attracted to wintering deer and antelope at lower elevations. Areas to consider include the Maury Mountains and S. Fork Crooked River in the Maury; N. Fork Crooked River and S. Fork John Day River in the Ochoco; and upper Mill, Trout, and Mckay Creeks in the Grizzly unit. Remember cougars must be checked in at an ODFW office within 10 days after harvest. Please consult the synopsis for all required parts and be sure to call first to make an appointment. New tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. MTN. QUAIL AND CHUKAR: Populations of both species appear down due to difficult nesting conditions earlier this spring. Mountain quail season is open only in the Grant and Wheeler Counties. Hunters are encouraged to check likely habitat areas on the Crooked River National Grasslands and the breaks of the John Day River system for chukar. WATERFOWL hunters will find opportunities limited as most birds in this area are closely associated with private lands where access may be difficult. Recent frigid temperatures have frozen many of the smaller lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT 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. Season closed Nov. 29 except for Hood River and Wasco counties. COUGAR season is open. Hunters wishing to pursue cougar will find best success near areas of deer and elk concentrations, or in the Deschutes and John Day river canyons. 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. New tag needed Jan. 1. Limited public access for WATERFOWL hunting can be found along the Columbia and Deschutes Rivers. Cold weather has frozen many of the ponds in the area, which can lead to more birds utilizing the open water found on rivers. 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. WHITE RIVER WILDLIFE AREA COUGAR hunting will remain open through the new year; new tag and license needed Jan. 1. Hunters will find the best success adjacent to major drainages such as White River, Tygh Creek or Badger Creek. Cougar can also be found in areas adjacent to wintering deer and elk. COYOTE hunters should be looking in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area. UPLAND BIRD hunters may find a few quail in the bottom lands within the wildlife area and may find some Mt Quail in the higher elevations. There are a few Chukar and Hungarian partridge scattered through out the wildlife area, but they can be difficult to find. WATERFOWL hunters can find some ducks and maybe even some geese on some of the small ponds located on the wildlife area. With the cooler weather there is very little open water. The geese are using some of the wheat fields on the area. The gates to through traffic closed on December 1 and will remain closed till April 1, 2010. Some roads may stay closed till May 1 depending on weather and road conditions. 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. CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING Sherman County and Deschutes Canyon Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area 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. A comprehensive bird list for the wildlife area can be found at the kiosk in Deschutes River State Park. Bighorn sheep are a common site in the canyon. 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. 11/24/09 Directions and more information about the Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area are on ODFW's Web site. 11/24/09 Wasco County The Dalles Area Waterfowl are starting to arrive in the area in larger numbers. The best areas for waterbird viewing are Mayer State Park or near the mouth of the Deschutes River. With the arrival of waterfowl, eagles are starting to be seen again in the area. The most common sites to see bald eagles are along the Columbia River, near the mouths of tributary rivers such as the Deschutes or Klickitat. Government Cove near Cascade Locks is another good bet. 11/24/09 ODFW White River Wildlife Area
Deer and Elk are beginning their annual migration onto the wildlife area. The best viewing for these species will be along the forest boundary. Visitors 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. 11/24/09 Jefferson and Crook Counties Prineville Area Winter conditions are present and recreational users and their pets should dress and come equipped for snow, ice, and potentially dangerous driving conditions. The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area offers winter wildlife viewing opportunities. With recent frigid winter temperatures many ducks, geese, and other waterfowl have moved to more temperate areas. The wildlife area and the north side access road are now closed to motorized access. Walk in or bike access is allowed and provides vantage points to view migrating birds and resident wildlife. Waterfowl hunters and trappers may also be using the area and all users are encouraged to wear bright hunter orange clothing. Most trappers avoid using the more traveled areas along the north shore, but could be using remote upland areas and the south shoreline which is difficult to access without a boat or canoe. Dog owners should use care when using remote uplands or the south shore. 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, or for more information, visit ODFW's Web site. 12/15/09. SOUTHEAST ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Pick up a copy today! If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These water bodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improve. Attention anglers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. 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. The reservoir provides good opportunities for winter angling. ANA RIVER: hatchery rainbow trout Water temperatures remain stable due to the large amount of springs in Ana Reservoir and in the river. Winter conditions include snow, ice, and occasionally mud. Angling can be excellent on the days where the wind doesn't blow and we have mild daytime temperatures. BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout The water level in the reservoir remains near minimum. It was 11 percent and average inflow was 146 cfs on Dec. 13. The pool is covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Angling in the reservoir and below the dam is poor. BLITZEN RIVER: trout Flows remain stable, the discharge measurements at the Page Springs gauge are being affected by ice. No recent angling report but angling should be slow for trout. The entire basin is in a catch-and-release mode until next spring. BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, white crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and trout. Water level in the reservoir remains near minimum. It was 14 percent full on Dec. 13. The pool is covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Current water level is well below the bottom of the ramp, launching any size boat will be difficult. Angling is poor. BURNS POND: trout, bass The pool is ice covered and the ice thickness is unknown. Angling should be slow for rainbow trout. 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. Snow depth makes access to Chewaucan River upstream of Paisley extremely difficult. CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout The reservoir is very low, the water is turbid. The pool is ice covered and ice thickness is unknown. Some trout may have survived the summer, but we cannot recommend traveling long distances to fish this reservoir. DELINTMENT LAKE: trout The reservoir is covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Angling is poor. DEVILS LAKE: yellow perch, largemouth bass, brown bullhead The lake is frozen. DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead The lake is frozen. DUNCAN RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout The reservoir is frozen FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): brook trout, rainbow trout The lake is covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Angling is slow to poor. FOURMILE LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout Access to the lake is blocked by snow. GERBER RESERVOIR: crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass The reservoir is frozen. Ice is of an unknown thickness. Ice fishing can be good for yellow perch. HWY 203 POND: trout, bluegill, bass No recent report but ice fishing may be worth a try. JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout The lake is dry. KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: redband trout and yellow perch Most of the lake is frozen. Boat ramps are frozen. Angling is very slow due very cold water temperatures and turbid water. KLAMATH RIVER: native rainbow-redband trout Angling below Keno Dam is slow. Water temperatures are near freezing which have reduced redband trout activity. Wading anglers should use studded wading boots, a wading staff and a wading belt. Winter conditions exist with anglers encountering snow, ice and occasionally mud. The Klamath River from J.C. Boyle Dam bridge crossing downstream to the J. C Boyle Powerhouse provides good angling this time of year for small redband-rainbow trout (6-11 inches). Angling in the river below the powerhouse is challenging due to un- plowed roads, deep snow, and steep terrain. KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout and largemouth bass This reservoir is closed for the season. It will reopen in late April 2010. LAKE OF THE WOODS: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee, hatchery brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, crappie, and smallmouth bass The lake is frozen although ice thickness is unknown. Lake of the Woods offers the best ice fishing in the Klamath basin for yellow perch. Extreme caution should be taken to assure ice is thick enough for safe angling. LINK RIVER: redband trout Redband trout are available. Boats can be launched at Veterans Park. LUCKY RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout The reservoir is frozen. Thickness of the ice is unknown. MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout The water level is near minimum. Water extends out from the neck to about the main boat ramp. The reservoir is covered with ice and the ice thickness is unknown. The current fishing regulations for this reservoir are unchanged. Current bag limit is five trout no more than one over 20 inches. 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 have been shut off for the winter. 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. Flows below Beulah and Warm Springs reservoirs have been shut off for the winter. Flows in the Juntura area are about 10 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. 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 Access to the lake is blocked by snow. Access is available by snowmobile or dog team. The lake is frozen. MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout The reservoir is covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. No recent angling report. MURRAY RESERVOIR: trout Ice fishing for trout is good. Fish are averaging 12 inches. NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout The reservoirs are covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Angling is poor. OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, catfish The reservoir was 21 percent full on Dec. 13. The only boat ramps open for use are at the powerhouse and the resort. All other ramps are out of the water. Ice is beginning to form at the upper end of the reservoir. Boater should use caution. Angling for warmwater fish is slow. OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout and hatchery rainbow trout Flows below the dam have been shutoff for the winter. Ice is covering most of the river below the powerlines. Ice fishing is not recommended at this time. Fishing for rainbow and brown trout is slow. Brown trout are still spawning. Anglers need to be careful around redds as there are eggs in the gravel. All of the dirt roads are muddy and very soft, so access off paved roads is limited. OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish Discharge at the Rome gauge averaged 160 cfs on Dec. 13. Fishing for smallmouth and channel catfish is slowing due to the cool weather. All of the dirt roads are muddy and very soft, so access off paved roads is limited. PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch Ice fishing has been taking place near the dam and adjacent boat ramp. The road to the boat ramp near the dam is drivable but hasn't been plowed. No recent report on how the fishing is but there are several fishing holes. PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout The reservoir is closed to fishing until spring. PIUTE RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout and hatchery Lahontan cutthroat trout The reservoir is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. POWDER RIVER: trout, spring chinook Catch-and-release for trout is allowed using flies and lures only from Mason dam to the Hughes Lane Bridge in Baker City. The remaining portions of the Powder River are closed. ROGGERS POND: hatchery rainbow trout The pond is frozen. SHERLOCK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout The reservoir is likely frozen. SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: hatchery rainbow trout The reservoirs are covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Angling is poor. THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout Fishing should be very good for 15-18 inch trout. As of Dec. 24, the reservoir was covered in ice but may have not been safe. With the cooler weather over the last few days it has likely gotten thicker. Use caution. 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 frozen. 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. The reservoir is partly frozen. UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie Ice fishing for trout is good. Fish are 12-14 inches. WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, white crappie, catfish, perch, and hatchery rainbow trout The water level in the reservoir remains near minimum. It was 4 percent and average inflow was 60 cfs on Dec. 13. Angling in the reservoir is poor. WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout Ice fishing is good for rainbow trout. Ice thickness is about 1 foot. YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout The reservoir is covered with ice. Ice thickness is unknown. Angling is poor. SOUTHEAST ZONE HUNTING Don't forget to purchase a 2010 hunting license, which is required to hunt as of Jan. 1! OPEN: WATERFOWL (see regulations for dates), CHUKAR/HUN, PHEASANT(closes Dec. 31), and COUGAR (2010 tag needed Jan. 1) Use the Oregon Hunting Access Map to see where to hunt. 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 HARNEY COUNTY COUGAR hunting is open. Populations are healthy and distributed throughout the district in any area with a big game prey base. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. COYOTE populations appear to have rebounded this summer, and good numbers can be found throughout Harney County. The highest concentrations are associated near mule deer transition ranges as deer begin to concentrate prior to moving to wintering areas. 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. 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. KLAMATH COUNTY DUCK season has been fair with best opportunities along the Sprague, Lost, and Klamath Rivers where open water exists. All other lakes and ponds remain frozen. GOOSE hunting has been only fair for resident Canada geese. Most white-fronted, snow, and Ross' geese remain in the central valley of California. CALIFORNIA QUAIL season remains open through January 31 with excellent opportunities around foothill areas. MOUNTAIN QUAIL season closes on December 31. COUGAR season is open. Cougar hunting opportunities will improve with colder winter weather as cougars follow big game migrations to winter ranges. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. Good COYOTE hunting opportunities exist throughout the county. Pheasant season closes on December 31. KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA Duck, goose and upland bird seasons are open at Klamath Wildlife Area. Waterfowl harvest statistics 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. New as of 12/14/09 - Due to sub-freezing nights, many of the ponds are frozen over. Much of the Klamath River adjacent to the Miller Island Unit is also frozen thick enough to make launching a boat at the Miller Island Boat Ramp impossible. Duck hunting has been very slow. Pheasant releases have ended for the season. These birds have been donated by Unlimited Pheasants and were released into subunits A, B and C. Pheasant harvest has dropped since the end of November when the last releases were done. Season closes Dec. 31. 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. Hunting is by permit only. Self service two-part permits will be available at the check station on Miller Island Road on hunt days. Hunting is permitted on all three units on the Miller Island Unit all day on hunt days with the self-service permit. Hunting dates for Miller Island will be even-numbered days in Dec. and odd-numbered days in Jan. Upland game bird shooting hours are from 8 a.m. until the close of waterfowl shooting hours. 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 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 hunting is open. Populations are healthy due to good habitat and prey base. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. 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 was last updated Dec. 28, 2009. Eleventh week of waterfowl season was poor for waterfowl hunting. Cold and frozen conditions returned to the Area for nearly all of the past week. Over 95% of the Wildlife Area is frozen over and this coupled with low bird numbers resulted in poor hunting success. Hunter participation was down -29.8% from the same week last year and success of 0.82 birds per hunter was down -71.6%. Hunters reported (87.9% check-out) a harvest of just 42 birds (26 ducks, 12 geese, 1 Am. coot, 1 ring-necked pheasant and 2 California quail). Hunters averaged 0.51 ducks per hunter and harvest consisted of 18 mallards, 1 Am. wigeon, 3 gadwall, 2 bufflehead, 1 ringneck and 1 N. shoveler. Success was down -86.0% compared to the same week in 2008. Eleven (11) Canada and 1 white-fronted geese were taken for a goose per hunter average of 0.24. This compares to an average of 0.44 in 2008. Two California quail, 1 Am. coot and 1 ring-necked pheasant were also taken. Hunters spent 4.9 hours on average in the field, slightly less than the 5.1 hours reported in 2008. The weekly bird count conducted on Dec. 23rd found 4,863 ducks and 696 geese. Duck and goose populations are at their wintering levels at this time. The next weekly bird count is scheduled for Dec. 30th and information will be updated on the telephone answering machine shortly thereafter. Prospects for the remainder of the week are poor. Waterfowl numbers are at their traditionally low level, about 97% of the wetland base is frozen-over and very few open water conditions can be found. Harsh and stormy weather conditions will be necessary to improve hunting. Pass shooting has been and will continue to be very poor due to low bird numbers. Hunters will need to use decoys and spend most of the day in the field to be successful. It is in the hunter's best interest to refrain from shooing at birds out of range. Distance estimation information is available at Headquarters and life-sized silhouettes situated at effective shooting distances can be found at each of the campgrounds. Hunters are urged to take advantage of these tools to improve hunting efficiency and success as well as ethical behavior. Upland game bird numbers remain fair but are widely scattered; habitat is in excellent condition. Very little snow accumulation has occurred and food sources remain abundant and accessible to birds. North end agricultural areas and old homestead sites should provide good opportunities. Hunters using dogs will have the best success in locating birds. Pheasant season will end on Thursday, December 31st , 2009, while quail season will remain open through the end of January 2010. Free daily hunting permits are required for all hunters and are available at the Wildlife Area (WA) Headquarters 24 hours/day. Self service permits can be obtained in the lobby (please follow directions carefully) or will be issued by WA staff at the office counter. Check out is mandatory and can be accomplished by dropping off permits in boxes found at each campground, major access areas and at Headquarters at the end of the day. Hunters need to sure they have current hunting licenses, waterfowl and/or upland validations, Harvest Information Program (HIP) validations and a signed Federal Duck Stamp (if 16 year of age or older). Please remember, new 2010 Hunting Licenses will be necessary on January 1, 2010. Validations and the Federal Duck Stamp will remain valid through the end of the hunting season. Licenses and validations are available from any Point of Sale (POS) agent. Youth hunters under 18 years of age must also have a Hunter Education Card in their possession while in the field. Please remember that federally approved non-toxic shot is required for all game bird hunting. Hunters need to be aware that the Gold Dike Impoundment, the area south of Gold Dike and the northwest corner of Summer Lake will be dry or with very low water levels during the 2009-10 hunting season due to marsh management and vegetation control activities. Hunting is still permitted in this >2,000 acre area, but over-water and pond hunting opportunities will be affected. Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 or email martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us for additional information. MALHEUR COUNTY COUGAR season is open. With varying snow conditions thought the county hunters may be able to track down cougars. The best time to track cougars is 12 to 24 hours after a fresh snow. Deer and elk winger ranges have the highest concentrations of cougars from November through the end of March. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. UPLAND BIRD seasons are open (except for forest grouse which closed Nov. 29). Chukar 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. Hunters have been finding birds in localized pockets throughout the county. Generally hunting has been better that the last two years. The areas north of Hwy 20 are fair to good. Malheur River Canyon hunting is fair to good. South of Vale and Harper hunting is fair. Succor Cr, Leslie Gulch and Owhyee Reservoir hunting is poor. Owhyee Canyon between Rome and 3-forks hunting is fair to good. Access to remote location is difficult due to rain and snow in the last two weeks be careful and avoid damage to soft wet roads 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. Snow and wet conditions in the last two weeks have concentrated birds around dense winter habitat primarily river bottoms, shrubs and cattails. 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. As with pheasants snow and wet condition in the last two weeks have concentrated birds around dense winter habitat primarily river bottoms, shrubs and cattails. Waterfowl In the valley around Nyssa, Ontario and Vale, duck and goose hunting has improved with harsher winter conditions. Waterfowl are concentrated near the river and other open water. Field hunting for geese is good where hunters can get permission. Duck hunting on the Snake River is good but birds are becoming decoy shy due to increased pressure. Coyote 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 Malheur County Good viewing opportunities for a diverse variety of waterfowl and raptors occur along the Malheur River between Harper and Juntura and the Owyhee River from Snively Hot Springs to Owyhee Dam. Aquatic furbearers including muskrats, beaver and river otter are frequently observed on the shelf ice adjacent to these rivers this time of year. 12/22/09 Harney County Wintering raptors have returned to the area. You should be able to view golden eagles, bald eagles and a variety of hawks perching on telephone poles and fence posts throughout the district. We still have some resident waterfowl which can be seen at Burns pond, the sewage treatment ponds, Malheur Lake and the many rivers and streams in the area. Mule deer are moving to lower elevation sites and may be visible in the fields and valleys surrounding town. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge provides an excellent viewing opportunity for large bucks that have escaped the hunting seasons. Pronghorn too are grouping into larger herds and can be found in the valleys throughout the daylight hours. Many of the bighorn sheep will be using lower elevation slopes and can often be seen from the highways. 11/18/09 Klamath Falls Area Bald eagles have been observed daily using the big snag located along Lake Ewauna by Veteran's Park. Viewing opportunities have picked up for raptors including bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, northern harriers, and red-tailed hawks around the basin. The Link River offers great viewing for common merganser, bufflehead, common goldeneye, lesser scaup, and great blue heron. The Link River trail provides great viewing opportunities. Mule deer migration is underway and deer can be found at lower elevation winter ranges. Some key migration corridors and wintering areas are under restricted motorized access to protect the integrity of those areas during this critical time of year. Use caution driving near wintering areas, and please respect seasonal road closures. As colder weather arrives, it's a good time to stock your bird feeders. It's also a good idea to clean your bird feeder periodically through the winter to reduce spread of diseases. 12/22/09. Klamath Wildlife Area Frozen pond conditions make for poor waterfowl viewing at this time. Most migrating birds have left the area for warmer climes in the south. Raptors Red-tailed hawks are occasional visitors on Miller Island Unit at this time with bald eagle making forays onto the area. Look for eagle numbers to begin increasing in about a month or so as they begin to forage on migrating waterfowl. 12/15/09 Lake County and Lakeview Area In January waterfowl populations will start the spring migration. Bald eagles which nest in Alaska or Canada and winter in California will follow the waterfowl migration. January through March is a good time to see numerous Bald eagles throughout major agricultural valleys in the county. By this time of year all migrant shore birds and passerines have moved south. Avid birders can still find a few peeps along Lake Abert. Winter passerines are best seen in riparian areas throughout the county. Winter raptors are most abundant in the valleys near hay meadows and wintering cattle. With the recent precipitation herbaceous vegetation has greened up along the lower elevations of Abert Rim. Bighorn sheep can be viewed along the mid to lower elevations of the Rim along U.S. Highway 395. 11/22/09. Summer Lake Wildlife Area This section was updated on December 28. Vehicle access to the Wildlife Viewing Loop is closed through the remainder of the year until Jan. 31, 2010 due to waterfowl hunting season. Nearly all of the Area's wetlands are well-flooded but freeze-up has occurred recently and over 97% of the Wildlife Area's wetlands are frozen. Waterfowl have largely departed to southerly wintering areas and low wintering populations remain. The last weekly count conducted on Dec. 23rd found about 4,900 ducks, 700 geese and 400 swans. Very few shorebirds and waders remain, nearly all have migrated south. Waterfowl hunting seasons are underway and viewing opportunities will be limited to areas open to hunting as well as the Schoolhouse Lake Viewing Blind. Waterfowl Migration has ended and waterfowl populations are at wintering levels. Resident Canada geese are dispersed widely across the Wildlife Area and adjacent private lands. Tundra swan numbers declined over the past week, about 400 were observed during the weekly count. Migrant and wintering trumpeter swans can still be found, last week nearly 30 birds were present. Shorebirds, waders and other waterbirds Very few individuals of just 2-3 species can still be found. Other waterbird species are becoming scarce now with only a few lingering individuals still present. Raptors and Others Resident raptors remain scattered throughout the Wildlife Area as well as on private lands along Hwy 31. Wintering raptors are found in good numbers throughout the Summer Lake Basin and are very apparent along Highway 31. Rough-legged hawks (arctic migrants) are commonly seen during winter. Meadows offer excellent foraging opportunities for many raptors. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadows. Bald eagles are infrequently seen across the Wildlife Area now. Prairie falcons, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks and golden eagles are sometimes seen during this time of the year. Upland game birds California quail have formed large coveys now. Pheasant groups and individuals continue to be observed around agricultural and Northend areas, however most are in heavy cover at this time. Eurasian collared doves remain fairly numerous (20-25 individuals) at Headquarters Complex and mourning doves are scarce. 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. Other migrant and wintering passerines can now be found in very low numbers. Facilities and Access During waterfowl hunting seasons, access is restricted to areas open for hunting and to the Schoolhouse Lake Viewing Blind. Camping is permitted at four sites on the Wildlife Area. Users are urged to exercise care with campfires. Campgrounds are primitive but each has vault toilets, trash barrels and a few picnic tables. The Wildlife Viewing Loop will remain closed through general waterfowl hunting season which ends January 31, 2010. Access to Schoolhouse Lake Viewing Blind will remain open to foot travel and will afford excellent opportunities for observation of staging waterbirds in the refuge area. Habitat Most of the Wildlife Area's wetland habitats are well flooded now, but due to recent cold temperatures over 97% are frozen over. Only a very few open areas exist where moving water is flowing though water control structures and canals. Wetland enhancement/construction activities have ended for the year and a majority of the Gold Dike Impoundment and the area south of Gold Dike will remain dry throughout winter. Meadows and hayfields found on adjacent private lands and in selected locations on the Wildlife Area were flooded in early September and considerable vegetation regrowth has occurred. Upland habitat remains in very good condition due to an excellent growth of many species of forbs and grasses. Recently farmed food plots are providing foraging sites to many species looking for seeds in these cultivated areas. Tree and shrub developments at the Middle Well and Turner Place have produced abundant fruit and considerable bird use is occurring at this time. Only a skiff of snow is present on the ground at this time. Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 or e-mail martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us for additional information.
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NORTHEAST ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Pick up a copy today! Weekend fishing opportunities * Steelhead fishing on the Umatilla River should be good this week as water temperatures have warmed and river flows have increased. If your favorite fishing spot is no longer listed It's probably because that river, lake or reservoir is closed for the season, inaccessible due to snow and bad roads, or offers limited fishing opportunities during the winter months. These waterbodies will re-appear in the Recreation Report when they re-open next spring, or when access and/or opportunity improve. Attention anglers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. GRANDE RONDE, WALLOWA, IMNAHA RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES: steelhead Recent warmer weather has northeast Oregon rivers flowing again; however, accumulations of ice along the shores is making access to the river banks difficult and hazardous in some places. Nine anglers were checked last week on the lower Grande Ronde River and steelhead angling was good, averaging about four hours per fish. We will need considerably warmer weather and increased river flows to clear ice from the banks. The bag limit on the lower Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha Rivers is five adipose fin-clipped steelhead per day. Check river flows HOLLIDAY PARK POND AND BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: trout Both ponds were stocked Oct. 15 with good-sized trout. Ice fishing is fair in both ponds. Watch for thin ice. JOHN DAY RIVER: steelhead Cold weather has settled into the John Day drainage so anglers will encounter less active fish and floating ice will become a problem. Stream flow levels at Service Creek MAGONE LAKE: trout Ice has covered the lake and access is by snowmobile only. Anglers should be cautious of thin ice. Ice fishing success for brook and rainbow trout should be fair with rainbows and brook trout to 14 inches. OLIVE LAKE: trout, kokanee The Lake is now snowed in until next May. ROWE CREEK RESERVOIR, BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR, TROUT FARM POND, LONG CREEK POND, CAVENDER POND: trout Ice fishing for rainbow trout is fair. These reservoirs and ponds are open all year but only stocked each spring. TROUT FARM POND: rainbow and brook trout The Lake is now snowed in until next spring. UMATILLA RIVER: steelhead Steelhead angling should be good this week as water temperatures have warmed and river flows have increased. Steelhead returns to date to Threemile Dam are 1,035. Updated Threemile Dam fish counts can be accessed at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/fish_counts/ WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee Wallowa Lake is providing fair fishing for stocked rainbow trout. WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout The reservoir was recently stocked with 2,000 larger than legal-sized trout, which should provide good angling through out the fall and winter months. NORTHEAST ZONE HUNTING Don't forget to purchase a 2010 hunting license, which is required to hunt as of Jan. 1! OPEN: WATERFOWL (see regulations for dates), CHUKAR/HUN and QUAIL (close Dec. 31 Umatilla and Morrow), PHEASANT (closes Dec. 31), and COUGAR (new tag needed Jan. 1) 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 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. COUGAR hunters should experience higher success now that snow has fallen. Try tracking cougars after fresh snow. Cougars can be found throughout Baker County but hunters should target areas with high concentrations of wintering deer and elk. Try the Burnt River Canyon west of Durkee or the Powder River Canyon south of Thief Valley Reservoir. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. WATERFOWL ducks and geese are starting have arrived in good numbers. Ask permission to hunt geese in grain fields. The best duck hunting can be found on private land along the Powder River in the Baker and Keating Valleys. As small ponds and sloughs freeze, target the rivers. Hunters who take the time to find private land and ask permission are typically rewarded with some excellent hunting. 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 season is open. Tracking cougar after snow can be effective. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. COYOTE numbers are good in most of the district. They may respond to distress call as the weather cools. CHUKAR numbers are down from historical highs of a few years ago but birds may be found along the South Fork of the John Day River. QUAIL may be found throughout the county in riparian areas with good brush cover. Many of these areas are on private land along the John Day River so be sure to ask permission from private landowner before hunting. MORROW, GILLIAM and WHEELER COUNTIES COUGAR hunting is open. For best success, look for tracks after a fresh snow. Both walking out the tracks and calling can be effective this time of year. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. COYOTE hunting: Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful. UPLAND GAME BIRD season is still open. Pheasant closes December 31. Morrow County closes all upland bird hunting on December 31 with Gilliam and Wheeler county, closing on January 31. Bird numbers are well above what they were last year, but still well below the five and ten year averages. UMATILLA DISTRICT COUGAR are well distributed in forested areas of the Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, and Ukiah units. Hunters will have best success by finding a fresh naturally made kill and sitting on it, or by using predator calls. Some success has come from following tracks until the cougar is located. Tracking conditions have improved. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. COYOTE are numerous throughout the District and hunters should have good success calling. Remember to ask permission before hunting on private lands. PHEASANT season closes Dec. 31. Since it is late in the season, young of the year roosters are less common and birds will tend to run and fly out ahead. Hunters will be best served by moving quickly behind their dog when it is on a pheasant to ensure the pheasant is still in range when it takes flight. Pheasants will move to cover pockets out of bottoms in the current cold weather. QUAIL numbers are good and will be well distributed in riparian areas of the lower elevation areas of the county. California quail hunting can be had at Umatilla, Coyote Springs, and Willow Creek Wildlife Areas. Season closes Dec. 31 in Umatilla County. HUNGARIAN PARTRIDGE can be found in grassland areas of the lower and mid elevation areas of the district. Hunters will find best success hunting CRP fields with a dog. Season closes Dec. 31 in Umatilla County. Both DUCK and GOOSE numbers have increased in the Columbia Basin since the middle of November. Goose hunting will be best in fields planted to winter wheat, alfalfa, or with field corn stubble. Goose hunters will also find success using decoys over water along the Columbia River shore. Duck numbers are variable and down in recent years. Harsh weather may draw some birds down from Washington and improve hunting on the Columbia River and nearby wetlands this week. Hunters should expect lower numbers of ducks in the Columbia Basin of Oregon than were present up through the mid 1990s. UNION COUNTY GAME BIRDS - Quail, Chukar, Hungarian partridge and pheasant seasons are open. Pheasant season will run until December 31. 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. 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. Recent snow will make coyotes easier to spot at long distances. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land. COUGARS are common in Union County. Fresh snow will make tracking easier. Following fresh tracks is and effective method of seeing cougars and finding kill-sites. 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 cougar's 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 a minimum. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is open Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and all state observed holidays during pheasant, quail, partridge and waterfowl seasons. Visitors are advised to carefully read posted signs and consult game bird regulations before entering the wildlife area. The Glass Hill Unit of the wildlife area, that portion west of Foothill Road, will be closed to all public entry from January 1 through April 10 to minimize disturbance to wintering wildlife. Maps with current water conditions, blind locations and Ladd Marsh regulations are available at map boxes located at various access points throughout the area. Pheasant and quail hunting continue to be good. Hunter pressure has been above average due to favorable weather conditions and good bird numbers. Hunters should concentrate on heavy cover associated with wetlands. WALLOWA DISTRICT WATERFOWL: Duck numbers have improved in recent weeks and birds can be found feeding in agricultural fields throughout the valley. Some hunters continue to have good success jump shooting irrigation ditches or farm ponds that are free of ice. Goose hunting opportunities are good for hunters willing to pattern goose activity in agricultural areas and set up decoys. CHUKAR numbers are well below normal through out the county, and hunter success has been low. 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. 2010 tag needed to hunt as of Jan. 1. TRAVEL MANAGEMENT RESTRICTIONS: Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock travel management areas are in effect in the Sled Springs unit. NORTHEAST ZONE VIEWING Baker County With the recent cold weather Rocky Mountain elk can be seen at the Elkhorn Wildlife Area. For a close up horse-drawn wagon viewing opportunity try T&T Wildlife Tours at the Anthony Creek Feed site. http://www.tnthorsemanship.com/tours.htm Mule Deer can be seen on their winter ranges throughout Baker County. Remember wildlife are particularly sensitive to harassment during the winter so view at a distance. Bald Eagles viewing opportunities are plentiful along the Brownlee Reservoir; you will need a keen eye and good optics to take full advantage of them. 12/15/09 Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler Counties Our winter species are now all here: Bald Eagles can be seen along the John Day and Columbia rivers. Rough Legged hawks are common sights along the power poles and fence lines of the District. Short eared owls are less common then they have been in the past. Great Grey owls have been seen the in Ditch Creek area of the forest. Our resident raptors are around, Kestrels, Harriers, Red-tailed hawks, Great-horned and Barn owls. The occasional Prairie falcons can be seen along the power lines. The weather has not been cold enough to bring our rare visitors down into the area. Our winter song birds are here as well, most can easily be seen near the bird feeders around the district. If you have not cleaned your feeder, now is the time to do it. Birds concentrate around the feeder increasing the chance for disease spread. Mule deer have moved onto their winter ranges for district. Elk are making occasional forays into the lower county but snow is not deep enough to drive large numbers onto the winter range. 12/22/09 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. Turkeys are congregating in the lowlands within the county. Look for large numbers of birds in the Catherine Creek Valley east of Union and the Palmer Valley north of Elgin. Whitetail and mule deer bucks are rutting and are visible throughout the day. Look for bucks along forest roads and in agricultural fields. The Palmer valley north of Elgin is a good area to view both species of deer. Watch for river otters, beaver, mergansers and wood ducks along the Grande Ronde River; driving west on Highway 244 from La Grande provides good access to river viewing. There are still many elk at the Anthony Creek feed site on the Elkhorn Wildlife Area. 11/18/09. ODFW's Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, La Grande The auto route on 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. There is little waterfowl activity on the area as virtually all the water is frozen. Rain and/or warmer temperatures may change that. Raptors abound on the area with recent sightings of prairie falcon, merlin and numerous American kestrels in addition to bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks and northern harriers. Snow at higher elevations is expected to result in more movement of elk from both Glass Hill and Craig Mountain down slope into the wildlife area. These daily movements can best be observed during the first light of morning and the fading light of evening. Wildlife viewers are reminded that hunting seasons are open and all users are asked to share the area with respect for others. New in 2010: The Glass Hill Unit, west of Foothill Road will be closed to all entry from January 1 through April 10. 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. 12/15/09. Umatilla County Winter has come to Umatilla County and winter residents can be seen in the various habitats around the county. Wintering rough-legged hawks will be in grassland areas near the hills and throughout the agricultural areas of north Umatilla County. Juncos can be seen along the riparian and brushy areas. Pigmy owls have made a good showing in riparian areas in timbered and timber stringer habitats. 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. 12/1/09. Wallowa County Bald eagles Beginning in late November, bald eagles will start showing up in the Wallowa Valley. These birds spend all winter in the Valley and can be observed along river corridors, Wallowa Lake, and often in agricultural areas where cattle are being fed. Waterfowl Resident Canada geese can be observed through out the Wallowa Valley feeding in agricultural fields. As winter progresses additional migrants will show up and add to the viewing opportunities including mallards, pintails, and American widgeon. On open waterbodies, Ring-necked ducks, Scaup, Goldeneye, and Bufflehead are common species to observe. Raptors
Prairie falcon, Red-tailed hawk, Rough-legged hawk, Northern harrier, 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. 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. Rocky Mountain Elk Elk are easily observed during winter months on the Wenaha Wildlife Area near Troy. A good place to look is along the Eden Bench road during early morning or late afternoon hours. 11/10/09
SNAKE RIVER ZONE FISHING Note: The 2010 Sport Fishing Regulations are now available at all ODFW offices, retail outlets and on the ODFW Web site. Pick up a copy today! BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: crappie, bass, perch, catfish, bluegill, trout Perch and crappie catch rates are fair to good, although not many people are fishing now. Fish are in deep water (50-60 ft) and have a very light bite. The water level is 10 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 Approximately 1,100 steelhead have been put in the reservoir. These surplus steelhead are considered trout in the reservoir. No tag is needed but only one can be kept per day if over 20 inches. SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass Fishing for adipose fin-clipped steelhead has been very good. The bag limit for steelhead increased to five adipose fin-clipped steelhead per day, with no more than three, 32 inches in total length or greater. There are a lot of fishermen in the area, so please use good fishing ethics. For Idaho's Fish and Game steelhead report go to: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/steelhead/weekly_harv.cfm Get updated information on flow levels SNAKE RIVER (Above Brownlee Reservoir): channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass Flows at the Nyssa gauge averaged 8,485 on Dec. 13. Flows at the Weiser gauge averaged 10,835 on Dec 13. Flows at both gauges are similar to flows observed last year at this time. Angling for smallmouth bass and catfish is slow.
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/OS/CRM/sport_fishery_updates.asp MARINE ZONE
Attention anglers and paddlers: Still have questions about the new Aquatic Species Prevention Permit required beginning Jan. 1 on all non-motorized drift boats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable pontoon boats 10 feet long or longer? Visit the Oregon Marine Board Website for a list of frequently asked questions. Permits go on sale Dec. 1 wherever ODFW licenses are sold and online. FISHING Bottom fishing is good when ocean conditions permit. Ling cod should begin moving into shallower waters to spawn. Divers may find success spearing along rocky jetties for ling cod and black rockfish. Fishing for cabezon reopens Jan. 1. 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. SHELLFISH Recreational and commercial clam harvesting is closed on the north Oregon coast, from Clatsop Beach north of the Necanicum River to the Columbia River. Clam harvesting remains open south of the Necanicum river to the California border. Mussel harvesting is open on the entire Oregon coast, from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border. The consumption of whole, recreationally-harvested scallops is not recommended. However, coastal scallops are not affected by toxins when only the adductor muscle is eaten. A series of minus tides begins Dec. 28 in the late afternoon. Each day the minus tide will be about 50 minutes later, requiring lanterns for harvesting clams. The series ends Jan. 4 around 9 p.m., depending on where you are on the Oregon coast. 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 Ocean crabbing opened Dec. 1. Crabbing in the ocean this time of year can be very productive, but also dangerous because of wind, sea and bar conditions. 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 Dec. 8). 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 A winter visit to any of the jetties along the Oregon coast will provide the wildlife watcher with opportunities to see a variety of sea-going ducks and water birds. Chief among these are the large and elegant loons. Pacific, red-throated, and common loon all spend the winter months along the Oregon coast. Western, red-necked, and horned grebes favor slightly calmer areas along the coast such as waters between jetties and estuaries. You should also be able to see thousands of stout sea ducks rafting in ocean breakers or the areas just behind these breakers. These hardy birds are scoters and dine on mussels and other shellfish. Three species winter along the coast: surf scoters, white-winged scoters and black scoter. The surf scoter is the most common followed by black and then white-winged. Winter Migration Polish the lenses on your binoculars and mark some days late this month to watch the gray whale winter migration. It is short and quick - usually only about four weeks - from mid-December to mid-January. The whales are not slowed by having calves in the pod and single-mindedly drive southwards in straight lines a few miles offshore. You can see their spouts, but they are distant. About 18,000 gray whales will pass by the Oregon coast. A gray whale's blow is up to 15 feet high, and each blow is visible for about five seconds. When warm, moist air exhaled from the animals' lungs, meets the cool air at the ocean surface, it creates the bushy column called a blow, or spout. Anticipate that the whale will dive for three to six minutes, then surface for three to five blows in row, 30 to 50 seconds apart, before diving deep for three to six minutes again. To watch the winter migration it is best to pick a calm day and find a view point that is high enough to spot the spouts that will be a few miles offshore. Learning good binocular technique will help spot the whales. Gaze out onto the ocean, focusing on medium distances until you see a puff of white. Then raise your binoculars while continuing to look at the place you saw the puff. This technique takes some practice, but generally works better than swinging the binoculars around looking for something. Just keep your eyes focused on the whale and raise the binoculars to your eyes, looking through them, not into them. Gray whales are the most coastal of the baleen whales and are often found within a few miles of shore as they migrate from Alaska to Baja. Gray whales have baleen instead of teeth. To feed, they fill their vast mouths with mud from the sea bottom and strain it through their baleen to capture amphipods and other small animals. This is the only type of whale to feed in this manner. The only other place on earth gray whales live is off the coast of Korea. Wild Tides One of the most extreme spring tides of the year will be Dec. 31 with a tidal drop of more than 12 feet in many parts of the coast. Spring tides are especially strong tides (they do not have anything to do with the season spring). When the moon is between the sun and the earth, it produces unusually high spring high tides. When it occurs on the opposite side from the earth than where the sun is located during full moon it produces unusually low, neap tides. Spring tides occur during the full moon and the new moon. So, if you have a favorite stretch of coastal river you want to float down, New Year's Eve is your day. High tide is around noon with low tide around 6 p.m. If you don't make it to your destination by nightfall, there is also a full moon that will rise just a few minutes after sunset. If you miss this one there will be a Proxigean spring tide Jan. 30, 2010. The high, high spring tide is called the Proxigean spring tide and it occurs not more than once every one and a half years. Some occurrences are more favorable that others and the Proxigean spring tide in January is about the same as the spring tide this month.
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