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

The atmospheric river weather system crossing over Oregon caused flooding in many areas. Check for local weather conditions, river levels and flooding before you go.

2026 Sport Fishing and Big Game Hunting Regulations are available in stores and online.

2026 licenses are on sale now and make great gifts!

Be prepared for winter conditions including high elevation snow. Check ODOT Trip Check online for statewide road conditions, closures and updates before you go.

Western Oregon archery deer general season reopened in some areas Nov. 22-Dec. 14.

Black bears can be hunted through Dec. 31. They are starting to den up now, so scout seldom used roads and trail systems, particularly near marshy water sources with plenty of vegetation.

Get your deer or elk tested for CWD. - there are several options including at a field office, taxidermist or meat processor.

Check the Game Bird Hunting forecast 2025 as bird hunting seasons continue through late January 2026.

NEW turkey hunting opportunity: now through February 28, 2026, hunters may obtain a beardless turkey permit to allow the harvest of three hen wild turkeys or turkeys without a visible beard. See page 26 of the Game Bird regulations. This is a private land only hunt with separate regulations from the standard fall turkey hunt.

The Rogue- South Coast Steelhead season runs from Dec 1- Apr. 30. The Rogue-South Coast Steelhead Validation is required for all winter steelhead anglers fishing in the Rogue Basin or on the South Coast. A harvest tag is required to keep wild winter steelhead in this area. Check the regulations for details:

https://www.eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/southwest-zone

Find the weekly trout stocking schedule here.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

• Winter steelhead are in the North Fork Nehalem, Necanicum River, Big Creek, and Klaskanine Rivers. These streams get early returning hatchery steelhead and will provide the best opportunity for catching winter steelhead in early[DO1] December. Check for flood conditions before heading out.
• Lost Creek Reservoir has had great reports by folks trolling for rainbow trout.
• Steelhead fishing is good on the Umatilla River.
• Taylor Lake was stocked recently with 400 surplus brood trout from Oak Springs.
• Approximately 400 brood trout were released recently at Haystack Rock. As a reminder, to allow everyone a chance at catching one of these fish, only one fish over 20 inches long can be harvested each day.
• Anglers report excellent kokanee fishing at Lake Billy Chinook.
• Steelhead fishing has been good on the Grande Ronde, Imnaha and Umatilla Rivers
• Yellow perch fishing is still an option in Recreation Creek, Pelican Bay Area of Upper Klamath Lake, Sevenmile Canal Mouth, and Fourmile Canal.
• Best fishing for wild, native trout in the Klamath Basin will be the Klamath River.
• There are some nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
• Surplus brood trout from Oak Springs hatchery were stocked in Taylor Lake and Pine hollow this week
• Crabbing in Newport is fair. Crabbing in Waldport has been good. Crab quality is good as shells have hardened and are full of meat.

These examples are for demonstration purposes only. Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

Hunter Education:

Hunter safety courses and field days are offered in-person or online, with an in-person field day. Find a course in your area and get a jump on it for the 2026 season!

For adults: Waterfowl workshops and events are happening in your area. Learn new tips and techniques and bring a friend! ODFW classes and workshops run statewide, throughout the year, designed for adults 18 and older. Take advantage of future learning opportunities.

View the report