May 28, 2026

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

Free Fishing Weekend is coming up! 

Everyone can fish, clam, and crab anywhere in Oregon waterways, reservoirs, beaches and even the ocean for free on Friday and Saturday, June 6-7. No fish or shellfish licenses or tags required; no two rod or Columbia River or Ocean endorsements necessary! Family fishing events across the state and free parking at all Oregon state parks on Saturday!  Details and event schedule here: Free fishing weekend news release.

New Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit

From June 15 - Labor Day, vehicles will need to have a Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permit ($10 daily) to park at Walton, Collins, and North Unit beaches on weekends and holidays. The traditional Wildlife Area Parking Permit will not be valid in these parking areas but can be used at other locations on the wildlife area (Willow Bar and Gilbert River boat ramp) and on summer weekdays. Sauvie Island Beaches Parking Permits will go on sale June 1 at 7 a.m. and can be purchased online or through a license sales agent. Additional details about the permit are available at SauvieIslandParking.com.

May 22 was the trout opener 

for rivers and streams typically closed over winter and early spring for native fish conservation. Reminder that angling for all species in streams above tidewater is restricted to artificial flies and lures May 22 - Aug 31 unless otherwise noted in exceptions. While trout fishing, please be mindful of out-migrating salmon and steelhead smolts.  If you catch these young salmonids, consider switching to barbless hooks and/or moving to a new location. Check the 2026 Fishing regulations.

Spring turkey and spring bear close May 31. Reminder to check in your bear harvest.

Clean boats and other watercraft after each use to prevent transmission of non-native species. ODFW Ashland Boat Inspection Station found golden mussels for the first time on a watercraft being transported from the Sacramento River Delta to Oregon on April 4. Mussels feed on food sources essential for native species and sport fish. They damage irrigation and hydropower systems and degrade water quality.

Drought impact on stocking schedules. Some areas are already too warm or shallow to support hatchery fish. Fish intended for those waterways will be diverted to other suitable lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs. Check with your local ODFW office for the most updated stocking information.

Wildlife viewing is a fun option with nice weather. The Weekly Recreation Report includes opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

• Grab a shovel, rake, and your shellfish license. Low tides make it easier to dig razor, butter, cockle and gaper clams.
• As a general reminder for Anglers: Maximize distance from bank anglers and other boats. Safely row or motor around anglers and other boats and avoid motoring nearshore and in shallow areas!

Northwest:

• Many Mid and North Coast lakes were stocked with hatchery rainbow trout, and more on the way!
• Trout fishing opened May 22. Visit the Northwest fishing zone for advice and nearby opportunities.
• Summer steelhead are on the move in the Siletz River. Recycled steelhead have a numbered tag at the base of the dorsal fin. Please report tagged steelhead caught in the Siletz River to w.yann@odfw.oregon.gov to monitor recapture and harvest rates in the basin.
• Spring Chinook are in the Lower Columbia Tributaries with fish caught in Big Creek, Gnat Creek, and the Klaskanine River. Fishing is slow to fair but still improving.
• Spring Chinook fishing is picking up in both upper and lower Tillamook Bay and the Trask River mostly below the Trask hatchery. There should be spring Chinook in the bay and the Lower and Little Nestucca Rivers.
• The Nestucca and Wilson Rivers are getting summer steelhead. Anglers report success in the Lower Nestucca, mostly below Three Rivers. Fishing should continue to improve through June.
• Warmwater fisheries can be a great option this time of year and during drought! Siltcoos and Takenitch lakes have largemouth bass, yellow perch, and bluegill. Target the margins as fish move in for spawning. Largemouth bass are doing well at both locations.
• Recent sampling shows bass in Cape Meares and Coffenbury are healthy with decent numbers and size.

Southwest:

• Cooper Creek Reservoir looks nice and clear. Go earlier in the morning or fish deeper water.
• Rain and cooler temperatures should make for good fishing conditions in Elk River.
• Cooler weather at Floras Lake will improve the bite.
• Trolling at Lost Creek and Applegate Reservoirs continues to be very good.
• Howard Prairie and Hyatt Reservoirs have plenty of legal-size rainbow trout. Holdovers from last year are a good size.
• Spring Chinook are moving through the Middle Rogue, and anglers report success. Try plugs or plunking along current seams on the inside bends of the river to intercept them. Early morning or evening when sunlight is not directly on the water will be the best time to intercept migrating springers.

Willamette:

• Foster Reservoir was stocked with over 4,800 hatchery trout last week.
• Shad fishing was excellent last week in the Oregon City area. Several waterbodies will be stocked with trout this week, however unseasonably hot weather will impact trout stockings this season. Many of the valley ponds are already too warm to receive their usual spring stockings.
• Fishing for spring Chinook and steelhead was good in the Clackamas River last week. Milo McIver State Park is a great place for bank anglers to try their luck targeting these fish! Freeway Lake was stocked with about 500 hatchery trout last week.

Columbia River:

• Hatchery Steelhead fishing is open on the lower Columbia between Tongue Point and the I-5 Bridge per permanent regulations. Shad fishing is good downstream of Bonneville Dam. 
• Walleye fishing is good in The Dalles and John Day pools. 

Central:

• Hood River spring Chinook season is here; peak of the season will be late May – early June.
• The salmon fly hatch on the lower Deschutes is still underway! Great fishing and lots of anglers
• Anglers report excellent early season fishing at Lava and Little Lava Lakes for large holdover trout.
• Now open for trout: the Metolius upstream of Allingham Bridge, Fall River below the Falls, the Deschutes from Little Lava Lake to Crane Prairie, and the Deschutes River Wickiup Dam tailwater.
• ODFW sampling indicates good numbers of large Brown Trout in the Wickiup Dam tailwater.
• Shevlin Park youth and disabled fishing pond, Prineville youth pond, Metolius youth and disabled fishing pond and Pine Nursery Pond were recently stocked!
• Anglers report good trout fishing and excellent kokanee fishing at Paulina Lake. Kokanee at Paulina Lake are among the largest in Central Oregon this year averaging 13-14 inches.
• Recent ODFW sampling indicates good numbers of 17-22" holdover rainbow trout at Antelope Flat Reservoir
• The Crooked and Metolius Rivers continue to provide excellent early spring angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish.
• Fall River was recently stocked, and anglers report excellent nymphing opportunities near the hatchery and the headwaters.

Northeast:

• Kokanee fishing remains good on Wallowa Lake.
• Perch fishing has been good at Phillips Reservoir with some large fish caught.
• Some nice trout are being caught on Willow Creek Reservoir.
• Spring Chinook are being caught on the lower Umatilla River.
• Smallmouth bass fishing on the John Day is really good at the moment

Snake:

• Catch bass and trout downstream of Hells Canyon Dam.
• Warmwater fishing is picking up. Fish for bass, perch, and crappie in Hells Canyon Reservoir.
• Some large crappie are being caught in Brownlee Reservoir

Southeast:

• Willow Valley Reservoir should be good for largemouth bass
• Black drake mayflies should be hatching in various rivers in the Klamath Basin.
• Lake of the Woods, MIller Lake and Fourmile Lake all should be good for hatchery rainbow trout
• Salmonflies and golden stoneflies are hatching in the Klamath River.
• The Wood River below Weed Road is fishing well for Brown Trout.
• Crappie fishing is big hit or big miss in Gerber Reservoir with the sporadic weather.
• Nice holdover trout in the Malheur River below Warmsprings right now.
• Crappie fishing in Owhyee Reservoir has been good.
• Bank fishing for rainbow trout has been good at Ana Reservoir.
• The Cascade Ramp at Hyatt is open. This year at Howard Prairie, the Grizzly, Willow Point and Klum Landing ramps will be available for the first time in many years.
• Biologists expect a temporary boost in productivity at Howard and Hyatt as large stretches of inundation zone are rewatered and producing aquatic food again. Trout should be fat and happy!

Marine

• See season dates for Pacific Halibut
• Bookmark the Salmon pdf for reference for your upcoming ocean fishing trips.

 Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

Hunter Education:

Hunter safety conventional courses and field days are available --Sign up now to avoid the summer rush, space is limited!

Register for Bowhunter Safety Education to receive certification that may be required in several surrounding states before hunting season begins.

Learn to hunt:  Strengthen your game spotting skills, attend one of the Observation & Glassing courses for pre-season scouting tips.

Shooting sports:  Register now for a Bowhunter Skills class and improve your archery hunting success this year.

Help protect Oregon's wildlife: Turn in poachers

Poaching takes a serious toll on of Oregon's wildlife. You can help by reporting poaching when you take to the field or hit the water this season. Find out more about poaching in Oregon, including ways you can report it.

View the report