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FISHING
Weekend fishing opportunities:
- Crane Prairie Reservoir has been chosen as a venue for Cabela’s “Wanna Fish for Millions” promotion, which begins Saturday, May 5 and continues through July 8. Rainbow trout have been tagged with spaghetti tags that could be worth up to $2 million to the angler lucky enough to catch one. For more information and to register.
- Kokanee anglers have been catching their limit at Paulina Lake.
- Brook and rainbow trout fishing should start picking up on Crane Prairie.
- Several area lakes and reservoirs been stocked this spring and trout fishing should be good.
Send us your fishing report
We’d love to hear about your recent fishing experience. Send us your own fishing report through ODFW Fishing Reports -- the information will be forwarded to the local biologist who may use it to update various ODFW resources such as the Weekly Recreation Report.
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: trout
Fishing for trout has been fair. Anglers are reporting catches of healthy rainbows ranging from 15 to 20 inches. More legal-sized fish were stocked this week. The campground near Antelope Flat Reservoir is not open yet. For more information concerning camping in the area, please contact the Forest Service at (541) 416-6500.
BEND PINE NURSERY POND: trout
The pond was recently stocked with rainbow trout.
BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout
The lake is open and fishing is good.
BIKINI POND: rainbow trout
Bikini Pond has recently been stocked and should offer a great opportunity to catch some rainbow trout. There is great access for kids or anglers that need easy access.
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An 8 lb. + Rainbow from Crane Prairie
- Photo provided by Derek Butts- |
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, kokanee, largemouth bass
It is a good time of year to target large brook trout and rainbow trout fishing should be picking up. Crane Prairie is part of the Cabela’s “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions” program, which started May 5; register at www.cabelas.com/fishformillions to be eligible for prizes.
CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee
Kokanee fishing has been good.
CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish
No recent reports. Anglers are reminded that fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures until May 26.
Flows below Bowman Dam.
A sample of redband trout and mountain whitefish are tagged with a numbered floy tag protruding from the back. Anglers who 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 timothy.k.porter@state.or.us.
CULTUS LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout
No recent reports. Big Cultus is scheduled to be stocked the week of May 14.
DAVIS LAKE: redband trout, largemouth bass
Water is much higher than normal and all boat ramps are accessible. Please note this is a fly-fishing only lake. Please check your synopsis for the regulations for this water body.
DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, redband trout
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Redband Trout
-Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife - |
Mouth to the Pelton Regulating Dam: steelhead, spring chinook, redband trout
May is a great time to fish the lower Deschutes River. Rising trout, spring chinook and wildflowers can all be found along the Deschutes Canyon during May. Trout anglers should try fishing from late morning to mid-afternoon because bugs and fish will be the most active during that time of the day. Fishing nymphs will be productive while watching for mid-day hatches to occur.
A few spring chinook are being captured below Sherars Falls, catch should pick up in the later part of May. The daily limit is 2 adipose fin clipped adult and 5 adipose fin clipped jack chinook. Angling is prohibited once the daily limit of 2 fin clipped adult salmon is obtained.
The river from the northern boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation upstream to Pelton Dam opens to trout and fin-clipped steelhead on April 28. Steelhead fishing will be very slow until new summer runs begin returning in July. Most of the steelhead currently in the Deschutes have entered their spawning grounds to spawn.
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.
Lake Billy Chinook to Bend: rainbow trout, brown trout
No recent reports but there should be good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Rainbow trout average 10 to 16-inches, while brown trout up to 26-inches are available. Anglers will find better access downstream of Lower Bridge.
EAST LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, Atlantic salmon, kokanee
The lake should be accessible for the Memorial Day weekend.
FALL RIVER: rainbow trout
Fishing below the falls remains closed until late May. In the meantime, the river above the falls is open. One angler recently reported fair fishing and the best luck with nymphs. If you’ve fished the Fall River recently, let us know how you did through an ODFW Fishing Reports.
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Rainbow Trout
- Photo by Jim Walker- |
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee
Anglers are reporting good fishing for rainbow trout.
HOOD RIVER: winter steelhead, summer steelhead, spring chinook
A few steelhead are still making their way to the Hood River while some spring chinook have already been caught. Spring chinook fishing should peak around June 1.
With the removal of Powerdale Dam, ODFW has adopted regulations expanding salmon and steelhead fishing on the main stem river from the mouth to the confluence with the East Fork, and the West Fork from the confluence with the main stem to the angling deadline 200 feet downstream of Punchbowl Falls. There has been some confusion about the upstream angling deadline in the main stem river; for clarification, the entire Hood River main stem is open from the confluence with the West Fork downstream to the Columbia.
HOSMER LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brook trout
Open to fishing, however accessibility is unknown. Fishing on Hosmer is restricted to fly fishing with barbless hooks.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass
Fishing for bull trout has been fair to good. The majority of the fish caught were less than 24 inches but some keepers have been caught. The smallmouth bass bite is starting to pick up with the warming temperatures.
Samples of bull trout have been tagged with 2 different types of tags. Some of the fish were tagged with anchor tags and others were tagged with PIT tags. A PIT tag is a small chip measuring ½ inch long that was placed in the fatty tissue along the fish’s back. Anglers should be aware that a chip may be present to avoid accidental ingestion of the chip. The number of the PIT tag can only be read using a special tool. Anglers who catch a tagged fish are encouraged to report the catch to ODFW in Bend (541) 388-6363 or Prineville (541) 447-5111.
LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout
Open to fishing.
METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout
Trout fishing has been good. Insect hatches should offer lots of opportunities for good dry fly fishing.
The river upstream from the Allingham Bridge closes to fishing after Oct. 31.
NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout
Anglers are reporting better than average fishing for this time of year. The lake is schedule to be stocked the week of May 14 with 2,500 legal-sized trout.
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24" rainbow trout
-Photo by Jessica Sall- |
OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout
No recent reports.
Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures only; two trout per day and 8-inch minimum length with only 1 fish over 20 inches.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Fishing has been excellent. Anglers are limiting out on healthy trout that are reaching 18 inches.
ODELL LAKE: kokanee, lake trout, rainbow trout
Opens to fishing April 28. The Princess campground was scheduled to open last week.
PAULINA LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee
Kokanee anglers are catching their limit and large browns are biting.
PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Pine Hollow has recently been stocked and should offer a great opportunity to catch both newly stocked trout and carry overs from last year.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout and largemouth bass
No recent reports but fishing for bass, crappie and bullhead catfish should be picking up with the increasing temperature.
Anglers have reported catching larger trout than in recent years. Anglers should consult the 2012 Sport Fishing Regulations for maximum length requirements and bag limits for both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
PRINEVILLE YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout and largemouth bass
Fishing for trout will be best during the cooler times of the day.
ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout
Rock Creek has recently been stocked and should offer a great opportunity to catch some rainbow trout.
SHEVLIN YOUTH FISHING POND: rainbow trout
Shevlin has been stocked and is fishing well. The pond is scheduled to be stocked the week of May 14.
SOUTH TWIN LAKE: Rainbow trout
Fishing has slowed but the lake is scheduled to be stocked again the week of May 14. The lake was treated last fall to remove bullhead catfish and stickleback, and has been restocked with catchable and trophy fish.
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Floating & Fishing at Suttle Lake
-Photo by ODFW-
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SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee
No recent reports.
TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout
Taylor was recently stocked and should offer a great opportunity for some trout.
WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout
Fishing has been slow. The trout have been seen rising, but have been reluctant to bite.
WICKIUP RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass.
Fishing will re-open on April 28.
HUNTING
OPEN: COUGAR, SPRING BEAR (controlled hunt), SPRING TURKEY
Spring turkey hunting forecast
Spring bear hunting forecast
 Wolves and coyotes can look alike
Most wolves in the state today are in northeast Oregon but a few have dispersed further west and south. Wolves are protected by state and/or federal law and it is unlawful to shoot them. Coyote hunters 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 appreciates hunters’ assistance to establish wolves’ presence in Oregon; please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to ODFW using the online reporting system.
Hunter orange required for youth
Don’t forget: hunters age 17 and under must wear a fluorescent orange upper garment OR hat when hunting upland game birds (except turkey) and game mammals (deer, elk, bear, cougar, pronghorn, goat, sheep, western gray squirrel) with a firearm.
PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT
SPRING BEAR season is open thru May 31. See the hunting forecast for what to expect. Remember bears must be checked in within 10 days of harvest at an ODFW office; see the regulations for details.
SPRING TURKEY season is open thru May 31. See the hunting forecast for what to expect.
COUGAR are present throughout the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units but are more likely near deer and elk herds. The Maury and Ochoco units are recommended because of their greater amounts of accessible public land. Remember cougars must be checked in at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest. Please consult the synopsis for all required parts and be sure to call first to make an appointment.
COYOTES offer an exciting challenge for hunters. Both the Maury and Ochoco have sizeable areas of public lands that provide hunting opportunities.
Sage rats (Belding’s ground SQUIRRELS) are beginning to show up on the nicer spring days, make sure to get permission prior to hunting private lands.
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Black Bear
Oregon Fish and Wildlife |
THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT
SPRING BEAR season is open thru May 31. See the hunting forecast for what to expect. Remember bears must be checked in within 10 days of harvest at an ODFW office; see the regulations for details.
SPRING TURKEY season is open thru May 31. See the hunting forecast for what to expect.
COUGAR season is open. Hunters wishing to pursue cougar will find best success near areas of deer and elk concentrations and near recent cougar kills and calling. 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.
COYOTE: Those wishing to pursue 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
SPRING BLACK BEAR - Black bear can often be found looking for forage this time of year. Scan south facing slopes for bears grazing on early spring grasses. Don’t forget it is mandatory to check all harvested bears in at an ODFW check site within 10 days.
SPRING TURKEY SEASON: Turkeys can be found many places in and around White River Wildlife Area. Listen for turkeys early in the mornings or later in the evenings to locate roosting sites. Pre- season scouting can be a great help in having a successful season.
COUGAR season is open all year or until zone mortality quotas have been met. Look for areas that have recent deer and elk activity. Focus your efforts along migration routes, and look for fresh tracks or kills to increase success.
COYOTE hunters should be looking in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area. Open fields can provide good calling opportunities on the area.
VEHICLE ACCESS: The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. Hunters bringing their ATVs are reminded that all vehicles need to stay on roads; cross country travel is prohibited.
VIEWING
Deschutes County
Weather conditions in the high desert are unpredictable at this time of year. Nighttime temperatures can dip below freezing and it’s not unusual to experience the occasional snow squall during the day. However, nice days and warmer conditions are also on the menu, and that encourages reptiles to venture out from their rocky winter residence. A good way to tell if it’s warm enough for reptile activity is to touch the rocks. If they feel warm, you can expect to see lizards around rock piles and snakes around ponds and wetlands, where you are also likely to see small packets of Pacific tree frog eggs deposited in the shallow vegetated areas.
Wickiup Reservoir is a good place to see bald eagles, common loon, horned grebe, and tree swallows. Both bald and golden eagles can be seen at Smith Rock State Park in north east Deschutes County, and one of their potential food sources, yellow-bellied marmots, can also be seen on warm sunny days. Bird watching is not just limited to wild places, as residents and visitors to Bend can watch an osprey pair nesting adjacent to the Parkway that runs through Bend. Sandhill cranes have been spotted in a meadow near Sisters and at the Ryan Ranch area along the Deschutes River above Dillon Falls. And Vaux’s swifts can be seen flying over the former Bend library at 507 NW Wall St., and disappearing into the chimney at dusk.
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Turkey Vulture
- Photo by Dave Budeau- |
Scan the skies for a glimpse of large birds with a “V” shaped wing pattern and you are likely to be looking at turkey vultures. Northern pintails, mallards, common mergansers, great blue herons and many other wetland bird species can be found throughout the county, and steller's jays, white-headed woodpeckers, junco’s, several sparrow species, ravens, spotted towhees, hairy woodpeckers, cedar waxwings and red-cross bills are just a few of the species that can be found in the Deschutes National Forest and BLM-managed lands.
Good sites to look for birds include forest edges surrounding meadows and wetland areas. Those with patience and stealth may be rewarded by the call and possible sighting of a Virginia rail moving through thickets of cattails. 5/1/12.
Wasco and Sherman counties
ODFW White River Wildlife Area
Deer can be observed commonly throughout the wildlife area, providing ample photo opportunities. With the spring-like weather, the deer will be moving up to higher elevations, but there will still be plenty of viewing opportunities.
Elk are found spread throughout White River Wildlife Area and can be hard to find. The best time to find them is in the early morning and late evening.
Turkeys are a common site throughout the wildlife area. Turkeys can be seen foraging for acorns, bugs and seeds this time of year. They are also ganging up into large groups and can often be heard early in the morning leaving their roosts. Look for them in open fields or near oak savannahs.
Bald and golden eagles and various other raptors, such as northern harriers, American kestrels, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks, are commonly observed. Other birds to keep an eye out for are Lewis’s Woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, western bluebirds, horned larks, western meadowlarks, Townsend’s solitaire, Flickers, and lots of robins.
Other animals that can occasionally be seen are coyotes, badgers, bobcats, bears and cougars. Some of these animals are very secretive and are hard to find. You might get to see a coyote wondering around but the other animals are a lot harder to find. Consider yourself lucky if you get to see one of them.
Winter road restrictions are in effect. Most of the roads are closed from Dec. 1 to April 1 with a few that are closed from Dec. 1 through April 31 due to bad road conditions. The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. People using motorcycles and ATVs are reminded that all vehicles are to stay on roads; cross-country travel is prohibited. For more information and directions to the wildlife area, visit ODFW’s website. 3/14/12.
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