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Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife | |
| last updated: 05/16/2012 |
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Send us your fishing report EVENTS Comment on proposed 2013 fishing regulations ODFW invites anglers and others to comment on proposed changes to the 2013 sport fishing regulations at 11 public meeting to be held throughout the state, including:
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.
Check out the new trout stocking map Find the location and details about the many lakes ponds and streams that receive hatchery trout from ODFW’s fish hatcheries on the new Google-based fishing map. ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: trout The Alton Baker Canoe Canal is open all year and will be stocked this week at several locations along its length with a total of 2,000 rainbow trout, including 500 larger sized fish. The Canoe Canal is located in downtown Eugene behind Autzen Stadium. A 4-acre pond at the midpoint of the canal is a good spot but it can be fished all along its 2-mile length from Day Island Road in Eugene to Aspen Street in Springfield. Summer steelhead are occasionally caught in this system and anglers are reminded they will need a combined angling tag to legally harvest a steelhead. It is legal to fish with two rods in the Alton Baker Canoe Canal, provided the Two-Rod Validation has been purchased. BENSON LAKE: rainbow trout, white crappie, largemouth bass, brown bullhead Stocked the week of May 7 with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 40-acre lake located in Benson Lake State Park near the Columbia River. Take the Benson State Park exit just before Multnomah Falls off of I-84 going east. BETHANY POND: rainbow trout Stocked the week of April 30 with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 10-acre pond located at Bethany west of Portland. Take 185th Exit from Hwy 26 north to Bethany. BLUE LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, black crappie, bluegill Stocked the week of May 7 with 1,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 64-acre lake east of Portland in Blue Lake Park, 3 miles west of Troutdale. Located north of Hwy 30 and ½ mile south of the Columbia River. BLUE RIVER RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater species Blue River Reservoir was recently stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Blue River Reservoir is located east of Eugene near the town of Blue River, north of Highway 126 and is open to year-round fishing. This reservoir also contains trout tagged as part of Cabela’s Wanna Go Fishing For Millions contest. Register on-line to enter. BLUE RIVER above BLUE RIVER RESERVOIR: trout Blue River above Blue River Reservoir will be stocked this week with a total of 1,500 legal-sized rainbow trout at multiple locations.
BREITENBUSH RIVER: trout This scenic river flows for approximately 30 miles into Detroit Reservoir. It will be stocked this week with 2,000 rainbow trout. Because the water runs cold throughout the year there are usually good numbers of fish throughout the summer. Forest Road 46 runs along most of its length so access is very good despite some steep and brushy sections. The river has some native rainbow and cutthroat trout and a few brook trout might also be found. Daily limit is five trout over 8 inches, no limit on brook trout and the use of bait is allowed. The river is closed to salmon fishing. CANBY POND: rainbow trout Stocked the week of May 14 with 500 legal-sized rainbow trout and 100 one-pounders. This is a 1-acre pond located on the south end of Canby in Canby City Park. The park is south of Hwy 99E and adjacent to the Molalla River. Angling restricted to youth age 17 and under or holders of one of the Disabled Anglers permits. CARMEN RESERVOIR: trout Carmen Reservoir was recently stocked with 3,000 rainbow trout, including 500 larger trout. Carmen Reservoir is accessed via FS Road 750 off Hwy 126, about 2 miles south of Clear Lake. Motor boats are prohibited on Carmen Reservoir. CLACKAMAS RIVER: winter steelhead, summer steelhead, spring chinook Clackamas River flows dropped late last week but came up early this week, likely due to snow melt from the warm weather. The river forecast shows only a slight decline in water levels in the next few days, leaving great angling conditions for steelhead and chinook. Fishing for summer steelhead has been fair to good as winter steelhead have begun to slow down, which is expected moving into the middle of May. Reports are also out that a few more spring chinook have been landed between Barton and the mouth. The Clackamas Hatchery has closed their trap for the spring season having 1,400 winter steelhead return with more passing Rivermill and moving upstream. Monday hydrological data for the Clackamas shows the flows at 4,450 cfs, a gauge height in Estacada of 13.46 ft, and the water temperature up to 48°. Clear Lake was recently stocked with 3,750 rainbow trout, including 1,250 larger sized trout. Clear Lake is accessed from Highway 126 approximately 70 miles east of Springfield. Brook trout are the most abundant fish during the winter and there is no limit on the size or number of brook trout taken. Cabins and row boats are available for rent from Clear Lake Resort. COAST FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER: trout The Coast Fork of the Willamette River will be stocked this week with a total of 1,400 legal-sized rainbow trout at several locations in Cottage Grove. COMMONWEALTH LAKE: trout Stocked the week of April 30 with 2,250 legal-sized rainbow trout. Commonwealth is a 3-acre lake in Cedar Hills. From the Sunset Hwy take Cedar Hills Blvd. south ½ mile. Turn right on Foothills Drive and follow to lake. COTTAGE GROVE POND: trout, warmwater species Cottage Grove Pond was last stocked for the season in mid-April. Warmwater fish continue to be available. Travel east of Cottage Grove on Row River Road. Cottage Grove Pond is located behind the truck scales and may be accessed via an asphalt pathway. Only the pond with the dock is stocked with hatchery trout. COTTAGE GROVE RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater species Cottage Grove Reservoir was last stocked in mid-April. It will be stocked again in October. Warmwater fish and holdover trout are available to anglers. The reservoir is south of Cottage Grove. CRESWELL POND (GARDEN LAKE): trout, warmwater species Garden Lake was last stocked for the season in early April. Garden Lake, also known as Creswell Pond, is located in Garden Lake Park in Creswell and is visible on the east side of I-5. DETROIT RESERVOIR: trout, kokanee
Located 50 miles east of Salem, this large lake (approx. 3,000 acres at full pool) receives over 100,000 trout throughout the year. It will receive another stocking of 10,000 legal-size rainbow trout this week. The reservoir is currently fuller than usual with all the rain we’ve had and several boat ramps may already be available. The water level is currently 6 feet below full pool (as of May 7). Check with local outfitters in the town of Detroit to find out more. DEXTER RESERVOIR: trout Dexter Reservoir was last stocked in early May. This reservoir also contains trout tagged as part of Cabela’s Wanna Go Fishing For Millions contest. Register on-line to enter. It will be stocked again in October. Dexter Reservoir is adjacent to Highway 58 near Lowell. DORENA RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater Dorena Reservoir was last stocked in late April. It will be stocked again in mid-October. Dorena Reservoir is east of Cottage Grove on Row River Road. DORMANS POND: trout, black crappie, brown bullhead, bluegill, largemouth bass Stocked the week of April 30 with 2,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is an 8-acre pond west of Forest Grove at the junction of Hwy 8 and Hwy 6. EAGLE CREEK: winter steelhead The creek is in great shape for fishing but effort and catch have been very slow. The hatchery has processed about 400 winter steelhead for the season and moving into the middle of May this run is likely over for the year. A few wild winters can possibly be hooked in the upper reaches above Eagle Fern Park. Anglers should begin preparing for the first year of returns of spring chinook from acclimation releases done in 2010. A total of 240,000 chinook smolts were released two years ago from the Eagle Fern Park facility and a nice return of adult fish to the creek is expected as long as flows remain good. It’s a bit early to expect these fish in the creek but heading further into May they should be found in the lower Clackamas and then Eagle Creek if the water conditions hold up. EAST FREEWAY LAKE: trout, bass, bluegill, crappie This pond features some good size bass and crappie. It was stocked last week with 700 legal and 50 larger-sized rainbow trout. A boat ramp is available. To get there take the State Police exit in Albany and follow the frontage road south (3 Lakes Road) for several miles. EE WILSON POND: trout This pond was stocked last week with 600 legal, and 250 larger and 25 trophy-sized rainbow trout. This pond is located within the EE Wilson Wildlife area approximately 10 miles north of Corvallis on Highway 99. Please keep in mind that parking permits are now required in the signed parking lots. ESTACADA Lake: trout, steelhead, chinook, coho Stocked the week of May 14 with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 150-acre reservoir on the Clackamas River behind River Mill Dam. There is a fishing dock and ADA-accessible fishing platform that provide the only non-boating access. There is a boat ramp in Milo McIver State Park at the lower end of the reservoir, picnic areas, and restrooms. There is a fee for entering the park. Fall Creek above Fall Creek Reservoir was recently stocked with a total of 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout at several locations above the reservoir.
FERN RIDGE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead This 9,000 acre lake just 12 miles west of Eugene is the Willamette Basins largest water body. It has four boat ramps and there is good bank angling along the dam and at the shoreline parks. This lake is mostly shallow with a band of deep water from the original channel of the Long Tom River. The reservoir produces crappie over 12 inches and bass angling has been very good in recent years. Best time of year for crappie is in spring after the water temperature reaches the mid-50s, but fish can still be found in deeper water year round. July and August are peak months for largemouth bass. Fish the shoreline along the southern part of the reservoir, especially the sloughs and inlets where there is underwater structure. The reservoir is currently1.5 feet below full. FOSTER RESERVOIR: trout, bass, perch, catfish This scenic 1,200 acre reservoir on the South Santiam River is located just 30 minutes from Interstate 5. There is good bank access at several rest stops and campgrounds, and two boat ramps. It will be stocked again this week with 4,000 legal size rainbow trout. Currently the reservoir is 25 feet below full pool. From I-5 take US 20 east from Albany to the town of Sweet Home. The reservoir is 3 miles past the town on the left. GREEN PETER RESERVOIR: kokanee, trout, bass This large 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. Reservoir levels are approximately 8 feet below full pool. Thistle Creek and Whitcomb Creek boat ramps are currently open. Fishing is fair at the moment and water temperatures are still in the mid to upper 40s. It should pick up once temperatures reach the lower 50s. It was stocked last week with 6,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Stocked the week of April 23 with 2,750 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 4-acre pond on Sauvie Island. Take Oak Island Road off of Reeder Road. HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, warmwater Creel survey data collected at Hills Creek Reservoir suggest the crappie fishery is starting to pick up at the head of the reservoir. As water temperatures rise, the bass fishery is also improving. HILLS CREEK above HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR: trout Hills Creek above Hills Creek Reservoir was recently stocked with 500 legal-sized rainbow trout. Note that the angling regulations listed in the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for “Hills Creek and tributaries upstream from Hills Creek Reservoir” are specific to Hills Creek and its tributaries. The Middle Fork Willamette River upstream from Hills Creek Reservoir has its own set of regulations and is not regulated under Hills Creek and tributaries upstream from Hills Creek Reservoir. HARRIET LAKE: trout Stocked this week with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 23-acre reservoir on Oak Grove Fork of Clackamas River in Mt. Hood National Forest, beyond Estacada and Ripple Brook Ranger Station on Forest Service roads. HARTMAN POND [Formerly WAHKEENA POND]: trout, bass crappie, perch Stocked the week of May 7 with 1,750 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 20-acre lake located by the Columbia River just before Multnomah Falls off of I-84. Take the Benson Lake State Park exit going east. Pond is on the right. HALDEMAN POND: trout Stocked the week of April 23 with 2,750 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 4-acre pond on Sauvie Island. Take Oak Island Road off of Reeder Road. HENRY HAGG LAKE: trout, bass, crappie, brown bullhead Stocked the week of May 7 with 7,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 1,110-acre lake 7 miles SW of Forest Grove off of Hwy 47; follow Scoggins Valley Rd about 3 miles to the lake. HUDDLESTON POND: trout Stocked the week of May 14 with 1,200 legal-sized rainbow trout. 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 pond. JUNCTION CITY POND: trout, crappie It was stocked last week with 800 legal and 275 larger and 25 trophy-size rainbow trout. As a reminder, zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one over 20 inches. Casting spinners and plunking with PowerBait can be effective strategies for these 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. LEABURG LAKE: trout Leaburg Lake will be stocked weekly through late July, and then every other week through August. The lake will be stocked with 1,200 legal-sized trout this week. Two-rod angling is allowed with a Two-Rod Validation. MCKENZIE RIVER below Leaburg Lake: trout, salmon, steelhead The McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake was recently stocked from the town of Leaburg to Hendricks Bridge with 4,250 legal-sized and 1,750 larger rainbow trout. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be taken down to Hayden Bridge. No trout harvest is allowed below Hayden Bridge. A few steelhead are showing up. Watch the spring chinook counts over Willamette Falls and allow 10-14 days for the fish to show up in the upper Willamette Valley. MCKENZIE RIVER above Leaburg Lake: trout, steelhead The McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake will be truck stocked this week at the boat landings with 1,250 rainbow trout from Finn Rock to Ben & Kay Doris. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be harvested. MIDDLE FORK WILLAMETTE RIVER above Hills Creek Reservoir: trout The Middle Fork Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir was recently stocked with a total of 1,350 rainbow trout at multiple locations. Only adipose-fin clipped trout may be harvested and flies or lures must be used. MOLALLA RIVER: steelhead
The Molalla flows have fallen over the past week and the river is very fishable for boat and bank anglers wanting to hook into steelhead or spring chinook. Anglers may find that a few winters can be found in the lower river now that nearly 7,000 fish have passed at Willamette Falls, but there isn’t an established winter steelhead hatchery program on the Molalla. There has been an occasional fin-clipped summer steelhead hooked in the lower river as these fish nose in from warmer water of the Willamette. A few spring chinook can also be found that return from annual direct releases of smolts. Now that the chinook passage counts have picked up at Willamette Falls anglers can expect a few hundred springers to enter the river. The Molalla is open for adipose fin-clipped chinook and adipose fin-clipped steelhead the entire year, with the use of bait allowed May 15-July 15 but the use of single barbless hooks is encouraged. Refer to the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for more information. MT HOOD POND: trout ODFW will host a Family Fishing event at Mt. Hood Pond from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ODFW volunteers and staff will be present to loan out gear and teach beginners the basics of trout fishing. This five-acre pond is on the Mt. Hood Community College Campus in Gresham and is limited to anglers 17 and under as well as those in possession of ODFW’s Disabled Angler Permit. Stocked the week of April 30 with 1,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 5-acre trout pond on the campus of Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. Fishing is restricted to youths age 17 and under or holders of a Disabled Angler permit from April 1-Aug. 31. NORTH FORK RESERVOIR: trout, salmon, steelhead Stocked the week of May 14 with 10,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 350-acre reservoir of the Clackamas River behind North Form Dam approximately 5.2 miles east of Estacada. NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, trout Flows have come down a bit and are currently around 5,120 cfs at Mehama on the North Fork and around 4,460 cfs on the South at Waterloo and are expected to drop slowly over the next week. The number of winter and summer steelhead passing above Willamette Falls stands at 6,828 and 4,295, respectively, as of May 4. Based on video monitoring at Bennett dam near Stayton, over 600 winter steelhead and the first few summer steelhead have moved into the upper river system. Spring chinook should also be arriving soon with numbers observed at the falls jumping to 2109 fish last week. About 240 winter steelhead have made it to the base of Foster dam on the South and 184 summer steelhead have been recycled as of May 1. Bobber and jigs are the preferred method but spoons and egg clusters might also work well when conditions improve for catching these fish. River levels best for fishing are below 3,000 cfs at the Mehama gauge. Check for current conditions The section between Shelburn and Green’s Bridge remains hazardous for boaters because of downed trees and multiple side channels. Better bets are the floats below Green’s Bridge and above Stayton when conditions improve. ROARING RIVER POND: trout A small one acre pond in Roaring River County Park near ODFW’s Roaring River fish hatchery. To get there, drive highway 226 east out of Albany and turn right onto Fish Hatchery Road and continue for about 7 miles. Park is on the right. It will be stocked this week with 160 legal and 20 larger-sized rainbow trout. SALMON CREEK: trout Salmon Creek was recently stocked with a total of 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout released at several locations. SALMONBERRY LAKE: trout Stocked the week of May 14 with 1,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 15-acre lake west of St. Helens. Take Pittsburgh-St. Helens Rd to turn-off onto access road. SALT CREEK: trout Salt Creek was recently stocked this week with a total of 500 legal-sized rainbow trout released at multiple locations. Salt Creek is a tributary to the Middle Fork Willamette River east of Oakridge. SANDY RIVER: winter steelhead, summer steelhead, spring chinook
The Sandy has dropped significantly as a result of the dry, warm weather but it is very fishable and in great shape for some spring fishing. ODFW creel surveys have shown fair to good catches of summer steelhead for both boat and bank fishermen. The winter steelhead will be slowing down while spring chinook are beginning to appear further up into the system. The Oxbow to Dabney stretch should provide some fishing opportunity from boats while Dodge Park, the Garbage Hole, Revenue and Cedar Creek will prove to be the popular bank fishing spots. Monday hydrological data shows the Sandy dropping to 2,420 cfs with a gauge height reading at 9.87 ft. and the water temperature increasing to near 49°. NOTE: An error on page 54 of the 2012 Sport Fishing Regulations booklet incorrectly states the Sandy River above the mouth of the Salmon River is open the entire year for the harvest of both adipose fin-clipped and non adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The correct regulation should limit the season to the retention adipose fin-clipped steelhead and non adipose fin-clipped steelhead from July 1 to Aug. 31. The harvest of wild winter steelhead is prohibited on all rivers in the Willamette Zone. SANTIAM RIVER NORTH FORK above Detroit Lake: trout This beautiful section of the river will receive its first stocking of the year this week with a release of 3,000 legal size rainbow trout. Please be aware that this section of river above Detroit Lake is closed to salmon fishing. SCOUT LAKE: trout Will be stocked this week with 1,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Take Hwy. 30 toward Clatskanie; take the Swedetown Rd. exit; follow Swedetown Rd. about a quarter of a mile to Olson Rd. Turn right onto Olson Rd. Follow Scout Lake signs posted along Olson Road about three miles to locked gate. From there hike in about a mile to the lake or sign out a key to the gate from the City of Clatskanie at 95 S. Nehalem and drive in. For more information, contact the City of Clatskanie at 503-728-2622. SHERIDAN POND: trout ODFW will host a Family Fishing event at this site on Saturday May 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staff and volunteer fishing instructors will be present at the event to offer helpful tips to families who want to learn how to fish. The department will loan out rods, reels and tackle and provide bait to anyone who needs it. To get to Sheridan Pond from Hwy 18, take exit 33 to Balston Rd turn right and then a left to the pond. SHORTY’S POND: trout Will be stocked this week with 450 legal-sized rainbow trout and 100 larger trout. This 4-acre pond is located within Ivor Davies Nature Park in the city of Molalla. It can be accessed by the Fifth St. Trailhead across from Heckard Football Stadium. SILVER CREEK RESERVOIR: trout Stocked the week of April 30 with 3,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 65-acre reservoir on Silver Creek 2.5 miles south of Silverton on Hwy 214. SMALL FRY LAKE: trout Stocked the week of May 14 with 300 legal-sized rainbow trout. This lake is located next to the Clackamas River 7 miles south of Estacada off of Hwy 224. Angling restricted to youths ages 17 and under. SMITH RESERVOIR: trout Smith Reservoir was stocked in late April with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Smith Reservoir is north of Trail Bridge Reservoir and is accessed by turning off Hwy 126 at Trail Bridge Reservoir and following FS Road 730 north to Smith Dam. The reservoir is not visible from the highway. ST. LOUIS PONDS: trout, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie Pond #6 stocked the week of May 14 with 200 one-pound trout. St. Louis Ponds is a 54-acre complex of seven ponds owned and managed by ODFW. In addition to stocked trout, the ponds contain several species of warmwater fish, including largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie and sunfish. The ponds are located 13 miles north of Salem and west of Interstate 5. To get to there from I-5, take the Woodburn exit. Then go east to Hwy. 99E. At Hwy. 99E, head south to Gervais Road. Go west on Gervais Road through the town of Gervais. The road eventually changes to St Louis Road. Continue west on St Louis Road as it crosses over I-5 to Tesch Road, at the railroad crossing. Go left on Tesch Road and follow the signs to the ponds.
SUNNYSIDE PARK POND: trout, bass, bluegill This 4-acre pond is located 2 miles above the upper end of Foster Reservoir. It will be stocked this week with 333 legal-sized rainbow trout. It also offers bluegill and largemouth bass year round. The park has a campground and picnic area and is a great place to take kids fishing. There is also a boat ramp access to the Middle Fork arm of Foster Reservoir. To get there from I5, take US 20 through the town of Sweet Home and continue around Foster Reservoir to Quartzville Creek road. Take a left and follow this road for two miles to the park. TIMBER LINN LAKE: trout The pond will be stocked this week with 1,750 legal-sized and 50 larger size rainbow trout. As a reminder, brooders are considered trout so zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one over 20 inches. Timber Linn is an 8-acre lake located at Albany City park at the east edge of Albany. TIMOTHY LAKE: trout Stocked the week of May 14 with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 1,400-acre lake about 80 miles east of Portland past Mt. Hood. From Hwy 26 turn onto Forest Rd 42 (Skyline Rd), and then west to Forest Rd 57. TRAIL BRIDGE RESERVOIR: trout Trail Bridge Reservoir will be stocked this week with 3,085 rainbow trout. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be harvested from Trail Bridge Reservoir. Flies and lures only may be used. Trail Bridge Reservoir is adjacent to Hwy 126 and is approximately 60 miles east of Springfield. TROJAN PONDS: trout Stocked the week of April 23 with 3,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. Trojan Pond is a 15-acre pond located just east of Rainier, Ore., on the north side of Hwy. 30 at the Trojan nuclear facility. The pond will be stocked this week with 3,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. WALLING POND: trout, crappie, bass Stocked last week with 300 legal-sized rainbow trout. As a reminder, brooders are considered trout so zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one over 20 inches. The pond is located within the Salem city limits west of I-5. Take Turner Road off Mission Street. As a reminder, only one trout over 20 inches may be kept per day. WALTER WIRTH LAKE: trout, crappie, bass Stocked last week with 1,700 legal and 150 larger-sized rainbow trout. As a reminder, brooders are considered trout so zone regulations apply: five trout daily may be kept and only one over 20 inches. This wheelchair accessible lake is located just east of Salem within Cascade Gateway Park, west of I-5 at Hwy. 22. Take Airport Rd. or Turner Rd. to reach the lake. WAVERLY POND: trout, bluegill, catfish This 8-acre pond in downtown Albany will be stocked this week with 1,660 legal and 20 larger size rainbow trout. Please be aware, only one fish over 20 inches may be kept. From I-5 take exit 234 west towards Albany. Pond is a quarter mile on the right. WEST SALISH POND: panfish, trout The Salish Ponds Wetlands Park has been closed by the City of Fairview as an extensive renovation project gets underway. ODFW will likely not be stocking West Salish Pond again until late September of 2012WILLAMETTE RIVER: winter steelhead, spring chinook
With stability in the flows and rising water temperatures the passage counts for chinook and steelhead have increased in recent days. Winter steelhead passage reached 6,997 through May 10; summer steelhead passage moved up to 5,450 and spring chinook have been moving in big numbers with daily counts of 2,087 and 1,676 late last week and a total of 6,230 chinook adults past the count station through May 10. The Willamette spring chinook fishery has benefited from dropping flows, warming water and increased visibility as evidenced in some good angling days throughout the river. High volume releases of water from Columbia River dams have still been causing the lower Willamette to flood on certain days, creating lake-like conditions with little current, but it hasn’t caused great problems for anglers in the lower river. For the three day period of last Friday-Saturday-Sunday ODFW creel samplers saw 274 chinook kept and 61 chinook released for 694 boats. The hot weather along with the Mother’s Day holiday kept the effort and catch down over the weekend. Springers were landed throughout the river with the best catch rates now showing up in the Milwaukie/Oregon City area, although some good days were seen in the lower harbor and Multnomah Channel. Sturgeon retention on the Willamette River is now closed. Sturgeon anglers can still participate in the catch-and-release sturgeon fishery. Retention of sturgeon is allowed above Willamette Falls all year. Bank anglers should check out the new fishing dock between the Oregon City Arch Bridge and West Linn Paper Company on the west side of the river below Willamette Falls. The new structure provides 350 feet of waterfront access. Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on May 11 show flows coming down to 25,400 cfs, visibility improved at 4.6 ft., and the water temperature jumping to 56°. OPEN: COUGAR, Spring bear (controlled season), Spring Turkey EVENT: Many private timberlands use the following link to provide information regarding the access policy for their private lands. Hunters need to have permission to hunt or make sure hunting is allowed before accessing private lands. Hunter orange required for youth Use the Oregon Hunting Map to see where to hunt.
Spring TURKEY season is now open. Gobblers are active now and some hunters are having success. Within the Willamette Zone, most turkeys occur on private lands in the foothills around the valley. Most public land in this zone consists of Douglas fir forests which are poor habitat for turkeys. As a result, turkeys are not common on public lands in this zone. Turkey populations are strongest in the mid to southern portion of the zone. Hunters are reminded they must have permission to hunt private lands. COUGAR season is open. Cougars are challenging to hunt due to their secretive nature, penchant for traveling great distances, and characteristic low population density, but can bring large rewards for successful hunters. Some hunters have had luck calling cougars to them with predator calls that mimic a deer fawn or elk calf. The key to successful calling is to get within hearing range of a cougar, which will require that hunters be familiar with the local landscape characteristics, be aware of deer and elk patterns in the area, and understand cougar habits. Hunting with a partner is recommended for those hunters attempting to call cougars, since these animals can be difficult to see and hear as they approach. Calling for at least an hour from each calling location is important. Using a tree stand or sitting back-to-back is a good technique to cover all potential entry points. 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 2012 Big Game Hunting Regulations before your hunting trip to ensure that you are familiar with all of the requirements.
Spring BEAR season opened on April 1 for those hunters with a tag. Tags were allocated through the controlled spring hunt drawing for all hunts except SW Oregon, which is a limited first-come, first-served hunt. Tags for the SW Oregon hunt are sold out for 2012. Hunters are reminded to check the 2012 Big Game Regulations for their exact hunt boundaries, season dates and requirements for checking in their bear. Hunter success is increasing and the district office is checking in several bears per week now. USFS road crews are reporting snow levels at 3,000 feet on north slopes but many roads are still closed due to windfall and patchy snow in sheltered areas. Hunters with limited time to spend afield will still want to concentrate their efforts during the last three weeks of the season. Hunters with a flexible schedule will want to take advantage of any warm, sunny days that occur and get in the field to look for bears. Skunk cabbage and green grasses are preferred forage items this time of year. Early in the season hunters will want to target coastal areas or low elevation riparian areas. 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 before check-in and hunters call ahead to make arrangements to have the bear checked. Please review the 2012 Big Game Hunting Regulations before your hunting trip to ensure that you are familiar with all of the requirements. NEW: Hunters get a free Sauvie Island parking permit with their purchase of an annual hunting license. Display on car dash. The parking permit is also required at EE Wilson Wildlife Area near Corvallis. More information Around the Valley
The WESTERN POND TURTLE is a species that was once extremely abundant throughout the Willamette Valley. Many factors have contributed to the decline of turtle populations including: filling and drainage of wetlands, introductions of exotic predators (bullfrogs, bass, and opossum), road kill and farming or development of areas used for nesting. Nonnative plants such as reed canary grass, Himalayan blackberries, and Scott's broom have also degraded or destroy turtle habitat. This is the best time of year to see western pond turtles. These turtles spend a lot of time soaking up the sun (basking) on warm sunny days in the spring. Look for them on logs that stick out of the water in ponds or slack water areas along any of the major streams in the Willamette Valley. Turtles are shy and often will dive into the water if they feel threatened by activity or disturbance nearby. Approach viewing areas slowly and quietly. Binoculars are very helpful for viewing turtles at a distance. If other people are nearby, turtles may not be visible although in some public areas turtles have become more tolerant of people. Some good public areas to view turtles include Kirk pond (N Fern Ridge Reservoir), Delta Ponds in Eugene, Truax Island greenway site (NE of Corvallis), Woodburn pond, and Brown and Minto Island (Salem). 5/15/12 Ruffed grouse courting Listen for a rhythmic drumming as you hike the forests this spring ― male ruffed grouse are out courting females and their rhythmic wing beating (drumming) is used to advertise their presence and draw females into their territories. Drumming starts with a slow but powerful wing beat every second, rapidly speeding up, and ending 8 to 11 seconds later. This acoustic “calling card” is repeated every 3 to 5 minutes in the early morning and late afternoon during the breeding season. Ruffed grouse are native to Oregon and can be easily identified by their relatively long, fan-shaped and distinctively banded tail in addition to their neck ruffs. Look and listen for these 16-19 inch long, brown or gray-brown, chicken sized birds in deciduous and mixed forest communities in western Oregon. 5/8/12.
Look for flickers nesting The Northern flicker, a member of the woodpecker family, is a fairly common bird to see in the Willamette Valley. It has salmon-colored wing undersides and a white patch on its rump. Flickers can also be identified by their loud call and drumming action. If a flicker is causing annoyance by drumming on sides of homes, here are some suggested deterrents: Attach Mylar balloons that spin and move in the wind, shiny CDs or streamers of Mylar tape every 2-3 feet along roof eaves near affected area. Leave snags and dead branches in your yard to provide natural habitat and prevent use of human structures by birds. 5/15/12 Wildlife viewing remains good for waterfowl and shorebirds. Neotropical migrants are arriving including yellow-breasted chat, American goldfinch, various swallows, warblers, thrush, kinglet and common yellowthroat. Great photo op for bird lovers! Spring and summer are great times for birdwatching migrants as well as waterfowl including mallards, wood duck, hooded merganser, ring-necked duck, western Canada goose. Snipe and other shorebirds are periodically seen. You can now use the photography blind on the Wildlife Area. Staff will feed daily so there will be good photo opportunities. Call the office to make a reservation and get directions to blinds, (541) 745-5334. Find directions to EE Wilson Wildlife Area. 4/24/12 Eugene Area Fern Ridge Wildlife Area
Fern Ridge Reservoir has some extensive wildlife habitat areas that can be accessed from Royal Avenue which extends from west Eugene to the reservoir and ends at a gated access point. This is an excellent place to go to observe wildlife. Berms were built in this area during 2000 and 2001 to retain water along the edge of the reservoir during the winter months when the reservoir is drawn down for flood control. These ponded areas are very attractive to wildlife at this time of year. Also accessible from this access point are natural prairie habitats (to the north) that are very rare in the Willamette Valley. In addition to the abundance of waterfowl, many wintering 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. 3/20/12 Salem Area Walling Pond Walling Pond in Salem is a fishing pond created by Walling Sand and Gravel near 16th St. and McGilchrist St. It is west of Interstate 5 off the U.S. 22 exit. In addition to good fishing, visitors to the pond can enjoy seeing a good selection of sparrows, swallows and wintering waterfowl. Sauvie Island
Three of the major parts of The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, Westside, Oak Island and the North Units opened on April 16. The Eastside Units are scheduled to open on May 1. All areas require a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Parking Permit. Spring migrants are arriving such as orange-crowned warbler, pacific-slope flycatcher and purple martins. Songbird migration brings a colorful addition to the Island as the sparrows, towhee, goldfinches and Bullock’s oriole have begun arriving. An abundance of ducks, geese and blue heron can be seen from many points around the island, as can raptors, including bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks and American kestrel. Anna's and Rufous hummingbirds are back in great numbers and the finches are arriving. The great blue heron rookery is now visible from the Walton beach parking lot. Herons generally nest (roost) in colonies in large trees. The ospreys are building their nests; cinnamon teal, wood ducks and gold finches are arriving. The sandhill cranes have migrated north. Bald eagles and red-tailed hawks are very active on their nests in anticipation of their new arrivals. The great horned owls have chicks now. 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. 4/24/12. |
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
3406 Cherry Avenue N.E. :: Salem, OR 97303 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW :: www.dfw.state.or.us
Questions? Contact odfw.web@state.or.us