The Oregon Recreation Report (fishing, hunting, viewing), update June 12 by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:

WILLAMETTE ZONE

Valley ponds and Willamette River sloughs offer good opportunities for anglers seeking bass and other warmwater game fish species.

Over 18,000 spring Chinook and 7,000 summer steelhead have passed Willamette Falls through last weekend. Stream flows are gradually dropping some and dry weather is forecast for this week, so angling conditions in the North and South Santiam will remain favorable. Both Chinook and steelhead are being picked up throughout the North and South forks and about 900 steelhead have been recycled back downstream from the trap at Foster Dam.

FISHING

STOCKING SCHEDULE: South Willamette Watershed District: ODFW will stock Breitenbush River, Detroit Reservoir, Leaburg Lake, McKenzie (below and above Leaburg Lake), Quartzville Creek and Santiam River North Fork above Detroit Reservoir with rainbow trout the week of June 11. Leaburg Lake will receive 150 larger trout in addition to over 1,000 legal size trout.  McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake will receive approximately 3,300 summer steelhead and over 1,500 larger rainbow trout. 

In the North Willamette Watershed, ODFW will stock North Fork Reservoir, Roslyn Lake, Silver Creek Reservoir, Small Fry Lake, Timothy Meadows and Trillium Lake with rainbow trout the week of June 11.

BREITENBUSH RIVER AND NORTH SANTIAM above Detroit Reservoir and Quartzville Creek above Green Peter Reservoir are scheduled to be stocked by ODFW with trout the week of June 11.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: Spring chinook and summer steelhead should be spread throughout the system. Water conditions and flows will dictate the accessibility of the river. The lower river may still be available by jet sled but the areas above Carver up to McIver Park will likely be a drift boat only fishery. It is inadvisable and dangerous to take a boat on the Clackamas River without previous experience.

The best bank fishing opportunities will mainly be found in the McIver Park area. Dog Creek below the hatchery, and the bank from the upper boat ramp all the way up to the deadline near Rivermill Dam should produce fish. The opposite bank accessible from Rivermill Road near Estacada should also be productive.

Depending on conditions anglers should try egg clusters or sand shrimp if using bait. An assortment of spinners, plugs, corkies and yarn, or jigs will also attract chinook and steelhead.

The Clackamas River is also open for catch and release trout fishing.

Boat anglers can access the river at Clackamette Park, Riverside Park, Carver Boat Ramp, Barton Park, Feldheimer’s Rd., and McIver Park.

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 near Dog Creek, and from the McIver Park boat ramp on up to River Mill Dam.

DETROIT RESERVOIR: The bloom of blue-green algae at Detroit Reservoir seems to be diminishing and health-related advisories may be lifted by the weekend. Watch for an announcement from the U.S. Forest Service.

GREEN PETER RESERVOIR: The kokanee finally seem to be biting with some consistency at Green Peter Reservoir. They are averaging about 12” in size and an occasional chinook in the 16-20 inch range is also taken. Best results are from trolling a flasher with a spinner and white corn at 40-60 feet deep.

DEXTER POND, FALL CREEK and LEABURG (Mckenzie River): Spring Chinook salmon are arriving in low numbers.

HENRY HAGG LAKE: As the weather has cooled down, so has the angling at Henry Hagg Lake. Anglers have reported doing really well from boats fishing for trout. Successes have been reported from a variety of bait including cast masters & wedding rings fishing in shallow areas.

SUNNYSIDE POND near Foster Reservoir has also been stocked with trout. Trout stocking in the valley ponds is mostly completed for the season as water is warming up.  All of these ponds support several species of warmwater game fish.  Success for bass, sunfish, and catfish can be had by using bait and being patient.

SANDY RIVER: No new report.

Anglers can access the river from many parks including Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge. Bank access is also available to the Cedar Creek area at the Sandy Hatchery. When fishing the Oxbow Park area, remember that there is no angling from a floating device upstream from a point that is 200 feet below the Oxbow Park boat ramp.

Collection/recycling receptacles for discarded or lost fishing gear can now be found along the Sandy River. Look for them near boat ramps at Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge parks. Any tangled fishing line or old gear can be collected and disposed of in these canisters as an effort to maintain a healthy, clean Sandy River.  Please use nearby garbage cans for any other types of trash.

WILLAMETTE RIVER: The dominant fishery in the Willamette in mid-June is the shad fishery. Although anglers might still find some shad in the lower river, most of the good shad angling takes place in the Oregon City area. The shad can be caught from either boat or bank methods with a wide variety of shad gear proving to be successful. Newcomers to shad angling should seek advice from local tackle shops to find out what has been the hot lure this season.

Both boat and bank anglers can access the river near Oregon City from Meldrum Bar, Dahl Park, Clackamette Park, and Sportcraft Marina.

Keeper and sublegal sturgeon can be found in good numbers in many sections of the lower Willamette. The St Johns area, the Lower Channel, and the Milwaukie/Oregon City area should all see fair to good sturgeon action for boat anglers. Bank fishing for sturgeon can be found at Meldrum Bar and at the wall in downtown Oregon City. Sturgeon anglers have used fresh smelt or herring as effective bait.

Boat anglers can access the lower channel from St Helens, Bayport Marina (Scappoose), and the Gilbert River Ramp. Fred’s Marina and the St Johns boat ramp will put you near the lower harbor fishery. Those trying the Milwaukie or Oregon City areas can use several ramps including the Jefferson St Ramp, the Cedar Island Ramp in West Linn, and the ramps at Meldrum Bar, Clackamette Park, or Sportcraft Marina.

Please note that the Willamette River, including Multnomah Channel, is open for the retention of sturgeon under recently modified rules. Effective February 1, 2007 the retention of sturgeon is allowed Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of each week until July 31, 2007. Monday through Wednesday of each week angling for sturgeon is allowed, but on a catch and release basis only. Please also note that anglers are limited to the use of only one single-point barbless hook while angling for sturgeon.

VIEWING

Young wildlife is afoot through the Willamette Valley. Please stay away from nests or newborns—look, don’t touch.

Clackamas River

Visit the Clackamas River to see cliff swallows nesting on mud banks. They can easily be viewed by boaters. Osprey nests are also visible from the 85-mile long river, a tributary of the Willamette. For a map, visit The Clackamas River Basin Council Web site at: http://www.clackamasriver.org/projects/clickablemap.htm

Eugene Area

Visit ODFW’s Fern Ridge Wildlife Area and make a day of it. Bird watching opportunities are available at every access point around the lake with open access by hiking or by watercraft. Bird checklists and maps are available at area parking lots or by contacting the wildlife area headquarters at (541) 935-2591. In June, keep an eye out for osprey, pelicans, bald eagles, yellow-headed blackbirds, purple martins and a variety of waterfowl and shorebirds.  Western pond turtles can frequently be observed basking on floating logs in Kirk Pond during warm parts of the day. Woodland nature trails are available in the East Coyote, West Coyote, and Applegate units. An extensive series of grass topped levees throughout the wetland units also offer excellent hiking access. For more information, visit www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/fernridge.htm.

Portland Area

Watch for peregrine falcons downtown—they are nesting on Portland Bridges including the Fremont. For more information, visit the Portland Audubon Society Web site at: www.audubonportland.org/peregrine_delisting

Check out the Red-tailed Hawk Raptor Cam at: http://www.kgw.com/livecams/content.html?livecams_birdcams

Sandy Area

See bald eagles and osprey foraging at Rosyln Lake. An active bald eagle is nest site visible from lake.

Sauvie Island

A variety of newborn wildlife is active at Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. The bald eagles’ eggs are hatching and eaglets should be visible soon. Deer fawns have also been sighted in addition to several waterfowl young such as goslings or ducklings. A parking permit is required for the Wildlife Area and can be purchased ODFW POS vendors. A daily permit is $3.50 and an annual permit is only $11.00.

Get directions at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/sauvieisland.htm

NORTHWEST ZONEAngling for warm water species should be improving as lakes warm up. Cape Meares, Lytle, Sunset, Cullaby, and Coffenbury lakes offer good opportunities for warmwater fish, particularly largemouth bass. Anglers should use caution when traveling to Lost Lake (Clatsop County) as active logging and travel restrictions are in effect. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2741 or Astoria Oregon Department of Forestry for more information.

FISHING

NORTH COAST LAKES: Coffenbury, Cape Meares, Hebo and Town lakes were stocked the week of June 4.

MID COAST LAKES: The last stocking occurred the week of June 4 at the following water bodies: Big Creek Reservoirs 1 and 2 and Olalla Reservoir near Newport, Thissel Pond near Waldport and Cleawox Lake near Florence.

WARM WATER FISH SPECIES: Devils Lake near Lincoln City and Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, Woahink Lake, Siltcoos Lake and Tahkenitch Lake near Florence have good populations of warmwater fish species such as large mouth bass, blue gill, yellow perch, crappie, and brown bullhead. Typically good fishing occurs from late spring through early fall for these species. A variety of lures and baits can be effective with the best fishing in the morning and late afternoon hours.

ALSEA RIVER: The river above tidewater is now open to fishing. Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for cutthroat trout throughout the Alsea River Basin. Sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) will start returning around mid July. Small spinners or spoons work well for cutthroat trout. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?TIDO3.

NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Catch and release trout fishing is open. Good numbers of resident cutthroat trout should be present. Angling for sea-run cutthroat will improve later in the summer.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: Angling for summer steelhead is fair to slow. Angling for spring chinook is improving as more fish enter the river, but success is still slow. Water is low and clear. The lower river will offer the best chances. Catch and release fishing for trout open. You can check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr.

SALMON RIVER: The river above tidewater is now open to fishing. Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for cutthroat trout. Small spoons and spinners are very effective.

SILETZ RIVER: Steelhead fishing is fair to good in the upper river above Moonshine Park. Strong numbers of summer steelhead typically show by mid-June. Both bank and drift boat fishing are very effective using a variety of baits, jigs, spoons and spinners. Cutthroat trout angling is open and is expected to be fair to good throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?SILO3

SIUSLAW RIVER: The river above tidewater is now open to fishing. Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for cutthroat trout throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) typically start to show in the lower river and tidewater around mid July. Small spinners or spoons work well for cutthroat trout. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?MPLO3

TILLAMOOK BAY: Spring chinook angling is slow. A few fish are being caught in the lower bay and nearshore ocean, primarily by trolling herring. Trolling spinners is the most common technique in the upper bay, but a few fish are caught on herring or large plugs. Try bobber and eggs/shrimp in the river tidewater areas. Angling for sturgeon has been fair. Effort has been low. Best success will be in the upper bay and Tillamook River tidewater.

WILSON AND TRASK RIVERS: A few summer steelhead are available in the Wilson and Trask rivers. Angling has generally been slow. Spring chinook angling is improving, but is mostly slow. Best action is on the Trask River downstream of the hatchery. Rivers are low and clear. Catch and release fishing for trout open. The north, south and east forks of the Trask River will be closed to angling after June 15. Check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr.

YAQUINA RIVER: The river above tidewater is now open to fishing. Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for cutthroat trout throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Small spinners or spoons work well for cutthroat trout.

VIEWING

Viewing Event: Join ODFW and Department of Forestry staff at Gnat Creek Hatchery on Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 a.m. for the grand opening of the newest nature trail in the Gnat Creek Forest. Learn about the native birds, plants and animals that live in the forest and take a walk on the new nature trail. Visit the fish hatchery and hike into the woods to see firsthand how forests, fish and wildlife are being cared for.

Get directions at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/hatchery/gnatcreek.htm

Viewing Event: SeaFest 2007 will be held at the Hatfield Marine Science Center on June 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn about marine research, meet the scientists and learn about our marine environment, from tidal flats to deep ocean volcanoes. For more information go to: hmsc.oregonstate.edu/

North Coast Viewing

Songbirds can be heard throughout forests on the north coast during springtime. Don’t overlook clearcuts with snags or leave trees (trees left standing) in them; they can host an entirely different suite of birds than older forests do. See and hear western bluebirds, mountain quail, olive-sided flycatchers, red-tailed hawks and robins.

See an illustration of an olive-sided flycatcher and hear its call at:http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/170/_/Olive-sided_Flycatcher.aspx

Bald eagle nesting season is well-along. The juveniles, which don’t develop the distinctive white head and tail until age five, should be nearing fledging from their parents’ nests. Many eagle nests can be viewed along the Columbia River and around coastal estuaries. Use binoculars to scan tree lines near the water for the adult birds, which are often perched near the nest tree. Adults should be actively delivering prey items to the nest for the rapidly growing young during this time.

Fact sheet on the bald eagle can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/BaldEagle/default.asp

Black oystercatchers are one of the most common shorebirds to see in summer along the Oregon coast. These unusual birds make a living on rocky shores within the tidal zone. Their name is actually a misnomer as they do not eat oysters; they usually eat mussels or clams that cling to rocks below the high-tide line. This can make oystercatchers difficult to spot. It’s best to look for yellow feet and/or orange bill, and eventually the rest of the bird will come into view. Binoculars are all that’s needed to find these striking birds. Look for them along rocky coastal areas.

See a photo and learn more at: http://www.pwlf.org/blackoystercatcher.htm

Black oystercatchers can be seen regularly at Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge located about ten miles west of Tillamook.

Arch Cape

There are some great seabird nesting colonies on the coast, including Castle Rock west of Arch Cape. Castle Rock is a sea stack off Hug Point. There are two state parks in the area: Hug Point Recreation Site http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_191.php and Oswald West State Park http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_195.php

Cannon Beach

If you are going to Cannon Beach, walk toward Haystack Rock and bring a spotting scope or a pair of binoculars—you may see tufted puffins nesting high on the rock.

A colony of 200-300 tufted puffins journeys to Haystack Rock every summer to breed and hatch their chicks. The puffins arrive in late March or early April and return to the open sea in late July or early August. Visit the Friends of Haystack Rock Web site for more information at: http://www.ci.cannon-beach.or.us/~Natural/HRAP/hrap-habitat.html

Florence area

Dabbling ducks can number in the thousands on Siltcoos Lake south of Florence.

Protected nesting areas for snowy plovers are in the dunes at the mouths of Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Creeks.

Tillamook Area

Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is a collection of several nearshore rocks located near Oceanside. Not only is it home to the largest and most diverse seabird colony in Oregon, it also supports a breeding population of Steller sea lions. Now hundreds of thousands of seabirds are nesting on the larger rocks, including murres, auklets and puffins. A good spotting scope is very helpful for viewing. Visit the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge Web site at:

http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/3archrocks/

Seaside

Visit ODFW’s Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area in June and keep your eyes open on the way. Elk have been visible along Highway 202 and Beneke Road. With the warmer weather, best viewing times are early morning and late evening. Elk calves should start to appear within the next couple of weeks. Viewing for elk calves may be difficult due to the tall grass in most meadows. Watch for vegetation movement behind adults as calves try to follow their mothers through the tall grass. Band-tailed pigeons have been seen near the viewing areas along Hwy 202. A variety of songbirds are visible near the bird feeders at most viewing areas. Get directions to the wildlife area at: www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea

Yaquina Bay

Harlequin ducks are often sighted at the Yaquina Bay south jetty and at Seal Rocks. Numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds are actively feeding in and around coastal estuaries and lakes. 

Newborn Wildlife

June is the peak of the birthing season for deer and elk. Newborn deer fawns deer fawns and elk calves are starting to appear. Please leave young animals alone as disturbing or touching them will decrease their likelihood for survival. A fawn or calf should never be removed from its environment unless it is in immediate danger (for example, lying in the middle of a paved road) or it has been documented that the mother is dead. Then, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Oregon State Police or an ODFW office should be contacted for instructions on placement of the animal.

SOUTHWEST ZONEThere are good opportunities to catch trout in lakes throughout the southwest zone. Shad fishing is picking us as well as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and bluegill.

FISHING

APPLEGATE RIVER: Open for trout.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Angling should be good for trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. As of Monday morning the outflow was 221 cubic feet per second at 55 F.

BABYFOOD LAKE: Access is by forest service trail located off Eight Dollar Road. The trail is 1 mile long. Flies or small spinners tend to work the best for 12-14 inch rainbows. Anglers wanting to fish the lake should contact the USFS Ranger District office located in Cave Junction for maps and road closure information. Fishing conditions will be excellent all summer.

BURMA POND: Angling for rainbow trout is good. Largemouth bass and panfish are also available.  The water level in the pond has been lowered to facilitate repairs to the dam and will remain low through the summer.

CHETCO RIVER: Access is excellent for bank and boat anglers. Cutthroat fishing is excellent, and should remain excellent all summer. Anglers wishing a wilderness experience can access the upper Chetco River Watershed at several trail heads. Anglers should contact the USFS Ranger District office in Brookings for maps and trail conditions. Spinners or flies tend to work the best.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: Additional trophy trout were stocked in Empire Lakes recently above the amount scheduled. Legal trout are also biting well there. Trout and warmwater fish are also available in other local lakes. The Millicoma Interpretive Center youth fishing pond is still a nice spot to take kids trout fishing. Fishing equipment is available for kids to use at the Millicoma Pond. Warmwater fishing is good with many nice bass being caught at Tenmile Lakes. Saunders Lake can be productive for bass also.

COOS RIVER BASIN: A few shad have been picked up but fishing has been slow so far. Anglers should not give up as shad fishing can turn on fast. Most shad fishing takes place on the lower Coos and Millicoma Rivers where anglers troll or cast shad darts. Sunny afternoons are often the best time to catch shad. Trout angling is open with anglers restricted to flies and lures only if fishing streams above tidewater. Surf perch and other marine fish are available in Coos Bay. Anglers should concentrate around rock structure or pilings.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Striped bass are available in the Coquille estuary, anglers usually do better fishing after dark. Large plugs that immitate small fish can be effective. Shad fishing should be improving now with afternoons typically the most productive. Most angling occurs around Sturdivant Park where anglers typically use shad darts.

DIAMOND LAKE: Boat anglers are catching limits of fish. The fish have spread throughout the lake, with the best fishing occurring on the west side of the lake. Some fish are being caught near Silent Creek. Boat anglers were doing well anchored up and waiting for the fish to find the bait. Power bait has been the most effective. Anglers need to remember that the limit is five fish per day, and only one trout over 20” may be harvested per day.

DUTCH HERMAN POND: Fishing should be good for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout, bass, and panfish should be good.

EXPO POND: Legal-sized rainbow trout were stocked last week.  Fishing for trout, bass, and panfish should be good.

FISH LAKE: Fishing for stocked rainbow trout has been good.

GARRISON LAKE: The boat access is off the 12th street boat ramp. Bank access is limited to Tseriadun State Park, 12th street boat ramp, Silver Butte Road and Arizona Street. Weed growth will limit bank angling. Good numbers of trophy trout and cutthroat are still available mainly on the north end of the lake. Some largemouth bass can be caught out of the mill pond on the east side of Arizona Street in Port Orford.

HOWARD PRAIRIE: Anglers are catching a few large, hold-over rainbow trout, as well as the recently planted legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for largemouth bass should be good.

HYATT RESERVOIR:  Anglers are catching a few large, hold-over rainbow trout, as well as the recently planted legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for largemouth bass should be improving with the warmer weather.

ILLINOIS RIVER: Open for trout and steelhead; however, fishing is slow.

LAIRD LAKE: Located approximately 15 miles up Elk River road. The road is gravel for the last 8 miles. The lake is small with a lot of woody material. Bank access is good, with a float tube or small inflatable boat a good choice. The lake is stock biannually with trout. Small spinners or single eggs are the best bait.

LAKE SELMAC: Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and bullheads has been good.

LEMOLO LAKE: Fishing at Lemolo has slowed a little with the warming air temperatures. Brown trout fishing remains good at the lake. Fishermen are still catching some limits of browns and rainbows at the lake.

LIBBY POND: Located approximately 8 miles up the north bank of Rogue River Road. Bank access is excellent. No boats are allowed. Trout are stocked several times in the spring with fishing winding down in June as water temperatures get to high. Power bait fished just off the bottom is the lure of choice with most anglers.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass has been good.

MEDCO POND: Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish should be good. 

PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: The selective coho season in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain opens June 23rd. Ocean fishing for Chinook hs been limited due to rough ocean conditions. A few fish have come in but little effort has targeted ocean salmon. Bottom fishing in the ocean has been good when the weather cooperates. Bay angling has been fair for rockfish and perch. Surfperch fishing has been fair for anglers casting bait from the beach. Sand shrimp, clam necks, mussels, and marine worms are all popular choices for bait. Good areas for surfperch include Horsfall Beach and Whiskey Run Beach south to Bandon. Look for steep beaches or small streams entering the ocean. Surfperch can also be found along jetties and pile structures. Striped bass occasionally surprise surf fishers also.

REINHART PARK POND: Fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish should be good.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: Spring chinook fishing is winding down. Water temperatures are expected to jump this week with warming valley temperatures. Anglers targeting spring chinook should fish at first light. The first reported summer steelhead came in last week. Anglers can expect summer steelhead fishing to be fair in June, with August and September the best months.

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: Angling for spring chinook has been fair.  Flows were 2,560 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass as of Monday morning. The Rogue River is now open to trout angling; however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: Angling for spring chinook has been good. A total of 5,737 spring chinook salmon and 83 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of June 5. The counting of winter steelhead concluded on May 15 with a season total of 13,238.  The outflows from Lost Creek Reservoir were 2,345 cubic feet per second and the outflow temperature was 51oF as of Monday morning. The Rogue River is now open to trout angling; however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept. Salmonflies are starting to emerge along the upper Rogue, which should create good opportunities for fly anglers. Salmon roe or lures with sardine wraps have been successful.

ROGUE RIVER, ABOVE LOST CREEK DAM: Legal-sized rainbow trout are scheduled to be stocked at most of the campgrounds and major access points along the river between Prospect and Minnehaha Creek during the week of June 18. Brook trout and a few brown trout are available as well.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: Soda Springs reservoir is open all year round for brown and rainbow trout. The road to Soda Springs dam is currently closed due to a high volume of dump trucks and heavy equipment. At this time the only access into the reservoir is at Medicine Creek bridge.

SMITH RIVER: Stripers are being caught in the Smith River estuary. Most striper fishing is done by boat in the lower ten miles of the estuary. Trout season is open on Smith River and fishing should be good. Small spinners and rooster tails generally work the best. Mainstem Smith River below Sisters Creek is catch and release only on trout. Tributaries and the mainstem above Sisters is open for harvest of trout

SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: Garrison Lake is still the number one choice on for trout anglers. ODFW sampled the lake last week and there are still a large number of trophy trout and cutthroat available. The fish seemed to be concentrated on the North side of the lake. Anglers will need to fish a boat to keep outside the weed line.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: Conditions are excellent. Anglers can expect a mix of post spawn sea run cutthroat and steelhead smolts. Both of which are activily feeding on chinook fry and sculpins. The best action is early morning and evening. Anglers are reminded to carefully release all undersized fish.

SOUTH COAST BEACHES: Perch fishing has been good.  Anglers should keep an eye on surf conditions and tides before heading out.  Usually the best perch fishing in on an incoming tide. 

SPAULDING POND: Fishing is good for stocked rainbow trout. 

TENMILE BASIN: Trout season is now open.

TOKETEE LAKE: Fishing is open in Toketee all year round. As water temperatures slowly increase German Brown fishing will improve.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: Sturgeon fishing has been slow, some green sturgeon are being picked up in the Big Bend area. Pink fin perch fishing has been slow, but will improve as more pink fin move into to spawn.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: A number of the high lakes, with truck access, have been stocked. Fishing in these lakes should be good and there should be large numbers of holdovers also. Many of the wilderness lakes are open and fishing for eastern brook trout is good. Check with the local Forest Service ranger districts on road conditions.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: For those who have stuck with it on the mainstem spring chinook fishing finally picked up last week. A large school of spring chinook moved through last week and anglers were rewarded for their patience. Water flows are high enough to provide good access to most spring chinook hole by drift boat or sled. Shad fishing has been very good. Anglers are catching shad from Sawyers Rapids to River Forks. Smallmouth fishing is also picking up, with a number of large fish being caught around Elkton. Fishing for shad will last into August. Remember this section of the river is closed to wild steelhead retention.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: Spring chinook and summer steelhead numbers crossing at Winchester Dam are slow. Chinook fishing at Amacher Park is sporadic, with some chinook being caught. Boat anglers need to remember to fish below the deadline, if anglers are caught fishing above the deadline they will be ticketed by OSP. Fishing remains sporadic. Last week fishing picked up in the Rock Creek area with a number of spring chinook being caught. This is a good time to visit and see spring chinook and steelhead in the viewing windows at the dam.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: The South Umpqua is open for trout season.

WILLOW LAKE: Angling for trout, bass and other warmwater fish is good. 

WINCHESTER BAY: Crabbing has been slow but should improve as smaller crabs grow to legal size. Sturgeon fishing has also been slow but should improve as more food enters the estuary.

SHELLFISH

The entire Oregon coast is now open for razor clams, bay clams, and mussels. ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates. For more information about razor clams and current status of particular areas see the ODFW razor clam web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams

Crabbing had been good in the ocean but bay crabbing remains slow. The COOS BAY shoals (20-30 feet deep) along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.

VIEWING

Coos County

Viewing opportunities are good at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area located east of Reedsport on Hwy. 38 and Bandon National Wildlife Refuge near Bandon. For more information. http://www.co.douglas.or.us/countyinfo/elk.html

Black bears are elusive animals but those wishing to see them may have some luck using binoculars or spotting scopes to watch forest openings. Salmonberries are ripening in lower elevation along the coast. Bears can be found in these areas near salmonberry patches.

Ban-tailed pigeons are now appearing in large numbers. In spring these birds migrate into Oregon for feeding and nesting. They generally feed—noisily—on fruits, nuts and seeds of trees through the summer. They begin nesting early in the summer laying one or two eggs. Once these hatch they initiate another nest and continue this through the summer, sometimes bringing off more than one brood.

Other migrants to be aware of are shorebirds. Various species of sand pipers, plovers and other shore birds are appearing in bays, wetlands and along beaches as they migrate north. These birds can be very entertaining to watch as they dart around feeding. Occasionally, large groups of black brant can be seen resting in local bays on their migration north.

Douglas County

Roseburg

Ducklings and goslings are now frequently observed at Stewart Park in Roseburg located on the west side of the city, surrounded by Garden Valley Boulevard, Stewart Parkway, and Stewart Park Drive. While at the park, enjoy the butterfly garden and large picnic pavilion.

Sutherlin Area

Plat I Reservoir in Sutherlin is a good place to view various species of songbirds, shorebirds, ducks and geese. Purple martins, our largest swallow in North America, have returned from their wintering areas in South America, and can be seen daily around the reservoir.

Umpqua River

Fish Spawning

Winter Steelhead can be observed spawning in the wild just below Soda Springs dam on the N. Umpqua River 55 miles east of Roseburg.

Fish Passage

Winter Steelhead and Spring Chinook migrating upstream pass through Winchester dam fish ladder on the N. Umpqua River, which is open to the public. To view the migrating Steelhead go to exit 129 on I-5, proceed southeast on 99 to the fish ladder on the north side of the river.

Rogue Watershed

Denman Wildlife Management Area

The area provides a covered viewing station with a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. The structure was built by the Oregon Hunters Association and is accessed by a paved, wheelchair-accessible pathway. It is on the Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point. For more information. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/denman.htm

Grants Pass Area

Lake Selmac is a great place to see waterfowl, eagles, osprey and other lake shore birds. Directions from Grants Pass, take Hwy 199 west about 12 miles to lake turn off sign at Lakeshore Drive. Turn left, follow to lake.

Medford Area

Upper and Lower Table Rocks rise 800 feet above the valley floor. Habitat types range form oak savanna and chaparral to woodland. On the summit a diversity of wildflowers and wildlife can be found along the trails. Spring can provide some of the best viewing times. Be aware of rattle snakes along trail. Visit the Nature Conservancy Web site for directions. http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oregon/preserves/art6805.html

South Coast

Harbor seals can be observed in estuaries throughout the South Coast. Look for sandy haul out sites. Remember, spring is puping season so please observe these animals from a distance. If you find pups on the beach, leave them where you found them.

Trail

Lost Creek Lake provides 30 miles of trails which includes portions of the Rogue River National Recreation Trail. Along the lake and river banks a wide variety of wildlife and wild flowers can be observed. Deer may be seen early in the morning and late evenings along water ways. A brochure of the trail system can be picked up at federal land agency and visitor centers in the area.

CENTRAL ZONE

FISHING

Young people interested in angling will be offered a great fishing opportunity by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife June 16 at Century Pond, located just west of Crane Prairie. The pond will be stocked with 400 legal-sized and 100 trophy-sized rainbow trout. Volunteers will help kids learn to fish or improve their existing skills from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and all anglers 17 years of age and younger are invited to attend. Anglers 13 years of age and under can fish for free. A juvenile angling license is required for youth 14-17 years of age. All state angling regulations apply for this event.

“This event is specifically for the kids,” said Ted Wise, Assistant District Fish Biologist for ODFW. “We want to encourage kids as they learn to fish and we hope they enjoy an activity that provides lifelong recreation.”

Century Pond is located approximately 46 miles southwest of Bend, ¼ mile west of the Forest Road 46 (Century Drive) and Forest Road 4635 intersection. For additional information, contact ODFW at (541) 388-6363.

Contact ODFW at the Deschutes Watershed Office (541) 388-6363 for more information.

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Angling for 14-18 inch carryover rainbow trout are excellent.

BIG LAVA LAKE: Big Lava Lake anglers are having good success on 13 n 16 inch rainbows.

CLEAR LAKE: Clear Lake has been stocked several times this spring with both legal and trophy sized rainbow trout. Fishing should remain good as long reservoir levels remain full.

CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: The bite at Crane Prairie has picked up with a number of 10 n 12 inch rainbows being caught on top of the occasional 20 inch rainbow trout.

CRESCENT LAKE: Brown trout catches at Crescent Lake have slowed though folks are still having good success for kokanee.

CRESCENT LAKE: Brown trout catches at Crescent Lake have picked up a little and folks are still having fair success for kokanee.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: There have been recent reports that redband trout angling has been picking up with several fish caught in the 14-16 inch range.

CULTUS LAKE: No report.

DAVIS LAKE: Anglers are having fair success catching largemouth bass and an occasional redband trout.

DESCHUTES RIVER: Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: Now is a good time to fish the middle Deschutes for brown trout and rainbow trout.

Trout Anglers: Fly anglers in the Warm Springs Area continue to find good success on the tail end of the salmonfly and golden stone hatch. Downstream of Trout Creek fly anglers should begin focusing on nymphs and other hatches such as caddis or mayflies. Anglers should focus their attention near the river bank or in backeddies. Angers are reminded that extremely warm temperatures may trigger glacial melting on the White River, and fishing conditions in the Deschutes downstream of White River may be less than optimal due to turbid waters.

Spring Chinook: Fishing has slowed considerably in the Sherars Falls area. The bulk of the catch is beginning to be comprised of jacks, indicating most of the run has likely past upstream.

Benham Falls to Wickiup Reservoir: Reports of some nice brown trout being caught in this reach.

Wickiup to Crane Prairie Reservoir: Reports of a few nice rainbow trout being caught in this reach.

Crane Prairie to Little Lava Lake: No reports on success for this reach of river.

EAST LAKE: Anglers are reportedly catching rainbow trout, brown trout and a surprising number of Atlantic salmon. The Atlantics are averaging 12 inches in length.

ELK LAKE: Anglers are reporting some nice catches of brook trout. Kokanee are also available for the elk lake angler.

FALL RIVER: No report.

FROG LAKE: Frog Lake was recently stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Anglers should expect good success.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-18 inch rainbow and brown trout are fair to good.

HOOD RIVER: Spring Chinook angling remains open through the end of June on the Hood River. Spring Chinook catch has slowed, but occasional fish continue to be taken. Early return summer steelhead are beginning to show up in decent numbers in the creel and at Powerdale Dam. The ODFW operates a “recycling” program for hatchery origin summer steelhead, retuning them to the mouth of the river after they are captured at Powerdale Dam. Anglers are finding steelhead success using nearly all traditional steelhead techniques.

HOSMER LAKE: No reports on angling from Hosmer. Hosmer Lake is now accessible

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull trout angling is slow. Smallmouth bass opportunities are good. Brown and rainbow trout angling in the upper ends of the Deschutes and Crooked River Arms has been good. Recent surveys indicate kokanee numbers are fair with fish averaging 10-12 inches and in very good condition. All boat ramps are operational.

LAKE SIMTUSTUS- Opportunities for 8-10 inch rainbow trout are excellent. A limited number of carryover trout from 14-18 inches are also available. Tribal angling permit as well as State license is required.

LAURANCE LAKE: Laurance Lake has been stocked with fin clipped hatchery rainbow trout. Anglers should find good success on both hatchery trout, and naturally produced wild trout. Anglers are reminded that only artificial flies and lures are allowed, and only fin-clipped trout can be kept. Anglers are encouraged to keep all smallmouth bass caught.

LITTLE LAVA LAKE Angling has reportedly picked up with some nice rainbow trout and brook trout being caught.

LOST LAKE: Lost Lake has been recently stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Some naturally produced brown trout are also available for anglers. Anglers should focus on the shallower shoal areas for best success. METOLIUS RIVER: No change from last report.

NORTH TWIN: Angling is still a bit on slow side. Late winter/early spring at North Twin Lake provides a good opportunity for rainbow trout which carried over from the summer of 2006.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good. Boat anglers generally target the upper end of the reservoir near the mouths of Mill and Ochoco Creeks this time of year. Bullhead angling at the east end of the reservoir should be excellent

ODELL LAKE: Odell is still producing good catches of kokanee for anglers. Kokanee are running 9 to 12 inches in length Anglers should be on the lake at daylight and late in day for best results

PAULINA LAKE: Anglers are reporting good catches of kokanee in the 8 n 10 inch range. The brown trout fishing is still a little on the slow side.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: Pine Hollow Reservoir has been stocked several times with legal and trophy size hatchery rainbow. Warm water anglers should begin finding good success as temperatures warm.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: Rock Creek Reservoir has been stocked several times with legal and trophy size hatchery rainbow. Fishing should remain good until reservoir levels begin dropping.

SOUTH TWIN: The weekend fishing on South Twin was reported to be fair. .. South Twin Lake provides good opportunity for 10 to 16 inch rainbow trout. The lake has good shoreline access and provides good shelter from the wind.

SUTTLE LAKE. No weekend reports from anglers.

WALTON LAKE: Opportunities for legal sized rainbow trout are excellent. Carryover rainbow trout up to 16 inches are also available. The campground is open and the boat launch is available for use (no motors).

WICKIUP RESERVOIR: Wickiup Reservoir anglers are reporting the kokanee angling is slow. Some nice browns have also been showing up in the creel.

VIEWING

Viewing Event: The Oregon Field Ornithologists will hold their annual summer meeting and birding field trips in Bend at Central Oregon Community College the weekend of June 22-24. More information is available at the Oregon Field Ornithologists Web site, http://www.oregonbirds.org/07annualMeeting.html

Central Zone Viewing

Here are some good viewing opportunities for June.

Camp Sherman Area

Check out some of the recent forest burn areas around Santiam Pass and the Metolius area to see several woodpecker species including Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, White-headed Woodpeckers and Red-naped Sapsuckers. Green-tailed Towhees and Fox Sparrows are common understory species where bitterbrush and manzanita occur.

For birdwatchers, the white-headed woodpecker is one of the most sought-after western birds. It is a striking species with a white head and throat and white wing patches that contrast with a coal-black body. For more information, visit the Audubon Society Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/science/wh_woodpecker/document_view

Madras Area

The Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management Area on the Crooked River National Grasslands has a interpretive trail (with an ADA-approved portion) and two blinds where the public can view a variety of waterfowl, upland game birds, raptors, shorebirds, small mammals, and occasionally deer, pronghorn and coyotes. 

Visit the Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management Area for more information and directions, www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/wildlife/sites/29-rimrocksprings.shtml

Prineville Area

The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management area offers opportunities to see a wide variety of WATERFOWL, some SHOREBIRDS and RAPTORS including BALD and GOLDEN EAGLES, and OSPREY. Visit ODFW’s Web site for more information, www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/prineville.htm

The Dalles

Visitors to Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area can see California bighorn sheep on a regular basis upstream of Harris Canyon (RM 12). Access will be by boat or bicycle. Sheep can also be seen on the Deschutes River down the Mack’s Canyon Road down stream of Shearer’s Falls with a major lambing grounds at Beavertail. The Wildlife Area is located 17 miles east of The Dalles. Get directions. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/lowerdeschutes.htm

Several lakes have been stocked with legal-size trout and fishing for largemouth bass is improving in some reservoirs.

SOUTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Contact Klamath Watershed Office (541) 883-5732, the Hines Office (541) 573-6553, or the La Grande Office (541) 963-2138 for more information on fishing opportunities. See website below for a stocking schedule for the Klamath-Malheur watersheds at:http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/trout_stocking_sched/2007/southeast/Klamath Malhuer.html.

ANA RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout will be good as the reservoir will be stocked with legal rainbow trout this week. Most angling occurs from the bank using bait. Angling for hybrid bass has been slow. The reservoir is full. 

ANA RIVER: Angling for rainbow trout has been good.  Look for rising trout in shaded areas of the river or wait until overcast days to fish over rising fish. These fish can be very spooky so stealth is required. Bait angling is allowed and productive.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 61 percent full on June 10, and inflow was 53 cfs. Fishing is slow.

BIG ROCK RESERVOIR: The reservoir has dried completely in recent years, angling for last years rainbow trout is good. The reservoir is at half-full and declining.

BLITZEN RIVER: Fair angling for redband trout, but pay attention to fluctuating river condition.

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 60 percent full on June 10. Angling for warmwater fish is slow.

BURNS POND: The pond was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Good angling for rainbow trout using spoons or spinners. Fair to good angling with worms or power bait.

BURNT RIVER: Legal trout were re-stocked the last week in May in the South Fork Burnt River.

CAMPBELL/DEADHORSE: Access to these lakes is open and fishing has been good.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: Angling is fair to good for 12 to 18 inch rainbow trout, with a few larger fish reported. Fly anglers and trollers have had the best success. There is good shoreline access near the campground or at the fishing access points

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: River flows are decreasing and water temperatures are producing improved fishing conditions. Look for fishing to be best in the early mornings.

COTTONWOOD MEADOWS LAKE: Access is open, fishing has been fair. Cottonwood was stocked with legal and trophy sized trout late May.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: Angling is fair with increasing water temperatures and the end of spawning. The best method for fishing Cottonwood Reservoir is angling from the dam or trolling minnow imitations (spoons and deceiver flies) from a boat. Cottonwood Reservoir is not stocked and the fish you catch are native redband trout produced in Cottonwood Creek.

DELINTMENT LAKE: The lake was stocked with rainbow trout in May. Fair to good angling for 8-14 inch rainbow trout. No reports on what gear has been most effective. Aquatic vegetation growth may make bank angling more challenging as the weather warms.

DEEP CREEK: Angling is fair for redband trout.

DOG LAKE: Fishing for bass has been slow, but numerous large bass have been caught recently out of Dog to make it worth the effort.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout has been good.

EAGLE CREEK and TRIBUTARIES: Should be good for trout.

FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): The north loop road is closed at Page Springs.

FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): The loop road is open to Fish Lake, but not open across the top of the mountain. Angling should be fair to good for brook trout and rainbow trout. Fly anglers usually have the best success using small nymphs.

FOURMILE LAKE: Access is blocked by snow.

GERBER RESERVOIR: Angling for crappie has slowed down. Most crappie are in the 8-10 inch range but larger crappie are available. Yellow perch angling has been good. Lake levels are high therefore boats can be launched. Angling for brown bullhead and largemouth bass is fair. For more information on warmwater fishing in Gerber Reservoir and other Warmwater fisheries visit your local ODFW offices for warmwater fishing pamphlets.

HIGGINS RESERVOIR: Should provide fair angling for 10-18-inch rainbow trout. Higgins Reservoir is located on private land, and the landowner allows public access for angling but has limited it to walking access only. There is a gate approximately ¾ mile from the reservoir.

HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: The abundance of trout has been reduced by the illegal introduction of tui chub, larger trout are still available.

JUNIPER LAKE: No angling report.

UPPER KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKE: Angling for wild redband trout has been fair. Redband trout are beginning to move into the many cold water spring areas around the lake and the mouths of the Williamson and Wood River. A few fish can still be caught at Eagle Ridge, Ball bay and other areas but is beginning to slow. Flyfishing is more productive in the Lake this month because redband trout have become more concentrated. Catch rates are typically one fish per ten hours of fishing.

KLAMATH RIVER: Angling will be fair below Keno Dam to J.C Boyle Reservoir before this section closes on June 16. River flows are currently 1200 cfs below Keno Dam which make for difficult wading and more difficult to catch rainbow-redband trout. Expect to see blizzard hatches of damselflies, caddisflies and mayflies in the afternoon or try imitations that mimic minnows (flies, spinners, spoons, lures). Angling below JC Boyle Powerhouse is fair due to flow fluctuations. River flows below the Powerhouse will be 1500-2000 cfs during most of the daylight hours which creates difficult angling conditions; however some trout can be captured in the shallow, slow moving water near shore using spinners. Redband- rainbow trout are concentrated so covering lots of water will increase your odds of catching fish. The river section from JC Boyle Dam to JC Boyle Powerhouse is good for rainbow-redband trout 6-12 inches. River flows in this section are a constant 380 cfs.  Small spinners and flies are the most effective method for catching rainbow- redband trout in this section. Salmonflies and golden stoneflies are emerging in good numbers in the two aforementioned sections. Anglers can call 1-800-547-1501 for river flow information or visit the following website: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/current?type=flow.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: Fair to good angling for 12 to 18 inch rainbow trout. There is good bank access near the boat ramp and on the southwest shoreline. No reports on what gear has been most effective.

LAKE OF THE WOODS: Boats can be launched at the lodge. Angling for largemouth bass, crappie, smallmouth bass, kokanee and brown trout is slow. Angling for yellow perch is good but most yellow perch are small (< 6”). Angling for brown bullhead can be excellent with a worm near the bottom of the lake. Contact Lake of the Woods Lodge at (1-866-201-4194) for recent angling update or visit their website at www.lakeofthewoodsresort.com. Lake of the Woods has been stocked with legal and trophy rainbow trout last week and will be stocked this week so angling for rainbow trout should be very good. The best method to catch rainbow trout is to troll using spinners or fishing bait from a boat. Most rainbow trout are in the middle of the lake.

LINK RIVER: Angling is slow as many redband trout have moved through Link River. Most anglers use minnow imitations. Access is available along the entire west side and boats can be launched at Veterans Park and motored upstream to the powerhouse. Catch rates are typically low and a good day is landing a few redband trout.

LITTLE HEART LAKE: Access is open and fishing is slow due to the illegal introduction of minnows into the lake. Heart was stocked with legals in early May.

LOFTON RESERVOIR: Expect angling to be slow due to the illegal introduction of tui chub. Larger fish are still available in the lake.

LONG CREEK RESERVOIR: Fishing is good for small trout.

LOST RIVER: Angling has been slow for warm water game fish. A few big largemouth bass are taken each year. The boat ramp, bridge and park at Crystal Springs are closed until at least mid July. Small boats can be launched at Olene Bridge or at Big Springs in Bonanza.

LOWER WILLIAMSON RIVER: Angling is good and flows are low enough for successful angling. Flyfishing from a drift boat is the most popular method to catch large redband trout. Anglers can also troll spoons and lures below the Modoc Point bridge. A few brown trout are available but difficult to catch

LUCKY RESERVOIR: The road into Lucky has been improved.

MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): Discharge from Warm Springs Reservoir was approximately 468 cfs on June 10. No angling report.

MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): Discharge from Warm Springs Reservoir was approximately 468 cfs, and discharge from Beulah Reservoir was approximately 270cfs June 10. Angling is slow.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: Water level is dropping, but the ramp is still usable. Trout angling is good. Good numbers of trout from 10 to 14 inches are being caught. The reservoir was stocked with both fingerling and legal sized trout the last week in May.

MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: Access to the North Fork remains limited by snow. Trout angling is slow. Remember to release bull trout.

MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: Access to the Middle Fork remains limited by snow. Trout angling is slow. Remember to release bull trout.

MALONE RESERVOIR (LOST RIVER): Angling for yellow, brown and black bullhead is excellent. Angling for sunfish and largemouth bass is slow.

MANN LAKE: No recent angling report, but two weeks ago, angling was good for 12 to 14 inch cutthroat trout. Fly anglers have had the best success using leech imitations or small nymphs.

MILLER LAKE: Angling is fair for brown trout. Angling with downriggers is the most effective method. Brown trout are feeding on kokanee and stocked rainbow trout.

MOON RESERVOIR: Fair to good angling for bass and fair angling for rainbow trout. No report on which gear is most successful. Boat anglers have had the best success.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: No angling report from the ponds. Squaw Creek and Littlefield reservoirs were stocked with rainbow trout fingerling the last week of May.

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 64 percent full June 10. All boat ramps are in the water. Warmwater angling is fair. Good numbers of 8 to 10 black crappies are being caught in the middle third of the reservoir (Elbow to Airport). Bass fishing is improving.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): Flows below the dam averaged about 249 cfs on June 10. Angling for rainbow trout and brown trout is fair. The river was stocked with rainbow trout fingerling from the gingerbread house downstream to the concrete bridge the last week of May.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): Discharge at the Rome gauge averaged approximately 154 cfs on June 10. Angling for smallmouth and channel catfish is improving.

PAIUTE RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout is fair with bait. A boat is not needed to catch fish successfully on Paiute Reservoir. A few Lahontan cutthroat trout are available. The reservoir is at half full, and will progressively get lower.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: Fishing has been fair for trout and perch. Trout are running about 12 inches. Perch are 9-11 inches. Water level is at 58 percent.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: Campground is open. Fishing is Fair. Water level is at 90 percent.

PINE CREEK: Open for trout fishing upstream of Oxbow bridge in Baker County.

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is slowly dropping. Angling is fair.

SEVENMILE CREEK: Access might be difficult due to snow. Angling should be good for small brook tout up to 14”. Brown trout fishing should be good but brown trout occur on private property so permission is needed to access.

SHERLOCK GULCH RESERVOIR: Fishing has been fair for legal sized trout. The reservoir is near full and turbid.

SID LUCE RESERVOIR: Access to the reservoir is difficult and fishing has been fair.

SNAKE RIVER: Flow was 7,613 cfs near Nyssa and approximately 9,729 cfs near Weiser on June 10. Angling for catfish and smallmouth bass is fair.

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: No angling report from the ponds. All of the ponds with good water were stocked with fingerling trout the last week of May.

SPAULDING RESERVOIR: Fishing has been good for legal sized trout. The reservoir is half-full and will decline through the summer.

SPRAGUE RIVER: Angling is good for redband trout in the mainstem Sprague. Look for fish feeding on black drake mayflies. Angling is slow for brown bullhead and largemouth bass. A few large brown trout and redband trout are available. Angling is good for redband trout, brook trout and brown trout in the North and South Forks of the Sprague. Large brown trout can be found in the North Fork Sprague above and below the 3411 road crossing. Bull trout can be encountered in the North and South Fork of the Sprague so know your fish species.

SUNSTONE RESERVOIR: Angling with bait or flies near the dam is good for rainbow trout. The reservoir will most likely go dry this summer.

SYCAN RIVER: Angling is fair for redband and brook trout above Sycan Marsh and good for 8-12” redband trout below the Sycan Marsh. Large brown trout are available in the Sycan below the marsh but are difficult to locate.

THOMPSON RESERVOIR: Access to both boat ramps is open. Angling for trophy rainbow trout is improving. The best location to fish for bass is near the shore on both sides near the dam. Also, look for largemouth bass on their nest. This is the best time to catch trophy pre-spawn largemouth bass. Most trophy bass are feeding on tui chub or stocked rainbow trout. Angling for rainbow trout is best near the dam and along the rocky northeast bank. Angling for stocked rainbow trout will be good this week.

TOPSY RESERVOIR: Angling for warmwater fish is fair. Look for largemouth bass in the shallow backwater areas near J.C. Boyle Dam or near the Klamath River. Angling from a boat is more productive for largemouth bass and crappie than angling from shore. Angling with bait from shore can be productive for catching brown bullhead. Angling for sunfish will improve with increased water temperatures. Sunfish can be caught from shore using small bait under bobbers or small flies.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: Fishing is very good and fish are large. Due to drought conditions, the daily trout bag limit has been raised to 15 with no possession limit. Reservoir level has dropped to 65 percent.

UNITY RESERVOIR: Reservoir is dropping and is at 75 percent. Trolling for trout has been good. Many are using ford fenders. Bass fishing has been good also.

UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: Expect black drake mayflies to finally become active and create good angling for redband trout and brook trout. Redband trout are available from six to over twenty inches with the average fish twelve inches. Brook trout are more abundant as you progress upstream and ODFW encourages unlimited harvest of brook trout.

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 49 percent full and the inflow at the Drewsey gauge averaged 21 cfs on June 10. Angling is slow to fair.

WARNER LAKES (Hart, Crump, Flagstaff, etc.): Angling for crappie is still slow due to last weeks colder weather. Crappie angling should be very good later this year.

WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: Angling for largemouth bass has been good. Angling for largemouth bass should be very good in coming months. Crappie angling has been fair. Look for crappie and bass around the many wood and habitat structures in the reservoir. Lahontan cutthroat are available but rare in the catch. The most effective way to fish Willow Valley is from boat but largemouth bass can be captured at the boat ramp and all along the dam. Recent sampling has shown largemouth bass and bluegill to be abundant in the reservoir. Most bluegill are small. Black crappie are common and in the 8-10” range. The yellow perch population has decreased substantially and not worth angling for.

WOOD RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES: Angling is slow for redband trout and fair for brown trout. Most angling is done from a drift boat as public access is limited. Look for hatches or cast salmonfly patterns to undercut banks.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: Water level is at 40 percent. Fishing is poor.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: Fair angling for 10 to 14 inch rainbow trout. Bank access is good near the boat ramp and along the west shore. For those who can hike a short distance, bank access is good along the dam and the east shore. Aquatic vegetation growth may make bank angling more challenging as the weather warms.

Southeast Zone: Viewing

Most of Oregon’s southeast zone covers an area called the northern basin and range ecoregion. It is a sparsely populated area, rich in nature-based recreation areas that provide fantastic opportunities to view wildlife.

Burns Area

Some species of note in the basin are bald eagles, golden eagles, American white pelicans, greater sandhill cranes, white-faced ibis and long-billed curlews. Bald eagles are nesting now and fledglings (juveniles) may be seen. Juveniles are mixture of brown and white with black beaks. They do reach adult plumage until they are five or six years old.

Visit the Oregon Zoo Web site to learn more about bald eagles. http://www.oregonzoo.org/Cards/EagleCanyon/bald_eagle.htm

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

A variety of migratory birds have returned to their summer nesting areas on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge south of Burns. Several species of warblers, sparrows, wrens, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors can be observed in this area.

Refuge headquarters is located approximately 25 miles south of Burns off Highway 205. For more information. www.fws.gov/malheur/

Klamath Falls Area

In June, there are many species of interest in the Klamath Basin including breeding ducks, geese and other water birds. They can usually be seen at National Wildlife Refuges and State Wildlife Areas. Many ducks are in the middle of nesting season. Duck broods are beginning to appear at many of the water bodies in the Klamath Basin. Duck species include mallard, gadwall, cinnamon teal, wood duck, redhead, canvasback and scaup.

Western and Clark’s grebes can be observed in their courtship displays on Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes. For information on Upper Klamath Lake, visit www.volcaniclegacybyway.org/KFallsregion.html. For the location of Agency Lake and more information, visit www.southernoregon.com/agencylake/index.html

Red-necked grebes are only found in a few locations in Oregon including Pelican Bay at Rocky Point on Upper Klamath Lake where they breed annually. Viewing from a boat or canoe is recommended as the red-necked grebes are usually found along emergent vegetation in Pelican Bay. To see a photo and hear its call, visit the What Bird Web site, http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/275/overview/Red-necked_Grebe.aspx

White-faced ibis, which have only been nesting in the Klamath Basin since the early 1980s, can be viewed foraging in flooded pastures south of Klamath Falls. IBIS nest in emergent vegetation in marshes at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

Moore Park, within Klamath Falls, is a great spot to view the bald eagle pair which nest up on the ridge above the park. In downtown Klamath Falls, the Link River Nature Trail offers a great opportunity to view many water birds and passerine species as well. Many mammals including DEER, BEAVER, MUSKRAT, MINK, RACCOON, SQUIRRELS and MARMOTS can also be seen.

Klamath Wildlife Area

See Great Basin Canada Geese with broods, Sandhill cranes with colts, ducks and ducklings. There are also a lot of shorebirds: avocet, black neck stilt and dowitchers. Western pond turtles—one of our two native turtle species—can be seen basking in or near ponds. To see a photo and learn more, visit www.herpetologynorthwest.org/nwherps/turtles/western-pond-turtle.html

 The Wildlife Area is located four miles south of Klamath Falls. Please note, dogs are allowed in dog training area only (near boat ramp) until 1 August. Discharge of firearms is prohibited outside of hunting seasons. Discharge of handguns and rifles prohibited without permit. For directions and more information, visit the ODFW Web site, www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/klamath_wa.htm

Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

Early June is a good time of year to visit Klamath Marsh Refuge. Drive the Silver Lake Road for good viewing and photo opportunities for a variety of marsh birds. The natural marsh provides important nesting, feeding and resting habitat for waterfowl, while the surrounding meadowlands are attractive nesting and feeding areas for sandhill crane, yellow rail, and various shorebirds and raptors. For more information. http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/klamathmarsh/klamathmarsh.html

Summer Lake Wildlife Area

If you are headed to southeast Oregon this summer, take a trip to Summer Lake Wildlife Area. Birdwatchers and wildlife lovers will not be disappointed. Northward migrants and local breeding species continue return to and pass through the Wildlife Area. Breeding season is in full swing for nearly all species now. Check the list at ODFW Headquarters for new arrivals and unusual birds. Directions to the Wildlife Area, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/summerlake.htm

What’s new?

The last of the spring migrants occurred over the past week with Western wood pewee and common nighthawk arriving. Breeding species are increasing in number and nesting activities are in full swing for all species. Other migrants continue to pass through the Area enroute to nesting locales elsewhere. Hummingbirds are beginning to appear at ODFW headquarters complex feedersnBLACK-CHINNED and calliopes were observed last week. Visit the What Bird Web site to see a photo of the very small CALLIPOE HUMMINBIRD and listen to its call, http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/222/_/Calliope_Hummingbird.aspx

What’s unusual?

Eurasian collared doves remain at the headquarters complex and calling is very common during the morning and evening hours.

Birdwatching

As wildlife are being born and reared at this time of year, visitors are urged to keep pets in close control. It is unlawful to allow dogs to run at large during this time of the year. Nests are sometimes situated along roads and trails and can be encountered easily. If nests or young are found, please move away from the vicinity immediately to avoid undue disturbance.

Waterfowl species, primarily ducks, remain very apparent and are widely scattered across the Area. Ducks are in their brilliant nuptial plumage now and nesting for all species is well underway. In the early morning you can see many duck pairs scattered along roads and in fields as females scout for nesting sites. Territorial encounters and chasing flights are common now. Drakes of early nesting species are beginning to form bachelor groups as they prepare to enter the molt. Duck broods are being observed, especially during early morning and evening hours, close to the protective cover of emergent vegetation.

Canada geese remain very secretive as they are rear broods. Broods continue to be observed, but most are in remote areas where disturbance is minimal. Adults are beginning to molt and will be flightless until new feathers are grown. They will be very difficult to view while in this vulnerable condition since they seek security of larger open water areas and protective vegetation.

Sandhill crane nesting and brood rearing is underway and the several observations of colts (crane chicks) have occurred recently. They are also very secretive and hard to observe.

Shorebirds are well into breeding season activities. Courtship and nesting (there are nine species regularly on the Wildlife Area) is occurring for all species now and will be intensifying. Killdeer and snowy plover chicks were observed over the past week. Many killdeer nests have been located; viewers are urged to park and walk with caution to avoid undue disturbance or nest destruction.

Waders and other waterbirds are increasing in number and species. American white pelicans, great egrets, gulls (primarily ring-billed) and terns are numerous now and are taking advantage of forage fish found in canals and ponds. Snowy egrets have been observed recently. Early in the morning it is not uncommon to hear the “uumpa-uump” call of American bitterns as they are very active in courtship. Sora and Virginia rails are becoming very vocal as well and nesting is underway.

Resident RAPTORS remain scattered throughout the Wildlife Area as well as on private lands along Highway 31. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadows. Bald eagles are commonly seen along the Ana River near the River Ranch. Prairie falcons and golden eagles are sometimes seen during this time of the year, and peregrine falcons make occasional appearances. The osprey pair at Ana Reservoir is occupying the nest structure and the adults are busy rearing young. Visit the Oregon Zoo Web site for a photo and a description of peregrine falcons,

http://www.oregonzoo.org/Cards/BirdsOfPrey/peregrinefalcon.htm

Great-horned owls remain very vocal during the night, and rearing of chicks is well underway in several locations.

Ring-necked pheasants are beginning to hatch broods and California quail have paired-up and are dispersed across upland nesting sites. The first quail broods of the season are expected to hatch in the next couple of weeks.

Passerine species 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.

Invertebrate activity is increasing with the warming temperatures and clouds of midges and others species are providing considerable food to insectivorous birds across the Area. Biting insects have emerged and are increasing in number.

Facilities, Roads

The Wildlife Viewing Loop is open and will remain so until fall. Other major dike roads (Bullgate, Windbreak and Work Road) are closed to motor vehicle travel from March 15 th - August 15 to reduce disturbance breeding, brood rearing and molting waterbirds.

Viewers are urged to use care when driving roads since several species of birds may nest along edges. Secondary and minor dikes will remain closed to motor vehicle traffic and cross country travel by motor vehicles and ATVs is prohibited.

Non-motorized access and viewing opportunities are available across the entire Area at this time. Camping is permitted at four sites on the wildlife area.

For additional information on viewing opportunities, please contact the Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 or Marty St. Louis, martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us

NORTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Recently stocked lakes provide good opportunities to catch legal-size rainbow trout.

HONEYMOON AND TEPEE PONDS: These small quarry ponds are located on the WallowanWhitman National Forest, north of Enterprise and accessed via the 46 Road. They have been stocked with legal size rainbow trout.

JOHN DAY RIVER: Smallmouth bass angling has been good although recent rains have created muddy water, which will slow the bite. Water will clear with the return of dry weather. Streamflow at the time this report was filed measured 881 cfs at Service Creek which is good level for angling, although it is rising. Stream flow levels are available from the Service Creek gauging station at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?14046500.

KINNEY LAKE: The Lake is open and has been well stocked. Trout angling is good. Rainbow trout to several pounds, most in the 8-12" range, conditions are good and should remain so, bank angling only, use lures or bait and bobber.

LONG CREEK POND, SEVENTH STREET POND, ANSON WRIGHT POND, MORROW COUNTY OHV PARK PONDS, MCHALEY POND AND BRANDON’S POND: Have all been stocked with legal sized rainbow trout.

MAGONE LAKE: Angling success for brook and rainbow trout is fair. The most successful anglers are fishing relatively deep.

MCNARY, HAT ROCK and TATONE PONDS: Fishing is expected to be fair with warm water limiting trout activity. A few large rainbow should still be left over in McNary Pond from the kid’s fishing derby.

MCKAY RESERVOIR: The water level is dropping fast. Warm water will limit trout activity to the early morning hours. Best opportunities are for catfish and yellow perch.

SALT CREEK AND MCGRAW PONDS: Small forest setting ponds southeast of Joseph, off the 39 Road, stocked with legal rainbow trout up to 12 inches, use lures or bait and bobber, great places to get away on hot days.

WALLOWA WILDLIFE AREA POND:  Angling is fair to good. The pond has been stocked with legal size rainbow trout.

UMATILLA FOREST PONDS: Several Forest Service Ponds along Skyline road, the 54 road and west of Ukiah have been stocked with trout. Contact the Pendleton ODFW office or the Umatilla National Forest office for locations.

UMATILLA RIVER: Spring Chinook season below Threemile dam is now closed. The season remains open above Threemile to the reservation boundary until June 30. A few fish are still being released near Pendleton for harvest. Trout fishing above the reservation is limited to artificial flies or lures and all trout must be released. For up-to-date flow information, visit the following website: www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/umatilla/index.html.

WALLOWA LAKE: Fair angling for kokanee to 15" and good for stocked rainbow trout to several pounds, lake conditions are good, windy days can be a challenge, try the north end for kokanee and the south end for rainbow, boat angling is best but the south east shore can be productive for rainbow and kokanee. Most fish are caught with troll gear, flashers followed up with a wedding ring and maggots or worms. Kokanee anglers are having their best success trolling at 25 to 50 feet deep. Lures or worm and bobber can be effective from the bank.

WALLOWA AND IMNAHA RIVERS: Flows are high from recent rain and spring runoff. Expect fair angling for trout.

WALLOWA VALLEY PONDS (Marr, Victor and Wallowa Wildlife ponds): Have been stocked with legal size trout. Marr Pond has been stocked with trophy trout as well. Angling is fair to good.

WESTON POND: Fishing will be poor with weeds and warm water limiting trout activity.

WILLOW CREEK: This stream bas been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout through the towns of Heppner, Lexington and Ione. Low water is limiting trout activity to early morning hours only.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir will be stocked with fingerling rainbow trout this week. Bass and catfish angling is good.

Viewing

Here are some good viewing opportunities for June.

Baker County

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer and bald eagles can be observed along Snake River Road between Huntington and Richland. Waterfowl viewing opportunities are abundant this time of year at the reservoir and ponds of the county. Listen for ruffed grouse drumming in forested areas. Elk can be seen in the early mornings and late evenings feeding in open mountain meadows. Bighorn Sheep can be seen below the Brownlee Dam on the Snake River or on the Snake River Road between Richland and Huntington.

Excellent birding can be found throughout Baker County. Try birdwatching in different habitat to find a variety of different species. For greatest species diversity try birding along the Burnt River Canyon between Durkee and Hereford or along the Snake River between Brownlee Dam and Upper Hells Canyon Dam.

Enterprise

Bobolinks have been heard calling in the early morning. For information on this relatively rare bird and to hear its bubbly call, visit What Bird at http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/566/overview/Bobolink.aspx

La Grande

The Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is a popular bird and wildlife viewing area located south of La Grande off of I-84. The 3,000-acre wetland area is managed by ODFW. For more information, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/ladd_marsh_wildlife.htm

A bird checklist for the area is provided by "Friends of Ladd Marsh" at their Web site, http://www2.eou.edu/~kantell/friends%20of%20ladd%20marsh/birds.htm

Wallowa Whitman National Forest

Wallowa Whitman National Forest and surrounding Bureau of Land Management lands offer the best viewing opportunity. For a map of the forests and adjacent communities, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/w-w/about/comminfo.shtml

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

FISHING

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Crappie fishing has been good, especially at night. Bass fishing has been very good and the fish are large. Females have spwaned and the males are on the nest. Perch and bluegill are being caught by boat and from shore. Use worms, jigs with crappie nibbles or cutbait. A few catfish are being picked up as well. The reservoir is full. Call Idaho Power Company’s recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit www.idahopower.com under the “Rivers and Recreation” heading. For reservoir level information, visit http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/perl/dataquery.pl?k=brownlee

OXBOW RESERVOIR: Crappie fishing is good. Bass are being caught as well but are catch and release only until July 1.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: Crappie, bass and perch fishing is good. Catfish angling is picking up.

SNAKE RIVER (Below Hells Canyon Dam): Steelhead fishing is closed. Smallmouth bass fishing should be good.

SNAKE RIVER Zone Summer Viewing

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

The following information about summer wildlife viewing comes from the Hells Canyon Recreation Area Web site, http://www.fs.fed.us/hellscanyon/life_and_the_land/wildlife/

Summer - June, July, and August

June is a particularly rewarding time to see wildlife from the lowest elevations to as high as receding snow will permit travel. The patient and lucky observer may see river otter in rivers or larger creeks. The small canyon wren flits between rocks in bunchgrass areas, and the powerful badger burrows for smaller rodents. In the early evening, find a comfortable sitting rock overlooking the rivers and listen for the winnowing of the common snipe and the whizzing boom of the common nighthawk. You may also see the butterfly-like flight of the tiny western pipistrelle bat in search of mosquitoes and no-see-ums.

Be on the lookout for the western rattlesnake, a reptile common to the Recreation Area, particularly in lower elevations. The rattlesnake is beneficial to the wildlife ecosystem; we encourage you to merely watch it and all other species of nongame wildlife. At lower elevations, the visitor may see the unusual rubber boa snake, which appears to have no head.

Numerous elk, many with young calves, may be seen on the benches above the Imnaha and Snake Rivers. In the steep cliff areas around Dry Diggins Lookout in Idaho, one might also see mountain goats.

If your summer visit takes you high into the timbered areas, you may see or hear the pileated woodpecker, the largest North American woodpecker. Watch out! You may get your hat knocked off by a swooping goshawk if you wander too close to its nest during the month of June. The diligent observer may find tracks or even see the pine marten, a small mammal similar to a mink.

A birders checklist is available, http://www.idahopower.com/pdfs/riversrec/hcBirdCheckList.pdf

COLUMBIA RIVER ZONESalmon, Steelhead, and Shad:

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Tongue Point to McNary Dam: Spring Chinook angling is underway on the Columbia River Mainstem as the recreational fishery has been re-opened through June 15 to include fishing from Tongue Point to McNary Dam (excluding salmon angling from a boat and from the Washington shore between Bonneville Dam and Tower Island power lines). This fishery allows retention of adipose fin-clipped adult and jack spring Chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad with a daily bag limit in Oregon of two adult Chinook or steelhead per day. Catch limits for jacks remain in effect as per permanent regulations. Effective June 16 through June 30, 2007 (or until the catch guideline is reached) this section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of summer chinook. The daily bag limit is two adult summer Chinook salmon or adipose fin-clipped steelhead plus five Chinook jacks.

In the lower Columbia River, catch rates for salmon and steelhead were generally poor this past weekend, but should improve with better tides this week. Boat anglers are catching salmon on spinners, wobblers, and qwickfish, while bank anglers are catching salmon and steelhead on spinners and spin-n-glos. Shad angling remains excellent for both boat and bank anglers in the Gorge and fair for boat anglers in Troutdale. Shad are being taken on small darts, spoons, and jigs.

Gorge Bank: Weekly checking showed nine adipose fin-clipped adult and one jack spring Chinook kept, plus one unclipped spring Chinook released for 47 salmonid anglers; and 653 shad kept plus 38 shad released for 220 shad anglers.

Gorge Boats: Weekend checking showed four adipose fin-clipped adult and one jack spring Chinook kept, plus five unclipped spring Chinook released for 14 salmonid boats; and 723 shad kept, plus 34 shad released for 31 shad boats (complete trips).

Troutdale Boats: Weekend checking showed two unclipped spring Chinook released for 26 salmonid boats; and 77 shad kept, plus 17 shad released for 7 shad boats.

Portland to Clatskanie Bank: Weekly checking showed two adipose fin-clipped adult spring Chinook, one jack spring Chinook, and 12 adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead kept, plus one unclipped spring Chinook released for 103 salmonid anglers.

Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed two adipose fin-clipped adult spring Chinook kept, plus two unclipped spring Chinook released for 39 salmonid boats (complete & incomplete trips).

Estuary Bank: Weekend checking showed no catch for two bank anglers.

Estuary Boats: Weekend checking showed no catch for two boats.

Bonneville Pool Boat and Bank: Weekly checking showed no catch for 11 bank anglers.

The Dalles Pool Boat and Bank: No report.

John Day Pool Boat and Bank: Weekly checking showed no catch for twelve salmonid boats and one bank angler.

Sturgeon:

BUOY 10 UPSTREAM TO WAUNA POWERLINES (including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries): This section of the Columbia is currently open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week with a daily limit of one sturgeon between 45-60 inches through Wednesday, July 4. The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

WAUNA POWERLINES UPSTREAM TO MARKER 85 (including all adjacent Washington tributaries and the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls including the Multnomah Channel): This section of the Columbia River is currently open to the retention of sturgeon on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with a daily bag limit of one sturgeon between 42-60 inches in length and an annual limit of five fish effective through July 31. Catch and release of sturgeon is allowed on non-retention days. In the spawning sanctuary between Marker 85 upstream to Bonneville Dam all sturgeon angling is prohibited through Tuesday, July 31. The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE DALLES DAM: The retention of sturgeon is currently allowed in the Bonneville Pool seven days per week. The daily limit is one sturgeon between 42 and 60 inches and the annual limit is five fish.

THE DALLES DAM UPSTREAM TO MCNARY DAM: The retention of sturgeon in The Dalles and John Day pools is currently closed through the end of the year. Catch and release angling is allowed until the end of the year except: all sturgeon angling is prohibited during May 1-July 31 in The Dalles Pool from the grain silo near Rufus upstream to John Day Dam and in the John Day Pool from the Highway 395/Highway 82 Bridge upstream to McNary Dam.

Catch rates for sturgeon in the lower Columbia River this past weekend varied by area. The best catch rates were in the Estuary where boat anglers averaged 1.45 legal white sturgeon caught per boat. In the Gorge below Marker 85, boat anglers averaged 0.30 legal white sturgeon caught per boat, while boat anglers in the Portland to Longview averaged 0.14 legal white sturgeon caught per boat.

Gorge Boats: Weekend checking showed 12 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 370 sublegal, five legal and 33 oversize sturgeon released for 57 boats (complete trips).

Portland to Longview Bank: Weekend checking showed no catch reported for one bank angler.

Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed five legal white sturgeon kept, plus one legal, one oversize, and 154 sublegal sturgeon released for 43 boats (complete & incomplete trips).

Estuary Boats: Weekend checking showed 422 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 14 legal, 37 oversize, and 1,347 sublegal sturgeon released for 300 boats. Charter boat anglers average 0.45 legal sturgeon per rod.

Estuary Bank: Weekend checking showed two sublegal sturgeon released for two bank rods.

Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed four legal white sturgeon kept, plus 56 sublegal and one oversize sturgeon released for 35 bank rods; and two legal sturgeon kept plus one legal, 36 sublegal and 15 oversize sturgeon released for 11 boats.

The Dalles Pool: No report.

John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed two oversize and 49 sublegal sturgeon released for 49 bank rods; and two legal sturgeon kept, plus one legal, two oversize and 26 sublegal sturgeon released for five boats.

Walleye

Bonneville Pool: No report.

The Dalles Pool: No report.

John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed 77 walleye kept plus six walleye released for 28 boats.

VIEWING

IRRIGON WILDLIFE AREA

Visit the Irrigon Wildlife Area for summer viewing opportunities. Upland birds, waterfowl and songbirds are common during most of the year. Western painted turtles can be observed during the early morning hours in summer. These native turtles spend most of their time in shallow, slow-moving water of streams, lakes and rivers; preferably with a soft, muddy bottom with vegetation and submerged logs. For photos and more information, visit http://www.willametteturtles.com/about.html

To reach the Wildlife Area, take exit 168 (Highway 730) and follow the signs to Irrigon. The wildlife area begins just east of Irrigon and runs to the Umatilla River near the City of Umatilla. Umatilla Wildlife Area is located between Highway 730 and the Columbia River. For more information, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/irrigon_wildlife.htm

MARINE ZONE

FISHING

Pacific halibut fishing continues to be good along the central Oregon coast with most anglers getting their fish when ocean conditions allow. Of the anglers surveyed from Charleston to Garibaldi, more than 90 percent were successful. Anglers are generally finding the halibut in deeper waters (more than 40 fathoms) during the all-depth halibut fishing days, which are Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the spring fishery, which ends when the 170,242-pound quota is met or July 21, which ever occurs first.

Crabbing is picking up along most of the coast. In Astoria, Garibaldi, Winchester Bay and Charleston, the crabbers surveyed reported catches of more that four crab per angler. Depoe Bay, Newport and Brookings all reported fewer than two crab per angler.

Fishing for rockfish is only fair with anglers reporting catches of between two and three rockfish per angler coastwide.

Ling cod fishing is poor with the anglers surveyed reporting catches of about two ling cod for every 10 anglers.

The number of anglers going after chinook salmon is low as is their success ratio: Only about two in 10 anglers were successful at landing a chinook.

A series of morning minus tides June 11-20 will allow opportunity to harvest bay clams and razor clams.

VIEWING

Viewing Event: SeaFest 2007 will be held at Hatfield Marine Science Center on June 23 from10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn about marine research, meet the scientists and learn about our marine environment, from tidal flats to deep ocean volcanoes. For more information, visit hmsc.oregonstate.edu/

Marine zone viewing

In June many seabirds that nest on the sea cliffs and rocks of the <> coast are raising their young. Gulls, cormorants, murres and oystercatchers can all be observed along rocky coastal areas. Occasionally, bald eagles may be seen attacking the nesting birds.

Calmer oceans and clear weather also allows viewing of whales and other marine mammals. <>’s high ocean cliffs provide good vantage points to look for the more than 200 resident grey whales that stay along the <> coast during the summer.

Tide pooling will be good during a series of morning minus tides June 11-20. Look for anemones, hermit crabs, sea urchins, small fish, jelly fish, sea stars, barnacles and other animals of the intertidal region.

See close-up color photos of Oregon’s Rocky Shore Species including giant green anemones and sea stars at: http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/NATRES/docs/commonspecies.pdf

Look for peregrine falcons which are often sighted along the coast at this time of year. For information on these birds of prey, visit the Audubon Society Web site at: http://www.audubonportland.org/peregrine_delisting

Here are some other good viewing spots.

Astoria

California sea lions are usually seen on the boat docks in the greater East Mooring Basin area in Astoria. 

Bandon Area

Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge is located near Bandon. The refuge includes 1,800 rocks, reefs and islands and two headland areas and spans 320 miles of the Oregon coast. Coquille Point is a spectacular place to observe seabirds and harbor seals. It can be reached from US Highway 101 by turning west onto 11th Street in Bandon.

For information on Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge go to: http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/oregonislands/index.htm

Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock is a protected marine garden. View a variety of birds including tufted puffins, gulls and cormorants. During low tides in the summer volunteers are on hand to answer questions and point our wildlife. For not-so-common bird sightings, tufted puffins can be seen flying in and out of their nesting burrows at Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and Haystack Rock near Cannon Beach, but folks have to be patient when watching these birds.

Visit the Web cam at: www.cannon-beach.net/cbhaystack.html

Oceanside/Tillamook Area

Three Arch Rocks Refuge

This Refuge lies a half mile offshore of Oceanside, west of Tillamook. One of the smallest designated Wilderness Areas in the country, the refuge consists of three large and six smaller rocks totaling 15 acres. A breeding population of Steller's sea lions is almost always visible at Three Arch Rocks.

The refuge also supports the largest breeding colony of common murre south of Alaska. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Visit the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge Web site at:

http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/3archrocks/

Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge

Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately ten miles west of the town of Tillamook. When approaching Tillamook on US Highway 101, follow signs for the Three Capes Scenic Route and the town of Oceanside then turn west to the parking lot for Cape Meares. For more information, visit the Refuge’s Web site at: www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/capemeares/index.htm