The Oregon Recreation Report (fishing, hunting, viewing), updated June 23 by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Make plans for an ocean coho fishing trip

For the 2009 season managers have set the largest ocean coho quota since 1992.

The season south of Cape Falcon opened last weekend and the rest of the Oregon coast opens this Sunday. Don't miss the chance to hook into some of these easily-targeted and hard-fighting fish. The season continues at least through August (longer in some areas). See details.

Leftover tags on sale July 15 at 10 a.m. PT

Leftover big game controlled hunt tags usually sell out in minutes and are available for purchase at license agents and ODFW offices that sell licenses. They will not be sold online.

Purchase big game tags online

Controlled hunt results were made available last week and can be found online. Purchase your tag online, or at an ODFW office or license agent.

Learn how to fly-fish, razor clam, safely use a shotgun and more

Visit ODFW's outdoor skills page to see the variety of workshops available. The clinics teach the basic skills needed to take part in outdoor activities safely. All necessary equipment plus lunch are provided at events.

License Dollars at Work

Program funding improves fishing opportunities in Coos County

From fishing docks to a winter steelhead telemetry study, several Coos Country fisheries have benefited from projects funded by the Restoration and Enhancement Program. Read more.

WILLAMETTE ZONE

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Walleye are being caught on the Multnomah Channel.

* Summer steelhead fishing is fair on the Clackamas River.

* Fishing for bass and other warmwater species is picking up on the Willamette River and other locations throughout the region.

* A few summer steelhead are being caught on the Sandy River

STOCKING SCHEDULE

The 2009 trout stocking program for Willamette Valley lakes, ponds and streams starts ramping up this month and will continue through most of the year. The schedules are now posted at our website. Note the scheduled stocking dates for each pond are set for the Monday of that respective week and may not coincide with the actual stocking date that could occur on any given week day.

North Willamette stocking schedule

South Willamette stocking schedule

WARM WATER ANGLING:

Warmwater fishing, particularly for smallmouth bass, picked up in the lower Willamette River with increasing river temperatures. Action will continue if temperatures hold or elevate further in the coming weeks.

ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: rainbow trout

Recently stocked with 750 legal-sized and 125 larger rainbow trout. Eugene.

BENSON LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Benson a 40-acre lake located in Benson Lake State Park near the Columbia River. Take the Benson State Park exit just before Multnomah Falls off of I-84 going east.

BIG CLIFF RESERVOIR: trout

Recently stocked with 2,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. Big Cliff Reservoir is located 47 miles east of Salem, off Hwy. 22.

BLUE RIVER RESERVOIR: trout

Recently stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Blue River Reservoir is located 42 miles east of Eugene off of Hwy. 126.

BLUE RIVER ABOVE THE RESERVOIR: trout

Recently stocked with 1,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. Forty-two miles east of Eugene off Highway 126.

BREITENBUSH RIVER: trout

Will be stocked this week with 1,800 legal-sized rainbow trout.

CARMEN RESERVOIR: trout

Recently stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. The reservoir is located on the upper McKenzie River, about 2 miles south of Clear Lake on Hwy. 126, 21 miles north of the McKenzie Hwy.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: steelhead, chinook

The summer weather pattern has settled upon the area resulting in low flows and some difficult boating conditions. Effort from both boat and bank anglers has slowed, with low water making the river more of a drift boat affair. This is particularly true above Barton. Fishing early is probably the best choice before the recreational rafters hit the water.

Summer steelhead angling has been fair but the spring chinook angling is slow in most sections of the river. Jacks continue to have show up with good numbers in the checks recently. Some decent dusk bank catches have been reported at McIver Park and the summer steelhead catch remains good at Dog Creek.

The Clackamas Hatchery at McIver Park has opened its trap and has good numbers of both spring chinook and summer steelhead are swimming in.

A new fishery has opened on the lower Clackamas River. Under rules adopted last fall by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, anglers will be allowed to keep up to two fin-clipped fish per day from the mouth of the river upstream to Rivermill Dam and also from the Hwy. 211 Bridge upstream to North Fork Dam. There is no restriction on length as long as the fish are adipose fin-clipped. The bag limit between Rivermill Dam and the Hwy. 211 Bridge (Estacada Lake) is unchanged at 5 fish per day. The fish may be no less than 8 inches long in this area in order to be retained.

The Clackamas River upstream of the highway 99 bridge will remain open for spring chinook under permanent rules.

Monday readings for the Clackamas showed flows down to 2,030 cfs (12.08') with the water temperature near 54°.

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.

CLEAR LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 4,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. Clear Lake is located approximately 3 miles south of the junction of highways 126 and 20.

DETROIT LAKE: trout

Will be stocked this week with 10,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Detroit Reservoir is located 50 miles east of Salem, off Hwy. 22, two miles west of Detroit. The town of Detroit is near the upper (east) end of the lake.

EAGLE CREEK: spring chinook

Adult spring chinook have returned to the creek. This is the first significant return of adult springers from smolt releases that were initiated in 2005 and have continued every spring since. These fish have been observed in good numbers as far up as the hatchery. Some Clackamas River stray summer steelhead have also been seen in the creek. Very few anglers have been taking advantage of this fishery. The creek is becoming less fishable since the water level is dropping quickly with the dry weather. Look for chinook to be found in the deeper pools.

ESTACADA LAKE: trout, steelhead, salmon

Recently stocked with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. The lake now has a new boat ramp and ADA accessible fishing platform, which opened last week. The new facilities can be accessed from Milo McIver State Park. Estacada is a 150-acre lake on the Clackamas River behind River Mill Dam at Estacada.

FALL CREEK: trout

Will be stocked with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Fifteen miles southeast of Springfield.

FARADAY LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Faraday is a 25-acre lake 2 miles SE of Estacada by way of Hwy 224 on the Clackamas River. This is a bank fishing only lake, but good access can be found around most of the shore line.

GOLD LAKE: trout

Fly-fishing only with barbless hooks. Catch-and-release for rainbow trout. There is no limit on size or number of brook trout taken.

HALDEMAN POND: trout

The pond located on Sauvie Island is stocked a few times in April and early May with hatchery rainbow, and some holdovers should still be available. Haldeman pond is a 2-acre pond, offering good bank access. Sauvie Island is located only 10 miles north of Portland off Hwy. 30. A parking permit is required for the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and can be purchased at ODFW License vendors or at the Sauvie Island ODFW office, Monday through Friday during office hours. For more information, call (503) 621-3488. Directions to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.

HARRIET LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 5,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Harriet also holds some trophy-size brown trout and brook trout. Trolling with spinners and worms is the most effective method from a boat. Casting spinners from the bank can prove to be successful. This is a 23-acre reservoir on Oak Grove Fork of Clackamas River in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

HARTMAN POND: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, perch, trout.

Recently stocked with 1,250 legal-sized rainbow trout. From I-84, take the Benson Lake exit. The pond is adjacent to the Columbia River adjoining Benson State Park.

HENRY HAGG LAKE: trout, warmwater fish

This popular and boat accessible lake is heavily stocked all spring with hatchery rainbow trout. The lake was stocked last week with 6,500 legal-sized rainbow trout, and some holdovers should be available. Surface temperatures have warmed into the 70s, however, making shore fishing for trout more difficult. Warmwater fish like bass, sunfish and perch may be available nearer to shore, particularly in the morning and early evening. Hagg Lake spans 1,110 acres and has miles of bank access as well. It is located 7 miles southwest of Forest Grove off of Hwy. 47.

LEABURG LAKE: trout

Leaburg Lake will be stocked this week with 1,200 legal-sized trout and 150 larger trout. Leaburg Lake is the reservoir behind Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie River, approximately 17 miles east of Springfield on Hwy. 126.

MCKENZIE RIVER (below Leaburg Lake): trout

The McKenzie River below Leaburg Lake will be stocked this week with 3,600 legal-sized rainbow trout and 1,575 larger trout. East of Eugene and Springfield along Hwy 126.

MCKENZIE RIVER (above Leaburg Lake): trout

The McKenzie River above Leaburg Lake will be stocked this week 1,000 legal-sized rainbow trout.

NORTH FORK RESERVOIR: trout

Recently stocked with 7,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. This is a 350-acre reservoir on the Clackamas River 7 miles south of Estacada off of Hwy. 224.

Boat anglers will find trolling to be a successful method, particularly along the shore opposite the marina and ramp. Worms or other bait behind a flasher can be effective. Bank anglers will find access fishing the shoreline along Hwy 224. Popular methods include cured single salmon eggs, artificial trout baits, or worms.

As the weather warms this is a popular water skiing and jet ski lake. Angling after late morning can be affected by choppy water from heavy boat traffic.

NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead, chinook

Prospects and catch rates are improving in both systems as fish numbers increase and river levels drop. A new regulation which restricts angling to artificial flies and lures went into effect this year in the Little North Fork Santiam.

QUARTZVILLE CREEK: trout

Recently stocked with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. From Hwy. 20 at Sweet Home, continue east to the upstream end of Foster Reservoir, then turn north (left) toward Sunnyside Campground crossing the northeast arm of Foster. Turn right on the Quartzville Rd., which follows the northern shore of Green Peter Reservoir, including the Quartsville Arm. Follow Quartzville Creek upstream more than 25 miles into Willamette National Forest (Forest Rd. 11).

SALMON CREEK: trout

Will be stocked this week with 2,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Follow Hwy. 58 east from Springfield through Oakridge to Willamette Fish Hatchery one mile east of town to Forest Rd. 24.

SANDY RIVER: steelhead, spring chinook

Angling effort on the Sandy remains light with a scattering of fish landed. The occasional summer steelhead has been taken in the Cedar Creek area below the hatchery and a few up near Dodge Park. Spring chinook angling has been slow, with a few fish hooked in the lower river.

The water tends to silt up due to the annual glacial melt-off when the weather warms, but to date the river remains fishable. If warmer summer temperatures occur the river can be expected to take on a cloudy, milky color. Monday flow readings on the Sandy River were down to 1,360 cfs (9.04 ft) with the water at 56°.

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. Littering has become a big problem on the Sandy below Cedar Creek. In other areas along the Sandy this has been cited as the rationale for restrictions on access. Please use nearby garbage cans for any other types of trash.

SANTIAM RIVER: trout

The North Fork of the river above Detroit Lake was recently stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout.

New trout regulations that went into effect this year allow anglers to keep up to two fin-clipped trout per day in the mainstem, North Fork up to Big Cliff Dam, and South Fork up to Foster Dam. There is no restriction on length as long as the fish are adipose fin-clipped.

SALT CREEK: trout

Recently stocked with 500 legal-sized trout at several access points along the stream.

SILVER CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

Will be stocked this week with 2,600 legal-sized rainbow trout and 250 larger trout. Silver Creek is a 65-acre reservoir on Silver Creek 2.5 miles south of Silverton on Hwy. 214.

SMALL FRY LAKE: trout

Recently stocked with 300 legal-sized rainbow trout. Small Fry Lake is a youth only fishing venue located on the Clackamas River 7 miles south of Estacada off of Hwy. 224. Fishing is restricted to youngsters 12 and under.

SOUTH YAMHILL RIVER: trout

The river is now open from its confluence with the North Yamhill near McMinnville, upstream about 20 miles to Rock Creek near Grand Ronde. The daily bag limit is 5 fin-clipped fish of any size, however no bait may be used, a measure needed to protect wild trout and young steelhead rearing in the river.

ST LOUIS PONDS: rainbow trout, crappie, catfish

Gets stocked heavily through spring with legal-sized trout, and larger trout too. Many of the fish are still available. Ponds 1, 3, and 6 have all had fish stocked in them. Prospects for bass, catfish, crappie and bluegill are improving with rising water temperatures. This 54-acre complex of 7 ponds is owned and managed by ODFW, and in addition to stocked trout contains several species of warmwater fish. The site is located west of the town of Gervais. Take St. Louis Road west to Tesch Lane, turn left and follow the road to the ponds.

TIMOTHY MEADOWS: trout

Recently stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Timothy Meadows is a 1,400-acre lake about 80 miles east of Portland past Mt. Hood. From Hwy. 26, turn onto Skyline Rd. (FS42).

TRAIL BRIDGE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Recently stocked with 3,000 legal-sized rainbow trout. Only flies and lures may be used and only adipose fin-clipped trout may be harvested. Trail Bridge Reservoir is located about 60 miles east of Springfield on Highway 126.

TRILLIUM LAKE: rainbow trout

Will be stocked this week with 4,000 legal-sized rainbow trout and 125 trophy trout. Trillium is a 60-acre lake 3 miles east of Government Camp off of Hwy 26.

WEST SALISH POND: trout

Recently stocked with 1,500 legal-sized rainbow trout. As the water warms in this pond, the trout will tend to move into deeper areas away from shore. Traditional artificial trout baits and worms fished below a bobber or on the bottom should prove to be effective. Casting spinners can also produce good results. The pond is located in Fairview behind Salish Elementary school. It is located on NE Glisan between 201st and 207th Ave. From I-84, take the 207th Ave. Exit, and head south to Glisan and

WILLAMETTE RIVER: shad, steelhead, sturgeon, warmwater fish

Spring chinook angling ended on the Willamette River below Willamette Falls on April 30. This includes the Multnomah Channel and the Clackamas River downstream of the Hwy 99 Bridge. Chinook fishing on the Columbia River is now closed. Staff will continue to monitor spring chinook passage at Bonneville Dam for the potential to provide additional recreational fishing opportunity.

The Willamette River upstream of Willamette Falls will remain open for spring chinook under permanent rules. The Clackamas River is also open for spring chinook with fair catches being recorded.

Sturgeon angling was slow during the most recent retention period. The St Johns area and Oregon City/Gladstone continue to provide the best action. As normal, sublegals dominated the catch with few legals also landed, both from boat and bank anglers.

Bank fishing for sturgeon can be found at Meldrum Bar, at the Hwy 99 wall in downtown Oregon City and at Kelly Point on the St. Johns peninsula. Sturgeon anglers have been using frozen smelt, squid, herring and anchovies as effective bait. As in any fishery, anglers are reminded that all sturgeon released should be done so unharmed.

Sturgeon anglers are reminded that effective Jan. 1, 2009, sturgeon fishing on the Willamette is allowed 3 days a week - Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Also new for this year is the method of measuring sturgeon for retention. Under the new rules, sturgeon are now measured from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail (rather than the tip of the tail). The resulting allowed retention measurements are slightly shorter than the old method. As a result, the 2009 slot measurement for sturgeon caught in the Willamette River will be 38 to 54 inches. Remember, this is a simple conversion of the old method. It does not mean you can keep smaller fish, only that the method of measuring "keepers" has changed. For a detailed explanation of how to measure sturgeon under the new rule, please visit our Web site.

Shad angling is still very slow for early June, but should improve in the coming days. When the run arrives, some quality shad angling can be found in Multnomah Channel and Oregon City.

Winter steelhead counting at Willamette Falls ended May 15 with a season total of 2,813 fish moving through the ladder. Summer steelhead passage remains strong with a total of 9,727 summer steelhead having moved beyond the falls through June 17.

Spring chinook counts have far surpassed the 2008 final counts as ideal passage conditions continue. A total of 20,486 chinook have moved through the ladder through June 17. The spring chinook jack count has moved up to 1,909.

Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on Monday showed flows dropping to 9,300 cfs, the temperature up to 68° and visibility a very clear 6.2 feet.

The Willamette provides an excellent warm water fishery in the summer and early fall months. You can expect to find an abundance of bass, crappie, and bluegill available. Target the rocky outcroppings, structures, or old pilings. Casting a variety of plugs or jigs near the shoreline can be successful. A simple bobber and night crawler might prove to be the right choice also. The local tackle shops can set you up with the right gear and direct you to the best spots. Lately, warm water anglers have reported catching primarily smallmouth bass at depths of 30 to 40 feet.

Anglers fishing the Multnomah Channel recently have reported catching some nice walleye. Successful tactics include trolling plugs as well as bottom draggers with worms.

WILLAMETTE RIVER, COAST FORK: trout

The Coast Fork Willamette River was last stocked in mid-May with a total of 1,500 legal-sized rainbow trout, dispersed at several locations near downtown Cottage Grove.

WILLAMETTE RIVER, MIDDLE FORK above HILLS CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

The Middle Fork Willamette River above Hills Creek Reservoir was recently stocked with 1,215 legal-sized rainbow trout.

WILLAMETTE ZONE HUNTING

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

EE WILSON WILDLIFE AREA

Hunting is now closed. The photo blind is now available. Call the wildlife area for reservations 541-745-5334. EE Wilson Wildlife Area is located approximately 10 miles north of Corvallis on Hwy. 99W. The address is 29555 Camp Adair Road, Monmouth, OR 97361.

FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is now closed to hunting.

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA

Waterfowl hunting on in the Wildlife Area is now closed.

WILLAMETTE ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Dragonflies of the Willamette Valley, Wednesday, June 24

Join Jim Johnson and the Portland Audubon Society for an evening class on dragonflies and damselflies. Class will take place at Heron Hall, 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210, with field trips to follow June 27 and June 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Steve Engle for more information at sengel@audubonportland.org, ph. 971-222-6119.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Public Meetings

Four meetings will be held to discuss the proposed Sauvie Island Management Plan, which will govern activities on the wildlife area over the next 10 years. The plan can be viewed at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

" Sauvie Island School

June 30, 7-9 p.m., 14445 NW Charlton Road, Portland OR 97231

" Clackamas

July 30, 2009, 7-9 p.m., Monarch Hotel, 12566 SE 93rd Ave., Clackamas, OR 97015

" Sauvie Island School

Aug. 25, 2009, 7-9 p.m., 14445 NW Charlton Road, Portland OR 97231

" Sauvie Island School

Sept. 22, 2009, 7-9 p.m., 14445 NW Charlton Road, Portland OR 97231

Valleywide

The WESTERN MEADOWLARK was voted Oregon's state bird by school children in 1927. Meadowlarks are found in grassland-type habitats where they sing from perches such as fence posts, shrubs, trees, or powerlines. Remnant grassland prairie habitats, pastures and even young Christmas tree plantations along the edge of the Willamette Valley are good places to find these birds. Listen for their liquid, melodious song. Western meadowlarks can be seen in fair numbers just north of the east end of Diamond Hill Rd. (Diamond hill road crosses I-5 at the Harrisburg exit). There are untilled pasture lands that still support the native Willamette Valley sunflower and our state bird that has such a beautiful and distinctive call. Although meadowlark populations are abundant in Eastern Oregon, they are declining in the valley because of loss of native prairie to farming and development. s their habitat shrinks nest predators like fox, skunk, raccoon and non-native opossum and house cats have an increasing impact on these grassland birds.

HARLEQUIN DUCKS are Oregon's only "anadromous" duck. This seaduck winters in the churning rocky intertidal zone at the coast and then moves inland to breed on turbulent mountain streams that mimic the crashing waters of their coastal environment. This bird has adapted to a unique way of life geared to taking advantage of the abundance of food that occurs where water flows fast and frothy. Harlequin ducks can be viewed in the spring and early summer along the middle and upper McKenzie River at Cooks Rapid or Bear Creek Rapid and the Middle Fork Willamette River around the town of Oakridge. They can also be found on the North Santiam River from Mill City upstream to above Marion Forks.

NEWTS, a type of salamander common in the Pacific Northwest, may be observed in their migration from terrestrial environs such as rotten logs and moist soil to their breeding grounds in ponds, small lakes and the edges of streams. These small amphibians may be found if you are hiking in forests during or just after it rains.

GREAT BLUE HERONS have young in their nests at this time of year. The young are very vocal when the adults arrive with food. One of the most visible colonies in the area is in a large cottonwood tree along the bike path at the east end of Alton Baker Park in Springfield (east side of I-5, north side of the millrace). Herons are usually very sensitive to disturbance and in other areas several instances of nest abandonment are known to have occurred due to human disturbance. This colony is especially acclimated to and tolerant of people. To minimize disturbance to the birds, do not approach the base of the tree from the north side of the millrace. Another very visible colony is in a stand of large cottonwood trees next to a pond on the east side of Delta Hwy, just north of the Valley River Shopping Mall in Eugene.

Many animals have young in the nest or den at this time of year. Typically the adult is foraging for food nearby and will return. Please do not pick up young birds or mammals, as this can decrease their chance of survival.

Snakes bask when the sun shines

THREE SPECIES OF GARTER SNAKE occur in the Willamette Valley. They are the most commonly seen snakes. Much variability in coloration exists in garter snakes but the best identifying characteristic is a stripe down the middle of the snake's back. No other snake species in western Oregon has a stripe down the middle. A good place to see these harmless snakes is on gravel roads and trails through wetland areas. Wildlife areas in the Willamette Valley such as Fern Ridge, Finley, EE Wilson, Baskett Slough and Ankeny are all good areas to see these beautiful animals. Best viewing conditions are on warm sunny days.

EE Wilson Wildlife Area

Waterfowl and shorebirds numbers are building. A waterfowl blind is available to photographers. Call the office at 541-745-5334 to reserve the blind.

From Albany, take Highway 20 toward Corvallis and after 5 miles turn right on Independence Highway. Go 3 miles and turn left on Camp Adair Road, then proceed 2 miles to the wildlife area. Find directions to EE Wilson Wildlife Area.

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area and Reservoir

Fern Ridge Reservoir has extensive wildlife habitat that can be accessed from many access points including Royal Avenue which extends from west Eugene to the reservoir and ends at a gated access point. This is an excellent place to observe wildlife. Berms were built in this area during 2000 and 2001 to retain water along the edge of the reservoir during the winter months when the reservoir is drawn down for flood control. These ponded areas are very attractive to wildlife at this time of year. Also accessible from this access point are natural prairie habitats (to the north and south) that are very rare in the Willamette Valley. In addition to the abundance of waterfowl, many raptors can be seen in this area. Look for short eared owls and peregrine falcons. Also visible from this area are wading birds, such as egrets and herons and various shorebirds.

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area

All units of Fern Ridge Wildlife Area are open to public access for the summer months. There are many access points available and viewing opportunities are excellent for a wide variety of wildlife, particularly birds. Wildlife viewing platforms are available in the Fisher Butte unit located a short walk from parking lots on Royal Avenue and Hwy 126. The viewing platform located north of the Hwy 126 parking lot provides a great overlook of the adjacent wet low prairie. Many varieties of wild flowers are now in bloom and the colors of the landscape are remarkable.

Visitors are reminded that dogs must be kept on leash at all times.

Parking areas are located along Highway 126, Nielson Road, Cantrell Road, Territorial Highway, and Clear Lake Road. Visitors are cautioned that there have been recent vehicle break-ins at area parking lots. Please secure your valuables before leaving your vehicle unattended. Contact the wildlife area headquarters, (541) 935-2591 if you have any questions.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area eastside units and Westside, Oak Island and North units are open. All areas require a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Parking Permit.

Sauvie Island is a main stopping point for migratory birds as they travel along the Pacific Flyway, and ODFW actively manages the Wildlife Area to provide food and cover for them. An abundance of ducks and geese can be seen from many points around the island, as can raptors, including bald eagles, northern harriers, sandhill cranes, red-tailed hawks and American kestrel. Spring migrants are arriving such as orange-crowned warbler, pacific-slope flycatcher and purple martins. The first Canada goose brood was observed over the weekend.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is located on Sauvie Island, only 10 miles north of Portland off Highway 30. A parking permit is required for the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and can be purchased at ODFW License vendors, at the Sauvie Island ODFW office, Monday through Friday during office hours or online. For more information, call (503) 621-3488. Directions to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

NORTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

NORTH COAST LAKES

Cape Meares Lake was not stocked as scheduled last week due to excessively warm water temperatures, with fish being diverted to Hebo and Town lakes. Other lakes were stocked as scheduled. No further trout stocking is scheduled until September. The 2009 stocking schedule is available online.

Angling for warmwater fish, particularly bass, should be good. Cape Meares, Lytle, Cullaby, Sunset, Coffenbury and Vernonia lakes offer fair to good populations of warmwater species. Weed growth will begin to make angling difficult in some areas.

MID COAST LAKES

Trout stocking on Mid Coast Lakes: Trout fishing in the lakes has been good and will remain productive until warm summer weather reduce trout activity. Many water bodies on the stocking schedule have 8 to 12-inch trout with some locations containing 2 pound trophy trout. This is a great time of year to get out and catch some rainbow trout.

Olalla Reservoir near Toledo was recently stocked with adult summer steelhead from the Siletz River. These large fish provide an excellent additional opportunity for anglers.

WARM WATER FISH ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES

The mid coast has numerous lakes or reservoirs which offer good angling for naturally produced warm water fish species, such as large mouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, brown bullhead and crappie. Typically the best fishing is from late spring to mid fall while water temperatures are warm. Tactics such as casting or trolling lures, jigging baits near bottom or using the traditional bait and bobber technique are all productive from either a boat or from shore. Below is a list of lakes near local coastal cities that offer warm water angling opportunities.

Devils Lake (Lincoln City): Offers good trout fishing, particularly at this time of year, and also provides some angling opportunity for largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill.

Big Creek Reservoirs 1 & 2 (Newport): Offers fair largemouth bass fishing, slow to fair angling for yellow perch and bluegill and good year-round angling for rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Olalla Reservoir (Toledo): Offers fair largemouth bass fishing, slow to fair angling for yellow perch, bluegill and brown bullhead and good year-round angling for rainbow and cutthroat trout.

Sutton and Mercer Lakes (northern Florence): Fair to good angling for largemouth bass and decent angling for bluegill, and potential for crappie and brown bullhead. Offers year-round rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing.

Woahink Lake (southern Florence): Can be good to very good for yellow perch and offers fair to good angling for largemouth bass and bluegill.

Siltcoos Lake (south of Florence): A large lake with numerous fingers, lots of shoreline structure and a couple large tributaries. Offers fair to good angling for largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and brown bullhead. There is good year-round rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing and a good seasonal fishery for coho salmon.

Tahkenitch Lake (south of Florence): A large lake with numerous fingers, lots of shoreline structure and a couple large tributaries. It offers good angling for largemouth bass and yellow perch, and fair to good angling for bluegill, crappie and brown bullhead. There is good year-round cutthroat trout fishing and a good seasonal fishery for coho salmon.

ALSEA RIVER: cutthroat

The Alsea River including tide water is currently open to cutthroat trout angling. Bait is not allowed except in tidewater areas; small spinners are very effective. Angling has been good for resident cutthroat trout and is expected to continue to be productive with the return of sea-runs beginning in July. The 2009 Fishing Regulations booklet should be checked for specific areas closed to cutthroat trout angling. Excellent opportunities also exist for harvest of crayfish.

NECANICUM RIVER: cutthroat

Angling for trout has been fair, with minimal effort.

NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: cutthroat

Angling for trout has been fair to good. Sea-run cutthroat will begin entering the system in better numbers in July.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead, chinook, cutthroat

Summer steelhead and spring chinook angling is fair to good. Fish are spreading out up the river. Low flows are beginning to make floating difficult- stick to the lower river for boating. All standard techniques should produce fish, but utilize smaller baits and lighter lines for best results. Angling for cutthroat trout should be fair to good.

SILETZ RIVER: summer steelhead and cutthroat trout

Steelhead fishing is open year round on the Siletz. Summer steelhead angling is excellent on the Siletz with fish spread upstream throughout the gorge area upstream of Moonshine Park (River Mile 54). Anglers are reminded that there are access restrictions in the gorge road upstream from Moonshine Park on weekdays due to heavy logging traffic on the privately owned road. The gorge road is open to the public on weekends and walk in angling is allowed during the week. In the upper river particularly good techniques are to use a bobber and jig or sand shrimp, or even to bait a jig with a little bit of shrimp. In addition to bobbers, drifting eggs close to the bottom and small to medium sized spinners can also be very effective.

Angling for cutthroat trout is also open throughout much of the Siletz Basin with good fishing expected for small resident wild fish.

SIUSLAW RIVER: cutthroat trout

Angling for cutthroat trout is open throughout most of the Siuslaw Basin including tributaries. The 2009 Fishing Regulations booklet should be checked for specific areas closed to cutthroat trout angling. Excellent opportunities are available for harvest of crayfish. Tide water remains open year round to marine species.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon, chinook

Angling for sturgeon has been slow to fair. Sand shrimp fished on the bottom in the deeper channels will produce the best results. Move frequently to find fish if you are not getting bites. Fishing is usually best in the upper bay and Tillamook tidewater areas as the summer progresses. Spring chinook are still being caught throughout the bay sporadically as fish move through. Trolling herring in the lower bay or large spinners further up the bay are the most productive techniques.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead, chinook, cutthroat

Spring chinook angling has been fair to good. Fish are distributed from tidewater upstream. Bobber and eggs or shrimp fished in the deeper holes tends to produce the most fish. The river is low and clear. Try using smaller baits and lighter lines. Angling for trout has been fair to good.

Plans are in the works to construct a new boat slide at the Cedar Creek launch site. Construction is expected to begin sometime in early summer. Contact ODFW in Tillamook at 503-842-2741 for details.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead, chinook, cutthroat

A few summer steelhead and an occasional spring chinook are being caught. Angling for cutthroat trout has been fair early in the season. Fresh sea-runs won't begin entering the river until later in the summer. The river is very low and clear.

YAQUINA RIVER: cutthroat

Angling for cutthroat trout is open throughout the Yaquina Basin including tributaries. Trout fishing is expected to be good. Excellent opportunities also exist for harvest of crayfish.

NORTH COAST HUNTING

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

NORTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

Brown pelicans

Brown pelicans have recently returned to the north coast after a winter hiatus. These large dark birds are a cousin to the much larger white pelican, which occurs inland in the state. The brown pelican, while plentiful locally in the summer, is still a federally- listed species, but considered a candidate for de-listing. Despite their odd looks and awkward style of fishing, these birds can glide gracefully across the ocean surface, seemingly only inches from the crests of waves.

Spring bird song

Now that summer is beginning, songbirds have been very apparent in the forest as you walk through them. Along with the usual year-round residents, such as robins, winter wrens and song sparrows, many of the neotropical migrants are here and nesting as well. Now and for the next couple of months, the woods will be filled with their various songs designed to declare and defend a nesting territory.

Astoria Area

The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary is located along the Columbia River at Wolf Bay east of Astoria just off Hwy 30. Taking the Burnside Road (well signed) will take you on a little-traveled loop to a viewing platform. The ADA accessible platform is an excellent place to view bald eagles, waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds associated with the lower Columbia River estuary. Interpretive panels highlight the fauna of the area and the travels of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Be sure to bring binoculars and/or a spotting scope for best viewing.

Jewel Meadows, Coast Range

Viewing is Excellent at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Viewing opportunities for elk have been good with animals visible most days. Best times are in the mornings and evenings. As the spring progresses elk should start spending more time in the timbered areas especially on warm days. New antler growth is progressing on the bulls, with larger specimens beginning to show branching. Look for bulls on the Fishhawk tract adjacent to Hwy 202. New calves may soon be visible, having been born at the end of May. Please remember that areas posted as Wildlife Refuge are closed to public access.

Newport Area

The trail behind the Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport is a good place to observe shorebirds and waterfowl in the Yaquina estuary.

Tillamook Area

Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and State Park is full of bird activity these days. Common murres, puffins and pigeon guillemots are actively nesting and can be seen going to and from the rocks with great regularity. Black oystercatchers can be seen paired up and flying around the surf line, just below from the north viewing platform. The peregrine falcons should be nesting on their usual ledge, which is also visible from the north viewing platform. Early morning viewers might be able to witness a prey delivery by the adults. In addition to the lighthouse, which is open during the spring, summer and fall months, there are many great interpretive panels that showcase the rich diversity of bird life that can be seen there.

SOUTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

Weekend opportunities:

* June can be an excellent month to catch chinook on the Rogue.

* Anglers continue to catch spring chinook on the North Umpqua River in the Rock Creek area.

* Striped bass fishing on the Coquille River (near the town of Coquille) has been good.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

Trout fishing has been fair with worms and PowerBait. Trolling with wedding ring lures has been good in the mornings and evenings. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair as well.

APPLEGATE RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout

Anglers may retain up to two adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout per day, with an 8-inch minimum length. Cutthroat trout must be released unharmed, but provide a fun opportunity for catch and release angling.

Applegate River flows at Wilderville

ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout

Located approximately half way between Gold Beach and Port Orford, Arizona Pond is an excellent place to take kids trout fishing. ODFW stocks the lake regularly and anglers can expect good fishing .The best time to fish the pond is in the morning or evening when the fish are actively feeding. Flies, spinners, or a worm under a bobber all work really well. Angling is limited to youth 17 and under.

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Ben Irving Reservoir, west of Winston, has been stocked with 4,000 trout so far.

CHETCO RIVER: cutthroat trout

Cutthroat trout have been pretty active in the mornings feeding on insects and small fish. Anglers using a little stealth and looking for actively feeding fish are doing pretty good. Usually cutthroat will be near the surface of pools in the mornings then move to the head of pools and faster water during the day. The mornings or late evening are usually the best. Fly-fishing or tossing small spinners are regular producers.

Chetco River flows near Brookings

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Cooper Creek has been stocked with about 9,050 trout to date. About 50 of these were trophy trout.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: rainbow trout, warmwater fish

Powers Pond, Empire Lakes, Tenmile Lakes, and Eel Lake were all stocked earlier this month with legal-size trout. Still fishing with your bait near the bottom or under a bobber is an effective technique for catching trout. Another way to catch trout is by trolling a flasher or a worm.

Fishing for largemouth bass and bluegills in some of the area lakes is good. To catch bluegills use a piece of worm on a small hook or small jig under a bobber. For catching largemouth bass use jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits, or spinners. Concentrate your fishing near structure or weedlines to catch largemouth bass and bluegills.

COOS RIVER BASIN: trout, sturgeon, shad, rockfish, Dungeness crab, clamming

Trout fishing is open in Coos Bay and the rivers. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams above tidewater.

A few sturgeon have been caught in the Coos River but overall fishing for sturgeon has been slow. There are new sturgeon regulations for 2009. See the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the most current regulations.

There are a few shad in the South Fork Coos River but there are no reports of shad in the Millicoma River. Trolling shad darts is a good way to catch shad. Numbers of shad seem to be low again this year.

Fishing for rockfish in the lower Coos Bay estuary has been good. Fish near submerged rock piles for the best success and use sand shrimp or a jig and twister tail.

Harvest of bay clams was very good the past few days in Coos Bay. The strong negative tides this week are making for some great days of clamming. Harvest of empire/gaper clams has been good at the North Spit and Clam Island. Within Coos Bay, the best harvest areas are Empire/Charleston along Cape Arago Highway, and within Charleston, north and south of the Charleston Bridge. Butter, gaper, and cockle clams are abundant in these areas. If you have never dug razor clams in the Coos Bay area, this may be the time to make the effort. Harvest reports have come in from the North Spit, Bastendorf, and north of the Seven Devils Wayside beaches. Before any shellfish harvest trip, make sure to check the Oregon Department of Agriculture website for any recent shellfish closures at: http://oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml.

Recreational crab harvest has improved slightly for those with boats. Dungeness crabs have been molting their exoskeletons and any soft shelled crabs should be released back. Crab harvest at the Charleston and Empire docks remains slow, with catches of mostly red rock crab. The best time to crab is a few hours before high tide and the preferred baits to use are fish, chicken, or turkey legs.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: trout, sturgeon, shad, striped bass

Trout fishing is open in the Coquille estuary and rivers but fishing is slow. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams above tidewater.

Sturgeon fishing has picked up slightly in the Coquille River but overall is slow. There are new sturgeon regulations for 2009. See the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the most current regulations.

Striped bass fishing is good. A good place to fish for stripers is near the town of Coquille. The new minimum length limit on striped bass in freshwater is 24 inches.

DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout

Last year's fingerlings are now about 12 inches long, while other fish stocked last year are 16 to 22 inches long. The largest fish checked this year was six to seven pounds. Overall, fishing is fair to good. We anticipate nearly 140,000 catchable sized trout in the lake this year from the 200,000 fingerlings released in 2008 plus another 25,000 catchable fish leftover from last year's stocking. The road around the lake is now fully open. The boat ramps at the lodge, Diamond Lake Campground, and South Shore are all open. The recent storms and cold weather slowed fishing down a bit this past week. Call Diamond Lake Resort for up to date information (800) 733-7593 or check their fishing report online.

ELK/SIXES RIVER: cutthroat trout

Cutthroat trout fishing continues to be good on both rivers. Anglers will want to fish early morning or late evening for the best fishing. Small spinners or flies will work equally well.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie

Trout fishing has been fair, with most fish being taken on PowerBait and worms. Angling for bass and other warmwater fish has been good.

Anglers should be aware that a health advisory has been issued recommending limits on consumption of all fish from Emigrant except rainbow trout. Information on the Emigrant Reservoir advisory, along with general information on mercury and fish can be found on the DHS Web site.

EXPO POND: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill

Trout fishing has been fair, with worms, PowerBait and spinners all catching fish. Fishing for bass, bluegill and crappie has been good.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout

Fishing for rainbow and brook trout has been good, with a number of larger fish being landed. With the water getting warmer, look for trout in the areas around the springs.

FLORAS LAKE: rainbow trout

The lake is located a few miles south of Langlois. Bank access is limited, but there is a boat ramp at Boice Cope County Park. Fly fishing or slow trolling wedding ring spinners can work really well. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather as it can be very windy.

GALESVILLE RESERVIOR: rainbow trout, bass

Galesville Reservoir is open to angling year-round. The reservoir was stocked in 2008 with about 55,000 adipose-clipped hatchery coho which are now about 13 inches. In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon are considered trout. Thus, there is a five per day trout limit, with only one trout over 20 inches in length allowed for harvest. The 2009 stocking season has begun and so far about 8,000 trout have been stocked. Angling from the bank and from a boat has been slow to fair for 11 to 13-inch coho. Anglers are reminded all bass between 12 and 15 inches must be released, and only one bass over 15 inches may be taken per day. Galesville now has a campground.

GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bass

Fishing continues to be good for trout, but anglers will need to start fishing deeper as water temperatures climb. The best way to fish is by boat, but there is some bank access at the State Park or ODFW's access site on 12th street. Fly fishing or slow trolling wedding ring spinners are regular producers for trout. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather, as the lake can be very windy.

HERBERT'S POND: rainbow trout, warmwater fish

Herbert's Pond is a small pond just east of Canyonville on Tiller Highway. The pond has a good warm water fishery for kids including bluegill, crappie, and bass. The pond has very good bank access. Through March, the ODFW will occasionally recycle a hatchery steelhead into Herbert's Pond. These fish will be adipose marked and have an additional mark identifying it as a recycled steelhead. Only one of these fish can be harvested per day. The pond was stocked in March with 250 legal-sized trout and stocked again before Free Fishing Weekend (June 6-7).

HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Fishing has been fair for rainbow trout. Anglers have reported success while fishing with PowerBait and worms and while trolling with flashers and wedding ring lures. Fishing is good for largemouth and smallmouth bass.

HUNTER CREEK: cutthroat trout

A new fishery on upper Hunter Creek was opened this year to cutthroat fishing. All zone regulations apply and anglers are reminded that Hunter Creek is open only upstream of the confluence with the North Fork Hunter Creek. Fly-fishing or tossing small spinners should produce well for cutthroat up to 12 inches.

HYATT RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Fishing has been fair for rainbow trout, with some good-sized fish being landed. Hyatt Lake has an abundance of largemouth bass, and fishing for them has been excellent. Although small, they offer the opportunity to catch a lot of fish. This makes Hyatt Lake a good destination for beginning anglers.

ILLINOIS RIVER: trout

Resident trout are available for catch-and-release angling.

Illinois River flows at Kerby

LAIRD LAKE: rainbow trout

Located about 30 miles up Elk River, Laird Lake is an excellent place to catch a few trout. The lake is small and filled with lots of downed timber. Bank access is pretty good. Elk River Hatchery is located on the road to Laird and is good place to stop and take a quick tour.

LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout

Lake Marie is at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park near Winchester. About 3,500 trout have been stocked this year.

LAKE SELMAC: trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie

Trout fishing has been fair on worms and PowerBait. Casting and retrieving or trolling lures or flies has also been effective. Fishing for largemouth bass and panfish has been good. Bluegill and crappie can be caught by suspending a worm or jig under a bobber.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

Fishing is moderate for brown trout with a few big ones landed in the last few weeks. The lake was stocked with 5,000 legal-sized trout and anglers have been catching rainbows from 10-12 inches. The resort and Poole Creek boat ramps are both open for launching boats.

This week, Lemolo #2 Forebay will be drained and fish will be moved to Lemolo Reservoir.

LOBSTER CREEK: trout

A new fishery on Lobster Creek was opened this year to trout fishing. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations before heading out. Special regulations apply to Lobster Creek, with only adipose clipped trout greater than 8 inches and under 16 inches legal to keep. Fly-fishing or tossing small spinners should produce well for trout.

LOON LAKE: rainbow trout, bass

Loon Lake was stocked with 8,000 trout so far in 2009.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

Trout fishing has been fair. Boat anglers should try trolling a variety of depths with wedding ring lures, worms, or spinners, while bank anglers should do well using PowerBait. Angling for smallmouth bass has been fair. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, working with several local bass angling clubs, recently transferred over 2,500 largemouth bass into Lost Creek Reservoir to enhance the lake's bass fishery. While it is legal to harvest these fish as part of the regular bass bag limit, anglers are encouraged to release the largemouth bass and to keep the abundant smallmouth bass if they wish to harvest bass.

Anglers should be aware that a public health advisory has been issued for Lost Creek Reservoir due to high levels of toxic algae. Updates and additional information can be obtained from the DHS Web site.

MEDCO POND: rainbow trout, bass, panfish

Trout fishing has been good. Fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill has been good as well. Fishing a worm just off the bottom, casting lures, and trolling have all been productive technique.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, coho salmon

When the ocean has been "calm" fishing for rockfish, greenling and lingcod has been good. Fishing for rockfish and greenling has been decent fishing from shore. Concentrate your fishing near rocky outcroppings and drop-offs. The daily bag limit for rockfish, greenling and cabezon will increase to seven fish in aggregate on May 1.

Fishing for adipose fin clipped coho opened this past weekend. Most anglers have been fishing in 30-50 fathoms with mixed results. The daily limit is three coho salmon with a healed adipose fin clip.

PLAT I RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, warmwater game fish

Bass fishing at Plat I is now open to harvest. The limit is 5 per day with only 3 over 15 inches per day. Plat I has been stocked with 4,500 trout to date.

POWERS POND: rainbow trout, warmwater fish

Legal-sized trout were stocked in Powers Pond earlier this month. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good but is starting to slow down. Fish for bluegills and crappie in the southwest corner of the pond. Bluegills are biting almost all day long and crappies are biting best during the early morning and late evening. There is a lot of aquatic vegetation in the pond making it difficult to fish but suspend your bait two feet or less under a bobber. Best baits to use are small jigs or a piece of worm on a small hook.

REINHART POND: rainbow trout, warm water fish

Trout fishing has been fair. Anglers should try fishing with nightcrawlers or casting small spinners or spoons. Fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill has been good.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: spring chinook

Spring chinook are still being picked up in the lower Rogue, with some anglers reporting multiple fish days. June can be an excellent month to catch chinook on the Rogue. Anglers need to be on the water at first light for the best success.

Emergency regulations are in effect for the Rogue River and anglers are reminded to release all non-adiposed clipped (wild) chinook. Anglers can retain wild chinook jacks per zone regulations.

Rogue River flows

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: chinook salmon, steelhead

Fishing for spring chinook from Grants Pass to Gold Ray Dam has been fair when the river temperatures are below 60oF. Back-bouncing bait and back-trolling sardine-wrapped plugs have been productive techniques. A few steelhead are being caught as well. The flow at Grants Pass on June 23 was 3,100 cubic feet per second and the water temperature was 59o F.

Emergency regulations are in effect for the Rogue River and anglers are reminded to release all non-adiposed clipped (wild) chinook. Anglers can retain wild chinook jacks per zone regulations.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: chinook salmon, steelhead

Angling for spring chinook thas been fair. As of June 17, 8,760 spring chinook and 198 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam. On June 23, the flow out of William Jess (Lost Creek) Dam was 2,800 cfs and the water temperature was 53oF. The flow at Gold Ray Dam, was 2,970 cfs. Anglers are reminded that only adipose fin-clipped chinook may be retained at this time.

Trout fishing has been good. Anglers should try using flies or small lures. Only adipose fin-clipped trout may be retained.

ROGUE RIVER, ABOVE LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will stock legal-sized rainbow trout again this week at several locations in the Rogue River and some of its tributaries along Hwy 62 above Prospect. In addition to the stocked rainbow, brook trout and a few brown trout are available to anglers as well. Fishing has been good with worms, eggs, and wooly bugger flies.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout

Soda Springs Reservoir and the tributaries upstream of Soda Springs are open to trout angling. There is no limit on brook trout taken in addition to catch limits for other trout. There have been some browns over 20 inches caught in the last few weeks and fishing is good.

SMITH RIVER: striped bass, trout, fall chinook, steelhead

Opens for adipose fin-clipped steelhead from mouth to Spencer Creek and North Fork from mouth upstream to Johnson Creek. Trout season also open. Check fishing regulations for bait and trout restrictions. Striped bass season is open year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. The North Fork is open from mouth to Johnson Creek for stripers.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: trout

Trout season in the Umpqua tributaries, Smith River, South Umpqua, North Umpqua tributaries below Soda Springs Reservoir and Cow Creek basins is open. The mainstem Umpqua and mainstem North Umpqua to Soda Springs Dam are open year-round for catch and release trout.

TENMILE LAKES: largemouth bass, rainbow trout

Largemouth bass can still be found in shallow water and are hitting a variety of lures including jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits.

Trout fishing has been good in Tenmile Lakes. The lakes were stocked earlier this month with legal-sized rainbow trout. The best way to catch these fish is by trolling a flasher or a worm. For those that like to fly-fish, there are lots of midges hatching in the morning and evenings at Tenmile Lakes along with a few big caddisflies. There are also a few holdover trout from last year's stocking in Tenmile Lakes. These holdover trout are averaging 17 inches. Best fishing is during the low light periods of the day.

TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout

Fishing is open in Toketee year-round, and the best fishing occurs early in the morning or late eventing on insect patterns. The lake has both good bank and boat access throughout.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon, bass, chinook

Both sturgeon and striped bass fishing have been slow in the lower Umpqua. Crabbing has been slow to fair. Note change in measuring sturgeon on page 19 of the 2009 Angling Regulations booklet.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

Clearwater Forebay #2 has been stocked with 2,500 trout this year. Other high lakes such as Maidu, Bull Pup, Connie, Skookum, Calamut, Fuller, Wolf, Cliff, Buckeye, Linda, and Big Twin Lakes were stocked with brook trout in 2008. Many of these lakes are still inaccessible due to snow on roads.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: steelhead, spring chinook, smallmouth bass

Umpqua Basin Note:

Due to high mortality of hatchery steelhead, smolt releases in 2007 were much lower than normal. Consequently, fewer hatchery steelhead will be returning to the Umpqua basin. Angling opportunity and catch rates throughout the basin will still be good due to the strong wild steelhead population, however only hatchery steelhead can be harvested.

Mainstem:

Most of the chinook fishing has moved upstream to the North Umpqua. Remember to release the smolts! Shad fishing has been reported as slow. Remember the main stem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead.

Umpqua River flows near Elkton

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, chinook

Summer steelhead counts across Winchester Dam are 170 and over 5,800 spring chinook thru May 26. Fishing in the Rock Creek area for chinook is fair to good. Summer steelhead angling is slow. Remember that only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested on the North Umpqua. The North is open to catch-and-release trout fishing from the mouth upstream to Soda Springs Dam.

North Umpqua River water levels at Winchester Dam

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: winter steelhead, smallmouth bass, trout

The South Umpqua is opened to trout and bass angling. In the Umpqua River basin, anglers can harvest 10 smallmouth bass per day of any size.

South Umpqua River water levels near Riddle

WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, bullhead

Fishing for rainbow trout has been fair. Anglers should try using floating bait or worms. Casting or trolling lures or flies can also be effective. Fishing for bass and panfish should be good.

WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon, coho, chinook

Fishing for sturgeon is slow. Note new sturgeon measuring method in the 2009 Angling Regulations. Crabbing has been slow to fair.

MOST RECREATIONAL SHELLFISH IS OPEN

The entire Oregon coast is open for recreational shellfishing. In addition, only the adductor muscle of scallops are safe to eat; consumption of whole scallops from the recreational fishery is not recommended.

Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

Razor clams and current status of particular areas

Crabbing has been slow but has improved slightly. Crabbers are encouraged to return soft crabs with little meat back to the water. Crabbing from public docks or boat if available is a great opportunity for families to catch a delicious dinner. Kids often enjoy sorting out the smaller crab that can be abundant. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.

Clamming there are excelent negative tides for digging clams this week.

ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

* Razor clams and current status of particular areas

* Bay clams

* ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates.

* Razor clams and current status of particular areas

* Bay clams

SOUTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar (in some areas, see regulations) coyote

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Cougar

The extended COUGAR season is currently open for central Douglas County. Hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call. Don't forget to check-in if you are successful; see regulations for more information.

Coyote

Numbers are strong throughout Douglas County. Using predator calls to lure them in can be an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

COOS COUNTY

COYOTE populations are good in Coos County and they will respond to calls. However, calling coyotes on the coast range is challenging due to brush. Since specific license and tag requirements exist for hunting some of these animals new hunters should contact local ODFW offices to learn more about hunting these animals before they start.

COUGAR season closed on May 31 in many areas of the state. However there are some portions on Oregon with year around seasons. Check the Big Game Regulations to determine where those areas are. Cougar are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES

General COUGAR season closed May 31. Extended cougar season is now in effect; check Big Game regulations for area boundary. Cougar population appears to be stable to increasing. Due to the nature of cougars, hunters find it hard to locate cougars without locating prey animals and the use of predator calls. Locate major ridge lines where cougars travel looking for deer. Hunters are also reminded that they must bring their cougar into an ODFW office within 10 days to be checked and tagged, refer to regulations for details. Hunters are asked to bring in cougars thawed and mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

COYOTES are abundant in our area. Spring is calf and lambing season; ranchers will have concerns with coyotes, hunters should contact ranchers for permission to hunt on private lands. Hunters will have great response to calling. Focus on areas of known prey base and use calls based on that.

WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL is now open only in a portion of the Rogue unit; refer to regulations for more detail. It is open there year-round with no bag limit.

SOUTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

EVENT

Elk viewing

It's the time of the year for elk calf viewing at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area just west of Reedsport on Highway 38.

The Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area and the O.H. Hinsdale Interpretive Center are popular tourist stops along Hwy. 38 near Reedsport. Visitors are treated to up-close views of Roosevelt elk, with the herd sometimes reaching as many as 120 elk. Mountains, meadows and marshes also are home to beaver, muskrat, mallards, Canada geese and great blue heron. For more information.

Coos County

In Coos Bay and on the lower Coquille River, sea ducks like surf scoters and black scoters are present. These birds can be fun to watch as they dive along the shore line for mollusks that they feed on. Also, loons and several species of grebes are present for viewing. Point Adams, located near the Charleston boat basin is a good place to see these birds and others that are moving in and out of South Slough.

Bears are becoming very active as the days lengthen and weather warms. Viewers should watch clearcuts and natural forest openings during the last few hours and the first few hours of the day. Bears will be attracted to green grass, areas with boulders they can roll over to find grubs and brushy areas where they can feed on the growing tips of branches.

Soon other big game animals like elk and deer will become more illusive as calving and fawning season is close. While mothers of these newborns go to great lengths to keep their babies hidden for the first few weeks after birth, they will bring them out in the open later in June.

Now is the time for bird watchers to dust off their binocular lenses because many migratory passerines and other birds are showing up in the county in numbers. People maintaining bird feeders are reporting seeing many new species for the year. Some of these birds will visit bird feeders for the next few months and disappear again as fall approaches.

Douglas County

Deer

Fawns are being seen in our area so keep in mind that almost all fawns are not abandoned. Please do not pickup or move the fawns since the doe is probably foraging in the vicinity. Contact the local ODFW office or reference the ODFW website if you have fawn questions.

Gamebirds

The young chicks of California quail, blue and ruffed grouse, wild turkey and pheasants are now being seen throughout the county. Coveys of California quail are common on the Umpqua Valley floor usually associated with blackberry cover and water. Many blue and ruffed grouse and their young are found in mid to high elevation forested areas in our local mountains. Wild turkeys and their poults are very common throughout the Umpqua Valley usually on private lands in oak savannah habitat. Most pheasants are found in central Douglas County associated with pastures and ranches.

Turtles

Female turtles are leaving their water body and heading to upland nesting areas, usually within 1 mile of the water, to lay their eggs. When driving on roads next to rivers and streams keep an eye out for turtles crossing the road to avoid injuring the turtles.

Peregrine Falcons

Peregrine falcons chicks are fledging (leaving their nests) not just in Portland's bridges but also in Douglas County off ledges on cliff faces in the Cascades and Coast mountain ranges.

Stewart Park Wildlife Trail

The Stewart Park ponds and nature trail system next to Fred Meyer in Roseburg is a great place to enjoy numerous wildlife species. Ducks, geese, turtles, herons, pigeons, nutria, swallows, sparrows and swifts are some of the common wildlife seen in the area. The nature trail has many interpretative signs to read along the way besides great viewing opportunities in this unique wildlife mitigation area.

Jackson, Josephine, and Curry counties

Denman Wildlife Area

A covered viewing station on the Denman Wildlife Area provides 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, ADA-accessible pathway. It is on Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point.

Many people are visiting the area for fishing opportunities-bass, blue gills and bull head cat fish are being caught. Carp are seen in the shallows spawning during early mornings at this time of the year.

Directions to the Ken Denman Wildlife Area: 1495 E. Gregory Road, Central Point

(541) 826-8774

From I-5: Take exit 33 at Central Point. Travel east on Pine Street to Table Rock Road. Turn left (north) on Table Rock Road to E. Gregory Road. Turn left at the wildlife area headquarters sign.

From Hwy. 62: Turn onto Agate Road. Take the first left (E. Gregory Road). Proceed one mile to the wildlife area. For more information about the wildlife area, visit ODFW's Web site.

CENTRAL ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Clear Lake and Rock Creek Reservoir have been stocked recently, and both offer good opportunity to catch a limit of trout.

* Anglers are reporting some mint bright summer steelhead in the Hood River. Now is a great time to fish for them before hot weather increases glacial melt.

BIG LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout

Anglers are having fair to good success. Big Lava is a great place to catch nice rainbow trout ranging from 12 to 20 inches in length.

CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brook trout, largemouth bass

Please note that Crane Prairie Reservoir currently has standing Department of Human Services blue green algae advisory in place. Please go to http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/envtox/maadvisories.shtm for current information on this matter.

Anglers have been having success catching nice rainbow trout along with a few brook trout. Crane provides great opportunity for top-of-the-line brook trout and anglers are strongly encouraged to try their hand at angling for them. Fish brook trout at dawn and dusk. Small spinners or spoons are often quite effective as are both wet and dry flies. Worms also work well. Anglers after the big brook trout should cast their fly, lure or bait close to cover such as submerged logs or undercut banks. Once you hook your brook trout head for open water as they're notorious for tangling your line around logs and rocks.

Please note new angling regulation specifying the daily trout bag may only include one non-fin-clipped rainbow trout per day. Crane is a great place to catch larger rainbow trout, though the novice angler will require patience.

CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout

Clear Lake is now open and has just been stocked with lots of fish and should be a great opportunity to catch a limit.

CRESCENT LAKE: rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout and kokanee

Anglers continue to have mixed success catching kokanee and brown trout.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish

Fishing has been excellent and anglers are encouraged to hit the river before next week. ODFW will conduct its annual population assessment from June 22nd through June 26th between Big Bend campground and Cobble Rock campground, and between Lower Palisades campground and Greenwood campground. Fishing is likely to be affected between these campgrounds for approximately one week, but will be unaffected outside of these areas.

All anglers should visit informational kiosks located in the BLM campgrounds in the Wild and Scenic portion of the river where a flier has been posted to assist anglers in collecting valuable information. ODFW and OSU initiated a radio telemetry study on redband trout and whitefish in the fall of 2007. ODFW and OSU deployed new radio-tags in early October in fish caught by dedicated volunteer anglers from the Central Oregon Fly Fishers, Sunriver Anglers, ODFW, and OSU. Anglers are reminded that radio-tagged fish cannot be legally harvested. To determine if a fish is radio-tagged, anglers should check for an eight-inch wire antenna protruding from the rear of both redband and mountain whitefish. A sample of redband trout and mountain whitefish are also tagged with a numbered floy tag protruding from the back. Anglers who later catch a trout or whitefish with a floy tag are encouraged to release the fish after recording the tag number, fish length and location caught. Anglers can send the information to ODFW at (541) 447-5111 ext. 24 or michael.r.harrington@state.or.us.

CULTUS LAKE: lake trout, rainbow trout

No angler reports though the fishing should be good for lake trout.

DAVIS LAKE: rainbow trout, largemouth bass

No recent angler reports. Remember Davis is a fly angling lake only.

DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout

Mouth to Warm Springs: steelhead, trout

Anglers on the lower Deschutes are patiently waiting the arrival of summer steelhead. While some bright fish have been reported, but fish will not likely be showing up until mid-July. Until then, the river is still fishing well for rainbow trout from Maupin upstream to Warm Springs.

Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: rainbow trout, brown trout

No recent reports. The flows are now well-suited for fishing. This reach of the Deschutes provides good spring angling opportunity for brown trout and redband trout.

Benham Falls to Wickiup Reservoir: brown trout, rainbow trout

No reports from the past weekend.

Wickiup Reservoir to Crane Prairie Reservoir: rainbow trout, brown trout

No reports from the past weekend.

Crane Prairie Reservoir to Little Lava Lake: rainbow trout, brook trout

Angler success has been fair.

EAST LAKE: brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, Atlantic salmon

Reports of fair success.

ELK LAKE: kokanee, brook trout

No recent reports.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout

Recent reports from a couple of experienced angler types indicate that the angling has been slow fair with a few nice fish being caught. Despite the warmer temperatures and increased insect hatches it appears that nymphing is still the most productive method for catching fish. River water temperatures are generally in the 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit range. This is a popular spring fishery for fly-fishers.

FROG LAKE:

Frog Lake is cleared of snow and should offer good opportunity to catch lots of nice rainbow trout.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

All fishing has been consistent.

HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead, winter steelhead

Anglers are reporting quite a few mint bright summer steelhead in the Hood River. These fish are so strong and fast you'll worry your gear isn't strong enough. Fishing should remain good until the glaciers begin melting when the hot weather comes.

Find out how many fish are being captured at the Powerdale Dam trap.

HOSMER LAKE: Atlantic salmon, brook trout

No angler reports.

KINGSLEY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Kingsley has been recently stocked and should offer good opportunity for legal and trophy-sized trout.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: bull trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, smallmouth bass

Bass fishing has picked up extensively over the past few weeks. Kokanee bag limit is five fish per day, included in the trout daily bag limit. Anglers should consult 2009 Sport Fishing Regulations for new angling regulations on Lake Billy Chinook.

LAURANCE LAKE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Laurance Lake has been recently stocked and should offer good opportunity for legal and trophy-sized trout. Anglers have reported excellent early season success.

LITTLE LAVA LAKE: rainbow trout, brook trout

Little Lava Lake anglers indicated the bite has been fair.

METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout

Some recent reports of fair success. The warmer temperatures continue to make for good hatches.

NORTH TWIN: rainbow trout

Fishing is reported to be fair. Good beaches, good wind protection and good numbers of stocked rainbow trout are North Twin positives.

OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout

Bait fishing is now allowed. Five trout per day, 8-inch minimum length.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Anglers continue to report occasional catches of large fish.

ODELL LAKE: kokanee, rainbow trout, lake trout

The fishing at Odell has been fair. Please note that all bull trout must be released unharmed.

PAULINA LAKE: Brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Aanglers are reporting fair success for brown trout and kokanee.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Pine Hollow has been recently stocked and should provide good opportunity to catch various sizes of trout, including some large trout.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, bass

Fishing for warmwater species has been consistent. Anglers should note an error in the 2009 fishing regulations for Prineville Reservoir (p. 63). The CORRECT regulation is: largemouth and smallmouth bass, 15 in. MAXIMUM length, only one of which may be a largemouth.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Rock Creek has been recently stocked with trout and should provide good opportunity to catch a limit of trout. As the summer progresses low water may impede good fishing.

SOUTH TWIN: rainbow trout

South Twin anglers are reporting fair catches of rainbow trout. South Twin provides plenty of opportunity for rainbow trout, great wind protected shoreline and good beach-like shoreline for the kids to run around on when they're tired of catching fish. A great family lake.

SUTTLE LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

No angler reports, though the lake should provide good opportunity for anglers interested in chasing kokanee or brown trout.

TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout

Taylor Lake has been recently stocked with trout and should provide good opportunity to catch a fat trout. Taylor Lake is also a great spot to catch carp with flies, look for carp in the shallows as water temperatures warm with spring temperatures.

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

Fishing is good.

WICKIUP RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass

Anglers are having fair success catching brown trout and limited numbers of kokanee. The kokanee are in great condition with a few fish ranging up to 16 inches in length. Anglers are encouraged to work the shallows for browns and rainbow during the early morning hours and hours just before dusk.

CENTRAL ZONE HUNTING

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT

Thunderstorms have been regularly buffeting the area and outdoor enthusiasts should prepare accordingly. Fire danger has been increasing and recreational users should check with Ochoco and Prineville BLM offices for the latest access and camping information.

COYOTES are tied to deer and pronghorn and will be following dispersing does as they have their fawns. Hunters would do well to look for sign of deer and antelope and focus their effort in those locations.

GROUND SQUIRRELS are active in hay fields and pastures. The best hunting will be on private lands, particularly along the Crooked River between Prineville and Paulina. Having permission from landowners is a must before hunting.

THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT

Those wishing to pursue COYOTE will find the best success near agricultural lands. Be sure to ask permission to hunt private lands. Limited opportunities may also be found at White River Wildlife area.

California Ground SQUIRRELS, or gray diggers, are very active this time of year. The best hunting opportunities for squirrels are generally found on private agricultural ground, but good opportunity also exists on White River Wildlife area. Focus your efforts in the morning or evening to find the highest squirrel activity. Make sure to ask permission to hunt on private lands.

WHITE RIVER WILDLIFE AREA

COYOTE hunters should be looking in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area.

GROUND SQUIRRELS, or gray diggers, can be found along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area.

The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. Open roads have a green dot on them. Hunters bringing their ATVs are reminded that all vehicles are to stay on roads; cross country travel is prohibited. As summer progresses, fire danger increases. Please be aware of current fire regulations and their impact on the wildlife area.

CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING

Prineville Area

Duck and goose broods are visible along the Crooked River and Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Additionally, a variety of other shorebirds and birds of prey are present along the shoreline and rimrock areas. There are opportunities to see a wide range of young wildlife, but viewers should take pains to observe only, and stay at distance so as to not jeopardize or disturb young animals. The access road along the north side of Prineville Reservoir through the WMA is open and offers great camping, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. A map of the WMA is available from the ODFW's Prineville Office, and the Oregon State Park office located at the Prineville Res. State Park.

Directions to the WMA: From Prineville, take Paulina Highway 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Juniper Canyon Road at the Prineville Reservoir State Park sign. Take Juniper Canyon Road 12.5 miles to Prineville Reservoir State Park. Access to the WMA is via the primitive N. Side Access road at the northeast corner of the state park. Visitors can also access the WMA by continuing southeast along Paulina Highway for 15 miles (from Prineville) and turn right at the bottom of the hill after passing Eagle Rock near milepost 14 onto the signed WMA primitive road. For more information, visit ODFW's Web site.

Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area

During the past week, there have been multiple sightings of a mountain goat in Sherman County. The most recent sightings were on June 19th, just above Mack's Canyon campground. Local biologists are interested in keeping track of this wandering goat. If anyone has more information, please contact the Mid-Columbia District office at 541-296-4628.

Many different species frequent the Deschutes Canyon at this time of year with opportunities to view a wide variety of waterbirds, passerines, deer and bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep are a common site in the canyon. One of the most popular spots to view Bighorn rams is across the river from Jones campground, along the Mack's canyon access road. Bighorn ewes are now congregating in large cliff areas to have their lambs. One area where visitors can view bighorn lambs is in the cliffs across from Beavertail campground along the Mack's canyon access road. Good binoculars and a spotting scope will improve the odds of viewing sheep.

Many different bird species are present in the Deschutes Wildlife Area, including osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons and waterfowl. ODFW's Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area is located east of The Dalles. Directions and more information about the Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area.

SOUTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Fishing conditions on the Chewaucan River have greatly improvedrover the last week with moderate flows and good insect hatches.

* Angling on Fourmile Lake has been very good from both bank and boat for lake trout that range from 14-21 inches.

* Dry fly-fishing on the Upper Williamson River should be some of the best of the year.

ANA RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout, hybrid bass

Ana Reservoir is open year-round for rainbow trout and hybrid bass angling. Rainbow trout angling has improved with water conditions at the reservoir. Rainbow trout and hybrid bass angling has improved recently with last week stocking of legal sized trout and recent report of hybrid success. A record size 30 inch hybrid bass was caught in early February weighing 18lb, 9.5 oz. Many hybrid bass anglers fish at night. Jigging large lures or fishing bait on the bottom of the reservoir are the most common angling methods. The use of live fish for bait is prohibited.

ANA RIVER: hatchery rainbow trout

Rainbow trout in this river can be very spooky so stealth is required. Bait angling is allowed. Tui chub and pit roach are abundant in Ana River so large lures and flies mimicking minnows can be very successful. Hatches of midges have been occurring on the river during warm up periods. Recent sampling showed lots of large, rainbow trout available to the angler.

BALM CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Trout fishing is very good for 10 to 14-inch fish.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, hatchery rainbow trout, whitefish, bull trout

Heavy rains from continued thunderstorms over the last week or so have helped maintain relatively stable water levels in the reservoir. The boat ramp remains useable. The reservoir was 61 percent full and average inflow was 168 cfs June 21. Reservoir trout angling is fair. Angling below the dam is fair.

BIG ROCK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is at half-full or less, fishing for 8 to 10-inch rainbow trout has been good.

BLITZEN RIVER: trout

Recent thunderstorms and snowmelt have caused extreme fluctuations in flow. Flows ranged from 260 to 2,300 cfs from June 15 through June 22. Because of the wide flow fluctuations, angling has been slow. However, flows have dropped and stabilized in the past few days, so angling for trout should be good. Mainstem Blitzen and tributaries (except Little Blitzen) have a two fish trout bag limit from late May through Oct. 31, and a catch-and-release fishery from Nov. 1 through late May. The Little Blitzen is a catch-and-release fishery year-round.

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: bass, white crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and trout.

Extensive rainfall has reduced demand for water, which has helped maintain relatively stable water levels over the last week. The boat ramp is open for normal use. The reservoir was 56 percent full on June 21. Angling for bass is fair while angling for white crappie is slow.

BURNS POND: trout, bass

The pond was stocked for a free fishing event in early June. Angling should be fair for rainbow trout.

BURNT RIVER: trout

Burnt River was restocked week of June 8.

CAMPBELL RESERVOIR (KLAMATH COUNTY): redband trout, largemouth bass, crappie

No recent report. The reservoir is three-quarters full.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout

The reservoir is very low, and the water is turbid. Angling is slow, but anglers have been catching 16 to 20-inch rainbow trout.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout, largemouth bass

Redband trout are available in the main river and tributaries; brook trout are available in Dairy and Elder Creeks. The river has greatly improved for fishing over the last week, flows are moderate and insect hatches are increasing with the warm weather. Angling in the lower river and Rivers End Reservoir for largemouth bass and brown bullhead has been good recently and will improve through the summer. Rivers End Reservoir is privately owned, but public access to the reservoir is available on the northeast side of the gravelford bridge off HWY 31, or by contacting the landowner for permission.

COTTONWOOD MEADOWS LAKE: brook trout, hatchery stocked rainbow trout

Fishing for hatchery stocked rainbow trout has been good, and catch rates on brook trout have become slow. Vegetation in the lake can make angling challenging; try trolling lures and flies over the top of them near the center of the lake.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: native redband trout

Fishing has been slow, but is expected to improve as the summer progresses. May-fly hatches have been occurring, and midges are thick on the reservoir in the evenings. The reservoir is still very turbid; large flashy lures and flies are producing near the inlet of Cottonwood Creek.

CRUMP LAKE: crappie, largemouth bass, brown bullhead

The lake went almost entirely dry in 2007. Crump Lake is very turbid, the best fishing areas tend to be near the mouth of Deep Creek at the North end of the lake. There is a primitive boat ramp on the east side of the lake. Crappie catch rates should improve this year with better water conditions. Water temperatures are still too low to make crappie real active. Expect to find schooling fish near the rock structure of the turn island and near the outlet for the lake.

DEADHORSE/CAMPBELL LAKES: hatchery rainbow trout, brook trout

The USFS closed access to the lakes in 2008, and will continue to be closed in 2009 until early fall. The lakes will not be stocked in June or July. Questions concerning the closure and its removal should be directed to the Paisley Ranger Station at 541 943-3114.

DELINTMENT LAKE: trout

Fair to good angling for rainbow trout. The lake was stocked with rainbow trout recently. Anglers have also reported catching 12 to 14-inch holdover trout from last year.

DEMING CREEK: redband trout, bull trout

The creek is open to fishing but it is rare to catch redband trout over eight inches in this very small stream. Angling is closed for bull trout.

DEVILS LAKE: yellow perch, largemouth bass, brown bullhead

Angling is fair for yellow perch and brown bullhead.

DOG LAKE: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead

The lake has received significant runoff and the lake level is high but not flowing over the spillway. The retention of redband trout is prohibited; the lake is not stocked with hatchery trout. Largemouth bass angling has been very good for bass over 5 pounds.

DREWS RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown bullhead, channel catfish, redband trout

Access is open to the reservoir and boat ramp. The water is low in the reservoir and very turbid. Channel catfish and largemouth bass fishing has been slow.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Recent fishing reports show good catch rates on hatchery stocked legal and trophy-sized trout.

FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): brook trout, rainbow trout

The lake will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Angling should be good for brook trout and rainbow trout.

FISH LAKE (Halfway): rainbow and brook trout

Access is still difficult.

FOURMILE LAKE: rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout

Angling remains good from both bank and boat for lake trout that range from 14-21 inches. Larger lake trout are available as two seven pound lake trout were caught in a net by ODFW in October of 2006. Anglers are fishing bait (worms and PowerBait) on the bottom in about 20-30 feet of water. Rainbow trout are also being captured whereas brook trout and kokanee are being caught at a lesser rate. The lake is very full and launching a boat can be challenging as there is a narrow slot through the large wood. The wind usually picks up in the afternoon so fish early and late if you are fishing from a boat. Covering lots of water by trolling various lures can be effective. A good fish finder can be helpful. The lake trout are hungry so finding them is more important than the type of bait, lure or fly you use.

GERBER RESERVOIR: crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead and largemouth bass

By the end of the week the crappie should bite as we are finally expecting very warm weather. The reservoir is just over half full which makes crappie fishing more difficult and less productive. Largemouth bass are available but are difficult to locate and catch. Brown bullhead and small yellow perch are available to bank anglers fishing with bait.

HAINES POND: rainbow trout

Pond has been re-stocked. Fishing should be good.

HART LAKE: crappie, brown bullhead, largemouth bass

Catch rates for crappie last summer were very good. The lake is very low. The lake is only 2-3 feet deep in most places. Launching large boats is impossible from the primitive boat ramp, as is running a boat engine in the lake. It is likely that the lake will go dry this year. Water temperatures in the lake remain low, below 65F, but should improve by next weekend. Look for vegetation in the lake and target your fishing near there.

HEART LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee

The lake is full. Fishing reports have been very good for kokanee and good for rainbow trout.

HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The Reservoir was stocked earlier this month with trophy and legal-size trout. Fishing reports have been very good.

HWY 203 POND: trout, bluegill, bass

Pond has been stocked three times. Fishing is good for legal and trophy trout. There also are numerous bluegills for the kids.

JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout

The lake is nearly dry.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout and largemouth bass

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge will be conducting maintenance on the Krumbo Reservoir road for approximately one week sometime between July 6 and August 10. The road may be closed or flaggers may be directing traffic during this time. Please call the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge at 541-493-2612 for road updates. Fishing is fair for 16 to 20-inch rainbow trout and fair for largemouth bass. Fly anglers have had some success using leech imitations. Bait anglers have had some success using PowerBait.

KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: redband trout and yellow perch

Angling is poor in most areas. The main part of Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes is very green from algal growth. Fish are still available under the algae but are beginning to move into the spring areas and mouths of the rivers and streams. Redband trout in Agency Lake and Upper Klamath Lake are feeding primarily on minnows, sculpins and leeches at this time. Trolling lures that mimic minnows from a boat is slow. Flyfishing and trolling lures in the spring areas has improved as fish begin to move into those areas from the lake.

KLAMATH RIVER: native rainbow-redband trout

The River below Keno Dam to Topsy Reservoir is closed until October 1. The Klamath River from J.C. Boyle Dam bridge crossing to the J. C Boyle Powerhouse provides good angling this time of year for small redband-rainbow trout (6-12 inches) due to low, stable flows from 220 cfs of spring water. Fly-fishing with small dry flies can be excellent this time of year. Small tan caddis and mayflies are abundant. Angling in the river below the powerhouse is very slow due to high flows (1880 cfs) and murky water. Golden stone flies are still hatching in good numbers in both sections below JC Boyle Dam. Remember the river below JC Boyle Dam is catch and release for trout.

LAKE OF THE WOODS: hatchery rainbow trout, kokanee, hatchery brown trout, yellow perch, brown bullhead, largemouth bass, crappie, and smallmouth bass

Angling will be good this weekend for rainbow trout. The lake was stocked last week but will not be stocked this week. Visit Lakeofthewoodsresort.com for more information. Yellow perch and brown bullhead are available to bank anglers. Most yellow perch are very small so use small bait or flies. Largemouth bass are available near the dock areas along the lake and in the shallow vegetation along the edges of the lake. Angling for small largemouth bass has been good. Kokanee are available near the surface in the early morning near deeper water and migrate to deep water during the day. Large brown trout are typically holding under the kokanee or near structure along the shoreline.

LINK RIVER: redband trout

The river is very green due to an algae bloom in Upper Klamath Lake and angling is very slow as most redband trout have moved out of the river.

LOFTON RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The Reservoir was stocked earlier this month with trophy and legal-size trout. Fishing reports have been very good.

LONG CREEK: redband trout, brook trout and bull trout

Angling should be very good for brook trout and redband trout. Most fish run small (6-8 inches). The Black drake spinner fall should be good this week with the warmer weather. Dry fly fishing should be good.

LONG CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow

Should be good for rainbow trout.

LOST RIVER: brown bullhead, yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill

Angling is fair for brown bullhead using bait at the Crystal Springs day use area.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Reservoir water level has probably remained relatively stable over the last week due heavy rains. The boat ramp is usable for small boats only. The reservoir was stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout on May 21. The reservoir is producing catches of 12 to 16 inch trout with a few larger fish. Angling for trout is fair.

MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout

Average flows below Warm Springs Reservoir were 158 cfs on June 21. Angling for trout is fair.

MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): redband trout and hatchery rainbow trout.

Water releases from Beulah Reservoir remained low over the last week. Discharge below Juntura average about 320 cfs on June 21. Angling for trout is slow.

MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: redband trout, whitefish, and bull trout

No recent angling report. Trout angling should improve as stream flows drop. Remember to release bull trout.

MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: redband trout, brook trout, and bull trout

No recent angling report. Trout angling should improve as stream flows drop. Remember to release bull trout.

MANN LAKE: trout

No recent angling report. The lake is very low, and illegally introduced goldfish have disrupted the trout fishery.

MILLER LAKE: brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Access into the lake is open. Angling has been good for rainbow trout from shore. Angling for brown trout can be good if you can launch a boat. Trophy brown trout are available.

MILL FLAT RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir was recently stocked with fingerlings; legal-sized trout are available from last years planting. Aquatic vegetation in the lake can make angling challenging. Dry flies mimicking hatches places on top of the vegetation and deep diving lures along the weed bed can produce large rainbow trout.

MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout

The reservoir was very low after last irrigation season, but filled this spring. Fair angling for largemouth bass. No recent report for trout, but trout angling should be slow.

MUD LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout

Mud Lake is very low. It may have winter killed some trout. Fall sampling in 2008 showed lots of fish available to the angler, most in the 8 to 10-inch size range.

MURRAY RESERVOIR: trout

Fishing has been good.

NORTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER: Brown trout, redband trout, brook trout, bull trout

Flows in the North Fork Sprague are low. Angling should be good for redband trout and brown trout. Look for black drake mayflies to be hatching in the lower sections of the river. Brown trout are found in the deeper pools and near any large wood in the river. Target the shady areas for brown trout with sculpin fly patterns or small lures mimicking minnows. Brown trout will also take caddis and terrestrial patterns. Redband trout are typically in the fast moving water out in the open.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout

Due to heavy rains over the last week or so, roads into some of the ponds are most likely soft, and anglers should use caution. Pence Springs, Peavine, South Cottonwood, South Mountain, and Squaw Creek reservoirs were stocked with fingerling rainbow trout on May 29. Littlefield Reservoir has a good carryover population with fish running 12 to 15 inches. Squaw Creek Reservoir also has good number fish up to about 13 inches.

NORTH POWDER POND 1: rainbow trout

Pond was has been re-stocked. Fishing should be good. Water is still high on the road.

OBENCHAIN RESERVOIR: bluegill, largemouth bass

The landowner has closed access to Obenchain Reservoir due to vandalism. Access is by permission only.

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, catfish

Due to heavy rains water level in the reservoir has remained relatively stable over the last week. The reservoir was 54 percent full on June 21. Water level is below the bottom of the ramp at McCormick State Park and one foot below the bottom of the ramp at Leslie Gulch. At Leslie Gulch, small boats may be launched and retrieved, but it may be difficult to retrieve larger boats once launched. Other boat ramps are open for normal use. Angling for crappie and bass is good.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): brown trout and hatchery rainbow trout

The river may be turbid from recent thunderstorms, but should clear up quickly. Flows below the dam have been stable at 216 cfs over the past week. Angling for rainbow and brown trout should improve as the river clears.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish

Discharge at the Rome gauge has dropped to 786 cfs on June 21. The river is most likely muddy, so angling for smallmouth and channel catfish should be slow until water clears and drops.

OVERTON RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Few trout were captured during sampling in the fall of 2008. Spring fishing is expected to be poor.

PIUTE RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout and hatchery Lahontan cutthroat trout

Rainbow and cutthroat trout are available. The reservoir level is extremely low, but fish are still being caught. The reservoir will likely go dry this summer, and will not be stocked.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch

Trout have been stocked twice. Fishing is good for trout and perch. Some bass are being caught as well. The reservoir is at 92 percent full.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout

Pilcher Creek Reservoir is open. Fishing was good for trout earlier but has slowed some. Crappie fishing should pick up when the water warms. Reservoir is full.

PINE CREEK and North Pine (Halfway): rainbow

Fish were stocked week of June 8 with legal rainbow trout.

POWDER RIVER: trout

Open for spring chinook from below Mason Dam to Hughes Lane Bridge. Most fish are caught near the dam. Daily bag limit is 2 fish. These fish are surplus hatchery fish from the Snake River. Trout have been stocked below Mason Dam.

ROGGERS POND: hatchery rainbow trout

Fingerlings were planted this week, legal-size trout are available from last years planting. Bring mosquito repellent to improve your fishing experience.

SEVENMILE CREEK: brown trout, brook trout, redband trout

Access is available to the trailhead. Brook trout are abundant in this section. A few black drake mayfly spinners were observed this week and fishing should be good for brook trout. Brown trout and redband trout are very rare in this section. The lower section below Nicholson Road is on private property therefore permission is needed to fish.

SHERLOCK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Fall sampling showed lots of trout in the 10 to 12-inch size range. Recent fishing reports show lots of trout available in the 8-inch size range.

SOUTH FORK SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brook trout, brown trout

Flows in the South Fork Sprague are low and angling should be fair for redband trout and brown trout. Most of the redband trout caught range from 6-14 inches. Large brown trout over 20 inches are available as are some migratory redband trout from Upper Klamath Lake. Most brook trout are located upstream near Corral and Camp Creek. Brook trout are abundant in this section but most of them are small (6-8 inches).

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: hatchery rainbow trout

Due to heavy rains over the last week or so, roads into some of the ponds are most likely soft, so anglers should use caution. Many of the ponds in the Jordan Valley area were stocked with fingerling trout on June 2 or 3. Several reservoirs north of Jordan Valley have carryover populations.

SPAULDING RESERVOIR:

Spaulding reservoir went dry in 2007 and has not sufficiently refilled to support fish. The reservoir will not be stocked this spring.

SPRAGUE RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch.

Angling should be very good for redband trout in certain areas. As you get higher in the system water clarity should improve. Look for redband trout along the spring areas of the river and the higher gradient sections. A few black drake mayflies have been observed. Bait angling for brown bullhead and yellow perch should be good in between Saddle Mtn. Pitt Bridge and Godowa Springs Road. A few large brown trout are captured each year in the mainstem Sprague. The Chiloquin Dam has been removed and angling regulation signs have been posted at the prior dam location.

SPENCER CREEK: redband trout and brook trout

Angling will be excellent for small redband-rainbow (4-8") trout. The upper reaches just below Buck Lake have small brook trout available.

SUMMIT POND: hatchery rainbow trout

The pond was recently stocked with fingerlings; legal-sized rainbow trout are still available from last years planting. Bring mosquito repellent to improve your fishing experience.

SUNSTONE RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is half-full and declining. Recent fishing reports show lots of fish available in the 8-inch size range. The reservoir will likely go dry this summer and will not be stocked.

SYCAN RIVER: redband trout, brown trout and brook trout

Angling should be good in some areas including the canyon near Coyote Bucket for small redband trout 6-12 inches. Angling should be good for brook trout above Pikes Crossing. Large brown trout and migratory redband trout over 20 inches are available. Brook trout are more abundant above Pikes crossing and redband trout are more abundant below. The Sycan River is a great place to fish if you do not want to see another angler.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout

Fishing has slowed some but limits are still being caught. The fish are very large. Best fishing is early morning before the water warms. The dirt road that follows the reservoir has been upgraded to provide good access to the Powder River below the dam. Public access only goes approximately 1000 ft below the dam. Please respect private property and remain within 1000 ft of the dam.

THOMPSON VALLEY RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout, largemouth bass

The reservoir is very full, the boat ramps are usable, and good fishing has been occurring for bass and rainbow trout.

TOPSY RESERVOIR: brown bullhead, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, goldfish

Angling is fair for warmwater fish. Fishing for brown bullhead or yellow perch would be your best bet at this time. Largemouth bass are starting to be captured in the backwater areas. Bass fishing is best from a boat. Angling for largemouth bass and crappie should be better this week with warmer weather.

TWIN LAKES (Halfway): rainbow

Fishing should be good for rainbow trout. Access is good from the east side.

UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie

Fishing is good for trout. Crappie will be slow until water warms.

VEE LAKE: hatchery rainbow trout

The lake is full, legal and trophy sized trout were planted last week. Fishing reports from the lake have been very good.

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: smallmouth bass, white crappie, catfish, perch, and hatchery rainbow trout

The water level continues to be relatively stable. The reservoir was 24 percent full on June 21. Inflows averaged 135 cfs on June 21. Fishing has been good for channel catfish, but slow for other species.

WARNER LAKES (Hart and Crump Lakes are listed separately): crappie

Most of the northern Warner Lakes went dry last fall except for Flagstaff Lake. Few crappie are expected to have survived the winter freeze in Flagstaff Lake. Recent rains have not significantly improved the condition of the lakes.

WARNER POND: hatchery rainbow trout

This is a great place to fly-fish and take young anglers. Many large rainbow trout are available in this small pond.

LOWER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, brook trout

Angling is improving as large redband trout move into the river. Flows are low but the water is slightly off color. Various mayflies were hatching all day long but nothing of significance to get the fish rising. Large white caddis are available in the morning and evening. A few golden stoneflies are available to the fish. Smaller redband trout are abundant and aggressive. Please release these fish carefully as they are future trophy trout. ODFW suggests using barbless hooks in this fishery.

UPPER WILLIAMSON RIVER: redband trout and brook trout

Flows are low but water clarity is fair. Black drake mayfly spinners are falling in fair numbers. Many 6 to 8-inch redband trout are available on a dry fly but the bigger fish have not been as interested. With the very warm weather the spinner fall should cause larger fish to rise freely. This week is likely to be the best dry fly fishing of the year. Bring your mosquito repellant as mosquitoes are abundant. Angling should be good for redband trout and brook trout on public land and exceptional on the private land. Anglers have the opportunity to pay to fish on the Sand Creek Ranch and the Yamsi Ranch.

WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie

Angling is slow for warmwater fish. The largemouth bass population might have experienced a winter kill. The reservoir is currently low and boat anglers should be aware of log hazards. New angling regulations are in place that allow only one bass harvested per day greater than 15 inches in length. Crappie angling is slow but large crappie are available. Bluegill are abundant but small is size.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout

Fishing for trout is good. Trout are larger than in recent past. Reservoir is full.

WOOD RIVER: redband trout, brown trout, brook trout.

The Wood River was accidentally omitted from the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. The Wood River angling regulations remain catch-and-release for trout from April 25- October 31. Water clarity has improved greatly. Some anglers are doing well angling with lures and spoons for brown trout above Loosley Road. Most anglers below Weed Road have reported poor angling. Angling for redband trout should improve as redband trout are starting to move into the river in low numbers.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout

Angling has been fair for 10 to 13-inch rainbow trout. Anglers have had success with a variety of gear.

SOUTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Coyote

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

HARNEY COUNTY

COYOTE hunting has been slow due to relatively low population levels associated with a low period in cyclic rabbit and rodent populations. Coyotes are generally scattered on summer ranges. The highest concentrations are associated with irrigated private land where there are good numbers of mice or other small rodents. Hunters are reminded to ask permission before entering private lands. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and open season limitations exist for these species.

KLAMATH COUNTY

COYOTE hunting has returned to summer conditions as coyotes disperse with big game herds. Dominant pairs are currently denning and defending territories at this time of year, which often provides opportunity for success using howler calls to challenge territorial animals. Hunters are reminded to ask for permission before entering private ground.

GROUND SQUIRRELS have been active. Be sure to obtain permission when entering private lands, and remember that shooting from or across a public roadway of any kind is illegal.

KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA

Hunting seasons are now closed.

In order to minimize disturbance to nesting birds, dogs are allowed only in the dog training area in Unit B from February 1 - July 31. Overnight camping is not allowed on the Miller Island Unit. Discharge of firearms is prohibited except by permit. If you have any questions, please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5734.

Some wetland units in Subunit B are dry to facilitate habitat management activities to reduce encroaching bulrush and cattail and increase open water for waterfowl and shorebird use.

LAKE COUNTY

COYOTES have dispersed to summer ranges along with big game herds. When deer and antelope start to fawn calling in the vicinity of does can be very productive. Hunters are reminded to ask permission before calling on private land. Be aware that cougars will respond to predator calls.

GROUND SQUIRRELS have been out for three weeks. All of the better hunting opportunities are in irrigated alfalfa fields. Hunters must ask permission before hunting on private land. Keep in mind it is illegal to shoot from or across any road open to the public even if it is a gravel two track.

SUMMER LAKE WILDLIFE AREA

This section of the report was last updated June 9, 2009.

All hunting seasons on the Wildlife Area are now closed.

Discharging firearms is prohibited except by permit.

MALHEUR COUNTY

COYOTE hunting has been slow due to relatively low population levels associated with a low period in cyclic rabbit and rodent populations. Areas where big game congregate during winter months, as well as areas near cattle operations with late fall or winter calves may provide the best hunting opportunity. Hunters are reminded to ask permission before entering private lands. Be aware that bobcats and cougars may respond to predator calls, and separate licensing and open season limitations exist for these species.

SOUTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

Harney County

Spring migration is complete, and remaining bird birds are actively nesting and or rearing young. Some common breeding water-birds in Harney County include white-faced ibis, American avocet, black-necked stilt, great egret, greater sandhill cranes and a variety of waterfowl species. Raptors that can be found this time of year include red-tailed hawks, ferruginous hawks and golden eagles. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is the summer home to some unique passerines such as bobolink, black-headed grosbeaks, willow flycatchers, and many others.

The best area to view breeding birds is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers excellent viewing opportunities at the refuge headquarters, along the Central Patrol Road, and near Page Springs.

Klamath Falls Area

Sightings of Canada goose and mallard duck broods are now common around rivers and lakes in the Klamath Basin. Western and Clark's grebes can be observed in their courtship displays on Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes. These two species look very similar in plumage but are distinguished by head and bill coloration. White pelicans have arrived and can be located on lakes and rivers in the Klamath Basin.

Bald eagles have hatched in most nest sites, and young eagles can occasionally be observed in the nest as they grow from nestlings into fledglings. The breeding pair at Moore Park can be observed from the lower parts of the park.

Owl species including great-horned, barn, screech, and short-eared owls can be observed just after dark around agricultural and foothill areas as they start hunting for rodents, snakes, and other small prey. Great gray owls are found at higher elevation forested areas usually adjacent to meadows and small forest openings.

Shore birds and other spring migrants have arrived in the Klamath Basin including Killdeer, spotted sandpipers, American avocets, Wilson's phalarope, and black-necked stilts. Much of the activity is concentrated in wetland areas in the Klamath Basin, including great blue heron, black crowned night herons, California and ring-billed gulls, and great egrets.

Klamath Wildlife Area

Resident Great Basin Canada goose broods are apparent in ponds and along the Klamath River at this time. American wigeon, mallard, ring-necked, gadwall, and bufflehead are present on the Miller Island Unit and associated Klamath River. Black-necked stilts have arrived, as have American avocet and sandhill cranes. Cranes are most commonly seen in the fields north of Miller Island Road in the morning while foraging.

In order to minimize disturbance to nesting birds, dogs are allowed only in the dog training area in Unit B from February 1-July 31. Overnight camping is not allowed on the Miller Island Unit.

Some wetland units in Subunit B are dry to facilitate habitat management activities to reduce encroaching bulrush and cattail and increase open water for waterfowl and shorebird use. If you have any questions, please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5734. For more information, visit ODFW Web site.

Lake County and Lakeview Area

Spring migration is about over and the bird species remaining in the county are summer residents. Best viewing for shorebirds is in the pastures and lake edges of the Goose Lake Valley, Warner Valley, Chewaucan Basin, Summer Lake Basin and Paulina Marsh. Occurrence of neo tropical passerines is habitat dependent with the best species diversity along riparian areas.

Bighorn lambs are at heel and traveling with their mothers. By mid June antelope fawns also will be at heel. Mule deer fawns should be old enough to be at heel by late June. Viewing opportunities are possible for all these species within appropriate habitats throughout the county.

Summer Lake Wildlife Area

This section was updated on June 9. Vehicle access to the Wildlife Viewing Loop remains open through summer and into early fall. However, Bullgate and Windbreak dikes, lateral and minor dikes and the Work Road are closed to motor vehicles to reduce disturbance to breeding and migrating waterbirds. Non-motorized access remains available on all dikes and roads throughout the Wildlife Area.

Waterbird numbers are somewhat stable with the breeding season in full swing now. Viewers can expect to find good numbers of breeding waterfowl, shorebirds, other waterbirds and marsh dwelling passerines throughout the next several months

Since the breeding season for nearly all nesting species is underway at this time, viewers are urged to use great care not to disturb nesting birds or broods. Please be aware that it is unlawful to let dogs run at large from April through July.

Waterfowl

Breeding ducks such as mallard, cinnamon teal and gadwall have dispersed into pairs and many hens are nesting or rearing broods. During the early morning hours, pairs of gadwall are easily located along roads and dikes as hens search for nest sites in nearby locations. Mallard broods have been observed over the past several weeks for this early nesting species. Many cinnamon teal are hatching now, and it is the peak of nest initiation for gadwall. Waterfowl have spread out across the entire area. Resident Canada geese are dispersed widely across the Wildlife Area and adjacent private lands. Most Canada geese have hatched their broods and rearing is underway. Incubation continues for some late nesting pairs or those with earlier failed attempts. Unsuccessful and non-breeders are flocking up and most have departed for northern molting areas. Brood rearing geese are beginning to molt now.

Shorebirds, waders and other waterbirds

American avocets and black-necked stilts are very numerous at this time, and nest initiation is well underway. The Bullgate Refuge, East Link and Link Marsh units have large numbers of nesting American avocets and stilts at this time. Please drive carefully along the Wildlife Viewing loop since some nests are situated along the road edge and sometimes between the tire tracks. All other of the nine (9) nesting shorebirds species are well into nest initiation, incubation and brood rearing. Chicks of several species (Am. avocets, killdeer and snowy plover) have been observed recently.

Wading birds are scattered widely across the Wildlife Area great egrets and white pelicans are fairly numerous at this time and occasionally a snowy egret can be observed. American bitterns are very obvious at this time and their "pumper-lunk" calls can be heard throughout emergent marsh area. Recent surveys have detected very large numbers of sora and Virginia rails. Yellow rails have also been recently detected at the Foster Place and are probably nesting at that location. All of these secretive marsh birds species can be heard calling, especially in the early morning and evening hours.

Most sandhill crane pairs remain dispersed in their nesting territories and many are actively rearing colts at this time. Territorial pairs are very vocal in the early morning hours. A few pairs and small numbers of non-breeding cranes can be found foraging in newly planted grainfields at the Foster Place and at the head of Summer Lake.

Double-crested cormorants, gulls (California and ring-billed) and grebes (eared and western) numbers are continuing to increase and nesting is underway. Pied-billed grebe chicks have been observed recently. Caspian terns are nesting on the recently constructed island in the E. Link Unit and the floating island in Dutchy Lake. A large number of gulls are nesting there as well and the colony is easily viewed from the Wildlife Viewing Loop. Forsters terns are numerous at this time are widely dispersed across the Area. Black terns have been observed in Bullgate Refuge recently and may be nesting there.

Raptors and Others

Resident raptors remain scattered throughout the Wildlife Area as well as on private lands along Hwy 31. Most resident birds are actively rearing young at this time. Meadows offer excellent foraging opportunities for many raptors. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadows. The occasional bald eagle continues to be observed, probably one of the several pairs found in the Summer Lake Valley.

Great-horned owls have hatched at River Ranch and other sites and chicks are becoming very large at this time. The osprey pair nesting in the platform at Ana Reservoir has chicks at this time.

Upland game birds

California quail pairs are dispersed widely across the Area and nesting is underway, the first broods should be seen soon. Eurasian collared doves remain fairly numerous (15-20) at Headquarters Complex and are vigorously calling. Mourning doves are fairly numerous and are commonly heard calling throughout the day. Ring-necked pheasant roosters continue to be heard crowing and the seasons first broods should be observed at any time.

Passerine (perching) species, especially sparrows, finches and warblers 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. Nesting species such as black-headed grosbeaks, yellow warblers, Bullock's orioles and warbling vireos are actively singing now. Song sparrows, marsh wrens and common yellowthroat are very vocal in emergent marsh areas at present. Red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds are actively nesting throughout the emergent marsh areas. All common swallow species are very active in their nesting efforts. Cliff, barn and tree swallows are very common at Headquarters. Bank and northern rough-winged swallows can be found in the upper Ana River Canyon.

Viewers can expect to continue to have good photo and viewing opportunities for nesting species. This is an excellent time, since all species are in their brilliant breeding plumage. Please check the Wildlife observation Record in the Headquarters Lobby for rare and unusual observations and other species of interest.

Facilities and Access

The entire area is open to public access. The Wildlife Viewing Loop remains open, but Bullgate and Windbreak dikes, all lateral and minor dikes and the Work Road are now closed to motor vehicle travel. Close-up wildlife observation from the Viewing Loop is very good at this time. Non-motorized travel is permitted in these as well as lateral and other minor dikes. Viewers are urged to use caution driving open roads since shoulders and dike edges may be soft and muddy at this time.

The entire Wildlife Area is closed to cross country motor vehicle or ATV travel.

Camping is permitted at four sites on the Wildlife Area. Campgrounds are primitive but each has vault toilets, trash barrels and a few picnic tables.

Again, viewers are urged to keep pets in close control; the breeding season for many species of ground nesting birds is underway. Many shorebird species are nesting along road edges at this time and are very vulnerable to disturbance, please use caution when driving or walking in these areas.

Habitat

Recent warm daytime temperatures have resulted in very robust emergent vegetation that is actively growing. As evapotranspiration rates increase, and pond levels recede, shallowly flooded wetland edges and mudflats are becoming more apparent. These sites are very attractive to foraging waterbirds and are receiving heavy use. Invertebrate activity has increased dramatically and large columns of midges are very apparent on sunny days. Mosquitoes and Tabidid flys are beginning to become active and are providing another abundant food source. Many waterbird species and other insectivorous birds are taking advantage these excellent food sources at this time.

Water levels are stable to slowing receding throughout most of the Area at this time. Recent precipitation has caused some upward spikes in water levels with newly flooded areas providing considerable feeding habitat for a wide variety of birds. Gold Dike Impoundment and the River Ranch units are being drawdown and/or are mostly dry for habitat enhancement scheduled to occur later this summer. Meadows and hayfields found on adjacent private lands and in selected locations on the Wildlife Area are very green and actively growing due to irrigation season being in full swing at this time. Most of these seasonally and intermittently flooded wetlands are well flooded at this time and are receiving considerable waterbird use.

Upland habitats are in very good condition with forbs and grasses readily available for food. Greenup and growth of grass and forbs is becoming very extensive at this time.

Please contact Summer Lake Wildlife Area at (541) 943-3152 or e-mail martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us for additional information.

NORTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities

* Trout fishing on the John Day, especially the Middle and South Forks, has been good now that snowmelt has subsided and the river has dropped into shape.

* The Umatilla and Walla Walla forest ponds have been stocked and are a great opportunity to introduce young anglers to fishing! Maps are available at the ODFW web site or the ODFW Pendleton District Office.

EVENTS

Fishing and Floating, July 18, Magone Lake near John Day

A beginner-level class that covers different types of watercraft (float tubes, pontoon boats and kayaks) and how to fish from them. Registration is $40 and includes lunch, equipment and supplies. For more information contact Mary Hoverson (541) 962f-1826 or mary.e.hoverson@state.or.us

ALDRICH PONDS: trout

Fishing is good at the lower pond but poor at the upper pond. Excessive weed growth produced a fish die-off this winter at the upper pond but it was restocked with fingerlings in May.

GRANDE RONDE, WALLOWA, IMNAHA RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES:

Streams in northeast Oregon opened for trout angling May 23. River flows are beginning to decline and angling conditions are improving.

The Imnaha River from the mouth to Summit Creek Bridge and the Wallowa River from Minam State Park to the mouth of the Lostine River opened for spring Chinook angling on Saturday June 13. Daily limit is two adult and five jack (24 inches or less) adipose fin-clipped Chinook per day. Anglers must quit angling for salmon if they have retained two adults. Unmarked Chinook must be released unharmed. Chinook angling has been fair and is improving as river flows decline.

Check river flows

HONEYMOON, TEPEE, SALT CREEK, and McGRAW PONDS: Rainbow trout

Ponds on the Wallowa Whitman Forest are accessible and have been stocked with rainbow trout.

JOHN DAY RIVER: trout, bass and channel catfish

Snowmelt has finally subsided so the river should continue to drop and warm. Trout fishing is good, especially in the Middle and South Forks. Bass and channel catfish are biting in the lower river and floatable flows (over 750 cfs) should last until the end of June. Spring chinook have arrived and will be holding in the larger pools. They are illegal to keep and we do not allow fishing with lures in the upper North and Middle Forks to prevent fishermen from accidentally hooking them.

Stream flow levels at Service Creek

JUBILEE LAKE: trout

Jubilee Lake has been stocked and is open for trout fishing. Fishing is good for carry over and stocked legal rainbow trout. Access to the lake is still limited to walk in only.

KINNEY LAKE: trout

Kinney Lake has been stocked and is open for trout fishing. Fishing has been good for stocked rainbow trout.

MAGONE LAKE: trout

Trolling and flyfishing is good right now for rainbow and brook trout to 12 inches. Later in the year hot weather will drive the fish deeper requiring bait or jigs to reach them.

MARR, VICTOR, AND WALLOWA WILDLIFE PONDS: rainbow trout

Wallowa Valley Ponds have been stocked and are providing fair to good angling for rainbow trout.

McKAY RESERVIOR: crappie, yellow perch, bass, trout

Crappie and yellow perch fishing is good. The best bite has been in the late evening. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair to good, trout fishing has slowed as the water temperatures have warmed.

MCNARY, HATROCK and TATONE Ponds: Trout

Have been stocked, angling should be good for rainbow trout.

MORGAN LAKE: trout, bullheads, crappie

The lake is open for fishing. Legal and trophy trout have been stocked. Fishing has been good.

OLIVE LAKE: trout, kokanee

Snow has just recently melted and fishing will remain good here throughout the summer at this high elevation lake. Fish for rainbow in the shallow weedy areas and search for the kokanee in the deep portions of this lake.

PEACH POND: trout

The pond on Ladd Marsh was stocked for the four times with legals and some trophies. Fishing has slowed from the good weeks in May but there are still lots of fish in the pond.

PENDLAND LAKE: trout

The lake has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow, and fingerling plants from last year should provide good angling.

ROULET POND: trout

The pond has been stocked 3 times with legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing should be good.

ROWE CREEK RESERVOIR, BULL PRAIRIE RESERVOIR, TROUT FARM POND, LONG CREEK POND, CAVENDER POND: trout

Fishing is good as all have been stocked with legal sized trout.

TROUT FARM POND: rainbow and brook trout

Fishing will remain good here throughout the summer in this spring-fed pond. It is very weedy so a float tube is advised.

UMATILLA RIVER: spring chinook, trout

Angling has been slow for spring chinook, water temperatures have warmed and the bite has shut off. The return to Threemile Dam to date is 2,245 adult and 2,274 jack spring chinook. Bag limit: only adipose fin clipped spring chinook may be kept, two adults and five jacks per day and 10 adults per year. The area from Hwy 730 bridge to Threemile Dam closed to spring Chinook angling on May 22, the area from Threemile Dam upstream to reservation boundary located upstream from Hwy 11 bridge at Pendleton remains open through June 30. With dropping stream flows spring chinook are being transported upriver above Pendleton. The upper Umatilla should be good for catch-and-release angling for rainbow trout.

UMATILLA FOREST PONDS: rainbow trout

The Ukiah and Walla Walla Ranger District ponds have been stocked and angling should be good.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee

Wallowa Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout again this week and is providing good angling for kokanee and rainbow trout.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout, kokanee

Wallowa Lake has been stocked with rainbow trout and is providing good angling for kokanee and rainbow trout.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, brown bullhead

Crappie and bass angling should be good. Trout angling has slowed as water temperatures have warmed. Anglers are reminded of the new angling regulation: catch-and-release only for largemouth bass.

NORTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Coyote

EVENTS

Learn outdoor skills at an ODFW sponsored clinic; see Outdoor Skills Web page for more information. Contact Mary Hoverson 541-962-1826 or mary.e.hoverson@state.or.us or Mark Newell 503-947-6018 or mark.newell@state.or.us for more information.

Shotgun and Sporting Clays, July 11, La Grande. Cost: $20 per adult, $10 per child.

Elkhorn Family Outdoor Day, Aug. 8, near Baker City. A multi-activity event with classes in shooting, archery, survival, outdoor cooking, camping and more. Cost: from $40.

Don't forget to report your hunt results. Anyone who purchases a big game or turkey tag must report hunt results online or by phone for each tag. Reporting is required even if you did not fill your tag or go hunting. More information

Wolves in northeast Oregon

Wolves are protected by state law and it is unlawful to shoot them. Coyote hunters in northeastern Oregon need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall.

ODFW needs hunters' assistance to establish wolves' presence in Oregon; please report any wolf sightings or wolf sign to La Grande office (541) 963-2138 or online.

BAKER COUNTY

SQUIRRELS can be found throughout the agricultural valleys. Hunters should ask permission before hunting on private land.

COYOTE numbers are good throughout the district. Remember to ask for permission before hunting on private properties. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon.

GRANT COUNTY

COYOTES may be responding well to calls. Good areas to try are the South Fork of the John Day and on private lands between Dayville and John Day. Make sure to ask permission before hunting private lands.

MORROW, GILLIAM and WHEELER COUNTIES

COYOTE hunting: Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful.

UMATILLA COUNTY

SPRING BEAR and TURKEY seasons are now closed.

UNION COUNTY

COYOTE numbers are strong throughout the county. Using predator calls as a lure and moving call sights after 20 minutes is an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA

Bird hunting seasons are now closed.

WALLOWA DISTRICT

Good numbers of COYOTES can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling coyotes with rabbit distress type calls has been effective for hunters. It is important to choose areas with abundant coyote sign and little human activity.

GROUND SQUIRRELS are still very active and are mostly found on or adjacent to agricultural lands. Many landowners welcome hunters to help reduce squirrels in high density areas. Hunters need to secure permission before entering private lands.

NORTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

EVENT

5th Annual Watershed Festival, Friday, June 26, 2009

12-7 p.m. Wallowa County Fairgrounds, Enterprise

The Watershed Festival is a celebration of our natural and cultural resources in Wallowa County: our mountains, canyons, forests, rivers, lakes, animals, grasslands, and people. See Wallowa Resources Web site for more information.

Baker County

This is a good time to watch for songbirds. Target riparian areas during early morning hours for best viewing opportunities. Recent sightings along the Snake River and Burnt River Canyons include mountain bluebirds, bullock's oriole, lazuli buntings, yellow-breasted chats, and eastern kingbirds.

Golden eagles can be seen nesting along canyon walls.

Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler Counties

Raptor viewing is good; watch the power poles. Most common are rough-legged and red-tailed hawks, but you may be rewarded with a ferruginous or a Swainson's hawk as they migrate into the Columbia Basin and foothills of the Blues. Bald eagles can be seen along the Columbia and major waterways of the area. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks can be seen along many of the waterways; Northern Harriers are found throughout the grasslands and American kestrels can be seen about anywhere. You may catch a glimpse of a prairie falcon in the foothills, and turkeys can still be seen above Monument. Try the Top road to the forest for the best chance of spotting them.

Waterfowl can be seen along the waterways and wetlands in the area. This time of year they are building their nest site and will soon, if they haven't already, lay and incubate their eggs with young hatching about 28 days later.

Union County

Pronghorn Antelope can be viewed on Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, often along Pierce road and Hot lake Lane. Deer and elk can be seen around the edges of the valley. Deer fawns and elk calves will soon be appearing; these animals rely on hiding for survival and should never be handled. A doe or cow will feed away from her young and return periodically through out the day to nurse.

There are still many elk at the Anthony Creek feed site on the Elkhorn Wildlife Area.

ODFW's Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, La Grande

This section updated June 2, 2009

The Tule Lake Public Access Area is open for the season. There are also numerous quality viewing opportunities from the roads that pass through the area. Binoculars or a spotting scope will help as many animals are best viewed from a distance.

Numerous duck species can been seen including mallards, pintails, gadwall, American wigeon, wood duck, ring-necked duck, scaup, redheads,ruddy duck and cinnamon and green-winged teal. Many broods of hatchling Canada geese are present and can be seen from roads and trails. Duck broods have also begun hatching and may be seen as they paddle for the cover of vegetation.

Several nesting pairs of greater sandhill cranes have successfully incubated their eggs and may be seen feeding in meadows with their young. The best places to observe these pairs are along Foothill Road and Hot Lake Lane.

Numerous birds of prey can be seen utilizing the wildlife area. Red-tailed hawks have mostly hatched and the great horned owls have fledged. Swainson's hawks arrived from South America last month and have built or claimed nests and are incubating eggs. Northern harriers are present in high numbers and can often be seen in aerial displays or carrying nesting material as they, too, prepare for the next generation.

Spring offers many opportunities to observe uncommon species as seasonal migration and unsettled weather patterns can result species showing up outside their usual range.

Visitors are reminded not to approach nesting birds too closely to minimize disturbance during this critical season.

A few elk have been observed in the wildlife area near Pierce Road and others may still be seen on Glass Hill. Glassing the slope above Foothill Road in the morning may reveal elk high on the slope. Both mule and white-tailed deer are also using the slopes above Foothill Road. Foxes, coyotes and badgers may all be seen in fields and meadows and the task of raising young increases pressure to hunt.

NOTE: Please report any observations of banded sandhill cranes to the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area office (541-963-4954) or to Gary Ivey, Western Crane Conservation Manager, International Crane Foundation (541-383-2033). Please note the positions of the colors on each leg (right leg means the crane's right leg, no matter which way the bird is facing) along with the date, time and location of the observation.

Dogs are not permitted within the Wildlife Area, on or off leash. For more information on access rules for the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, please consult the 2008-2009 Oregon Game Bird Regulations or call the wildlife area (541) 963-4954.

Umatilla County

Flocks of ducks and geese can be seen along the Columbia River and large reservoirs in the County. Elk will still be common along the upper open areas of the west slope of the Blue Mountains. Deer will be seen in herds from the valley floor to the upper Blue Mountains. The riverine and agricultural areas near the base of the mountains will be dominated by white-tailed deer. The desert and mountain areas will be inhabited primarily by mule deer. Elk can be viewed throughout the day while deer will be most visible in the first and last two hours of the day.

Gulls and raptors including bald eagles can be seen along the Columbia River. Visit local wildlife areas to see shore and marsh birds in addition to perching birds and raptors. Wood ducks, mallards and mergansers can be seen traveling in flocks up and down the river systems that have cottonwood trees along the banks.

Wallowa County

Raptors

Red-tailed and Ferruginous hawks, as well as a variety of owls can be observed through out Wallowa Valley and Zumwalt prairie. Most raptors can be easily observed from county roads. A good pair of binoculars will improve viewing opportunities.

Bald eagles

Most wintering bald eagles have left the Wallowa valley to return to summering areas; however, interested birders can still observe a pair of eagles at the head of Wallowa Lake where the Wallowa River empties into the lake. A large nest can be observed in an old cottonwood tree and the eagles will continue to utilize the nest area into July.

Mule and White-tailed Deer

Mule and white-tailed deer are common in agricultural areas adjacent to Highway 82. Animals can be observed during early morning and late evening hours.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep can often be observed along the canyon walls of the Grande Ronde River when driving both up and down stream from the town of Troy.

Mountain Goats

Mountain goats can be observed from Hat Point lookout. A short walk to the Snake River canyon rim from the lookout and the use of binoculars will improve a persons chance of spotting goats in the rough rocky cliffs. Hikers and backpackers can observe mountain goats many places in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Ridge tops and peaks along Hurricane Divide between Hurricane Creek and the Lostine River are good places to spot mountain goats.

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

FISHING

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: crappie, bass, catfish, bluegill, trout, perch

Crappie are biting well on jigs and croppie nibbles about 2-8 feet down. Generally the best jigs to use are chartruese, red & white, or yellow & white. Catfish angling is fair-good using mormon crickets in the main river. The water is still cool in the Powder River Arm. Bass fishing has picked up some. Call Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit their Web site under the "Rivers and Recreation" heading.

Reservoir level information

OXBOW RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

No recent report, but crappie, bass and catfish angling should be picking up.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

Some crappie and bass are being caught.

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass, chinook

A chinook fishery has been approved and began May 30. Daily bag limit is 2 adult adipose fin-clipped fish per day. Two fin-clipped jacks may be kept in addition to the adult daily bag limit. Anglers must stop fishing when the daily adult bag limit is retained Please see special regulations for more information. Bass fishing should be picking up when the wether gets warmer.

Get updated information on flow levels.

SNAKE RIVER (Above Brownlee Reservoir): channel catfish, flathead catfish, smallmouth bass

Flows at the Nyssa gauge ranged from approximately 12,700 cfs to 17,500 cfs June 17 to June 22. Flows increased through the week. The river remains very turbid. Flows at the Weiser gauge ranged from approximately 19,000 cfs to 24,300 cfs June 17 to June 22. Flows increased through the week. Catch rates for both smallmouth bass and catfish have slowed with the higher flows and higher turbidity.

COLUMBIA ZONE

Weekend Fishing Opportunities

* The lower Columbia River from Tongue Point upstream to Bonneville is open to angling for adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead, sockeye and summer chinook; and from Bonneville Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary anglers may retain adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead, sockeye and chinook jacks.

* Shad catches are holding up in the gorge.

* Sturgeon fishing is good in the Astoria area.

EVENTS

On June 24-27 the City of Umatilla will be hosting what is billed as the first major bass-fishing event in the state of Oregon. The Walmart FLW Series event will feature as many as 300 top bass anglers casting for top prizes of up to $125,000. Read more.

Columbia River Fish Counts:

Regulations:

SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD:

Bank anglers caught summer steelhead, chinook jacks, and sockeye last weekend. The shad run is winding down; however, anglers are still catching a few in the gorge.

Gorge Bank:

Weekend checking showed four jack chinook kept, plus seven chinook, one sockeye, and one steelhead released for 14 salmonid anglers; and 176 shad kept for 103 shad anglers.

Gorge Boats:

Weekend checking showed two jack chinook kept and one adult chinook released for two salmonid boats (six anglers); and eight shad kept for 14 shad boats (35 anglers).

Troutdale Boats:

Weekend checking showed one adult chinook released for two boats (seven anglers); and no catch for one shad boat (two anglers).

Portland to Longview Bank:

Weekend checking showed five adipose fin-clipped steelhead, three jack chinook, and seven sockeye kept for 98 bank anglers.

Portland to Longview Boats:

No report.

Estuary Bank:

Weekend checking showed one adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus one adult and one jack chinook released for nine bank anglers.

Estuary Boats:

Weekend checking showed one adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept and one adult chinook released for three boats (six anglers).

STURGEON:

The Columbia River Compact met on Thursday December 18 and adopted new sturgeon regulations for 2009. For the news release, please check the link below:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2008/december/121808.asp

Sturgeon anglers are reminded that effective Jan. 1, 2009, a new method of measuring sturgeon for retention will take effect statewide. Under the new rules, sturgeon will be measured from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail (rather than the tip of the tail). The resulting allowed retention measurements are slightly shorter than the old method. As a result, the 2009 slot measurement for sturgeon caught in the Columbia River downstream of The Dalles Dam to the Wauna Power lines, including tributaries, will be 38 to 54 inches FORK LENGTH. Upstream of The Dalles Dam to the Oregon/Washington border, the fork length for sturgeon retention will be 43 to 54 inches beginning on Jan. 1. Below the Wauna Power lines, beginning May 9 through the close of the 2009 retention season, the fork length for sturgeon retention is 41 - 54 inches. Remember, all of these figures are simple conversions of the old method of measuring sturgeon. It does not mean you can keep smaller fish, only that the method of measuring "keepers" has changed. So, from Jan. 1 on, make sure that your sturgeon is of legal length under this NEW measurement technique.

Sturgeon angling continues to be good in the estuary, but slow for legal size fish elsewhere in the lower Columbia. All sturgeon angling is prohibited from Marker 85 upstream to Bonneville Dam during May 1 through July 31 to protect spawning sturgeon.

Gorge Bank:

No report.

Gorge Boats below Marker 85:

Weekend checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus nine oversize and 94 sublegal sturgeon released for 16 boats (51 anglers).

Troutdale Boats:

Weekend checking showed three sublegal sturgeon released for one boat (one angler).

Portland to Longview Bank:

Weekend checking showed one sublegal sturgeon released for one bank angler.

Portland to Longview Boats:

No report.

Estuary Boat & Bank:

Weekend checking showed 272 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 11 green, 24 oversize, and 829 sublegal sturgeon released for 395 boats (1,302 anglers); and one sublegal sturgeon released for five bank anglers. Thirty-two charter boat anglers caught eight legal white sturgeon and released 26 sublegal sturgeon.

Bonneville Pool Boat and Bank:

Effective 12:01 AM Saturday June 6, the retention of sturgeon in the Bonneville Pool and tributaries is prohibited because the harvest guideline of 700 legal white sturgeon has been reached. Catch and released angling is allowed through the remainder of the year.

The Dalles Pool Boat and Bank:

Effective 12:01 AM Sunday April 19, the retention of sturgeon in The Dalles Pool and tributaries is prohibited because the harvest guideline of 300 legal white sturgeon has been reached. Catch and release angling is allowed through the remainder of the year except during May 1 through July 31 from the west end of the grain silo at Rufus upstream to John Day Dam to protect spawning sturgeon.

John Day Boat and Bank:

Effective 12:01 AM Monday April 13, the retention of sturgeon in the John Day Pool and tributaries is prohibited because the harvest guideline of 165 legal white sturgeon has been met. Catch and release angling is allowed through the remainder of the year except during May 1 through July 31 from Highway 395 Bridge near Umatilla upstream to McNary Dam to protect spawning sturgeon.

WALLEYE:

Gorge Boats:

No report.

Troutdale Boats:

No report.

Bonneville Pool Boats:

No report.

The Dalles Pool Boats:

No report.

John Day Pool Boats:

No report.

MARINE ZONE

FISHING

Salmon fishing in the ocean opened June 20 south of Cape Falcon and will open June 28 between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Wash.) The first weekend of the Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border ocean recreational coho season had relatively light landings due to poor weather conditions. For those boats that made it out, catch rates were good with an average catch of 1.14 retained salmon per angler. The best fishing was out of Winchester Bay with a catch rate of 1.59 salmon per angler. Visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/Regulations/OceanSport2009.asp for season details.

Halibut anglers off the central Oregon coast made good use of the first three back-up all-depth days landing about nine fish for every 10 anglers.

Fishery managers will meet Friday to determine if there is sufficient quota remaining to have a backup all depth fishing on one or more days July 2-4. The central coast all-depth season could have closed as early as June 6 if the 124,261-pound quota had been taken.

Fishing for Pacific halibut inside the 40-fathom line on the central coast continues to be open seven days a week until a separate quota of 14,407 pounds is attained or Oct. 31, which ever comes first.

Pacific halibut sport fishery off the Columbia River closed May 29. Fore more information on the halibut season, go to http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/finfish/halibut/index.asp.

Fewer than half of the fishers going after lingcod were successful at landing one fish. Anglers scored better with rockfish, greenling and other species in the marine bag landing about three fish per angler. The highest numbers came from Charleston where the average catch was six fish.

The marine bag limit has been increased from six marine fish to seven effective May 1. This is the highest marine bag limit since summer of 2005. The marine fish bag includes rockfish and other species such as greenling and cabezon. The increased bag limit is based on a favorable stock assessment for black rockfish, the dominant species in the nearshore groundfish fishery.

Bottomfish anglers need to stay shoreward of the 40-fathom line through Sept. 30 to protect yelloweye rockfish. This regulation applies to lingcod, rockfish, cabezon, flatfish and other species listed on page 100 of the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. The 40-fathom line is defined by latitude and longitude; coordinates are online at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp.

Remember: yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish may not be retained. The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area approximately 15 miles west of Newport is closed to the harvest of rockfish, lingcod, flatfish and others.

All salmon fishing in the ocean is closed, but will open June 20 south of Cape Falcon and June 28 between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Wash.) The 2009 salmon season looks exceptionally good for coho with the highest quota in more than a decade. Visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/Regulations/OceanSport2009.asp for season details.

SHELLFISH

The entire Oregon coast is open to the recreational harvest of mussels, clams and other shellfish. However, harvesters should check for current closures on the ODA shellfish safety page or call the shellfish hotline, 1-800-448-2474. Waters can be closed on short notice because of contaminated waters due to coastal flooding and because of elevated levels of naturally occurring toxins.

Check out the recreational clam pages on the ODFW Web site: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/ then click on the shellfish icon. The pages contain everything you need to know for identifying and harvesting Oregon's clams.

CRABS

In most Oregon ports last week crabbers averaged between two and three crab, with crabbers out of Charleston getting an average of six.

Scuba divers may notice that male crab are already clutching female crabs waiting for them to molt so they can fertilize them. When the males are clutching females they don't do anything else, like look for food and wander into crab traps.

Crabbing success is often best during the slack tide at high tide or low tide when crabs are looking for food. Recreational Bay Crab Survey data on catch statistics are updated every month during the winter on the ODFW Web site at the recently-launched Crabbing Reports page. This provides prospective crabbers some information on the recent success of other crabbers in the three bays that are sampled during the winter: Yaquina Bay, Alsea Bay and Coos Bay.

Sport crabbing is also open in the ocean until Oct. 16.

Some sport crabbers have difficulty correctly measuring the minimum size for Dungeness crab, which is 5 3?4 inches measured in a straight line across the back immediately in front of, but not including, the points. For a photograph and diagram see page 96 of the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

MARINE ZONE VIEWING

EVENT

SeaFest, Sat. June 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport holds its seventh annual SeaFest celebration. The open house and community festival takes place at the marine lab's waterfront campus on Yaquina Bay, next door to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Go behind the scenes to see the labs and meet the scientists who study marine life, explore the bottom of the sea, and track whales across the world's oceans. The family-friendly free event features interactive, hands-on science exhibits, live animal displays and demonstrations of what marine biologists and other scientists do in their daily work. Visitors leave SeaFest with a better understanding of a whole range of topics, from wave energy to what makes a healthy marine ecosystem, and its importance to our own well-being.

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific City

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a series of summer programs at the newly opened Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. All programs meet at the lower parking area at Nestucca Bay Refuge at the time indicated. The Refuge is located on the west side of Highway 101 approximately six miles south of Pacific City. To visit the refuge turn west off of Highway 101 onto Christensen Road and proceed a half mile to the lower parking lot. For more information about the programs contact the Visitor Services Manager at 541-867-4550 or Refuge volunteer Karen White at 503-392-9047.

Photography Hike, June 27 from 9 a.m. to noon

Capture the stunning sights, spectacular views and the beauty of the Refuge while hiking trails and overlooking the Pacific. Bring your camera or borrow one of ours and capture the beauty of the outdoors. Meet resident artist, Karen White in the lower parking lot at 9 a.m.

Outdoor Investigations, July 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Take a hike, photograph the views and investigate diverse flora and fauna on this guided tour. Meet Karen White in the lower parking lot at 11 a.m.

Family Hike, July 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Gather the kids and put on your hiking gear. A guided tour of the Refuge with binoculars, field guides and cameras will make this outdoor excursion fun for the whole family. Hike begins in the lower parking lot at 1:00 pm.

Coastwide

Common Murre chicks have started hatching on the Oregon coast. One good spot to view them is at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.

You may also see seal pups on the beach. Do not touch them. While the pups may look abandoned the mother is most likely close by foraging for food.

Tidepooling

A minus tide series starts June 19 and continues through June 28 in the morning hours. Tide times can vary up to a couple of hours, depending where you are on the coast. Consult a tide table for the area where you will be. Minus tides are great for tide pooling. Look for anemones, hermit crabs, sea urchins, small fish, jelly fish, sea stars, barnacles and other animals of the intertidal region.

There are dozens of good places on the Oregon coast to go tide pooling. Some of the best are in state parks and recreation areas, including Haystack Rocks, Hug Point, Seal Rock, Yachats State Recreation Area (or just about anywhere with 10 miles of Yachats), Strawberry Hill State Wayside, Neptune State Park, Sunset Bay State Park, Cape Arago State Park and Cape Blanco State Park. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, four miles north of Newport, has outstanding tide pools and rangers on hand to provide tours and answer questions.