The weekly Oregon Recreation Report (fishing, hunting, viewing), updated Wednesday, March 14, by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:

WILLAMETTE ZONE

FISHING

Walter Wirth Lake and Walling Pond in Salem were stocked late last week with the two to four pound brood rainbow trout. The ponds are also due to be stocked with the smaller catchable sized trout this week. Ponds in the Albany area including Freeway Lakes, Waverly Lake, and Roaring River Park Pond are also scheduled to be stocked this week for the first time this year.

Steelhead counts over Willamette Falls showed a small surge last week, bringing the total for winter steelhead to about 3,900. A small number of summer-run steelhead has also moved past the falls. Steelhead angling has been spotty, but best prospects are in the mainstem and North Santiam below Stayton. Flows have come up some as warmer temperatures have the snow starting to come off.

EE WILSON and JUNCTION CITY PONDS: Stocked in late February with surplus Brood Trout.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: Steelhead fishing has picked up with the water dropping. The temperatures are coming up over 40 degrees so fish activity is increasing

Bank anglers can find access to the river in the Gladstone/Cross Park area, at Carver near the mouth of Clear Creek, along Clackamas River Rd, at Barton Park, at Bonnie Lure Park, at McIver Park near Dog Creek, and from the McIver Park boat ramp on up to River Mill Dam.

Boat anglers can find access to the river from boat ramps located at McIver Park (both upper and lower), Feldheimer's, Barton, Carver, Riverside, or Clackamette.

Boaters should be aware that early winter high water events have made changes to the river that could surprise unsuspecting boat anglers. Be very cautious of debris as well, since recent high water has likely deposited trees and logs into the river.

DETROIT, GREEN PETER reservoir levels are coming up. Holdover trout and kokanee are available should be picked up relatively close to the surface since the water is so cold. Try a flasher and bait combination.

EAGLE CREEK: No new report but anglers should keep in mind that water conditions on Eagle Creek can play an important part in deciding the type and color of gear to choose. Be prepared with both bright and subtle colors of jigs or spinners. Anglers may also have success with sand shrimp or small egg clusters and yarn.

The most popular spots to try include the Bonnie Lure area, the water above and below the lower fish ladder, Eagle Fern Park, and up near the hatchery. Much of the creek meanders through private property so pay attention to your location and secure permission before fishing from private property.

SANDY RIVER: A few fish have been caught at the hatchery and steelhead fishing is picking up.

The Sandy fish are now a later returning stock versus what anglers were used to a few years ago. This is a result of the wild broodstock program initiated under the current Sandy River fish management plan. Angling should get better as water conditions improve and decent catch rates should be expected through March.

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

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

WILLAMETTE RIVER: Fishing is picking up and river color is getting better for steelhead and spring Chinook.

Winter steelhead anglers have had fair to good days depending on water conditions. Anglers can expect the Meldrum Bar and Dahl Park areas to provide the greatest opportunity. Steelhead will usually hug the bank in this area, many trying to get into the Clackamas River water as it flows into the eastern side of the Willamette. Most of these fish are destined for the Clackamas River and Eagle Creek.

There have been a few spring chinook caught throughout the Willamette with fish taken from Coon Island in the channel all the way up to Oregon City. The Sellwood area has also produced some early springer catch. The poor water conditions have slowed both the effort and catch but expect things to pick up when the water improves.

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

There were several reports of keeper and sublegal sturgeon in the catch last week. The sections of river both above and below the St Johns Bridge have been very productive, as has Multnomah Channel. Boat anglers might also try the Oregon City/Gladstone area. Bank fishing for sturgeon can be found at Meldrum Bar and at the wall in downtown Oregon City. Sturgeon anglers have used fresh smelt or herring as effective bait.

WALTER WIRTH and WALLING POND in Salem were stocked by ODFW late last week with the two to four pound brood rainbow trout. The ponds are also due to be stocked with the smaller catchable sized trout this week.

HENRY HAGG LAKE in Washington County opened to trout fishing last SaturdayLocated 25 miles southwest of Portland, Hagg Lake is a 1,200-acre reservoir constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation and flood control. The lake averages 51 feet in depth and is 110 feet deep at its maximum.

HUNTING

TURKEY: Spring turkey season opens April 15; youth turkey hunt April 7 and 8. Based upon advice provided by turkey hunting experts, overcalling is one of the most common mistakes that hunters make. Whether it is calling too loud or calling too long, experts advise hunters to start out softly and if you don't get a response within 20 minutes, then turn up your calling volume. Caution should be practiced if you use a gobble call; other hunters may be attracted and mistake you for a real bird. Please respect landowner rights and ask for permission before scouting or hunting.

COYOTES: Hunters looking for a challenge and an opportunity to get out of the house and into the field should give predator hunting a try. Coyotes have paired up and have established their home territories, so hunters using a challenge howl or interrogation call will attract the most attention from these wary predators. Coyotes may take a little longer to respond at this time of year so stay on your stands a minimum of 30 minutes. Remember to ask permission from landowners before hunting.

VIEWING

WILLAMETTE VALLEY: Bald eagles are active and easily located along Multnomah Channel and the Columbia River from Portland to Westport for bird watchers who have access to a boat.

Bird watchers can expect to see 8-15 eagles during a day on our local rivers. Just remember to avoid disturbing them by keeping your distance and using your binoculars for viewing.

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA (Portland): The first osprey of the season has returned to Sauvie Island. Visitors to the Wildlife Area might also see a turkey vulcher. Corn will continue being chopped for feed this week to increase viewing opportunities as more wildlife migrate to the area.

FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA (Eugene): Wintering concentrations of Canada geese and other waterfowl are present at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area and lake. Several thousand geese can be observed each evening arriving at Fern Ridge lake and departing each morning around daybreak. ODFW is accept public comments through April 12 on the draft plan to guide the next decade of management at Fern Ridge; visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/management_plans/wild_life/index.asp for more information.

E.E. WILSON WILDLIFE AREA (Monmouth): There are large numbers of migratory birds returning. April and May are the best viewing times for birders as there are both migratory and nesting birds in the wildlife area at the same time in breeding plumage. E.E. Wilson provides a photography blind for waterfowl during the months of April and May by reservation only. Reservations can be made by calling the office at (541) 745-5334.

NORTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

MID COAST LAKES STOCKING SCHEDULE: The following water bodies will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout during the week of March 12th. In the Newport area: Devils Lake, Big Creek Reservoirs 1 and 2, Olalla Reservoir. In the Florence area: Alder, Buck, Cleawox, Dune, Elbow, Lost, Georgia, North Georgia, Mercer, Perkins, Siltcoos, Siltcoos Lagoon, Woahink and Munsel lakes. In the Waldport area: Thissel Pond and Eckman Lake.

ALSEA RIVER: Winter steelhead fishing is fair in the upper river. Hatchery steelhead returns are slowing down and expected to diminish around the end of March. Anglers should concentrate on fishing the upper river and/or tributaries during high water periods. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?TIDO3.

BIG CREEK: Winter steelhead angling is fair. The fishery is winding down for this year, but persistent anglers can still hook some fish. Call 503-458-6529 for recorded fishing information.

GNAT CREEK: Steelhead fishing has been fair. Call 503-455-0701 for recorded water conditions and steelhead fishing information.

KILCHIS RIVER: Winter steelhead angling is fair to good. The catch is primarily wild fish this time of year, but a few hatchery fish are available also. A tree has fallen across the river just below Kilchis Park. Although partially cleared, boaters should use extreme caution in this stretch.

NECANICUM RIVER: Winter steelhead angling is fair to good. A few hatchery fish are still present, but most of the catch will be wild fish. Fish will be distributed throughout the river.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead angling has been fair to good. Mostly wild fish are showing in the catch as the number of hatchery fish tapers off. Call the Nehalem Hatchery recorded information line at 503-368-5670 for updated reports. ODFW is conducting voluntary creel surveys on the North Fork. There are kiosks located at several locations along the river for anglers. Please stop and fill out a survey form.

NORTH FORK KLASKANINE RIVER: Some winter steelhead are available throughout the system up to Klaskanine Hatchery. Fishing has been slow to fair.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: Angling for winter steelhead has been good. Good numbers of fresh fish moved upstream with recent high water. The catch is a mixture of hatchery and wild winter steelhead, and a few early hatchery summer steelhead are showing in the catch also. Fish are distributed throughout the river system. Before fishing, check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr.

NORTH COAST LAKES: Lytle, Hebo and Town lakes were stocked with legal size rainbow trout the week of March 5. North and South Lakes were not be stocked with rainbow trout last week as scheduled, due to snow and accessibility issues. The fish will be added to the stocking scheduled for the week of March 19. The following lakes were scheduled to be stocked the week of March 12: Coffenbury, Cullaby, Lost, Sunset, Cape Meares, Lytle, Smith, Spring, and Vernonia Pond. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2741 for more information.

Coffenbury Lake, Sunset Lake, Town Lake, Cape Meares Lake, Tahoe Lake, Spring Lake, and Lorens Pond have been stocked with surplus hatchery steelhead.

SALMON RIVER: Winter steelhead catch and release fishing is fair.

SILETZ RIVER: Winter steelhead fishing is fair. Hatchery winter steelhead returns are slowing at basin traps. A few bright fish are still being harvested in the drift boat fishery below Moonshine Park. Anglers should concentrate on fishing the upper river during higher water conditions. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?SILO3

SIUSLAW RIVER: The winter steelhead fishery is fair to good. Decent numbers of hatchery steelhead are still returning to basin traps. The fishery is anticipated to remain productive throughout March. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?MPLO3

TILLAMOOK BAY: Angling for sturgeon has improved with recent high waters. Use sand shrimp on the bottom near the channel edges on the outgoing tides for best success. Move often until you locate some fish.

WILSON AND TRASK RIVERS: Winter steelhead are available throughout the Wilson and Trask rivers. River levels have been high. Angling has generally been good, with very good fishing reported last week at times. The catch has been a mix of hatchery and wild fish, with most hatchery fish caught in the Wilson River. Check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr prior to fishing.

VIEWING

The OREGON COAST BIRDING TRAIL GUIDE www.oregoncoastbirding.com is a website that highlights great birding opportunities all along the Oregon coast. It's divided into sections of coastline, and the north coast is only a click away from the main home page. On the north coast page, you can find key areas with a summary of birds typically found there along with a legend of services found nearby. Links to checklists and sponsors can be found on the home page as well.

MIGRATING WATERFOWL are in north coast estuaries, including the lower Columbia River, in good numbers. These include geese, dabbling, diving and sea ducks as well as grebes, loons and rails. Tillamook Bay is an excellent place to see this large variety of seasonal birds.

TWILIGHT EAGLE SANCTUARY, located east of Astoria off of Hwy 30 near Svensen, and is an excellent place to see wintering birds in and around the Columbia River. Not only do bald eagles frequent the adjacent Wolf Bay area, but a wide assortment of water loving birds, including swans, geese, ducks, grebes and rails as well as song birds. There is a handicap accessible platform located just off of the road. Be sure to bring your binoculars and spotting scope.

GREAT EGRETS are large, elegant-looking, white wading birds about the size of a great blue heron. In recent years they have become more numerous in or near north coast estuaries. Initially noticed along Tillamook Bay and Netarts Bays, they can be seen in other estuaries to the north and south. Often times they can be in groups of 15 or more working tidal flats at low tides.

THREE ARCH ROCKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is a collection of several offshore rocks located near Oceanside. Not only is it home to the largest and most diverse seabird colony in Oregon, it also supports a breeding population of Steller sea lions. Although nesting season for seabirds is not here yet, large groups of common murres and other seabirds can be seen staging on the rocks or on the adjacent waters. Even when the rocks seem relatively barren, careful observation can often reveal bald eagles or peregrine falcons perched on top of the rocks. A good spotting scope is very helpful for viewing.

GRAY WHALES will be migrating past the northern Oregon coastline in March and April, on their way to the northern Pacific and Bering Sea where they will feed on rich ocean life during the summer and fall months. Along with the adults should be young calves that were recently born in southern waters off of the coast of Baja California. Bring your binoculars for the best viewing.

HUNTING

COUGAR season is open on the north coast. These secretive animals are difficult to hunt in an active sense, by stalking or glassing areas. They are best hunted from a stand with a predator call and an aggressive calling technique.

SOUTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

APPLEGATE RIVER: Flows are dropping and fishing should be good. Anglers may want to try using small spinners or small pieces of roe with small puff balls; egg pattern flies have also been successful. Outflows from the reservoir are averaging 410 cubic feet per second and the outflow temperature is 42F.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout and land-locked juvenile spring chinook salmon are available. Fishing is reported to be very good at the lake with fish being caught on small spoons. The low water ramp at French Gulch is open.

CHETCO RIVER: High water has slowed steelhead fishing, but plunkers are still picking up a few fresh steelhead. Anglers should expect fishing conditions to improve toward the weekend. Anglers have been picking up quite a few spawned out steelhead.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: Trout stocking is scheduled to begin the week of March 19. Bradley, Empire, Johnson Mill Pond, Powers Pond and Saunders Lake will all receive legal trout the week of March 19. Large "trophy" trout will be stocked in Bradley Lake, Empire Lakes, and Johnson Mill Pond the week of March 26. Warmwater fishing has been fair and will start to improve as we get some warmer weather.

COOS RIVER BASIN: Steelhead fishing has slowed some. Effort will also be dropping off soon, allowing the remaining anglers to fish in less crowded conditions. Fishing should improve as the rivers drop. The West Fork Millicoma recovers quickest after rain storms, followed by the East Fork and then the South Coos. Anglers still have time to get out for some great steelhead fishing. The West Fork Millicoma has good public access on the Elliott State Forest where many steelhead are caught. The Nesika Park area on the East Fork also has good public access. Access to the South Fork above Dellwood requires a permit from Weyerhaeuser Co., available at Airport Heights and TNT Markets. Weyerhaeuser is no longer issuing these permits at their Dellwood office. The stretch of river above Dellwood has good bank access and and an acclimation site near mile 5 where many fish are caught.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Lots of steelhead are still in the Coquille Rivers and fishing should be fair to good when flows cooperate. Effort dropped off on the South Fork due to high flows, but fish were still being caught on the East and North Fork. The South and North Fork Coquille provide good opportunities for anglers to catch steelhead. Laverne Park on the North Fork provides good bank access for anglers.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: If water clarity is good, early season trout anglers might want to try Emigrant for holdover rainbow stocked last year. Bass and panfish are also available. Anglers should be aware that recent testing by the Department of Human Services has found elevated levels of mercury in smallmouth bass at Emigrant, and 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 website at www.healthoregon.org/fishadv.

EXPO POND: Expo Pond is located immediately adjacent to the access road at Gate 5 at the fairgrounds. Adult summer steelhead, which were stocked in January, are still available. Bass and panfish are also available. Summer steelhead have been taken with nightcrawlers. Fly anglers casting leech or wooly bugger-type streamers should do well.

FISH LAKE: Rainbow and brook trout are available. Anglers should be prepared for winter conditions and varying levels of ice coverage.

ILLINOIS RIVER: Angling should improve on the Illinois as flows drop and the river clears.

LAKE SELMAC: Lake Selmac has been stocked with 4,100 legal-sized rainbow trout. Largemouth bass and panfish are also available. Bank anglers should try floating bait off the bottom.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR Rainbow trout and land-locked juvenile spring chinook salmon are available. Bank anglers will likely fish either floating bait or worms, while trollers can do well fishing a spinner and worm combination.

PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: Ocean salmon opens March 15 for all salmon except coho from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.

The bar and ocean conditions have prevented ocean fishing recently. Bottom fish were being caught on days people could get out. Winter bottom fishing can be good when ocean conditions permit but anglers should be cautious of bar and ocean conditions that can turn dangerous quickly this time of year. Fishing inside the bay has also produced some fish along the jetties. Surfperch fishing usually improves this time of year also. Good spots for surfperch are around Horsfall Beach and Bullards Beach.

REINHART PARK POND: Reinhart Park Pond in Grants Pass, formerly called All Sports Pond, has been stocked with 300 legal sized rainbow trout. Adult summer steelhead, bass, and panfish are also available. Fishing success should pick up as the water warms. Bait anglers using nightcrawlers have had some success. Other techniques include casting small spinners or spoons. Fly anglers may want to try casting leech or wooly bugger-type streamers.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: High water and cold weather has put a freeze on steelhead fishing this week. Anglers should expect fishing to improve by the weekend. No reports of spring Chinook.

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: Conditions should continue to improve over the week. Flows are averaging 7020 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass as of Monday morning.

Side drifting with roe and plugs has been successful for steelhead.

Bank access for steelhead can be found at Chinook Park, Matson Park, Griffin Park and Robertson Bridge. Additional access is available below Hellgate Canyon. Gold Hill to Rogue River and Robertson Bride to Hog Creek are popular drifts for boat anglers.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: A total of 3745 winter steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of March 6. Outflows from Lost Creek Reservoir are averaging 2027 cubic feet per second as of Monday morning; the outflow temperature of the reservoir is 42F and the surface temperature of the lake is 45F.Anglers side-drifting with roe, nightcrawlers, or yarn have been catching steelhead upstream of Shady Cove. Egg patterns and stone fly patterns have also been successful.

Anglers are reminded that even during high water and turbid conditions along most of the Rogue, conditions are usually good between Big Butte Creek and Cole Rivers Hatchery where reservoir outflows predominate.

Bank anglers can enjoy good success between the hatchery and the Highway 62 Bridge, and at public access points such as Casey State Park, Rogue Elk Park, and Touvelle State Park.

SMITH RIVER: Winter steelhead fishing opened on Dec. 1. 400 winter steelhead have been passed through Smith River Falls. Fishing has been slow with the cooler water temperatures. High flows this week have made fishing nearly impossible. Sixteen hatchery fish were passed through the falls for the month of February. Wild steelhead must be released unharmed from the Smith River. Hatchery clipped steelhead only may be retained.

SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS Boat and bank anglers fishing Garrison Lake have had fair success with carry over trout. ODFW sampled Garrison Lake last week and reported good numbers of cutthroat and carry over rainbow trout in the lake.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: Rains this weekend put the steelhead on the move. Anglers will have numerous options for catching a steelhead. Look for some of the best action to come from Elk and Sixes River. Anglers can keep on eye on Elk River flows by calling Elk River Hatchery. The best flow is 5 feet and dropping.

SOUTH COAST BEACHES: No report.

TENMILE BASIN: Steelhead are in Tenmile Creek and angling has been good. Spinreel Park is a popular spot for anglers who fish within the park or walk downstream. Eel Creek is open for steelhead angling below Eel Lake, but the creek is small and brushy, and requires special techniques to hook and land fish from small pockets.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: No new report this week.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: Winter steelhead fishing is still slow but is picking up with the dropping flows. Bank anglers are still catching steelhead. There have been unconfirmed reports of spring chinook being caught. Creel checkers are seeing boats fishing for spring chinook in the Scottsburg area. Spin-n-glos are the favored lure and can be used effectively with or without bait. Anglers may now retain one wild winter steelhead per day and five for the year.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: Steelhead numbers well above average through Winchester Dam. The best bank fishing is occurring at the Idleyld Park area. There were good numbers of guides out last week drifting from Colliding Rivers boat ramp. There are good numbers of steelhead crossing that dam currently. Winchester Dam counts show that 4,394 winter steelhead have passed over the dam through March 6.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Winter steelhead fishing opened Dec. 1. Wild steelhead must be released unharmed in the South Umpqua River. Fishing has picked up, most of the fishing is occurring from Canyonville Park to Myrtle Creek. High stream flows and turbid waters are making it difficult to catch fish. Flows have dropped some and water temperatures are climbing so fishing should improve. The drift boat slide at Rummel bar is nearly inaccessible and requires a good four-wheel drive. Bank fishing near Canyonville remains slow but there are fish to be caught as hatchery steelhead continue to keg up waiting for flows to increase allowing fish access into Canyon Creek. Hatchery clipped steelhead only may be retained.

WINCHESTER BAY: Crabbing has improved within the estuary. Sturgeon fishing has improved and will continue to get better for the next couple of months as high winter flows subside. Pink fin perch and striper fishing should also be picking up.

SHELLFISH

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

Crabbing is fair in Coos Bay and the Coquille. Crabbing can be excellent late winter/early spring when the weather and water conditions cooperate. The COOS BAY shoals (20-30 feet deep) along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.

HUNTING

COOS COUNTY

COUGAR: Look for areas frequented by deer and elk to hunt cougars. Roadless areas on public or private land with limited access are good choices. Remember to "ask first" before hunting private lands. Private landowners can be a valuable source of information when it comes to recent cougar sightings in the area.

Some hunters find success in harvesting cougars by using predator calls in areas where cougar sign is found.

Hunters are reminded to get a 2007 cougar tag before hunting cougars after January 1, 2007.

ELK: seasons are now closed in Coos County with the exception of a small portion of the Melrose Plus Antlerless Elk hunt (223A).

FURBEARERS: Now that most hunting seasons are over some open-minded hunters are taking advantage of hunting opportunities for furbearers. Furbearers include beavers, raccoons, bobcats and others. Other similar species that are hunted in winter include coyotes and nutria. Seasons for many of these animals are going on now. Most of them have a fur value and can be sold to fur buyers.

Due to the fact that specific licenses and tags are required to hunt many of these species hunters should refer to the Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations to research this. Also, your local ODFW office can answer many questions.

CURRY, JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES

COUGARS: A new regulation for 2007 allows the purchase of two cougar tags, consult regulation. With low snow levels cougar tracks maybe easily located along ridge line, aggressive predator calling have resulted in successful hunting.

COYOTE: Coyotes numbers have increased in our counties. Hunters will find good success by predator calling. There are plenty of public lands to hunt. If hunting private lands remember to ask for permission.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

ELK n All general seasons have passed, and only a few controlled hunts remain until March 31, 2007. Hunters are being asked to drop off their elk heads at the local ODFW office within 48 hours of harvest for CWD testing.

COUGARn Hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers.

TRAPPING:

FURBEARERS n A reminder to trappers and hunters that specific licenses and tags are required to hunt many furbearer species, and hunters should refer to the Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations for details.

MINK AND MUSKRAT - Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for mink and muskrat is March 31, 2007.

VIEWING

COOS COUNTY

Winter is a good time for viewing wildlife in Coos County. Big game animals are becoming visible in clear cuts and other forest openings. Often south slopes are the best place to look due to the fact that these slopes warm first in the mornings and green up occurs there first.

As spring approaches, BULL ELK will start shedding their antlers and some have done so already. However, most bulls still have their antlers at this point. Viewing opportunities are good at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area located east of Reedsport on Hwy. 38.

As we enter spring warm sunny days will make BLACK BEARS become active. Those wishing to see these elusive animals may have some luck using optics to watch forest openings. Often bears will move into slides on hill sides where grass is beginning to green up.

WATERFOWL are numerous in many water bodies now. Many of these birds are in their colorful breeding plumage. Places to look would be in the calmer waters of Coos Bay and other bays, Bandon Wildlife Refuge, Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area and flooded farm fields in the Coquille River Valley.

A good viewing opportunity available now that is unique to the coast is the viewing of SEADUCKS in the bays. Seaducks are scoters, eiders, oldsquaw harlequin ducks and others. These species are numerous along the Oregon coast now and they are in prime plumage. Look for these birds in various places in the bays or along the coast. Depending on the species in question and what they are feeding on at the time these birds could be found in many locations.

Some of the early spring migrating birds are starting to appear in the county now. As an example, TURKEY VULTURES have recently started showing up in the area. As spring comes on more migrants will begin to show up.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Observe wintering BALD EAGLES along the main Umpqua River from Roseburg to Reedsport and N. Umpqua from Roseburg to Steamboat Creek.

Good early morning WATERFOWL (duck and goose) viewing exists every winter at Cooper Cr. in Sutherlin plus Stewart Park in Roseburg.

Check out Plat I Reservoir in Sutherlin at Sutherlin creek inlet on the eastside of the lake for various SHORBIRDS. This area is also a good site to see winter RAPTORS like Black-shouldered Kites and Northern Goshawks.

Winter SONGBIRDS like Western Bluebirds, Black-headed Grosbeaks, House Wrens, thrushes and various sparrows are present at Stewart Park Duck Pond and Stewart Park trail in Roseburg. Remember to clean out your songbird nesting boxes or put up new boxes now since courtship, nest building and raising nestlings happens for many birds in April and May.

FISH SPAWNING: Each year there is a chance to observe wild Winter Steelhead spawning just below Soda Springs dam on the N. Umpqua River 55 miles east of Roseburg.

FISH PASSAGE: Each year about this time there are Winter Steelhead migrating upstream passing through Winchester dam fish ladder on the N. Umpqua River which is open to the public. To view the migrating Steelhead go to exit 129 on I-5, proceed southeast on 99 to the fish ladder on the north side of the river.

ROGUE WATERSHED

DENMAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA provides a covered viewing station with a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. The structure was built by the Oregon Hunters Association and is accessed by a paved, wheelchair-accessible pathway. It is on the Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point.

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

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

UPPER AND LOWER TABLE ROCKS rise 800 feet above the valley floor. Habitat types range form oak savanna and chaparral to woodland. On the summit a diversity of wildflowers and wildlife can be found along the trails. Spring can provide some of the best viewing times.

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

WHALE WATCHING is occurring along the coast with the end of March as one of the two north bound migration peaks. Viewing points within Curry County from north to south are Battle Rock, Cape Sebastian, Cape Ferrelo, and Harris Beach State Park.

CENTRAL ZONE

FISHING

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

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Lingering snow drifts likely still block access to the reservoir. Check with Ochoco National Forest t 541-416-6500 for current conditions.

CLEAR LAKE: Located about 20 miles west of Maupin. Access difficult due to snow.

CRESCENT LAKE: Crescent Lake is for the most part ice free, though there are still no accessible boat ramps. Shoreline anglers are having good success for brown trout and one group of anglers that managed to get their small boat into the water also reportedly had a banner day fishing for brown trout.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: Recent reports indicate redband trout angling has been slow, while whitefish angling is excellent.

DESCHUTES RIVER: Dry fly fishing has been slow; anglers should look at using nymphing tactics in the slow water areas.

DESCHUTES RIVER Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls: No anglers were observed on the river to as basis for a report. Deschutes River flows are over 800 cfs which making the angling a little more challenging.

FALL RIVER: Angler success has been fair.

FROG LAKE: Located about 20 miles west of Maupin. Access difficult due to snow.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-18 inch rainbow and brown trout are fair to good. There are also a limited number of brood rainbow trout available.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull trout angling continues to be slow. Anglers are marking quite a few fish, but most are down deep and the bite has been off. Success rates should pick up as water temperatures increase.

METOLIUS RIVER: Angling on open sections of the Metolius is reported to be fair for redband trout and good for bull trout.

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

PINE HOLLOW: ODFW will stock in mid-March.

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

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: Located near Wamic. ODFW will stocked this waterbody in the spring.

SUTTLE LAKE: Suttle Lake is ice free with boat access. Late winter at Suttle Lake provides good opportunity for brown trout and with the kokanee fishery coming on April.

WALTON LAKE: Opportunities for carryover rainbow trout up to 16 inches should be fair to good. The gate to the campground is closed and anglers will have to walk the last ¼ mile to the lake.

HUNTING

ODFW and OHA-mid Columbia Chapter will sponsor a youth turkey hunting clinic at the White River Wildlife Area in The Dalles on March 31. For more information and to register, call ODFW tel. (503) 947-6028 or OHA 541-980-2503. Cost of event is $10 and space is limited to 30 participants.

GENERAL: Spring has arrived early and recreationalists should be prepared for unseasonably mild and muddy conditions. Snow accumulations are below average, with wet and crusted snow present above 4000 feet elevation. . Off road motorized travel should not be attempted without proper equipment and checking with local BLM and Forest Service officials regarding motorized access restrictions in effect to protect wintering big game.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR WMA: The north side access road and WMA are closed to motorized access for the protection of wintering big game. The area is open to foot traffic and other non-motorized access.

COUGAR: Cougar are reported regularly in the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units, at all elevations and habitat types. Areas to consider include the Alkali Butte and Sanford Creek (Maury WMU); Bridge Creek, Sunflower Creek, and Lookout Mountain (Ochoco WMU); and Green Mountain, Mill Creek, and Marks Creek (Grizzly WMU). As winter progresses areas frequented by concentrations of wintering elk and deer will be areas to scout for cougar sign.

VIEWING

OCHOCO DISTRICT: Bald and golden eagles, a variety of hawks and falcons, and waterfowl are present along the Post-Paulina Highway east of Prineville. If observers extend their drive and include the Puett Road loop through the Paulina Ranger Station they have an opportunity of seeing wintering deer, pronghorn, elk, and coyotes. This route is suitable for passenger cars.

LOWER DESCHUTES WILDLIFE AREA: Visitors to this area can see California bighorn sheep on a regular basis upstream of Harris Canyon (RM 12). Access will be by boat or bicycle.

SOUTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Contact Klamath Watershed Office (541) 883-5732 for more information on fishing opportunities.

ANA RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout has been slow.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: The reservoir is ice free. Fishing is slow

BIG ROCK RESERVOIR: Access to this reservoir is difficult due to muddy roads.

BLITZEN RIVER: Warm weather mixed with rain and snow has led to variable river conditions.

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 72 percent full on March 4. The reservoir is ice free. Angling for warmwater fish is slow.

BURNS POND: Fair angling for 12 to 16 inch rainbow trout.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: Angling is fair to good for 10 to 18 inch rainbow trout.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: The river is closed to angling below Paisley until May 28. Angling is fair for redband trout above Paisley as water temperatures have decreased.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: Angling success has been slow. Remember special regulation, two trout per day. The lake is frozen and ice fishing is not recommended. Access is difficult due to snow

DEEP CREEK: Angling is fair for redband trout.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout has been slow.

DELINTMENT LAKE: Access up the Forest Service 41 road was only possible by snowmobile in mid February.

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

FOURMILE LAKE: Access is blocked by snow.

GERBER RESERVOIR: Gerber Reservoir is frozen. The warming weather has made the ice unsafe in spots. Perch angling has been good.

JUNIPER LAKE: No angling report.

KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: Angling for wild redband trout has been slow.

KLAMATH RIVER: Boyle Dam downstream to Oregon /California border-Angling for native redband trout has been slow. Keno Dam downstream to JC Boyle Dam: Angling for wild Redband trout has been slow but flows remain low enough for successful angling.

Keno Dam downstream to JC Boyle Dam: Access is difficult due to snow depth.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: The reservoir is closed to angling from November 1 through April 27.

LAKE OF THE WOODS: The Lake is frozen although the warm weather has made the ice soft. Perch angling is reported to be good.

LITTLE HEART LAKE: Access is blocked by snow.

LOFTON RESERVOIR: Access is blocked by snow.

LONG CREEK RESERVOIR: Be cautious as ice may be getting thin.

LOST RIVER: Angling has been slow for warm water game fish.

MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): Angling below the dam is slow. Flows from Warm Springs Reservoir have been shut for the winter

MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): Flows down the South Fork Malheur River increased, which resulted turbid flows in the Malheur River from Riverside downstream. Flows from Warm Springs and Beulah dams have been shut off for the winter. Angling is slow.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: Water level is down about 6 feet from full. The reservoir is ice-free. The roads into the reservoir are soft. Water temperatures are cold ~37?F. Trout angling is slow.

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

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

MANN LAKE: No recent angling report.

MILLER LAKE: Access is blocked by snow.

MOON RESERVOIR: The access road has been closed to prevent road damage.

MURRAY RESERVOIR: Ice fishing has been fair. Be cautious as ice may be getting thin.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: With the warm and wet weather, the ice on many of the lower elevation pond has started to melt. In addition, the roads have softened into many of the ponds. Access maybe limited. Anglers need to use caution when walking on ponds the ice may not be thick enough any more to support their weight.

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 75 percent full March 4. All boat ramps are in the water. Warmwater angling is slow.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): Irrigation flows below the dam are shut off for the winter. Discharge was 32 cfs on March 4. Anglers still need to be aware of redds and not step on them. Angling for rainbow trout and brown trout is fair.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): Discharge at the Rome gauge averaged approximately 242 cfs on March 4. Angling for smallmouth and channel catfish is slow.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: Fishing is fair-good for trout and perch. Trout are running 12-14 inches. Perch are 10-11 inches. Some report that fishing near the bottom with cicadas (silver, blue, chartreuse, or gold) has been very productive. Use caution as temperatures warm, as the edges may be thin. Water is starting to rise and is at 54 percent.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: Ice may be unstable. Fishing is Fair-slow. Water level is at 29 percent.

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is ice-free. Angling is slow.

POWDER RIVER: Open for catch and release upstream of Hughes Lane Bridge to Mason Dam. Artificial lures and flies only.

SHERLOCK GULCH RESERVOIR: Fishing has been good for legal sized trout. Check road conditions prior to traveling to reservoir.

SNAKE RIVER: Flow was 10,017 cfs near Nyssa and approximately 11,814 cfs near Weiser on March 4. Angling for catfish and smallmouth bass is slow.

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: With the warm and wet weather, the ice on many of the lower elevation pond has started to melt. In addition, the roads have softened into many of the ponds. Access maybe limited. Anglers need to use caution when walking on ponds the ice may not be thick enough any more to support their weight.

SPAULDING RESERVOIR: Fishing has been slow for legal sized trout. Access will be difficult due to snow

SUNSTONE RESERVOIR: Fishing has been slow for legal size trout.

SYCAN RIVER: Closed to angling.

THOMPSON RESERVOIR: Access to Thompson Reservoir will be difficult due to snow. Reservoir is currently frozen.

TOPSY RESERVOIR: Access is difficult due to ice on the boat Ramp and most of the reservoir.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: Fishing should pick up soon. Reservoir is full.

TOPSY RESERVOIR: Angling for Warmwater fish has been slow. Access difficult due to snow.

UNITY RESERVOIR: Some fish are being caught but generally slow. Water level is at 68 percent. Be cautious as the water levels are rising. Ice gets unstable at the edges.

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 59 percent full March 4. We have no reports on ice conditions. However, with the warmer weather the ice should be off soon. Angling is slow.

WARNER LAKES: Crappie are available. Winter conditions exist, be prepared.

WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: The reservoir is frozen. Ice fishing is not recommended.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: Access to ice fishing is getting more difficult, as the ice is melting along the edges. Use caution.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: Always watch for thin ice. Be especially cautious after the recent warm weather. No recent reports on ice conditions.

VIEWING

Late winter and early spring is one of the best wildlife viewing time periods in the Klamath Basin, which is a major staging area for migratory birds starting their northward migration to primary nesting areas.

NEAR BURNS: The Harney Basin, located near the town of Burns, provides good viewing opportunities during March and April for a variety of migrating birds. Thousands of migrating snow, Ross's, white-fronted and Canada geese as well as ducks, sandhill cranes and tundra swans use the basin during their annual migration north to their breeding grounds. Birds are beginning to arrive in the basin with numbers expected to peak in the next few weeks. Good numbers of bald eagles are currently in the basin but begin migrating north about the end of March. Another attraction is viewing strutting sage grouse which do their annual mating display from mid-March through April. Sage grouse viewing is best during the first hour of daylight on days when the weather is good.

The 26th Annual John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival and Art Show will be held in Burns from April 13-15, 2007. The Festival includes events such as birding, cultural and historical tours, workshops and an art show. For more information on the Festival you can contact the Harney County Chamber of Commerce at 541 573-2636 or you can visit their web site at www.migratorybirdfestival.com.

The KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA and LOWER KLAMATH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE are excellent locations to view thousands of ducks, geese, and swans. Snow, ross's, and white-fronted geese have just returned from the central valley of California. These geese will spend the next two months here in the Basin before continuing north to Alaska and Canada where they nest. These geese can be found foraging in agricultural fields near Midland. Numerous tundra swans (5000-10000)can be observed at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and private lands to the north of the refuge.

Upper Klamath Lake is another location to view diving ducks including bufflehead, goldeneye, scaup, ruddy duck, redhead and canvasback. Bald eagles can be found anywhere there are concentrations of waterfowl, their primary food source this time of year.

SUMMER LAKE WILDLIFE AREA

Hunting is closed but viewing opportunities continue to improve as northward migrants return to the Wildlife Area and stage in good numbers. Favorable weather conditions prevailed during most of the past week and extensive bird use coupled with new spring arrivals made for excellent viewing conditions.

Waterfowl species remain very apparent and are widely scattered across the Area. No weekly waterbird counts have been conducted recently, but an estimated 10-15,000 ducks, over 75,000 geese and about 2,000 swans are present now. Arctic nesting tundra swans, greater white-fronted and snow geese are staging in very impressive numbers. Northern pintails are especially numerous at this time, making extensive use of shallow sheet water areas.

Tundra swans and white-fronted geese are widely scattered throughout the Wildlife Area, Snow geese remain rafted on Summer Lake during most daylight hours, but are now making extensive feeding flights throughout the day. Shallow emergent marsh areas primarily at north and west sides of the Area or along the north edge of Summer Lake are being used heavily now.

Resident Canada geese are pairing-up and dispersing to nesting territories while non-breeding birds remain in small flocks.

Sandhill cranes continue to increase in number, have moved to breeding territories and are becoming more apparent and vocal.

Early migrating shorebirds (Am. avocets, dowitchers, killdeer and yellowlegs) as well as gulls and other waterbirds are beginning to arrive.

Resident and wintering raptors remain scattered throughout the Area as well as on private lands along Highway 31. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadow areas and both red-tailed and rough-legged hawks are frequently seen. Rough-legged hawks are beginning to depart, heading towards arctic nesting areas.

Prairie falcons, bald and golden eagles are frequently seen during this time of the year. Bald eagles are increasing in number as they following migrant flocks of waterfowl returning north.

Great-horned owls have been very vocal during the night, and nesting for some pairs has begun.

Passerine species (primarily sparrows) remain fairly common around the Headquarters Complex, Summer Lake Rest Area, homestead sites and shelterbreak plantings at the north end of the Area where they are attracted to tree and shrub cover found at those locations.

Viewers can expect to see increased numbers and diversity of some species on a regular basis over the next few weeks especially if favorable weather conditions continue. However, as arctic nesting migrants replenish energy reserves they will depart for other northern staging Areas and numbers will decline. Be sure to check the list at Headquarters for new arrivals and unusual birds.

Wetland habitats have returned to excellent condition due to the favorable weather pattern. Ponds and still water are open and ice-free. Very little snow remains on the ground and melting has resulted in considerable flooding and pooling. The shallow temporary wetlands are highly favored by many migrants. Habitat management actions of drawdowns and drying semi-permanent and seasonal wetlands are creating favorable forging sites for many species.

Natural food sources of seeds, tubers and plant parts remain very abundant and available in nearly all wetland areas. Emergent bulrushes, cattails and other sedges and rushes are lodged over due to strong winds and snow. Bird access and use has increased in these areas and viewing opportunities of these habitats have improved dramatically as well.

Upland sites are in much improved condition due to melting snow cover and lush green-up conditions that are beginning to occur.

The Wildlife Viewing Loop is now open and will remain that way until next fall. Other major dike roads (Bullgate, Windbreak and Work Road) will be closed to motor vehicle travel on March 15th to reduce disturbance to northward migrants and early nesting waterfowl (primarily Canada geese, mallard and sandhill cranes).

Viewer are urged to use care when driving roads since many are soft and muddy especially edges adjacent to ponds and canals.

Secondary and minor dikes will remain closed to motor vehicle traffic and cross country travel by motor vehicles or ATV's is prohibited.

Non-motorized access and viewing opportunities are available across the entire Area at this time.

Camping is permitted at four sites on the wildlife area.

For additional information on viewing opportunities please contact the Wildlife Area at phone (541) 943-3152, fax (541) 943-3204, or email at odfwslwa@gooselake.com.

NORTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Becoming and Outdoors Woman program and Blue Mountain Flycasters will present a fly-tying workshop on Saturday, April 7 in Pendleton at the Pendleton Convention Center, located at 1601 Westgate. Visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2007/march/013.asp for more information. Pre-registration is required.

IMNAHA RIVER: Steelhead angling success has picked up recently. You can check Imnaha River flows online at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=13292000

JOHN DAY RIVER: Steelhead angling in the lower reaches of the river has tapered off as fish have moved upstream. Success in the Mainstem John Day River above Service Creek and in the North and Middle forks up to the Highway 395 deadlines should increase as the weather warms and water temperatures increase. Streamflow at the time this report was filed measured2,030 cfs at Service Creek which is a good level for steelhead angling. Stream flow levels are available from the Service Creek gauging station at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?14046500.

LOWER GRANDE RONDE RIVER: No new report but anglers checked last week had good success, 6.9 hrs per fish. Angling success should improve somewhat if flow continues to recede, but many fish bound for Wallowa system hatcheries are already upstream. Flows between 800 and 2000 cfs generally offer best fishing conditions. Check the flow at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv/?site_no=13333000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

MARR POND: Was stocked recently with a small group of trout and a few early surplus steelhead, angling prospects are good.

MCNARY AND HAT ROCK PONDS: Both ponds with be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout later this week. Fishing is expected to be good.

MCKAY RESERVOIR: The water level is now at 68% of capacity. Best opportunities are for trout and yellow perch. Anglers have had good success catching 14-16 inch rainbows. Trolling throughout the reservoir has been effective as well as fishing bait or lures at the inlet. Anglers fishing at the inlet need to make sure they are fishing in the reservoir and not in McKay Creek as the creek between the reservoir and Shaw Road does not open until April 28th.

WALLOWA RIVER: Steelhead angling success continues to improve on the Wallowa River. Creel data from Feb. 28 and March 1, 2,and 4 indicated catch rates of 4.8 hours per fish. Expect continued good angling success as long as river conditions remain favorable.

UMATILLA RIVER: The river is high and out of shape with flows between 2,000 and 2,400 cfs. Angling for steelhead will be slow until river conditions improve. For up-to-date flow information, visit the following website: www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/umatilla/index.html. No fish are being hauled upstream.

WALLA WALLA RIVER: The river is high and out of shape. Angling for steelhead will be slow until river conditions improve.

HUNTING

GRANT DISTRICT

COUGAR: Harvested cougars are required to be checked into an ODFW field office within 10 days of the hunt.

BAKER DISTRICT

General Conditions: Colder winter temperatures have subsided. Dry weather persists across the district with little snow cover. Green up has begun at lower elevations.

COUGARS: Cougar numbers remain at high levels. With the absence of fresh snow cougar hunting is best accomplished with the use of calls and patience.

COYOTES: Coyote numbers remain relatively high and calling and trapping should be good. Be sure to ask permission to hunt or trap on private properties.

UMATILLA/PENDLETON DISTRICT

COUGAR: Cougars are well distributed in forested areas of the Walla Walla, Mt. Emily, and Ukiah units. Hunters will have best success by finding a fresh naturally made kill and sitting on it, or by using predator calls. Some success has come from following tracks until the cougar is located. Tracking conditions will improve with snows forecast for the end of November and December.

COYOTE: Coyotes are numerous throughout the District and hunters should have good success calling. Remember to ask permission before hunting on private lands.

WALLOWA DISTRICT

COUGAR: Cougar are abundant throughout Wallowa County, but can be difficult to observe during winter months. Locating fresh cougar sign and patiently calling attempting to imitate a fawn or calf in distress can sometimes be an effective technique.

COYOTE: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling is most successful in areas of reduced human activity.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Many roads at elevations above 4500 feet may not be accessible with standard vehicles due to deep snow. Roads plowed for logging still provide some access, but will have log truck traffic. Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock travel management areas are in effect through May 31.

UNION DISTRICT

COUGAR n Locating fresh cougar tracks in the snow continues to be a good starting point on where to hunt. More hunters are starting to use remotely activated calls with good results. Finding a fresh deer or elk kill that a cougar has fed on is an excellent place to set up a blind down wind of the carcass. Cougar will cover their kills between feeding and are most active in the morning and early evening.

GROUND SQUIRRELSn As the weather warms in the next several months, ground squirrels will begin to become available. Scout agricultural grounds on the east side of the Grande Ronde Valley and southern Union County. Always ask for permission before hunting private lands. Many landowners are receptive to allowing youth ground squirrel hunters.

Furbearer trapping and hunting n Bobcat season ends February 28. Using remote calls and being patient at a call site may increase success. Be well concealed and minimize movement. Raccoon and otter seasons end March 15.

TURKEYn The mild winter has resulted in excellent turkey survival. Some birds have already started moving upslope but the main movement will occur mid-March. Pre-season scouting towards the end of March is best. Most of the turkeys are located in the northern end of the county.

VIEWING

Bald eagles can be seen along the South Columbia River basin wildlife management areas.

WALLOWA DISTRICT: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer can be observed at the Wenaha Wildlife Area, Troy, Oregon. Eden Bench provides a good opportunity to view deer and elk, while bighorn sheep are often observed in rim rocks above the Grande Ronde River. Bald eagles are common along the Grande Ronde River near Troy, and along the Wallowa River from Minam to Joseph.

BRIDGE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA: Good elk viewing opportunities at the Bridge Creek Wildlife Area in Pendleton.

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

FISHING

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Crappie fishing has picked up but the bite is very soft. The reservoir is dropping again and is at 23 feet below normal. Call Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit www.idahopower.com under the "Rivers and Recreation" heading. For reservoir level information, visit http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/perl/dataquery.pl?k=brownlee

OXBOW RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow. Some catfish are being caught.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.

SNAKE RIVER (Below Hells Canyon Dam): High flows from dam releases disrupt steelhead fishing.

COLUMBIA RIVER ZONEPlease consult the 2007 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation pamphlet for further information regarding the Columbia River Zone.

Salmon, Steelhead, Shad:

Salmonid angler effort increased in the lower Columbia River this past weekend with 359 boats and 251 Oregon bank rods counted below I-5 on Saturday's (3/10) flight. Catch rates for spring Chinook remain low, but should improve as water visibility increases.

Portland to Longview Boats: Weekly checking showed five adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook kept and one unclipped spring Chinook released for 65 boats (complete trips).

Portland to Longview Bank: Weekly checking showed one adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook and 10 adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus one unmarked spring Chinook and four unclipped steelhead released for 217 bank anglers (incomplete trips).

Estuary Boats: Weekend checking showed no catch reported for eight boats (complete trips).

Estuary Bank: Weekend checking showed one adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept for four bank anglers (complete trips).

Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed no catch reported for one bank angler (incomplete trip).

The Dalles Pool: No report.

John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed 11 adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept plus two unclipped steelhead released for 49 bank rods; and six adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept plus two unclipped steelhead released for four boats.

Sturgeon

Sturgeon catch and effort and catch remained low in the lower Columbia River this past weekend with one legal white sturgeon caught in the Rainier area.

Gorge Bank: No report.

Gorge Boats: No report.

Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus 21 sublegal sturgeon released for eight boats (complete trips).

Portland to Longview Bank: No report.

Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed two sublegal sturgeon released for 61 bank rods; and six sublegal sturgeon released for five boats.

The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed nine sublegal and one oversize sturgeon released for 54 bank rods; and four sublegal sturgeon released for six boats.

John Day Pool: Weekly checking showed four sublegal sturgeon released for 39 bank rods; and one legal white sturgeon kept, plus two legal, one oversize, and 41 sublegal sturgeon released for 29 boats.

Walleye

Bonneville Pool: Weekly checking showed seven walleye kept, plus one walleye released for eight boats.

The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed two walleye kept for four bank anglers; and 14 walleye kept, plus one walleye released for 22 boats.

John Day Pool: No report.

MARINE ZONE

FISHING

ODFW will host public meetings March 19 and 20 in Newport and North Bend to present a model for the 2007 black rockfish stock assessment, which will guide the fishery beginning in 2009. For more information visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2007/march/011.asp

Ocean fishing for salmon, other than coho, opens Thursday, March 15 south of Cape Falcon (near Manzanita) and north of Humbug Mountain (near Port Orford). This time of year, most chinook salmon are farther than 30 miles offshore and deep.

Crabbing in bays and estuaries is poor to fair. Some crabbers have had luck setting their gear higher in the estuary than normal. For sport crabbers the minimum size for Dungeness crab is 5 ¾ 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 93 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

Angler activity and success has been very good in the ocean when weather conditions permit. The majority of fish taken are rockfish and lingcod. Lingcod and cabezon move inshore to mate and lay eggs this time of year. Anglers may also find success fishing from jetties for these species. Spring is also the time that some estuaries see an influx of surfperch that come in to release their young. The marine daily bag limit for 2007 is six fish (including rockfish, greenling, cabezon and other marine species) and two lingcod and 15 surfperch. New this year, the daily limit for flatfish (flounders, soles, sanddabs, turbots and halibuts except Pacific halibut) is 25. Canary rockfish and yelloweye rockfish may not be retained. For illustrations and descriptions of these species see page 98 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet or download the Red Rockfish Identification Guide at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/regulations/sport_fishing. The minimum length for lingcod is 22 inches, for cabezon it is 16 inches and for greenling it is 10 inches. For complete regulations and the

Marine Sport Fishing Supplement, please see http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/

The entire Oregon coast is open for the harvest of razor clams. There is a low-tide series in the late afternoon this week that should allow good clamming opportunities. The daily limit for razor clams is the first 15 taken regardless of size or condition. For more information on Oregon's razor clams, including tips on how to dig razor clams, visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams. Sport harvest of mussels and bay clams is open coastwide also. A shellfish license is required for taking all shellfish.

For information on domoic acid visit the Oregon Department of Agriculture website at http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml or call their shellfish hotline at 503-986-4728 or 1-800-448-2474.

The Pacific halibut fishery is closed until May.

VIEWING

YAQUINA HEAD OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA Accessible tide pools reveal their secrets at low tide. See anemones, hermit crabs, sea urchins, small fish, jelly fish, sea stars, barnacles and more. Look for harbor seals and sea lions.