Welcome to the ODFW Recreation Report

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Attention: Campers, Hikers, Anglers

Please, don’t feed the bears! When camping, hiking, fishing or birdwatching, pick up and pack out all your garbage. Follow these tips to keep wildlife safe and where they belongóin the wild.

Store food in airtight containers in the trunk of your car, in bear boxes or on provided platforms in campgrounds

Hang food bagged food 10-12 feet high and 6-10 feet from tree trunk or side support.

Do not leave food items or pet food outdoors or in tents. Clean all food preparation and eating utensils immediately after using them and place them in vehicles or other sealed, bear-proof containers.

Dispose of garbage in bear-proof cans or pack it out.

Do not bury garbage – bears will dig it up.

Before you head to the wild places this summer, visit ODFW’s Living with Black Bears Web site, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/

Birdwatchers

Whether in the mountains or the desert on the coast, you will not be disappointed in June. Check the Viewing Sections of the Recreation Report and discover what to look for when you are out and about in Oregon this summer.

Summer is here! It is time to go Fishing!

Fishing for warmwater species is in full swing and there are plenty of opportunities statewide to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish, bullheads, yellow perch, walleye and hybrid bass. These species are usually found in lower elevation ponds, lakes, reservoirs and streams.

Fishing for warmwater fish is a way to introduce the family to a great outdoor event while enjoying Oregon’s beautiful landscape. You don’t need very much equipment to fish for warmwater species and there are plenty of opportunities close to home. For more information: ” http://www.dfw.state.or.us/warm_water_fishing/index.asp “

NORTHWEST ZONE

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

FISHING

NORTH COAST LAKES: Coffenbury, Lost, Cape Meares, Hebo and Town lakes are scheduled to be stocked the week of June 18 with larger size rainbow trout (about 1 lb. each). Angling for warm water species should be improving as lakes warm up. Cape Meares, Lytle, Sunset, Cullaby, and Coffenbury lakes offer good opportunities for warm water fish, particularly largemouth bass. Anglers should use caution when heading to Lost Lake (Clatsop County) as active logging and travel restrictions are in effect. Call the Tillamook office at 503-842-2741 or Astoria Oregon Department of Forestry for more information.

MID COAST LAKES: Rainbow trout stocking of the Mid Coast lakes is complete for the year. Fishing should remain fair to good through June in most lakes previously stocked. The last stocking occurred the week of June 4th at the following water bodies. In the Newport area; Big Creek Reservoirs 1 and 2, Olalla Reservoir. In the Waldport area; Thissel Pond. In the Florence area; Cleawox Lake.

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

ALSEA RIVER: cutthroat trout

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

NEHALEM RIVER AND NORTHFORK NEHALEM RIVER: cutthroat trout – Angling for chinook in Nehalem Bay will be slow until fish begin arriving in July. Catch and release trout fishing should be good. Good numbers of resident cutthroat trout are present. Angling for sea-run cutthroat will improve later in the summer.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: chinook, steelhead, trout

Angling for spring chinook and summer steelhead is slow to fair. Water is very low and clear. Catch and release fishing for cutthroat trout should be good. You may check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr

SALMON RIVER: cutthroat trout -Anglers can expect fair to good fishing for resident cutthroat trout. Small spoons and spinners are very effective. Sea run cutthroat typically start to show around mid July and can be caught in upper tide water and the lower portions of the mainstem river.

SILETZ RIVER: steelhead, cutthroat trout-Steelhead fishing is good in the upper river from Moonshine Park to the fishing deadline. Good numbers of summer steelhead are starting to show. Both bank and drift boat fishing are very effective using a variety of baits, jigs, spoons and spinners with the best success in the morning and evening hours. Resident cutthroat trout angling is good throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Sea run cutthroat typically start showing around mid July in the lower portions of the river.

SIUSLAW RIVER: cutthroat trout-Resident cutthroat trout fishing is good throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Sea run cutthroat (Bluebacks) typically start to show in the lower river and tidewater around mid July. Small spinners or spoons work well for cutthroat trout.

TILLAMOOK BAY: chinook-Spring chinook angling is slow. Generally, most fish have moved upstream by now. Angling for sturgeon has been slow to fair. Effort has been low. Best success will be in the upper bay and Tillamook River tidewater.

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

WILSON AND TRASK RIVERS: steelhead, chinook, cutthroat trout -Angling for spring chinook and summer steelhead is slow to fair. Rivers are low and clear. Spring chinook will be concentrated in the lower rivers, but steelhead will be more spread out. Catch and release fishing for trout should be good. The north, south and east forks of the Trask River closed to angling after June 15. Check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr

YAQUINA RIVER: cutthroat trout – Resident cutthroat trout fishing is fair to good throughout the mainstem and tributaries. Sea run cutthroat trout typically start to return to upper tidewater and/or lower river sections around mid July. Small spinners or spoons on light rods and line work well for cutthroat trout.

NORTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

Get ready for your fall hunt

Controlled hunt draw results for 2007 fall big game seasons are now available online. Enter your hunting license number at the link below and be sure to purchase your tags no later than the day before the hunt begins:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/controlled_hunts/

Begin getting ready for your fall hunt now by taking the following steps:

Get maps from your local outdoor store or land manager.

U.S. Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml#Oregon

Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov/or/st/en.html

Oregon Department of Forestry. Maps available at local ODF offices. (http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/index.shtml

Online maps for some hunts are available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/units/index.asp

Overall map of ODFW’s 67wildlife management units with boundary descriptions is available for $6.25 from our online store “http://www.dfw.state.or.us/store/maps.asp

Check your gear. Make sure all your camping equipment is in good condition. Patch holes in your tent. Break in new boots.

Practice using your firearm or archery equipment.

Get your body in shape. Are you prepared to pack out an animal? Use the summer months to strengthen your body for your fall hunt.

Northwest Zone June Viewing

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

North Coast Viewing

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

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

Bald eagle nesting season is well-along. The juveniles, which don’t develop the distinctive white head and tail until age 5, should be nearing fledging from their parents’ nests. Many eagle nests can be viewed along the Columbia River and around coastal estuaries. Use binoculars to scan tree lines near the water for the adult birds, which are often perched near the nest tree. Adults should be actively delivering prey items to the nest for the rapidly growing young during this time.

Fact sheet on the bald eagle http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/BaldEagle/default.asp”

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

Striking black feathers, large size and bright orange bill make this bird stand out.

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

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

Arch Cape

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

Cannon Beach

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

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

Florence area

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

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

Tillamook Area

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

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

Seaside

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

Yaquina Bay

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

Newborn Wildlife

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

SOUTHWEST ZONE

Fishing is good for trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in some of the reservoirs and several lakes are providing good opportunities for trout and bass. Shad fishing in the evening is productive on some rivers. Low returns of wild spring chinook have resulted in closing the Rogue River to the harvest of non-adiposed clipped chinook as of June 21st.

FISHING

Agate lake: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, bullhead-Fishing has been good for largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill.

APPLEGATE RIVER: Open for trout.

Applegate Reservoir: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass-Angling has been good for trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass.

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

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

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

COOS COUNTY LAKES: trout, bass-Trophy and legal trout are still available at Empire Lakes. Trout and warmwater fish are also available in other local lakes. The Millicoma Interpretive Center youth fishing pond is still a nice spot to take kids trout fishing. Fishing equipment is available for kids to use at the Millicoma Pond. Warmwater fishing is good with many nice bass being caught at Tenmile Lakes. Saunders Lake can be productive for bass also.

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

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: shad, striped bass-Shad fishing has been good on the Coquille with late afternoons and into the evening the best time. The dock at Sturdivant Park is a good spot for bank fishers. Striped bass are available in the Coquille estuary, anglers usually do better fishing after dark. Sand shrimp and large plugs that immitate small fish can be effective with most fishing taking place up to Arago.

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

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

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

EXPO POND: rainbow trout, bass, panfish -Fishing for trout, bass, and panfish should be good.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout- Fishing for stocked rainbow trout has been good. Algae is reducing the clarity of the lake.

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

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

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

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

LAIRD LAKE: trout-Located approximately 15 miles up Elk River road. The road is gravel for the last 8 miles. The lake is small with a lot of woody material. Bank access is good, with a float tube or small inflatable boat a good choice. ODFW recently stocked trophy trout in the lake and should provide for some exciting fishing. The lake is still full of 8-10 inch trout. Small spinners or single eggs are the best bait.

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

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

LIBBY POND: trout -Water temperatures and weed growth have pretty much ended the fishing season. Anglers should look to other water bodies for better fishing conditions.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass – Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass has been good; however, water sampling has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae in concentrations which can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. People and animals should avoid skin contact with the water and should not ingest or inhale the water. It is recommended that any fish caught be released and not be consumed. For health information, contact Ken Kauffman, DHS Environmental Health Specialist, at (971) 673-0435 or visit http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/envtox/maadvisories.shtml

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

PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: chinook, halibut -The selective coho season in the ocean from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain opens June 23rd. Ocean fishing for chinook has been limited due to rough ocean conditions. A few fish have come in but little effort has targeted ocean salmon. The all-depth halibut season has been extended to include June 21-23. Anglers have done well on halibut when the ocean cooperates but ocean conditions have been challenging for many of the openers. Bottom fishing in the ocean has been good when the weather cooperates. Bay angling has been fair for rockfish and perch. Surfperch fishing has been fair for anglers casting bait from the beach. Sand shrimp, clam necks, mussels, and marine worms are all popular choices for bait. Good areas for surfperch include Horsfall Beach and Whiskey Run Beach south to Bandon. Look for steep beaches or small streams entering the ocean. Surfperch can also be found along jetties and pile structures. Striped bass occasionally surprise surf fishers also.

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

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: chinook, steelhead -Low returns of wild spring Chinook have resulted in closing the Rogue River to the harvest of non-adiposed clipped Chinook as of June 21st. Anglers targeting spring Chinook have been reporting mixed catches of hatchery and wild Chinook. Even with the closure on wild Chinook anglers should have a pretty good chance at catching a hatchery fish. This time of year anglers have a choice of fishing the bay or up river, both can be excellent choices.

Specific Rogue River emergency closure regulations are as follows:

* Mouth upstream to Whiskey Creek Boat Landing: June 21 – July 13 anglers may retain only adipose fin-clipped chinook.

* Whiskey Creek upstream to Hog Creek Boat Landing: June 21 – July 31 anglers may retain only adipose fin-clipped Chinook.

* Hog Creek Boat Landing upstream to Gold Ray Dam: June 21 – Aug. 14 anglers may retain only adipose fin-clipped chinook.

* Gold Ray Dam to the Rogue Elk Boat Ramp: June 21 – June 30 anglers may retain only adipose fin-clipped chinook. This area is closed to spring chinook angling July 1 ñ Oct. 31.

* Rogue Elk Boat Ramp to Cole Rivers Hatchery diversion dam: June 21 – July 31 anglers may retain only adipose fin-clipped chinook.

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: chinook, trout- Angling for spring chinook has been slow. Flows were 2,270 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass as of Monday morning. Due to the low spring chinook run this year, emergency regulations will go into effect on June 21 to protect the wild spring chinook salmon. The Rogue River will be closed to harvest of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon as follows: June 21-July 31, from Whiskey Creek to Hog Creek boat landing; and June 21-August 14, from Hog Creek boat landing to Gold Ray Dam. The Rogue River is now open to trout angling; however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: chinook, trout – Angling for spring chinook has been fair, with the best chance for success occurring early or late in the day. The number of chinook moving into the upper river has remained low. A total of 6,629 spring chinook salmon and 169 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of June 15. Due to the low spring chinook run this year, emergency regulations will go into effect on June 21 to protect the wild spring chinook salmon. From Gold Ray Dam to Rogue Elk boat ramp: June 21-June 30, closed to harvest of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon; July 1-October 31, closed to all chinook salmon angling. From Rogue Elk ramp to Cole Rivers Hatchery dam: June 21-July 31, closed to harvest of nonadipose fin-clipped chinook salmon; August 1-October 31,closed to all chinook salmon angling. The outflows from Lost Creek Reservoir were 2,293 cubic feet per second and the outflow temperature was 51oF as of Monday morning. The Rogue River is open to trout angling; however, only adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout may be kept. Salmonflies are emerging along the upper Rogue, creating good opportunities to catch trout and the occasional steelhead on dry flies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPAULDING POND: trout – Fishing is good for stocked rainbow trout.

TENMILE BASIN: trout – Trout season is now open.

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

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon – Sturgeon fishing has been slow, some green sturgeon are being picked up in the Big Bend area. Pink fin perch fishing has finally picked up last week, and limits are being caught.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

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

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: chinook, shad, bass – Water temperatures have increased enough to cause algae problems for anglers fishing for spring chinook. The majority of spring chinook fishermen have called it a season, although there are still fish moving through. Shad fishing was slow this year and the run is past its peak. For those who wish to continue fishing for shad, Sawyers Rapids is the place to go. Shad can be caught at the rapids through August. Smallmouth fishing has picked up, with good numbers of fish being caught from River Forks to Scottsburg. Remember this section of the river is closed to wild steelhead retention.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: chinook, steelhead – Spring chinook and summer steelhead numbers crossing at Winchester Dam have picked up. Fishing remains sporadic, with some spring chinook and summer steelhead being harvested in the Rock Creek area. This is a good time to visit and see spring chinook and steelhead in the viewing windows at the dam. Winchester Dam counts show that 4158 spring chinook and 319 summer steelhead have passed over the dam through June 1st

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: trout, bass – The South Umpqua is open for trout season. Smallmouth fishing should be very good right now, and will only get better as stream flows continue to drop.

WILLOW LAKE: trout, bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, bullhead – Angling for trout, bass and other warmwater fish is good.

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

SHELLFISH

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

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

SOUTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

Get ready for your fall hunt

Controlled hunt draw results for 2007 fall big game seasons are now available online. Enter your hunting license number at the link below and be sure to purchase your tags no later than the day before the hunt begins:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/big_game/controlled_hunts/

Begin getting ready for your fall hunt now by taking the following steps:

Get maps from your local outdoor store or land manager.

Check your gear. Make sure all your camping equipment is in good condition. Patch holes in your tent. Break in new boots.

Practice using your firearm or archery equipment.

Get your body in shape. Are you prepared to pack out an animal? Use the summer months to strengthen your body