September 11, 2025

• It's not too late to register for a September youth pheasant hunt. More slots have opened for many youth pheasant hunts being held statewide this month after duplicate registrations were removed from the system. More info.

Find the 2025 Big Game Hunting Forecast here.

Scroll down for updates on hunting and wildlife viewing.

Best bets for weekend fishing:

• In the Willamette zone, the Willamette River and other water bodies are increasing in activity. Alton Baker Canal will be stocked each week through Sept. 22 with 1,000 hatchery rainbow trout!

  • Wild coho seasons open in mid September on most rivers. Seasons are similar to last year, with additional fishing days in some rivers and an across-the-board season bag limit of 3 fish in rivers that are open due to the strong forecast. Check the in-season reg updates page for season details.

  • In the Nestucca, Tillamook, and Nehalem Bays wild coho is open three days a week (Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from September 10 to October 26, and the bag limit is one wild adult coho/day and 3 for the season.

  • Fall Chinook are in Nehalem Bay and anglers are catching them. Early returning fish have moved up into the head of tide and fresh fish are still coming in. The wild adult Chinook bag limit is 1/day and 2/season as part of the daily bag limit on the Nehalem. See the regulation updates online for more details.
  • The salmon bag limit in the Coos Basin increased on Aug. 19 from two to three fish in aggregate, one of which must be a hatchery salmon. More info

  • Check the trout stocking schedule and maps for locations near you and invite some friends!

  • Summer steelhead runs are still on in the Nestucca and Wilson Rivers.

  • August and September are good months for the Metolius. Bull Trout have entered the river to spawn and anglers report aggressive takes on streamers.

  • Anglers continue to report excellent kokanee and trout fishing at East, Paulina, and Odell lakes. Kokanee are beginning to darken in preparation for spawning, but quality fish can be caught into early September.

  • Devils Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout providing a great opportunity for paddleboard, kayak, or float tube fishing.

• When fishing for trout in warmer weather: Fish early morning and late evening, target higher elevation lakes that stay cooler to increase the odds of success. Cascade hike-in lakes offer beauty, serenity and the potential for untrammeled fishing opportunities.

  • Anglers report excellent trout fishing in Crooked River.

  • Ocean tuna fishing is good out of Pacific City, Bandon and Depoe Bay.

  • The North Jetty of Tillamook Bay (accessible through Barview County Park) provides some good angling opportunities for rockfish and kelp greenling this time of year.

  • Howard and Hyatt Lakes offer good fishing for largemouth bass right now.
  • Fishing for Brook Trout in the Upper Sycan, Upper NF Sprague, Upper SF Sprague, Long Creek, Sevenmile and Upper Williamson will be exceptional.
  • Fourmile Lake is your best bet for stocked rainbow trout in the Klamath Basin.
  • Flyfishing the NF Sprague River with large stonefly patterns should be excellent

  • Razor clam digging is still open along the central and south Oregon coast (closed until Oct. 1 on Clatsop beaches). Crabbing remains open along the Oregon coast.

  • It's a great time of year to fish for warmwater species. See our guide.

  • These examples are for demonstration purposes only. Refer to the zone reports for more details and possibilities.

  ODFW has received reports of at least six striped marlin caught in the ocean in recent weeks. Billfish like striped marlin aren't a regular sight here—but when warm currents move north and baitfish are plentiful, these powerful predators sometimes make their way within reach of Oregon's recreational fleets.
   

Know before you go:

E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area shotgun range closed for renovations through October

The shotgun range at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area near Corvallis is closed for renovations. Improvements on the range will include expanding the shooting bays and implementing ADA compliant access to the site. ODFW expects work to be completed by October 31. Updates will be posted on the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area Visitors Guide webpage. The archery park and other facilities on the wildlife area will remain open.

Hunting updates:

• Archery seasons are open thru Sept. 28. Remember to check for fire closures before you go, see link to Hunting and Fire Danger page for helpful links, Hunting access and fire danger.
• Prepare for your rifle hunt – visit your local range for Sight-in Days and test some non-lead ammunition at specified locations – Check the calendar.
• CWD testing: Hunters are critical to the effort to detect Chronic Wasting Disease, a serious wildlife disease that has never been detected in Oregon but is found in most surrounding states. Successful hunters, please get your deer or elk tested for CWD, and be in the draw for a prize from OHA! See how here CWD information and check stations .
• Forest grouse seasons kicked off statewide Sept. 1, as well as quail seasons in Western Oregon and some fall turkey seasons. Hunters, please turn in mtn quail and forest grouse wings, find a map of collection barrels by following this link: Turning in grouse and mountain quail wings and tails.
• Fall turkey season started on Sept. 1 in some areas. Find more information on Fall turkey seasons, techniques and limits in the Oregon Game Bird regulations.
  
   

Hunter Education:

Look no further: hunter safety courses and field days

Choose between a conventional in-person course or complete one of the online education courses plus an in-person field day. Sign up for a location, date and time that works best with your schedule. Hunter safety education events are offered year-round and taught by certified volunteer instructors statewide. Hunting seasons are coming up fast - plan ahead to secure your seat now! (Events are updated weekly)

Adult Hunter Recruitment Program workshops and events.

These hands-on ODFW workshops will teach you the skills to improve your hunting performance and build your confidence in the field. ODFW offers a variety of classes and workshops statewide, throughout the year. Workshops are designed for adults – ages 18 and older. Duck, duck, Goose! Sign up for one of the waterfowl workshops available now, Register for an event.

Resources:

Wildfire season

Know before you go: Hunters need to check for fire-related closures before they head out, some helpful information on this page.

Check for closures on private forest lands through the Oregon Forest Industry Council link here.

State and Federal laws require travelers to carry specific equipment while traveling in forests, prairies and other wild lands during wildfire season. Check BLM closures, rules and requirements here.

View the report