Recreation Report for April 26, 2018

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Highlights from the week's Recreation Report

Plan your 2018 big game hunt

The deadline to apply for your 2018 big game tags and premium hunts is May 15. You’ll find links to all the information you need to pick your hunt – population and harvest statistics, hunting access map, and point summary reports -- on the MyODFW.com Big Game landing page.

Steelhead Fishing 101 – May 19, Troutdale

Learn the essentials of successful steelhead fishing, including equipment and tackle, methods/techniques and knot tying. Lunch, use of equipment and a one-year membership in the Assoc. of NW Steelheaders is included. Find more details at Steelhead Fishing 101.

Ladd Marsh Bird Festival – May 18-20, La Grande

The Ladd Marsh Bird Festival is a friendly, relaxed birding opportunity for the whole family. Held at the ODFW Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area near La Grande, it coincides with the height of spring bird and nesting in the Grande Ronde Valley. See more details and register here.

Best bets for fishing

Spring can offer some of the best fishing of the year, with almost unlimited possibilities. Check out some of the seasonal opportunities on the MyODFW webpage. In the meantime, here are some highlights from this week’s Recreation Report.

  • If you’re not ready to put the winter steelhead fishing gear away, the Nestucca, Wilson and Siletz on the north coast are best bets.
  • With the onset of warm temperatures, warmwater fishing is heating up in the Southwest Zone at places like Johnsons Mill Pond, maistem Coquille, Tenmile Lakes, Fords Pond, Galesville Reservoir, Agate Lake, Applegate Reservoir, Emigrant Reservoir, Lake Selmac, Lost Creek Reservoir, Willow Lake and others.
  • Water conditions on the Clackamas are good, giving anglers a decent shot at some late winter and early summer steelhead.
  • Crane Prairie and Wickiup reservoirs opened April 22 and anglers are reporting good fishing.
  • Lake of the Woods will be very good for stocked trophy rainbow trout this week.
  • Anglers on the central coast report catching black rockfish feeding near the surface, making this a great time to catch rockfish on light tackle.

Women’s Fishing and Outdoors Cliinic – May 26, Troutdale

This is your chance to network with other women who enjoy fishing, hunting, foraging and other outdoor pursuits. Find more details at Women’s Fishing and Outdoors Clinic.

Get your gobble on

Spring turkey hunting is open throughout the state and the early birds are harvesting birds. So unearth the camo-wear, practice your calling and check out the 2018 Spring Turkey Hunting Forecast to get the latest updates on local conditions.

It’s bear hunting season

The Oregon spring bear season is underway and it’s time to start planning your hunt. The 2018 Spring Bear Forecast can help with an update on local conditions. And don’t forget to check your harvested bear in at an ODFW office after your hunt.

Information provided by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This weeks Recreation Report is brought to you by Shasta Family Dental. Caring for our Community.