The Oregon Recreation Report (fishing, hunting viewing), updated Tuesday, March 17, by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Spring is in the air and birds are on the wing!

After you read this week's viewing reports, you may decide it's time for a road trip! In the Willamette report, learn where to see egrets, herons and shorebirds. In the Northeast region report, find hawks, sandhill cranes, wood ducks, mallards and mergansers. In the Southeast region there are spots you can see thousands of snow geese and tundra swans, and the Northwest and Southwest sections give you the latest news on spring Whale Watch Week.

Start scouting for turkeys

General spring turkey season opens April 15 and youth hunters get the field to themselves the weekend of April 11-12. Now is the time to start scouting. See ODFW's online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon.

Outdoor skills workshops

Learn how to fly fish, razor clam, teach a child to fish, and a variety of other outdoor skills by signing up for one of ODFW's outdoor skills workshop. More information

Chimney Swifts are on the move!

The first Chimney Swifts of the season have been sighted on the Gulf Coast returning from their wintering grounds in South America. The Driftwood Wildlife Association will be plotting the swifts' movements northward over the next few months, so if you're a fan, check out their Web site. ODFW biologists will report arrivals in Oregon, so stay tuned to the Recreation Report. http://www.chimneyswifts.org/

Mandatory hunter harvest reporting

Whether or not you filled your tag, don't forget to report the results of your hunt online or by calling 1-866-947-ODFW (6339). Reporting is mandatory for every big game and fall turkey tag purchased except bighorn sheep and Rocky Mtn goat.

WILLAMETTE ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* A free youth angling event will take place at Cottage Grove Pond on Saturday, March 21. ODFW angling instructors will be on hand to provide equipment to kids who need it as well as offering helpful fishing tips.

* A few spring Chinook are being caught on the Willamette River.

* Sturgeon fishing has been fair to good on the lower Willamette River. Remember, the season is now open 3 days a week n Thursday, Friday and Saturday n and the new fork length standard for keepers is now in effect.

EVENTS

Adult Basic Angling Class, April 11, Oregon 4-H Conference and Education Center, 5390 Four H Rd., Salem, Ore., 97304. Cost: $20. Learn basic fishing skills from ODFW instructors. Pre-registration required by April 8. Call 503-371-7920.

STOCKING SCHEDULE

The 2009 trout stocking program for Willamette Valley lakes, ponds and streams starts ramping up this month and will continue through most of the year. The schedules are now posted at our website.

North Willamette stocking schedule

South Willamette stocking schedule

WARM WATER ANGLING:

Warmwater fishing is slow at most locations in the Willamette Zone.

ALTON BAKER CANOE CANAL: rainbow trout

Alton Baker Canal was recently stocked with 1,500 legal-sized trout and 400 larger trout.

BENSON LAKE n trout

Will be stocked with 2,000 legal-sized trout this week. Benson Lake is a 40-acre lake located in Benson Lake State Park near the Columbia River. Take the Benson State Park exit just before Multnomah Falls off of I-84 going east.

BETHANY POND n trout

Will be stocked with 1,000 legal-sized trout this week. Bethany Pond is a 10-acre pond located at Bethany west of Portland. Take 185th Exit from Hwy. 26 north to Bethany.

CANBY POND n trout

Canby Pond will be stocked with 400 legal-size and 50 larger trout this week. Angling is restricted to youth ages 17 and under or persons with Disabled Angler permits. Canby Pond is located on the south end of Canby in Canby City Park.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: steelhead

Fishing for winter steelhead has been fairly good on the Clackamas.

The Clackamas River flows increased over the past week and are now high enough to support sleds. Monday readings for the Clackamas showed flows at 3,630 cfs (13.02) with a water temperature of 40°.

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.

COMMONWEALTH LAKE n trout

Commonwealth lake will be stocked with 1,500 legal-sized trout this week. Commonwealth Lake is a 3-acre lake in Cedar Hills in Washington County. From the Sunset Hwy. take Cedar Hills Blvd. south ½ mile. Turn right on Foothills Drive and follow to lake.

COTTAGE GROVE RESERVOIR: trout

Was recently stocked with 4,500 legal sized trout. Cottage Grove Reservoir is located in Lane County six miles south of Cottage Grove on London Road.

COTTAGE GROVE POND: trout

Cottage Grove Pond was stocked with 1,750 trout this week in preparation for the free Youth Angling Event, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 21. ODFW staff will be on hand to provide access to fishing gear and instructions on angling techniques. For more information, contact Kelly Reis or Erik Moberly at 541-726-3515. Cottage Cottage Grove Pond is located off Row River Road east of Cottage Grove. From I-5, take the Cottage Grove exit (Exit 174). Head east on Row River Road about 1.5 miles. Turn north into the Cottage Grove Ponds parking area near the weigh station.

DETROIT, GREEN PETER AND FOSTER RESERVOIRS: rainbow trout, chinook salmon

Boats can once again access Foster Reservoir at the Sunnyside boat ramp now that emergency spillway gate repairs at Foster Dam are complete and lake levels have been raised. Additional information can be obtained at the Army Corps Web site. Green Peter Reservoir is currently accessible to boats via the Thistle Creek ramp.

DORMAN POND n trout

Will be stocked with 1,500 legal-sized trout this week. Dorman Pond is an 8-acre pond west of Forest Grove at the junction of Hwy. 8 and Hwy. 6.

EAGLE CREEK: steelhead

No report.

EE WILSON POND: trout

EE Wilson Pond will be stocked with 600 legal-sized trout, 400 larger trout and 25 trophy trout this week. EE Wilson Pond is located 10 miles north of Corvallis on Hwy. 99W between Corvallis and Monmouth. The pond is in the EE Wilson Wildlife Management Area of Camp Adair.

EAST FREEWAY LAKE: trout

Was recently stocked with 800 legal-sized and 100 larger trout. East Freeway Lake is a 10-acre reservoir near the town of Foster, about 3 miles east of Sweet Home, north of Hwy. 20.

HENRY HAGG LAKE n trout, warmwater fish

Recently stocked with 18,000 legal-sized trout this week and several hundred larger fish. Hagg Lake is a 1,110-acre lake located 7 miles southwest of Forest Grove off of Hwy. 47.

JUNCTION CITY POND: rainbow trout, steelhead

Junction City Pond will be stocked with 700 legal-sized trout, 400 larger trout and 25 trophy trout this week. Junction City Pond is located on the west side of Hwy. 99, three miles south of Junction City.

MCKENZIE RIVER: catch-and-release trout

No fishing report.

MOLALLA RIVER: steelhead

No report.

MT. HOOD POND: trout

Was recently stocked with 1,000 legal-sized trout. Mt. Hood Pond is a 5-acre trout pond on the campus of Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.

NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead

Prospects fair for catch and release angling for wild winter steelhead in both the North and South Forks.

SALISH POND n rainbow trout, brook trout

Recently stocked with 500 larger trout. Salish Pond is on E. Glisan between 201st and 207th. From I-84, take 207th Avenue exit and head south to Glisan and turn right.

SANDY RIVER: steelhead

Steelhead fishing is slow on the Sandy.

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

SHERIDAN POND: rainbow trout

Recently stocked with 500 legal-sized trout. Sheridan Pond is located on the outskirts of Sheridan just off Highway 18.

ST LOUIS PONDS n rainbow trout, crappie, catfish

The road to St Louis Ponds is now open and the ponds have been stocked with trout of all sizes. This 54-acre complex of 7 ponds is owned and managed by ODFW, and in addition to stocked trout contains several species of warmwater fish. The site is located west of the town of Gervais. Take St. Louis Road west to Tesch Lane, turn left and follow the road to the ponds.

ROARING RIVER PARK POND n trout

Will be stocked with 160 legal-sized trout and 20 larger trout this week. Roaring River Park Pond is located in a day-use park near Roaring River Fish Hatchery. From I-5 Albany area, take exit 223 (Hwy. 20 east), go 6 miles and turn left onto Hwy. 226, go 4 miles and turn right on Fish Hatchery Drive, go 8 miles.

WALLING POND: rainbow trout

Will be stocked with 400 legal-sized and 50 larger trout this week. Walling Pond is located in an old gravel pit within Salem city limits west of I-5. Take Turner Road off Mission St. (Hwy. 22).

WALTER WIRTH POND: rainbow trout

Will be stocked 2,200 legal-sized and 150 larger trout this week. Walter Wirth Lake is located east of Salem within Cascade Gateway Park, west of I-5 at Hwy. 22. Take Airport Road or Turner Road to reach the lake.

WILLAMETTE RIVER: sturgeon, steelhead, warmwater species

Angling effort increased dramatically over the past week as salmon fishermen joined sturgeon fishermen on the Willamette. Sturgeon fishermen continued to enjoy good success, with a total of 289 boats landing 1,390 sub-legals, 95 legals and 6 oversize sturgeon. A total of 187 salmon boats landed a total of 24 spring chinook.

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

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

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

Winter steelhead passage over Willamette Falls slowed considerably over the past week, with 38 fish making passage. As of March 16, a total of 1,529 steelhead had moved beyond the falls.

The first spring chinook made their way over the falls in the past week.

Hatchery winter steelhead returning to Eagle Creek hatchery on the Clackamas as well as early wild winter steelhead can provide good opportunity in the Willamette between the mouth of the Clackamas and Meldrum Bar. Fish will tend to hold in this area as they wait for cues to move into tributaries or above Willamette Falls. Low river flows or cold snaps will tend to slow fish down and the big water of the Willamette can provide some intriguing opportunities early in the year.

Hydro readings at Willamette Falls on Monday showed flow at 26,000 cfs, a temperature of 43° and visibility at 2.8 feet.

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

WILLAMETTE ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar, coyote, selected furbearers (see regulations)

Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) TURKEY hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details. General spring turkey season opens April 15. See this PDF online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon.

EVENT: Youth Outdoor Day, May 30, EE Wilson Wildlife Area near Corvallis. This popular annual event lets kids try a variety of outdoor activities (fly tying and casting, elk/duck/predator calling, archery) and learn about wilderness survival, hunter safety, boating safety and other topics. The cost is $5 and includes a BBQ lunch and t-shirt. Pre-registration is required; use this PDF registration form or visit Youth Outdoor Day web page for more info.

A few late season controlled ELK hunts are still ongoing for those hunters that were lucky enough to draw the tag. Snow in the foothills and upper slopes of both the Coast and Cascades has melted with the warmer weather and access has improved in most areas. Hunters willing to spend the time scouting along forested south facing slopes adjacent to food sources such as clear cuts, pastures, meadows and hay fields should have the best chance for success. Please check the regulations for the specific dates and locations of your controlled elk hunts and purchase your 2009 hunting license before you head to the woods. Hunters are also reminded to obtain permission to hunt before entering private land.

COUGAR hunting should continue to be productive for those hunters heading for the Cascade and Coast mountains. Finding concentrations of deer and elk or fresh cougar tracks in the snow will increase a hunter's chance of tagging a cougar, but hunters don't necessarily need to locate a lot of cougar sign to be in the right location. Try predator calling using a fawn bleat or jack rabbit screams along ridges and other natural travel corridors above deer and elk wintering areas. Weather conditions can change from good to miserable very quickly this time of year so hunters need to be prepared and need to have their vehicles equipped for bad weather conditions. Place your survival equipment such as food, water, sleeping bag, fire starting material, space blanket, compass/GPS and cell phone in a backpack that you can grab quickly as you leave your vehicle and have additional equipment stored in your vehicle. Don't forget to take along tire chains, a shovel, and other equipment necessary to keep you vehicle running. Always let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return just in case your vehicle becomes stuck. In the South Willamette Watershed cougars can be found throughout the area with the exception of the Willamette Valley Floor. Remember cougars must be checked in at an ODFW office within 10 days of harvest; please bring them in thawed and with mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

FURBEARER trappers and hunters should be getting out in the field; see regulations for season dates as some seasons are now closed. Hunters concentrating on coyotes should be switching over to coyote vocalizations. Interrogation howls, male challenge howls and pup distress calls should be more productive as coyote's progress through the breeding season. Hunters are advised to keep a close watch downwind of their position when predator calling. Coyote and gray fox will tend to circle downwind and once they have your scent n it is all over.

EE WILSON WILDLIFE AREA

Hunting is now closed. The photo blind will be available April 1. Call the wildlife area for reservations 541-745-5334. EE Wilson Wildlife Area is located approximately 10 miles north of Corvallis on Hwy. 99W. The address is 29555 Camp Adair Road, Monmouth, OR 97361.

Registration is open for Youth Outdoor Day, May 30 on the wildlife area; visit the event web page for more information.

FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is now closed to hunting.

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA

Waterfowl hunting on in the Wildlife Area is now closed for the season.

WILLAMETTE ZONE VIEWING

Valleywide

Look for signs of spring. Indicators include the first blooms on trees and the arrival of sparrows, tree swallows, robins and turkey vultures.

Tree frogs are the most abundant frog in Willamette Valley wetlands. They can be heard this time of year on wet nights especially if the temperature is above 40° F. These frogs are only about an inch long and can be hard to see even where they are plentiful. Although tree frogs are excellent climbers they are rarely found in trees. They can be found at night with a flashlight by quietly following the sound to the source although they will quit calling when you get close. During the day they can often be found under boards or other cover in or near wetlands. They are not common in deeper ponds and permanent water bodies, which are occupied by bullfrogs that will eat the smaller tree frogs. Just about any wetland habitat that has shallow standing water that does not dry up before June is a good place to hear and find these frogs. Their eggs can be located in shallow water seasonal ponds during the month of March. Eggs are about the size of a grape and are actually a cluster of eggs that often appear as one large egg. These egg masses are usually attached to a blade of grass or a twig.

Corvallis area

EE Wilson Wildlife Area

Waterfowl and shorebirds numbers are building with the wetter weather. Wildlife viewing will be improving over the next several months. A waterfowl blind is available to photographers. Call the office at 541-745-5334 to reserve the blind.

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

Eugene Area

Fern Ridge Reservoir

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

ODFW Fern Ridge Wildlife Area

The East Coyote, West Coyote Fisher Butte and Royal Amazon units are now closed to public access six days a week to provide sanctuary for ducks, geese and other birds that are nesting in preparation for the upcoming migration. The closure will be in effect, except on designated trails, through April 30. These areas are open to public access on Saturdays.

Wintering concentrations of waterfowl can still be observed on the lake and surrounding mudflats and wetlands. Several thousand Canada geese use Fern Ridge Lake for an evening roost site and the sunset and sunrise departures and arrivals of the large flocks of geese provides an outstanding viewing opportunity. Observant visitors may also catch a glimpse of black-tailed deer and furbearers including beaver, otter, mink, red fox and coyotes.

Royal Avenue and the trail to the Fisher Butte viewing platform remain open all day every day year round. There is a second elevated viewing platform in the Fisher Butte unit located 1/4 mile north of the Fisher Butte unit parking lot on Hwy 126.

The majority of Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is open daily for public use providing great wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors are reminded there are seasonal access restrictions in place in five units during the fall and winter to provide wildlife sanctuary.

The entire Fern Ridge lake water area and surrounding mudflats remain open daily year-round. The mudflats surrounding the lake low winter pool can provide for excellent hiking on a sandbar type lake bottom that extends for miles.

Dogs are allowed on the Wildlife Area but now that hunting season is closed must be leashed.

Parking areas are located along Highway 126, Nielson Road, Cantrell Road, Territorial Highway, and Clear Lake Road. Contact the wildlife area headquarters, (541) 935-2591 if you have any questions.

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area will be remained closed through April 15 for the protection of wintering waterfowl, except at designated viewing areas.

Access to the lake itself is closed this time of year in an effort to minimize any human impacts on the birds. However, they are still quite visible from the viewing station, which is located next to Reeder Road across from Sauvie Island Kennels. An abundance of ducks and geese can likewise be seen from many other points around the island, as can raptors, including bald eagles, northern harriers, sandhill cranes, red-tailed hawks and American kestrel. This year, eagles have been observed rebuilding nests on the island.

Sauvie Island is a main stopping point for migratory birds as they travel along the Pacific Flyway, and ODFW actively manages the Wildlife Area to provide food and cover for these creatures.

In addition to Coon Point, the best viewing opportunities can be found at the Eastside Viewing Platform and Rentenaar Road. All three require a Sauvie Island Parking Permit.

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

NORTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

Note: The 2009 Sport Fishing Regulation pamphlet contains a formatting error in the Tillamook River (mainstem above tidewater) entry. This section of the Tillamook River is open to adipose fin-clipped steelhead Jan. 1-March 31 and May23-Dec. 31. The entry is incorrectly listed in the Tillamook River (tidewater) section.

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Rains were projected to raise rivers rapidly early in the week. Steelhead should be moving rapidly, and angling could be good if conditions allow. Check river levels before heading out.

NORTH COAST LAKES

Cape Meares, Lytle, Smith, Spring, Hebo, Town, South, North, Tahoe, Coffenbury, Cullaby, Lost, Sunset and Vernonia lakes were scheduled to be stocked the week of March 16. Lorens Pond and Nedonna Pond were also scheduled to be stocked. The 2009 stocking schedule is now online.

MID COAST LAKES

Trout stocking on Mid Coast Lakes is underway. Most all water bodies on the stocking schedule will be stocked during the week of March 16.

WARM WATER FISH ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES

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

Devils Lake (Lincoln City): Offers fair to good year-round trout fishing and also has slow to fair angling for largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill.

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead

Steelhead fishing is slowing but should be fair to good for the week. Best opportunities at catching a hatchery steelhead will be in the upper river but small pulses of new fresh fish will continue to move up through the river. Both bank and boat anglers should have fair to good success for the week.

KILCHIS RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling should improved after recent rains. Fish have moved through the system and are well spread out. Mostly wild fish are available, with only the occasional stray hatchery fish.

NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling should be fair to good. The stream should be in one of the first to drop into shape. The catch is mostly wild fish this time of year.

NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead

The peak of the wild steelhead run should occur over the next few weeks. River conditions will be marginal after recent storms. Plunking may be the most productive.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing is fair, but should improve as more fish move in after recent storms. Fish should be available throughout the fishery area. Call 503-368-5670 for recorded fishing information.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is fair. Fish are moving upstream quickly with recent higher water. Fish have moved well upstream, and are available up to the deadline at Elk Creek. The upper river will be the first to clear. Larer, more colorful baits are likely to the best until the water drops.

SILETZ RIVER: winter steelhead

Steelhead fishing is fair to good. Steelhead can be found throughout most of the basin with bank and boat anglers having the best success in the mid to upper river. The best opportunity for bank anglers is from Moonshine Park up to the deadline and for boaters from the park on down to the town of Siletz.

SIUSLAW RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead fishing is fair to good in the mid to upper river of the Siuslaw and Lake Creek. Anglers should continue to have good success with both bank and boat fishing around Whittaker Creek and down being productive this week.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon

Angling for sturgeon has been slow. Storms may stir up the bay and draw more fish in. Sand shrimp fished on the bottom in the deeper channels will produce the best results. Move frequently to find fish if you are not getting bites.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is fair and improving. Fish seem to be spread out through the river system, with some fish available in the north and south forks. Wild steelhead are being tagged as part of a research project in the East Fork Trask. Anglers catching a tagged fish should report the tag number to ODFW in Tillamook at 503-842-2741. Do not remove the tag from fish.

The road shoulder has been widened at the Cedar Creek boat launch, which will allow vehicles to pull off the road while launching. Anglers should use caution to avoid disturbing fresh fill in the area. Plans are in the works to construct a new boat slide at the site in the near future. Please do not block boat launching at this site. Contact ODFW in Tillamook at 503-842-2741 for details.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is fair to good. Fishing effort has been moderate to heavy. Fish are spread through the system. Fish larger, more colorful baits and lures while the water has some color.

YAQUINA RIVER: winter steelhead

Winter steelhead angling is slowing. Hatchery fish are spread out and wild returns are nearing a peak and can offer fair to good catch and release opportunities. Best access is fishing Big Elk Creek in the upper river around Deer Creek upstream to Grant Creek.

NORTH COAST HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar, selected furbearers (see regulations)

Densities of COUGAR are relatively low on the north coast, and the animals are hard to find unless you specifically target them. One of the most effective ways to hunt them is by using a predator call. An aggressive calling strategy works best on these shy and reclusive cats. Remember cougars must be checked-in no more than 10 days after harvest at an ODFW office; please bring them in thawed and with mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

NORTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

Whale Watch 2009

The traditional spring break period during late March signals the unofficial beginning of the gray whale migration along the northern Oregon coast. These large mammals are on the move from their wintering and calving grounds off the coasts of Mexico and southern California bound for the food-rich waters of the northern Pacific and Bering Sea. Some excellent viewpoint to observe them include Cape Kiwanda, Anderson Point (south of Netarts Bay), Cape Lookout, Cape Meares, Neah-Kah-nie Mtn., Cape Falcon, Silver Point (south of Cannon Beach) and Tillamook Head. Most of these sites are associated with state parks; look for the "Whale Watching Spoken Here" signs. Binoculars are helpful in spotting the whales. Visit the Whale Watch spoken here Web site.

Astoria Area

The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary is located along Old Hwy 30 and the Columbia River near Knappa (east of Astoria). Just look for the signs along Hwy 30. Situated on Wolf Bay, it is an excellent place to view bald eagles and migratory birds like ducks, geese, swans, grebes and loons. A viewing platform, which is ADA accessible, has a number of interpretive panels that showcase the wildlife in the area as well as the historical Lewis and Clark expedition that came through the area a little over 200 years ago. Binoculars and/or a spotting scope are highly recommended.

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

A day trip to Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area gives you an excellent chance to see lots of Roosevelt elk. Bring your binoculars and your lunch - there are picnic tables and restrooms. The wildlife area is located about 60 miles west of Portland.

Wildlife viewing for Roosevelt elk is excellent, with large herds visible on a daily basis. Look for elk at the main viewing area, along Highway 202, and Beneke Creek Road. About 30 large bulls can be seen from the west viewing area most days. Best viewing times are from 9 a.m. to about noon, but elk can normally be seen throughout the day.

Area staff tries to feed the elk herds fairly close to the viewing areas on the weekends to enhance viewing opportunities. Other wildlife to watch for include: song birds at the viewing area feeders, coyotes in the fields, and bald eagles perched high in trees near the creeks.

From Portland, travel west on Hwy. 26 to the Jewell Junction, just west of Elderberry Inn. Turn north on Hwy. 103, which parallels the Nehalem River for nine miles to Jewell. At Jewell, travel 1.5 miles west on Hwy. 202 to the refuge area on Fishhawk Creek. Parking areas are provided at strategic points to aid viewing. The Beneke Creek tract is north of Jewell on Beneke Creek Road. For more information, visit the ODFW Web site Visitors' Guide.

Tillamook Area

The black brant is a small dark goose that occupies Netarts and Tillamook bays during the winter and spring months. These geese, slightly larger than a mallard duck, feed almost exclusively on eel grass in these estuaries and are highly sensitive to human disturbance. Thus, they occupy the most remote areas of these bays. Look for brant in the southwestern corner of Netarts Bay up against Netarts Spit from pull-outs along Whiskey Creek road. A spotting scope is a must.

Newport Area

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

The Oregon Coast Birding Trail www.oregoncoastbirding.com is a great resource to find birding opportunities throughout coastal Oregon. If you click on the link and then again on the north coast section on the home page, it will open up a pdf file with lots of excellent spots to see birds in various habitats. Of course, other sections of the coastline are featured as well.

SOUTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

Weekend opportunities:

* Trout fishing has been good in several area lakes and reservoirs including Lost Creek Reservoir, Reinhart Pond and Garrison Lake. Several lakes in the zone have been previously stocked, and will be receiving additional fish this week in anticipation of spring break. Check out the complete 2009 trout stocking schedule.

* Steelhead won't be the only fish on the move, and some lucky angler on the lower Rogue and mainstem Umpqua might just land an early spring chinook.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

Fishing for trout has been fair off the points near French Gulch and the Squaw Creek arm of the lake; pressure has been light. Bank anglers will likely fish either floating bait or worms, while trollers can do well fishing a spinner and worm combination. The reservoir level is 1931 feet and the French Gulch boat ramp is open. Please contact the USFS at 899-3832 for updates on the boat ramp. As of March 16 the reservoir outflow was 144 cfs and the river temperature was 43o F.

APPLEGATE RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout

The river below the town of Applegate is high and turbid. Conditions are better above Ruch. As the river drops and clears, fishing should be good. Egg patters, small lures, and roe have been catching steelhead. The Applegate River is open for the harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The Applegate is also open for trout fishing with a limit of 2 adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. Non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead and rainbow trout and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. The use of bait is allowed.

Applegate River flows at Wilderville

ARIZONA POND: rainbow trout

Located approximately half way between Gold Beach and Port Orford, Arizona Pond is an excellent place to take kids trout fishing. ODFW stocked the pond last week and anglers can expect good fishing all through spring break. Angling is limited to youth 17 and under.

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, bass

Ben Irving Reservoir, west of Winston, was stocked on March 6. The first stocking was about 2,500 trout. Another 1,000 trout will be stocked this week.

CHETCO RIVER: steelhead

Rains over the weekend made for high and muddy water conditions on the river. Conditions should be excellent for plunking by late in the week. Anglers can expect a mix of spawned out and fresh steelhead in their catch.

Chetco River flows near Brookings

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Cooper Creek was stocked with 500 legal sized trout and about 50 trophy trout last week for the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement kids event. This is our first stocking for 2009. Cooper Creek received another 2,000 trout last week and will receive another 2,000 trout this week. Bass fishing at Plat I is now open to harvest. The limit is 5 per day with only 3 over 15 inches per day. Plat I was stocked with about 1,500 trout already and will receice another 1,000 this week.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: rainbow trout

Trout were stocked last week for the second time this month in Empire Lakes. Bradley Lake, Johnson Mill Pond, Powers Pond, and Saunders Lake were all stock at the beginning of the month. Still fishing with your bait near the bottom or under a bobber is an effective technique for catching trout. Another way to catch trout is by trolling a flasher or a worm.

COOS RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead, sturgeon, Dungeness crab

Steelhead fishing in the Coos basin has been slow. Trout fishing is closed in Coos Bay and the rivers until May 23.

We haven't heard of any reports of sturgeon being caught in Coos Bay yet. Note there are new sturgeon regulations for 2009. See the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for the most current regulations.

Crabbing in Coos Bay is slow. People crabbing from a boat are averaging five legal Dungeness crabs in about 3.5 hours of effort. The best area to crab from a boat is from the North Jetty inside the bay to Clam Island. Crabbing from the Charleston docks is producing mainly red rock crabs with an occasional Dungeness crab. The best baits for crabbing are fish, chicken or turkey legs. The best time to crab is two hours before high tide through two hours after.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead

Steelhead fishing has been good in the Coquille basin but there are quite a few spawned out steelhead moving back to the ocean. The rivers have been high and muddy with the latest storm. Drifting eggs or sand shrimp along the bottom or drifting a jig under a bobber are the preferred ways to fish in the forks of the Coquille. ODFW is currently under way with a steelhead radio telemetry project and will be tagging both hatchery and wild steelhead for the next month. Just a reminder that all radio tagged steelhead must be released alive.

Trout fishing is closed in Coquille River basin until May 23.

DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout

Closed to fishing, including ice fishing, until April 25, 2009. Open for other winter sports. Diamond Lake won't be mentioned in the SW Region Trout Stocking Schedule this year since the lake will only be stocked with fingerling trout this summer. However, we anticipate nearly 140,000 catchable sized trout in the lake this year from the 200,000 fingerlings released in 2008 plus another 25,000 catchable fish leftover from last year's stocking.

ELK/SIXES RIVER: steelhead

Both the Elk and Sixes can fish very well in March, with anglers picking up both fresh and spawned out steelhead. Anglers can call Elk River Hatchery (541-332-7025) for the latest river heights and water color. Anglers will want to target Elk River when the river gauge at Elk River Hatchery is reading five feet and dropping.

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

Emigrant Reservoir will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout this week and fishing should be good. Trout have been biting on power bait and worms at Songer Wayside, Emigrant Arm, and the dam. Pressure has been light.

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

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

Expo Pond will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout this week. Night crawlers are the bait of choice. Fish bait either from a bobber or on the bottom with weight. Floating bait off the bottom also works well.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout

Rainbow and brook trout are available. Anglers should be prepared for winter conditions and varying levels of ice coverage. Power bait and worms are the most popular baits used by bank anglers.

GALESVILLE RESERVIOR: rainbow trout, bass

Galesville Reservoir is open to angling year-round. Galesville was stocked with 8,000 catchable trout in 2008, plus 25,000 2007 sub-legals that became legal size in 2008. The reservoir was also stocked with about 55,000 adipose-clipped hatchery coho which are now legal size. In Galesville Reservoir, all landlocked salmon are considered trout. Thus, there is a 5 per day trout limit, with only one trout over 20 inches in length allowed for harvest. The 2009 stocking season has begun and on March 6, 2,000 trout were stocked in Galesville and another 2,000 trout will be stocked this week. Anglers are reminded all bass between 12 and 15 inches must be released, and only one bass over 15 inches may be taken per day. Galesville does have a campground now which is open year-round. For information call 541-957-7001.

GARRISON LAKE: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bass

Recent rains have really improved water conditions on the lake. With increased lake levels, anglers will find all fish moving into shallower water and starting to feed heavily. ODFW also stocked the lake last week, which has made for some excellent fish catching. The best way to fish is by boat, but there is some bank access at the State Park or ODFW's access site on 12th street. Fly fishing or slow trolling wedding ring spinners are regular producers.

HERBERT'S POND: rainbow trout, warm water fish

Herbert's Pond is a small pond just east of Canyonville on Tiller Highway. The pond has a good warm water fishery for kids including bluegill, crappie, and bass. The pond has very good bank access. Through March, the ODFW will occasionally recycles a hatchery steelhead into Herbert's Pond. These fish will be adipose marked and have an additional mark identifying it as a recycled steelhead. Only one of these fish can be harvested per day. The pond will be stocked with 250 trout during the week of March 16.

ILLINOIS RIVER: steelhead, trout

Fishing should improve as flows drop after the weekend storms. Most fish are being caught on small spoons in the Briggs Creek area.

Illinois River flows at Kerby

The Illinois River is open for steelhead and adipose fin-clipped trout Jan 1nMar 31 and May 23-Dec 31. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Non-adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout, steelhead, and cutthroat trout must be released unharmed and should not be removed from the water, except for a new regulation in 2009 that allows a limited opportunity to harvest wild steelhead on the Illinois. Beginning January 1st in the mainstem Illinois River from the confluence with Briggs Creek upstream to Pomeroy Dam, non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length may be kept, one per day, five per year, as part of the daily or annual steelhead/salmon catch limit.

LAIRD LAKE: rainbow trout

Located about 30 miles up Elk River, Laird Lake is an excellent place to catch a few trout. The lake is scheduled to be stocked with some trophy trout this week, which should make for some great fishing. The lake is small and filled with lots of downed timber. Bank access is pretty good. Elk River Hatchery is located on the road to Laird and is good place to stop and take a quick tour.

LAKE MARIE: rainbow trout

Lake Marie is at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park near Winchester. The lake was stocked with 4,000 trout in 2008. The first stocking for 2009 will be the week of March 16 and it will be about 1,500 trout.

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

Selmac will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout this week. Trout fishing has been good on worms and powerbait. Trout anglers often use floating bait or worms with a weight about two feet above the hook. Casting and retrieving lures or flies can be effective, along with trolling lures or flies from a boat. Largemouth bass or panfish are also available but fishing for them has been slow.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

Closed to fishing until April 25, 2009. Open for other winter sports.

LOON LAKE: rainbow trout

Loon Lake was stocked with about 7,000 catchable trout plus some trophy trout in 2008. Loon Lake was stocked with 2,000 trout last week and will be stocked the week of March 16 with another 2,000 trout.

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

Lost Creek will be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout this week. Trolling for trout has been good with some limits of trout being caught. Anglers should try trolling a variety of depths with wedding ring lures, worms, or spinners. Bank anglers using PowerBait near Takelma Boat Ramp have been catching limits of trout, including some fish over 15 inches.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: bottomfish, surf perch

When the ocean has been "calm" fishing for rockfish, greenling and lingcod has been good.

Fishing the surf for surfperch is fair. Fishing should improve in the next couple of months. While fishing ocean beaches for surfperch concentrate your fishing efforts near areas with rocky outcroppings, drop-offs/ledges, or rip tides. Sand shrimp is a great bait to use for catching surfperch.

REINHART POND: rainbow trout, warm water fish

Reinhart Pond (formerly All Sports Pond) in Grants Pass is scheduled to be stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout this week. Fishing has been good with some limits of trout being caught. Anglers should try fishing with nightcrawlers or casting small spinners or spoons. Fly anglers may want to try casting leech or wooly bugger-type streamers. Largemouth bass and bluegill are available; anglers should try fishing for these fish in the afternoon when temperatures are warmer.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: spring chinook, steelhead

Spring chinook fishing was pretty good prior the recent storms which have turned the Rogue high and muddy. Anglers, especially plunkers should look late into the week for some excellent fishing conditions. Anglers will want to fish spin and glows pretty close to the bank. As water conditions clear, anglers will want to start fishing in deeper water and adding an anchovy. Steelhead are still being picked up, but mainly by bank anglers. Look for the steelhead fishing to wind down in the next couple of weeks.

Rogue River flows

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: trout, steelhead

The river is high and turbid. As the river drops, fishing for steelhead should be good. Anglers should try using corkies, egg clusters, worms, or yarn flies. The flow at Grants Pass on March 16 was 9996 cubic feet per second. Bank access for steelhead angling 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 Bridge to Hog Creek are popular drifts for boat anglers.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: trout, steelhead

Much of the river is blown out. Side-drifting roe or egg patterns near the banks can be effective for winter steelhead. As of March 16, the flow out of William Jess Dam (Lost Creek) was 940 cfs and the outflow temperature was 43 degrees. At Gold Ray Dam, the Rogue was flowing at 7874 cfs.

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.

As of March 10, 2163 winter steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam. The river is open to the harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead year-round. The Rogue is also open for trout fishing with a limit of five adipose fin-clipped trout per day, 8 inch minimum length, but all non-adipose fin-clipped rainbow and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. 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.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout

Soda Springs Reservoir remains open, but mainstem above and the tributaries upstream of Soda Springs are closed for trout until Apr. 25.

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

Open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead from mouth to Sisters Creek and North Fork from mouth upstream to Bridge 10. Trout season closed until May 23. Striped bass season is open year-round, two fish per 24 hours, 24-inch minimum size. The North Fork is open from mouth to Johnson Creek for stripers.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: trout

Trout season in the Umpqua tributaries, Smith River, South Umpqua, North Umpqua tributaries below Soda Springs Reservoir and Cow Creek basins is closed until May 23. The mainstem Umpqua and mainstem North Umpqua to Soda Springs Dam are open year-round for catch and release trout. North Umpqua mainstem and tributarties above Soda Springs Reservoir close to trout angling until April 25.

TENMILE LAKES: warmwater fish

The water temperature in Tenmile Lakes has been in the upper 40s. Even with the cool water temperatures largemouth bass have been biting. Bass have been hitting a variety of lures from jigs, soft plastics, and crankbaits. The largemouth bass are being caught in both shallow and deep water. Yellow perch will be close to spawning and are usually fairly aggressive this time of the year. You will find yellow perch in deeper water next to weedlines. Use a piece of worm on a small hook or jig to catch yellow perch. There are lots of smaller perch in the lake so you will have to do some sorting to have enough for a meal.

TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout

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

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon, bass, chinook,

Both sturgeon and striped bass fishing have been slow in the lower Umpqua. With higher river flows during the winter months, sturgeon success should be improving. Crabbing is fair to slow. Note change in measuring sturgeon on page 19 of the 2009 Angling Regulations booklet.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

The last stocking was Labor Day Weekend for Clearwater Forebay #2 and Hemlock Lake. Other high lakes such as Maidu, Bull Pup, Connie, Skookum, Calamut, Fuller, Wolf, Cliff, Buckeye, Linda, and Big Twin Lakes were stocked with brook trout this year. The recent cold weather and snow has likely closed access to most of these lakes for the winter.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: steelhead, spring chinook, smallmouth bass

Umpqua Basin Note:

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

River conditions are high, but should improve with warmer weather. For bank anglers, plunking with eggs or spin-n-glo's is the preferred method. Remember the main stem Umpqua is closed to wild steelhead harvest, but remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The recent rain should get the spring chinook season started in the Scottsburg area.

Umpqua River flows near Elkton

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead

As of March 7, over 4,600 winter steelhead had crossed Winchester Dam. The fish are actively moving now with the increased flows and warmer water. The North has maintained its color so it should be good for both bank and boat anglers, but more rain is in the forecast. Remember that only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested on the North Umpqua. The best flows for fishing tend to be between 1,600 n 6,400 cfs. The North is open to catch and release trout fishing from the mouth upstream to Soda Springs Dam. Spring chinook opened Jan. 1, but the first fish isn't usually seen at the dam until the first week of April.

North Umpqua River water levels at Winchester Dam

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: winter steelhead

The South Umpqua opened Dec. 1 for winter steelhead fishing. Only adipose-clipped steelhead can be harvested. The warmer water temperature should have the fish moving. Plunking will be the best angling method until the water drops. Best boat fishing flows tend to be between 3,000 n 6,500 cfs. Steelhead are being caught from Canyonville Park down, with the most success occurring in the first 30 river miles.

South Umpqua River water levels near Riddle

WILLOW LAKE: rainbow trout

Willow Lake is scheduled to be stocked this week. The county park and boat ramp will open on April 1. Until then, bank anglers should try using floating bait or worms. Casting and retrieving lures or flies can also be effective. Anglers should be prepared for winter conditions. Fishing will probably be better in the afternoon during the warmer temperatures.

WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon, coho, chinook

Fishing is picking up a little for sturgeon. Note new sturgeon measuring method in the 2009 Angling Regulations. Crabbing has been good.

MOST RECREATIONAL SHELLFISH IS OPEN

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

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

Razor clams and current status of particular areas

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

Clamming effort in Coos Bay has slowed down but there are still lots a clams available. A couple of areas to try are Pigeon Point off the Cape Arago Highway and the Charleston Flat south of the Charleston Bridge.

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

* Razor clams and current status of particular areas

* Bay clams

SOUTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar, coyote, selected furbearers (see regulations)

SW Oregon spring bear tags are sold out.

Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) TURKEY hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details. General spring turkey season opens April 15. See this PDF online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

BIG GAME:

Elk - A few controlled hunts are open. Elk populations are similar to last year.

Cougar n Opened on January 1, 2009. Hunting cougar is most successful adjacent to private land with high deer populations. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

TRAPPING & HUNTING:

Mink & Muskrat n Currently open. Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for mink and muskrat is March 31, 2009.

COOS COUNTY

LATE SEASON HUNTING: Now that most big game seasons are closed some hunters have chosen to extend their hunting season by turning to hunting furbearers and other species. Coyote populations are good in Coos County and they will respond to calls. However, calling coyotes on the coast range is challenging due to brush. Since specific license and tag requirements exist for hunting some of these animals new hunters should contact local ODFW offices to learn more about hunting these animals before they start.

COUGAR are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES

The Jackson Cooperative Travel Management Area is in effect. This agreement between government agencies and private partners provides hunters with access to a variety of lower elevation areas to hunt. Now that hunting seasons are over the roads continue to remain closed within designated areas unless posted to provide very little disturbance to wildlife especially deer and Elk. Maps can be obtained online through ODFW's website; click on the Oregon Hunting Access Map

COYOTES are abundant in our area. This is one of the best times of year for coyotes their coats are heavy and thick. Hunters will have great response to calling. Focus on areas of known prey base and use calls based on that. Remember to ask for permission to hunt on private lands.

General COUGAR season is open. Cougar populations continue to be plentiful. Predator calling has become one of the best methods for hunters. Focus on spots where there are high populations of wintering deer. Hunters are reminded that they must bring their cougar into an ODFW office within 10 days to be checked and tagged, refer to regulations for details. Hunters are asked to bring in cougars thawed and mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

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

SOUTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

EVENT

Rogue Valley Audubon Society Bird Walk, March 25.

Walk along Bear creek greenway and view the birds that live within the riparian area of Bear creek. Meet at JNC, 2931 S. Pacific Hwy. (Hwy 99) behind Harry & David Ball Field at 8:30 a.m. The walk will last about two hours. For more information, visit the Rogue Valley Audubon Society, http://www.roguevalleyaudubon.org/

Spring Whale Watch Week

Now is the time to be along the coast watching for whales. Spring Whale Watch Week is from Mar. 21 through Mar. 28, 2009. Places to visit in Curry County are Cape Blanco Lighthouse, near Cape Blanco State Park, Battle Rock Wayfinding Point, Port Orford, Cape Sebastian, Cape Ferrelo and Harris Beach State Park in Brookings.

For more information and other locations along the coast, visit the Oregon Parks and Recreation Whale Watch Web site, http://whalespoken.org/

Watch-don't feed-the deer!

Please, for the good of deer, don't feed them. Feeding deer causes them to congregate and encourages disease transmission, specifically hair loss syndrome cause by lice which are easily transferred between deer.

Coos County

Often in early spring some of the first migrating birds begin to appear in the Coos Bay area. Small groups of shore birds are already appearing along local beaches and inland bays. Look for these birds around mud flats at low tide. Their numbers will increase as the spring progresses.

Presently, waterfowl numbers are very good in Coos Bay and other coastal bays. Many of the diving ducks are late migrants. Good places to look at waterfowl are along Cape Arago Highway near Barview. Numbers of bald eagles and other raptors generally increase with increasing waterfowl numbers. Good places to see these birds are the Coos Bay North Spit, east side of Coos Bay, the Coquille Valley and the lower Umpqua.

Large numbers of elk can be seen in the fields of Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area which is located a few miles east of Reedsport along Hwy. 38.

Douglas County

Songbird Boxes

Springtime is just around the corner. Now is just a good time to clean out your songbird and wood duck boxes for use. Always remove old nesting material to encourage birds to take up residence. The most common birds that use songbird nest boxes are bluebird, swallow, chickadee, nuthatch and wren. Other species that can use other types of nesting boxes and nesting structures are wood duck, Canada goose, purple martin, robin, flicker, downy woodpecker, screech and barn owl and sparrow hawk.

Amphibians

The pacific (chorus) tree frog is starting to vocalize around ponds, puddles and other watered areas getting ready for spring breeding season. They can be heard vocalizing on warmer days and afternoons.

Turkey Vultures

Look for more turkey vultures returning to the Umpqua Valley from their wintering grounds.

Hummingbirds

It time to hang up your feeders for our summer hummers. Avoid the commercial hummingbird mixture you can buy in the store since the red dye can produce digestive problems for these small birds. Remember, that you can make your own hummingbird food using a 4 parts water to 1 part sugar ratio. Always make sure the sugar goes completely into solution before hanging up for use.

Jackson, Josephine, and Curry counties

Waterfowl and songbirds are currently looking for nesting sights. Time is running out to clean out and refresh nesting structures for those that need it.

A covered viewing station on the Denman Wildlife Area provides a good opportunity to view waterfowl, egrets, raptors and songbirds. The structure was built by the Oregon Hunters Association and is accessed by a paved, ADA-accessible pathway. It is on Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point. For more information about the wildlife area, visit ODFW's Web site.

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-mother knows where they are.

CENTRAL ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Pine Hollow Reservoir, Rock Creek Reservoir, Taylor Lake, and Baker Pond were all stocked with legal-sized and broodstock trout this week.

* Anglers are reporting catch of bright winter steelhead in the lower Hood River from the mouth upstream to Powerdale Dam.

CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent reports.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish

The river is currently flowing at 66 cfs and anglers are reporting success. Please note that fishing with bait is not currently allowed; artificial flies and lures only until May 23.

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

DESCHUTES RIVER: steelhead, rainbow trout

Mouth to Warm Springs: steelhead, trout

Winter angling for trout, whitefish and steelhead on the lower Deschutes can be a fun way to enjoy a quiet winter day. Angling is open for these species year round in the Deschutes from the Columbia River upstream to the Northern Boundary of the Warm Springs Reservation. The highest concentration of trout and whitefish are from around Maupin upstream to the reservation boundary. Steelhead can occasionally be caught in these areas as well. Trout anglers should focus on the slower water due to the colder water temperatures, back eddies are typically the most productive in winter. Fly anglers can be successful using an indicator with a large stonefly and a small dropper.

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

No recent reports. This reach of the Deschutes currently provides winter angling opportunity for brown trout and redband trout. River flow below Bend is currently running 800 cfs.

FALL RIVER: rainbow trout

Recent reports indicate that the angling has been fair. The river above the falls remains open the entire year, and is restricted to fly-fishing only. River water temperatures are generally in the 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit range. As mid-day air temperatures get warmer, expect insect activity to increase. This is a popular winter fishery for fly fishers.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent from the shore and boats. Large fish have been active in the recent weeks with reports of 10lb rainbows being caught.

HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead, winter steelhead

Anglers are reporting catch of bright winter steelhead in the lower Hood River from the mouth upstream to Powerdale Dam. Recent rains have improved river conditions. Counts at Bonneville Dam have been improving, and anglers should be seeing increased numbers of fish. Anglers should watch for warmer air temperatures later to warm the water and improve fishing. Winter steelhead numbers will continue to increase throughout the remaining winter.

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

KINGSLEY RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Access is likely marginal due to heavy snow and the reservoir is likely frozen.

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

Bull trout and kokanee angling opportunities in the Deschutes and Crooked River Arms are fair to good. Kokanee bag limit is five fish per day, included in the trout daily bag limit. Anglers should consult 2009 Sport Fishing Regulations for new angling regulations on Lake Billy Chinook.

METOLIUS RIVER: redband trout, bull trout

No recent reports. February and March can provide a nice midday opportunity for anglers. As day time temperatures start climbing into the higher 50s and lower 60s insect and hatch activity will increase. Please note that the reach of river from Allingham Bridge upstream to the Metolius headspring is currently closed to angling to protect spawning redband.

OCHOCO CREEK UPSTREAM TO OCHOCO DAM: rainbow trout

Bait fishing is not allowed. Artificial flies and lures only, and regulations allow no more than two trout per day with only one trout greater than 20 inches and no trout under eight inches. Opportunities are good for native redband trout.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Reservoir has thin ice cover, ice fishing not recommended. Use extreme caution if evaluating ice conditions.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

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

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, black crappie, bass

No recent reports. Anglers should note an error in the 2009 fishing regulations for Prineville Reservoir (p. 63). The CORRECT regulation is: largemouth and smallmouth bass, 15 in. MAXIMUM length, only one of which may be a largemouth.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Pine Hollow has been recently stocked with trout and should provide good opportunity to catch a limit of trout.

TAYLOR LAKE: rainbow trout

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

WALTON LAKE: rainbow trout

Gate to campground is locked, anglers must walk ¼ mile to the reservoir. Ice fishing opportunities for carryover rainbow trout up to 18 inches are excellent. Anglers are encouraged to use caution when evaluating ice conditions. This is a beautiful location to get away during the winter. Forest Service Road 42 to the gate is plowed throughout winter.

CENTRAL ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar, coyote, selected furbearers (see regulations)

Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) TURKEY hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details. General spring turkey season opens April 15. See this PDF online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon.

PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT

Snow is present at mid and high elevations, with most national forest roads impassable. Outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared for rapidly changing weather and be equipped for difficult driving. Dress and be equipped to for walking and/or driving through everything from dry ground, to mud and snow. Deer, elk and pronghorn remain on winter ranges.

COUGARS are tied to where deer, elk, and pronghorn are wintering in the Maury, Ochoco, and Grizzly units. Areas to consider include BLM lands on the south side of Maury Mountains and S. Fork Crooked River in the Maury; N. Fork Crooked River and S. Fork John Day River in the Ochoco; and upper Mill, Trout, and Mckay Creeks in the Grizzly unit. Remember cougars must be checked in at an ODFW office within 10 days after harvest; please bring them in thawed and with mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

COYOTE are plentiful throughout the district, but the Maury and Ochoco units offer better opportunities on public land. Hunters should scout at lower elevations for concentrations of deer or pronghorn as coyotes will likely be present as well.

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

THE DALLES WILDLIFE DISTRICT

The LOWER DESCHUTES WILDLIFE AREA is still accepting comments on its draft management plan which will guide management for the next 10 years. More information

For hunters wishing to pursue COUGAR, the best opportunity will in areas where deer and elk are congregating. One of the better areas is generally around White River Wildlife area, where both deer and elk are present in fair numbers. As spring conditions continue to show themselves, deer and elk are spending more time on open hillsides taking advantage of green-up. Cougar will be in close proximity. Successful cougar hunters, remember check-in is mandatory; please bring them in thawed and with mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

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

California Ground SQUIRRELS, or gray diggers, start to come out of hibernation this time of year as temperatures start to increase. The best time of the day to find active squirrels is in the afternoon, when temperatures are the warmest. Make sure to ask permission to hunt on private lands.

Now is a good time to begin scouting TURKEYS as they will move out of wintering areas with increasing temperatures. Finding areas the birds are using now may improve hunter success when April rolls around. Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details.

WHITE RIVER WILDLIFE AREA

COYOTE and COUGAR hunters can find success in open areas along the eastern perimeter of the wildlife area. Please take caution to reduce disturbances to wintering wildlife in the area. Remember cougars must be checked in at an ODFW office within 10 days after harvest; please bring them in thawed and with mouths propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

The wildlife area is a vehicle regulated use area. Open roads have a green dot on them. Hunters bringing their ATVs are reminded that all vehicles are to stay on roads; cross country travel is prohibited. The roads for through vehicle travel have been closed for the winter and most of the roads will reopen April 1, 2009.

CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles

Raptor Interpretive Program

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (except holidays). 11 a.m. Meet in the Discovery Center River Gallery. See and learn about Ferguson, the Bald Eagle. You will also get an up-close experience with a smaller raptor presented by museum personnel. Programs are included with paid admission. For more information,

Oregon is Indian Country Exhibit, March 8-29

A special exhibit of Oregon's Native American heritage. The exhibit was produced by the Oregon Historical Society in partnership with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes.

Prineville Area

Wintering waterfowl are dispersing, and resident ducks and geese are to pairing up in preparation for nesting along the Crooked River and Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area. Big game remain on winter ranges and conditions are excellent for viewing mule deer, antelope, and elk. The access road along the north side of Prineville Reservoir through the wildlife area remains closed to motorized access, but offers great viewing opportunities for walk-in access.

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

Wildlife Viewing Road Trip

For good viewing experience, drive from Prineville east along the Crooked River to the Paulina Ranger Station. To take this trip, turn south off Highway 26 at the east end of Prineville onto the Paulina Highway (Hwy 380). Proceed east on the Paulina Highway through the small communities of Post and Paulina. The best viewing for hunting birds of prey will be between MP 20 and 50. Approximately four miles east of Paulina proceed north to Paulina Ranger Station using Puett Road. Pay particular attention during this section for wintering deer, elk, and pronghorn using the western slopes of Powell Mountain visible from Puett Road. This drive is suitable for cars and is approximately 180 miles round trip from Prineville. Drivers should be prepared for winter driving-the trip will take 6 n 8 hours. In addition to warm clothing, bring binoculars, spotting scope, a camera, snacks and your favorite warm beverages. Food and fuel is available at stores in Post and Paulina.

The Dalles

NEW: Spring is right around the corner, and neotropical migrants will be right behind it. This is a great time of year to take a hike in the Columbia River gorge. The gorge is host to many migrant songbirds in the spring, as well as a great place to find wildflowers and other wildlife. The Mosier Twin Tunnels provides a great hard surface trail to avoid the spring mud. For more information visit Oregon State Parks Web site, http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_155.php

A few eagles are still being seen along the Columbia River. The best viewing areas for eagles are at Government Cove near Cascade Locks, and near Mayer State Park. For directions and more information on Mayer State Parks visit http://www.stateparks.com/mayer.html.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is now hosting a raptor interpretive program on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays except holidays. Visitors will get to see the Center's Bald Eagle up close and personnel, as well as learn about other raptors in the program. For more information on the raptor program, visit http://www.gorgediscovery.org/

White River Wildlife Area

Elk are still near the feed sites on the area. The best viewing opportunity is generally found in and around the headquarters of the wildlife area or from the view site off of the 48 road.

Visitors to the area can see a wide variety of birds, including Lewis' Woodpeckers, Cooper's hawks and pileated woodpecker's. Deer are using the feeders throughout the area. Visitors are asked to maintain some distance between themselves and wintering deer to reduce disturbance to the animals.

From The Dalles, travel 34 miles south on Hwy. 197 to the blinking light at Tygh Valley. Turn right into Tygh Valley and follow the signs to Wamic on Wamic Market Road. Continue straight ahead on Dodson Road rather than follow the sharp curve. Continue on Dodson Road through three 90-degree turns. Turn left on the gravel road 1/4 mile past the last curve, and continue 1-1/2 miles to the cattleguard and area signs. The wildlife area headquarters is located 1/2 mile past the cattleguard. For more information, visit ODFW Web site.

Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area

Many different species frequent the Deschutes Canyon at this time of year with opportunities to view a wide variety of waterbirds, passerines, deer and bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep are a common site in the canyon. One of the most popular spots to view Bighorn rams is across the river from Jones campground, along the Mack's canyon access road.

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

SOUTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities:

* Fishing for rainbow trout on the Ana River has been good n fly fishers should watch for midge hatches during warmer periods.

* Watch for changing ice conditions on area lakes and reservoirs. Recent warmer weather is causing ice to degrade or disappear.

ANA RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout, hybrid bass

Ana Reservoir is open year-round for rainbow trout and hybrid bass angling. Rainbow trout angling has improved with water conditions at the reservoir. Hybrid bass angling has been very good. A record size 30 inch hybrid bass was caught in early February weighing 18lb, 9.5 oz. A large number of hybrid bass over 18 inches have been caught in the reservoir recently as well. Many hybrid bass anglers fish at night. Jigging large lures or fishing bait on the bottom of the reservoir are the most common angling methods. The use of live fish for bait is prohibited.

ANA RIVER: hatchery rainbow trout

Angling for rainbow trout has been very good. Rainbow trout in this river can be very spooky so stealth is required. Bait angling is allowed. Tui chub and pit roach are abundant in Ana River so large lures and flies mimicking minnows can be very successful. Hatches of midges have been occurring on the river during warm up periods.

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

The reservoir was ice free as of March 5. Inflows last week were lower, but remained turbid, so the water in the reservoir is still turbid. The reservoir was 37 percent full and inflow averaged 77 cfs on March 15. Angling is slow.

BLITZEN RIVER: trout

Angling should be fair for 10 to 16-inch redband trout if conditions allow. Flow averaged 53 cfs March 16, and ranged from approximately 34 to 73 cfs March 9 through March 16. Mainstem Blitzen and tributaries (except Little Blitzen) have a two fish trout bag limit from late May through Oct. 31, and a catch and release fishery from Nov. 1 through late May. The Little Blitzen is a catch and release fishery year-round.

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

The reservoir is ice free. The reservoir was 57 percent full on March 15. Angling is slow.

BURNS POND: trout, bass

The pond is covered with ice, but we have no report on ice thickness.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout

The reservoir is free of ice. However, the water is turbid as a result of recent high winds. Angling is slow to fair for rainbow trout.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout, largemouth bass

The lower river (downstream of Paisley including Rivers End Reservoir) is closed until late May. Redband trout are available in the main river and tributaries; brook trout are available in Dairy and Elder Creeks. The river is running high at spring flow levels and is very turbid. Access has improved greatly, but there are still ice patches and snow drifts causing hazardous road conditions in some locations.

COTTONWOOD RESERVOIR: native redband trout

Muddy roads and snow drifts make access into the reservoir difficult.

DELINTMENT LAKE: trout

No report on ice conditions. The lake is only accessible by snowmobile.

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

Access is open, watch for spots of ice and snow drifting. The lake is beginning to open up, a thin layer of ice and snow remains on parts of lake, mainly near the shoreline making it difficult to fish until it completely comes off. The retention of redband trout is prohibited; the lake is not stocked with hatchery trout.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is free of ice. Access to the reservoir is open.

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

Watch for thin ice. The Steens Loop road remains closed. No recent angling report.

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

Access to the lake during the winter months is available by snowmobile, skis, or with a good dog team. Anglers who have ice fished the lake have caught small lake trout at 14 inches. Ice thickness and snow depth on the lake make winter ice fishing a challenge. The lake is frozen. Thickness of ice is unknown. Safety should be anglers' number one priority.

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

Gerber Reservoir is located over 5,000 feet elevation. No recent report.

JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout

The lake is nearly dry.

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: trout and largemouth bass

Krumbo Reservoir is closed to angling until late April.

KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: redband trout and yellow perch

Angling remains very slow. Water temperatures are low throughout the lake. The east shoreline along the springs near highway 97 has the warmest water of the lake. The boat ramp at Rocky Point is a one way narrow path through snow and might be difficult to launch a boat. Anglers are catching redband trout from the bank using bait. Anglers are also catching fish trolling lures slowly in a boat. Due to low water temperatures angling is slow but should improve this week.

KLAMATH RIVER: native rainbow-redband trout

Access to the Klamath River below Keno dam can be difficult in places due to mud. Angling has been slow. River flows are 1180 cfs which provide fair opportunities for anglers. A large part of the population of redband-rainbow trout are spawning in Spencer Creek. The Klamath River from J.C. Boyle Dam bridge crossing to the J. C Boyle Powerhouse provides fair angling this time of year for small redband-rainbow trout (6-12 inches) due to low, stable flows with higher water temperatures due to 220 cfs of spring water. Angling in the river below the powerhouse is very slow due to high flows (1800 cfs) and murky water.

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

The lake is frozen. The thickness of the ice is unknown. Safety should be anglers' number one priority. The main road into Lake of the Woods is not open due to snow. Anglers will need to access the lake via Dead Indian Memorial Road.

LINK RIVER: redband trout

Anglers are catching a few redband trout. Water temperatures are cold and flows have increased.

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

Angling is fair for brown bullhead using bait at the Crystal Springs day use area. Anglers are also having success catching largemouth bass along certain areas of the river.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir was still about 80 percent ice-covered on March 12. One angler was observed fishing from shore on March 12. Angling will remain questionable until the ice melts. Last year, ice remained on the reservoir until the first of April.

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

Discharge below Warm Springs Dam has been shut off for the winter. Flow in the river is limited to seepage from Warm Springs Reservoir. Angling for trout is slow.

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

Flow is very low in this stretch of the river since discharge from both Warm Springs Reservoir and Beulah Reservoir has been shut off for the winter. Angling for trout is slow.

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

Access into this area is limited by snow. It will not open up again until spring. No recent angling report. Trout angling should be slow. Remember to release bull trout.

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

Access into this area is limited by snow. It will not open up again until spring. No recent angling report. Trout angling should be slow. Remember to release bull trout.

MANN LAKE: trout

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

MILLER LAKE: brown trout, kokanee, rainbow trout

Access to the Lake is by snowmobile, skis, or a good dog team. The lake is frozen. Ice thickness is unknown. Brown trout are available to the adventurous angler.

MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout

The water level is very low. We have no report on ice conditions, but recent high winds have probably broken up the ice.

MURRAY RESERVOIR: trout

Ice fishing has been good for rainbow trout.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout

Watch for thin ice. We have no report on ice thickness, but recent warm weather has probably degraded the ice. All of the BLM ponds in the Harper-Westfall area were stocked last spring with fingerling-sized rainbow trout. Littlefield and Squaw Creek reservoirs have good carryover populations. Squaw Creek Reservoir had a die-off this fall, so trout numbers will be low this spring.

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

The reservoir was 37 percent full on March 15. The boat ramps at McCormick State Park and Leslie Gulch remain out of the water. Angling for crappie and bass is slow.

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

The river was ice free as of February 26. The best fishing should be near the dam. Anglers need to be cautious around areas with redds since the redds still contain eggs. Angling for rainbow trout remains good.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish

Discharge at the Rome gauge averaged 428 cfs on March 15. Angling for smallmouth and channel catfish should be slow.

PAIUTE RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout and hatchery Lahontan cutthroat trout

Rainbow and cutthroat trout are available. The reservoir level is extremely low, but fish are still being caught. Ice on the lake is of unknown thickness.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch

Some perch and trout are being caught.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout

Pilcher Creek Reservoir is closed to fishing until April 25.

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

The reservoir is ice-free. The reservoir remains muddy and inflows have dropped to low levels. Fishing is slow.

POWDER RIVER: trout

Fishing is closed downstream of Hughes Lane Bridge in Baker City. Catch-and-release only, from Hughes Lane Bridge upstream to Phillips Reservoir.

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: hatchery rainbow trout

We have no reports on ice thickness, but recent warm weather has probably degraded the ice. All of the ponds in the Jordan Valley area were stocked with fingerling trout last spring. Several reservoirs north of Jordan Valley have carryover populations.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout

Ice on the reservoir is getting soft around the edges.

THOMPSON VALLEY RESERVOIR:

Access into Thompson Valley Reservoir is reduced to snowmobile, snowshoes, or skis from the USFS roads into the reservoir. Ice is of unknown thickness on the lake, and is covered in snow. Watch for rotten ice.

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

The reservoir is ice free and boats can be launched. Angling is slow for warmwater fish. Fishing for brown bullhead or yellow perch would be your best bet at this time.

UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie

Ice fishing is good for rainbow trout. Trout are 16-18 inches and fat.

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

No report on ice conditions. Inflows have dropped but, the upper end of the reservoir is probably open. The reservoir was 18 percent full March 15. Inflows averaged 97 cfs on March 15. Fishing is slow.

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

The reservoir is ice free. Angling is very slow for warmwater fish. The reservoir is currently low and boat anglers should be aware of log hazards. Fishing for largemouth bass should pick up around late March. New angling regulations are in place that allow only one bass harvested per day greater than 15 inches in length.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout

Ice fishing is very good for rainbow trout. The trout are running 10-14 inches.

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

The Wood River is closed until April 25, 2009. The Wood River was accidentally omitted from the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. The Wood River angling regulations remain catch-and-release for trout from April 25- October 31.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout

No report on ice conditions. However, recent warm weather and high winds have probably softened the ice or broken it up.

SOUTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar, coyote and selected furbearers (see regulations)

Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) TURKEY hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details. General spring turkey season opens April 15. See this PDF online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon.

HARNEY COUNTY

RIVERSIDE WILDLIFE AREA is still accepting public comment on its draft 10-year management plan. More information

COUGAR hunting is open. Populations in Southeast Zone are healthy. Don't forget successful hunters must check-in cougars no more than 10 days after harvest; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

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

KLAMATH COUNTY

The late GOOSE season in the Klamath County Zone closes on March 10.

COUGAR season remains open with good populations. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

Excellent opportunities exist for COYOTE hunting. Best areas are around foothill areas or where wintering deer are concentrated.

KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA

Hunting seasons are now closed.

In order to minimize disturbance to migrating and nesting birds, dogs are allowed only in the dog training area in Unit B from February 1 n July 31. Overnight camping is not allowed on the Miller Island Unit. Discharge of firearms is prohibited except by permit. Please restrict your activities to the main public roads and parking lots as many of the migrating geese are beginning to arrive. If you have any questions, please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5734.

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

LAKE COUNTY

COUGAR hunting is now open. Populations in Southeast Zone are healthy. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

COYOTES are concentrated on big game winter ranges, and in the vicinity of cattle herds with late winter or spring calves. They respond well to calling, and hunters should focus efforts in sage brush areas, natural openings in forest habitats, or big game winter ranges. Hunters are reminded to ask permission before calling on private land. Be aware that cougars will respond to predator calls.

SUMMER LAKE WILDLIFE AREA

This section of the report was last updated March 17.

All hunting seasons on the Wildlife Area are now closed.

Discharging firearms is prohibited except by permit.

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

MALHEUR COUNTY

COUGAR hunting is now open. Populations in Southeast Zone are healthy. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

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

SOUTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

EVENT

The 28th Annual John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival, April 3, 4 and 5, 2009, Burns

Spend an amazing weekend witnessing the spectacular spring migration in the Harney Basin of Southeast Oregon. View thousands of migratory birds as they rest and feed in the wide open spaces of Oregon's high desert. From waterfowl to shorebirds, cranes to raptors, wading birds to songbirds, you'll see it all!

The festival offers non-stop birding activities as well as historical and cultural information sure to entertain you and your family. So whether you're a beginner or a life-long wildlife enthusiast, the festival has something for everyone. More information can be found online at www.migratorybirdfestival.com

Harney County

Early spring migrants are beginning to arrive in the Harney Basin and Blitzen Valley. Open water areas are currently limited, but concentrations of snow geese, tundra swans and pintails can be found where open water exists, especially on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Viewing opportunities around the Harney Basin should improve over the next month as more migrants arrive and spring runoff is spread in local agricultural fields.

Klamath Falls Area

NEW: Amazing viewing opportunities exist for thousands of lesser snow geese, ross's geese, and white-fronted geese which can be found feeding in agricultural lands near Klamath Falls and south to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. These migratory birds will stage here in the Klamath Basin until late April when they'll continue their migration north to arctic nesting grounds.

Prime viewing opportunities exist for ducks along stateline road at the eastern edge of the Lower Klamath Refuge. Large groups of northern pintail, northern shoveler, lesser scaup, and American wigeon may be observed. Visitors will also find a variety of duck species along the Link River and Lake Ewauna. Species of interest may include bufflehead, common merganser, hooded merganser, common goldeneye, and lesser scaup.

Greater sandhill cranes are staging here and can be found feeding in agricultural fields and shallow wetland areas in the Klamath Basin.

Many raptors have moved into the Klamath Basin including wintering bald eagles, which can be found foraging on sick and dead waterfowl. Best areas to observe bald eagles are in the Lower Klamath and Tule lake Refuges and adjacent private lands. Additionally, bald eagles have been regular visitors around Lake Ewauna. Be sure to check the perching snag located along the Lake Ewauna trail, which is within walking distance of downtown Klamath Falls. For directions and more information, visit the Klamath Birding Trail Web site. Rough-legged hawks are becoming more numerous as they filter into the basin, and are best observed in agricultural areas. Resident raptors such as northern harriers and red-tailed hawks are very easily observed in open areas.

Many wetland birds are concentrated in wetland areas in the Klamath Basin, including great blue heron, black crowned night herons, California and ring-billed gulls, and great egrets.

Klamath Wildlife Area

Miller Island Unit

Public access is limited to open roads and parking areas at this time.

Ross's and snow geese are arriving in the basin and are utilizing many of the open fields along Miller Island Road and can be easily seen from the main road and parking lots. Bald eagles can be seen perching along the roads and fields in trees and perch poles. Tundra swans have returned to the basin and are very visible on the Miller Island Unit. Northward migrating geese have begun to appear in the basin, with increasing numbers of white-front geese utilizing the Miller Island Unit. Resident Great Basin Canada geese have begun pairing and establishment of nesting areas.

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

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

Lake County and Lakeview Area

Early spring migrants are starting to arrive in the Goose Lake, Warner and Chewaucan valleys. Tundra Swans, Snow Geese and Northern Pintail are the most common species.

With the start of green up bighorn sheep can be seen at the lower elevations of their herd ranges. Best viewing opportunities are along Abert Rim, Jackson's Monument south of Summer Lake and Fish Creek Rim along Crump Lake. Keep in mind that access to all these areas are either state highways or paved county roads and viewers should park well out of the traffic lanes before getting out to view bighorn.

Rough-legged hawks and other winter raptors are still present in good numbers, best viewing opportunities are in the valleys associated with agricultural fields. Bald Eagle numbers are increasing in the Goose Lake Valley, Warner Valley and Summer Lake Basin. Good numbers of both adult and juvenile birds are common.

Summer Lake Wildlife Area

This section was updated on March 17. Vehicle access to the Wildlife Viewing Loop remains open through summer and into early fall. However, Bullgate and Windbreak dikes and the Work Road were closed to motor vehicles on March 15 to reduce disturbance to breeding and migrating waterbirds. Non-motorized access remains available on all dikes and roads throughout the Wildlife Area.

All of the Area's wetlands are open and ice-free due to warm mid-day temperatures. Waterbird numbers are increasing since spring migration is in full swing. Viewers can expect to find numbers of waterfowl and other waterbirds to increase dramatically during the next two months. Many species that have been absent since last fall will be making their spring arrival in the next few weeks.

Waterfowl

Northward migrating waterfowl continue to stage in good numbers now. Waterfowl have spread out across the entire area. Over the past weekend, large numbers of migrant canvasback, American wigeon and northern pintail continue to be observed and migrant northern shovelers have increased dramatically. Cinnamon teal have returned and this breeding species is increasing in number as well.

Resident Canada geese are dispersed widely across the Wildlife Area and adjacent private lands. Most Canada geese have formed breeding pairs and are beginning to establish nesting territories. Migrant greater white-fronted and snow geese are increasing in number. Impressive numbers of white-fronts and snow geese continue to use the Wildlife Area over the past weekend. The Wildlife Viewing Loop east of Bullgate Campground is an excellent place to view large numbers of feeding snow geese, especially in the evening hours.

Tundra swan numbers have dropped dramatically due to northward migration; but fair numbers remain. Most wintering trumpeter swan numbers have also departed, a few remain but are sometimes difficult to find in and among groups of tundra swans. Most of these birds have departed to breeding territories in the Tri-State region of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming or Alberta and British Columbia. Listen for their different and distinctive call to help locate them. Jacks Lake across from the Headquarters Complex is sometimes a good location to observe trumpeters.

Shorebirds, waders and other waterbirds

Spring migrants are expected to return and increase in number in the near future. Over the past week, greater yellowlegs made their spring arrival. Killdeer and ring-billed gulls continue to increase in number. Sandhill cranes are increasing and many breeding pairs are returning to their nesting territories. About 30 birds were observed in the Foster Place grainfields over the past weekend. Crane pairs can be heard making their breeding season duet calls from territories during the early morning hours.

Raptors and Others

Resident raptors remain scattered throughout the Wildlife Area as well as on private lands along Hwy 31. Wintering and migrant raptors can still be found in good numbers throughout the Summer Lake Basin and are very apparent along Highway 31. Meadows offer excellent foraging opportunities for many raptors. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadows. Bald eagle numbers continue to increase as flocks of migrant waterfowl return and build in number. Last week, eagles remained very numerous and can usually be observed in close proximity to feeding flocks of snow geese and other waterfowl. Prairie falcons, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks and golden eagles are sometimes seen during this time of the year. Wintering rough-legged hawks remain fairly numerous.

The great-horned owl nest at River Ranch is incubating eggs on the nest at this time. Turkey vultures made their spring arrival on Friday, March 13.

Upland game birds

California quail are found in large coveys now. Eurasian collared doves remain fairly numerous (15-20) at Headquarters Complex, but resident and migrant mourning doves remain scarce.

Passerine (perching) species, especially sparrows and finches remain fairly common around the Headquarters complex, Summer Lake Rest Area, homestead sites and shelter break plantings at the north end of the Area where they are attracted to tree and shrub cover. American tree sparrows can sometimes be found at the Turner Place tree and shrub plot. Spotted towhees have arrived in good numbers as well as white-crowned sparrows. Red-winged blackbirds have returned, fair numbers have spread out to emergent marsh areas and males are actively singing especially on sunny days. Viewers can expect returning migrants to make an appearance in the near future. Please check the Wildlife observation Record in the Headquarters Lobby for recent arrivals and other species of interest.

Facilities and Access

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

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

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

Habitat

Recent warm daytime temperatures have resulted in a return to open conditions. All of the Wildlife Area's wetlands are open and ice free. Cool nighttime temperatures sometimes result in thin ice coving shallow ponds in the early morning that open completely by early afternoon. Shallowly flooded wetland edges have become available to foraging waterbirds and are receiving heavy use.

Water levels are generally high throughout the Area with the exception of Gold Dike Impoundment and the River Ranch units that are being drawdown for habitat enhancement scheduled to occur later this summer. Large portions of both of these units have recently been control burned and waterbird use should increase in the near future.

Meadows and hayfields found on adjacent private lands and in selected locations on the Wildlife Area remain open and are beginning to green-up.

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

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

NORTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Weekend fishing opportunities

* Steelhead anglers should be heading to the Umatilla River where the steelhead run usually peaks in March. Word from the field is that angler effort is low but success rates are high!

* Steelhead are well distributed in the Grande Ronde, Wallowa and Imnaha rivers.

GRANDE RONDE, WALLOWA, IMNAHA RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES: steelhead

Steelhead are distributed throughout the open fishing areas of the lower Grande Ronde, Wallowa, and Imnaha Rivers. Steelhead angling is fair to good. On the Wallowa River, anglers averaged 7.8 hours per steelhead landed in the canyon area and 9.4 hours per steelhead near Rondowa in last week's creel surveys. Steelhead catch rates averaged a little over 5 hours per fish in the Imnaha River and lower Grande Ronde. This week's weather forecast calls for warmer and wetter conditions, so river flows could increase.

Check river flows

JOHN DAY RIVER: bass and steelhead

Stream flows are fluctuating daily dependent on rain and snowmelt. Anglers have been catching steelhead between Service Creek and Kimberly on the John Day River and in the North Fork John Day River below Monument when water conditions allow. Drifting jigs and bait has been the most productive method. Remember to keep all clipped hatchery fish and release the unmarked ones.

Stream flow levels at Service Creek

The John Day River above Kimberly and all tributaries are closed to trout angling until May 24, 2008. The John Day River below Kimberly is open to angling for steelhead and bass all year.

MAGONE LAKE: trout

Ice has covered the lake and access is by snowmobile only. Anglers should be cautious of thin ice. Ice fishing success for brook and rainbow trout should be fair with rainbows and brook trout to 14 inches.

McKAY RESERVIOR: trout, yellow perch

Opens to angling March 1 and early season trout angling should be fair. Yellow perch and brown bullhead angling will improve as water temperatures increase.

MORGAN LAKE: trout, bullheads, crappie

The lake is closed to fishing until next spring.

PEACH POND: trout

The pond on Ladd Marsh has been stocked with surplus steelhead. These fish are considered trout and only one over 20 inches can be taken per day.

ROULET POND: trout

The Pond is still iced over. Surplus steelhead will be stocked as soon as the ice breaks.

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

These reservoirs and ponds are open all year but only stocked each spring. Stocking will occur by early May but there are many fish still remaining from last year's releases.

TROUT FARM POND: trout

This small, spring-fed pond is open year-long and never freezes entirely. Access can be limited until snowplows clear the road and parking is limited. Angling success should remain fair for brook trout and planted rainbow all winter.

UMATILLA RIVER: steelhead

Steelhead angling effort was light this past week, but success was good with anglers averaging 4.3 hours per steelhead landed. The steelhead return to Threemile Dam is currently at 1,910 for the season. With the completion of fish passage improvements at Feed Canal Dam all steelhead are being released directly above Threemile Dam.

WALLOWA LAKE: rainbow trout

Wallowa Lake is frozen over and anglers are having some success ice fishing for trout and kokanee. Ice conditions are deteriorating with recent warm weather and rain. Anglers venturing out on the ice should use caution and be sure the ice is thick enough for safe angling.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: trout

The reservoir is open all year and should provide fair angling for rainbow trout all winter.

NORTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Cougar, coyote and selected furbearers (see regulations)

Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) TURKEY hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details. General spring turkey season opens April 15. See this PDF online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon.

Wolves may be present in northeast Oregon

On July 18, 2008 a wolf pack with pups was confirmed in northern Union County. Wolves are listed under Oregon's Endangered Species Act and also protected by federal law. It is unlawful to shoot them. Coyote hunters in northeastern Oregon need to take extra care to identify their target as wolves can look like coyotes, especially wolf pups in the mid-summer and fall.

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

BAKER COUNTY

COUGAR season is open. Hunters experience the best success in Burnt River Canyon west of Durkee. Remember cougar check-in is mandatory; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

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

GRANT COUNTY

COUGAR populations appear to be increasing, and the Desolation unit should be a good area to find them. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

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

MORROW, GILLIAM and WHEELER COUNTIES

Although the opener is still a month away, now is a great time to start TURKEY scouting. The turkeys are starting to move up from their wintering areas surrounding the forest. The snow is receding in the forest although access is still limited due to snow on the higher roads.

COYOTE hunting will be tougher with the snow melting off and continuing warmer weather conditions. Watch wind direction to help prevent giving away your location. Calling with game distress calls can be very successful.

COUGAR numbers are increasing in most areas. Look for areas that have a lot of cougar sign as good sites for setting up a call site. In addition, be aware of ravens and other scavengers, as they can mark cougar kill sites, set up on these sites to increase your odds of finding a cougar. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

UMATILLA COUNTY

COUGAR populations are high. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

High numbers of COYOTES can be found in the lower elevation forested areas of Umatilla County on public land. Calling will produce a number of opportunities in coyote concentration areas. Looking for tracks along roads or ridgelines will provide a good indication of the presence of coyotes in any specific area.

The BRIDGE CREEK WILDLIFE AREA is still accepting comments on their draft 10-year management plan. Hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers and others are encouraged to provide their input. More information

UNION COUNTY

TURKEY hunting is just around the corner. Birds start to move upslope as the winter snow recedes. March is the time to start scouting.

COUGAR hunting is open. Warmer weather and a rise in snow levels will make tracking more challenging. Hunters should focus there efforts near deer and elk winter range. Setting up about 150 yards downwind of a deer/elk kill site during the twilight hours can be productive. Always prop the mouth wide open on harvested cougars and bears, this saves time when biologists pull a tooth. Hunters bringing in frozen heads with the jaw shut will be asked to return at a later date with the jaw open.

COYOTE numbers are strong throughout the county. With less snow in the foothills, hunters will need to spend more time glassing to locate animals. Using predator calls as a lure and moving call sights after 20 minutes is an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA

Bird hunting seasons are now closed.

WALLOWA DISTRICT

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

COUGAR numbers are still strong through out the district. Hunters will improve chances of success by locating a recent kill site and calling in the area or waiting for a lion to return to a cached carcass. Remember check-in is mandatory for successful hunters; please bring cougar in thawed and with mouth propped open for easier tissue sampling, teeth collection and tagging.

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT: Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock vehicle road closures will be in effect in the Sled Springs unit.

NORTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

Spring cleaning is for the birds!

Please clean your bird feeders periodically to prevent the spread of disease. Most songbird die-offs in the area can be traced to a feeder that has not been cleaned.

Baker County

Rocky Mountain elk are still on feed sites on Elkhorn Wildlife Area. Best viewing opportunities area located at the main wildlife area property off of Anthony Lakes Highway and from Auburn Road viewing area south of Baker City off of Highway 7. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope.

Bighorn sheep can be seen along the Burnt River Canyon west of Durkee or along the Snake River Road south of Richland. As snow and colder weather comes, sheep will move lower in elevation and be more visible along roads. Bald eagles and diving ducks can be viewed in abundant numbers along open water portions of Brownlee and Oxbow Reservoir.

Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler Counties

NEW: Although a Say's phoebe-the traditional first sign of spring in the area-has yet to be seen, spring is getting closer and many more birds are flying north for the summer.

The awaited Say's phoebe is a medium-sized flycatcher that winters in California and other points south and heads north in spring to breed. To see a range map and hear the bird's call, visit Cornell lab's Web site. This bird was named for Thomas Say, the American naturalist.

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

Union County

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

Consider a short driving tour from Elgin north to Palmer valley. Early morning or dusk time periods are best. Turkeys should be moving towards Elgin and whitetail deer and elk may be seen along the loop roads in Palmer Valley.

ODFW's Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, La Grande

The Tule Lake Public Access Area opened for the season on Saturday, Feb. 28. The auto route and trails may be slippery so use care.

Warm daytime temperatures have opened up the water on Ladd Marsh and the birds have responded. Swans have been seen in several locations and have been joined by pintails, gadwall, American wigeon and green-winged teal. Canada geese are present in large numbers and many are pairing up and claiming nest sites. Sandhill cranes are expected within the next few weeks. The best places to observed early arrivals are along Foothill Road and Hot Lake Lane.

Numerous birds of prey can be seen utilizing the wildlife area. Both golden and bald eagles have been observed recently as well as red-tailed and rough-legged hawks and northern harriers. Also watch for prairie and peregrine falcons; especially when the waterfowl return in large numbers.

Elk continue their movements from higher elevation timber to lower elevation areas on the wildlife area although these movements are becoming less reliable. Glassing the slope above Foothill Road in the morning may reveal numbers of elk slowly working their way up slope. Both mule and white-tailed deer are also using the slopes above Foothill Road and the wildlife area below the road.

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

There are numerous quality viewing opportunities from the roads that pass through the area. Binoculars or a spotting scope will help as many animals are best viewed from a distance.

Umatilla County

Umatilla County is still locked in winter conditions, but there are some signs of spring. Early migrants can be seen making appearances in the low elevation area of Umatilla County during March. Some of the more spectacular sights to see are north migrating sandhill cranes which can be seen on clear days traveling at extreme heights in V patterns toward the north. Listen for their songs which will often give the first clue to their presence even before being seen.

Migrating passerines will start to show up in riparian and shrubland areas in lower elevations in Umatilla County this time of year as well. Waterfowl will begin taking advantage of aquatic insect production in shallow sheetwater wetlands and will be visible to viewers.

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

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

Wallowa County

Warmer days in Wallowa County have resulted in snow receding in the valley and more opportunities to get out and about.

Bald Eagles

Bald eagles are common in the Wallowa Valley now. Eagles are currently gathering along Prairie Creek 2-3 miles east of Enterprise, and can be observed from Highway 82. They can also often be observed from Highway 82 in the vicinity of the Wallowa River. The Wallowa River in the Minam canyon is another good place to observe eagles.

Raptors

Several species of raptors, including red-tailed, rough-legged, and ferruginous hawks, can be observed during winter months in the Wallowa Valley. Most raptors can be easily observed from county roads. A good pair of binoculars will improve viewing opportunities.

Rocky Mountain Elk

Elk can be observed on the Wenaha Wildlife Area. Eden Bench, southwest of Troy, is a good area to view elk early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Bighorn Sheep

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

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

FISHING

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

Some perch are being caught from shore. The reservoir is currently 25 feet below normal and fluctuations are occuring. Call Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit their Web site under the "Rivers and Recreation" heading.

Reservoir level information

OXBOW RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

Fishing is generally slow but some trout can be caught near stream mouths

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, crappie, bass, catfish

Fishing is generally slow but some trout can be caught near stream mouths

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass

A few 16-inch trout are showing up in catches.

Get updated information on flow levels.

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

Flows near Nyssa ranged from 7,500 to 10,000 cfs from March 11 through March 17. Flows near Weiser ranged from approximately 9,400 to 12,100 cfs from March 11 through March 17. Water temperature at the Weiser gauge was 40°F March 15. Catch rates are slow due to cool water temperatures.

COLUMBIA ZONE

COLUMBIA FISHING

Weekend Fishing Opportunities

* Spring chinook and winter steelhead are available in the lower Columbia River for both boat and bank anglers.

* Walleye fishing is good in The Dalles Pool.

Columbia River Fish Counts:

Regulations:

SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD:

Salmonid effort remained high over the weekend despite the wet and windy weather; however, catch rates continue to be slow. In the estuary boat anglers averaged 0.41 spring Chinook caught per boat, while boat anglers in the Portland to Longview area averaged 0.17 spring Chinook caught per boat. In Troutdale boat anglers averaged 0.12 spring Chinook caught per boat. Bank anglers are catching a few salmon and steelhead.

Gorge Bank & Boat:

Weekend checking showed no catch for six bank anglers; and no catch for one boat.

Troutdale Boats:

Weekend checking showed seven adipose fin-clipped spring chinook kept, plus two unclipped spring chinook released for 74 boats (complete trips).

Portland to Longview Bank:

Weekend checking showed two adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus one spring chinook released for 175 bank anglers.

Portland to Longview Boats:

Weekend checking showed 12 adipose fin-clipped spring chinook kept, plus six unclipped spring chinook released for 105 boats (complete trips).

Estuary Bank (Above Tongue Point):

Weekend checking showed no catch for four bank anglers.

Estuary Boats (Above Tongue Point):

Weekend checking showed six adipose fin-clipped spring chinook kept, plus one unclipped spring chinook released for 17 boats (complete trips).

Bonneville Pool:

No report.

The Dalles Pool:

Weekly checking showed no catch for one bank angler; and two unclipped steelhead released for one boat (two anglers).

John Day Pool (Columbia River above John Day Dam and John Day Arm):

Weekly checking showed one unclipped steelhead released for 13 bank anglers; and one unclipped steelhead released for one boat (one angler).

STURGEON:

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

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

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

Sturgeon effort on the lower Columbia River has really dropped off now that the spring chinook migration has begun.

Gorge Bank:

Weekend checking showed no catch for five bank anglers.

Gorge Boats:

No report. Effort is light.

Troutdale Boats:

Weekend checking showed no catch for one boat.

Portland to Longview Bank:

No report.

Portland to Longview Boats:

Weekend checking showed five sublegal sturgeon released for three boats (complete trips).

Bonneville Pool Boat and Bank:

As of Feb. 28 anglers have caught 184 legal white sturgeon out of their 700 catch guideline for 2009. Weekly checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus 16 sublegal sturgeon released for 70 bank anglers; and two legal white sturgeon kept, plus 41 sublegal sturgeon released for eight boats (16 anglers).

The Dalles Pool Boat and Bank:

As of Feb. 28 anglers have caught 104 legal white sturgeon out of their 300 catch guideline for 2009. Weekly checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus three sublegal sturgeon released for 24 bank anglers; and five legal white sturgeon kept, plus 46 sublegal sturgeon released for 14 boats (34 anglers).

John Day Boat and Bank:

Weekly checking showed 13 sublegal sturgeon released for 36 bank anglers; and nine legal white sturgeon kept, plus five oversize, and 114 sublegal sturgeon released for 33 boats (90 anglers).

WALLEYE:

Bonneville Pool Boats:

Weekly checking showed two walleye kept, plus two walleye released for seven boats (10 anglers).

The Dalles Pool Boats:

Weekly checking showed 13 walleye kept, plus one walleye released for 14 boats (38 anglers).

John Day Pool Boats:

Weekly checking showed four walleye kept, plus one walleye released for 20 boats (43 anglers).

MARINE ZONE

MARINE FISHING

Rough seas kept boats tied up several days last week, but when anglers got out they were rewarded with good catches of lingcod, rockfish and kelp greenling. Fishing for rockfish, lingcod and other groundfish species inside jetties and along rocky shore can also be productive this time of year. A list of fish included in the six-fish marine bag limit is found in the 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations (page 100) and online at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp

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

Spring is also the time to fish for saltwater perch in estuaries. Try a small hook size of #4 or #2 secured 24 to 30 inches below a 1- or 2-ounce sinker on 8- to 10-pound test line. Alternatively, hooks may be secured a foot or so above the sinker. Popular baits include sand shrimp, sand worms, kelp worms, clam necks and mussels. Keep the bait close to structure such as rocks, jetties, pilings or sunken ships. Most anglers fish an incoming tide. The daily bag limit is 15.

All salmon and Pacific halibut fishing in the ocean is closed. The recreational ocean salmon fishery that had been scheduled to open March 15 was cancelled due to very low Chinook salmon forecasts. The structure of the 2009 salmon season will be decided by the Pacific Fishery Management Council during the week of April 4-9.

The 2009 season map for Pacific halibut is available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/finfish/halibut/index.asp. Open dates for the all-depth Pacific halibut fishery on the central coast will be adopted in March.

SHELLFISH

Clamming effort has been slow. The entire Oregon coast is open to the recreational harvest of mussels, clams and other shellfish. However, harvesters should check for current closures on the ODA shellfish safety page or call the shellfish hotline, 503-986-4728 or 1-800-448-2474. Waters can be closed on short notice because of contaminated waters due to coastal flooding and because of elevated levels of naturally occurring toxins.

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

CRABS

Bay crabbing continues to be fairly slow. Recent survey data show Coos Bay catches averaged five crab per boat. Recreational Bay Crab Survey data on catch statistics are updated every month during the winter on the ODFW Web site at the recently-launched Crabbing Reports page. This provides prospective crabbers some information on the recent success of other crabbers in the three bays that are sampled during the winter: Yaquina Bay, Alsea Bay and Coos Bay.

Sport crabbing is also open in the ocean.

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

MARINE ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

SOLV Spring Beach Cleanup, Saturday, March 28, 2009

Thousands of volunteers are needed to help clean Oregon's beaches, from the Washington border to California, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. To participate, simply show up at one of 44 registration sites at 10:00 AM on March 28th to pick up a bag and head out to the beach to help restore the coastline to its pristine condition. Registration sites are listed at www.solv.org or volunteers can call SOLV at (503) 844 -9571 or 800-333-SOLV (7658) for more information.

Pacific City Birding and Blues Festival, April 3, 4 and 5

Headquarted at the Kiawanda Community Center on Cape Kiwanda Drive, the festival offers: guided field trips, indoor seminars and workshops, Friday night Blues Benefit Dance, Saturday Night will have the featured concert, bay-by-boat tours, and more. For more information, go to www.birdingandblues.com

Lincoln City Wings & Waves Festival, May 1, 2 and 3

Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 NE Highway 101. Activities include a bird-count contest, field trips, kayak trips, speakers and a live raptor show, live music on Friday and Saturday, and construction of the world's largest bird nest. Visit the Lincoln City Audubon Society Web site, http://www.lincolncityaudubon.com/

Underwater Fish and Wildlife Viewing

Winter is prime time for scuba diving on the Oregon coast. While wind and waves can make an open ocean dive difficult or impossible, there are some sheltered areas of the coast where divers can safely see the wonders of our emerald ocean even when the waves are marching in. While outside winter temperatures drop, the ocean remains about the same n about 48 to 54 degrees. In fact, the sea temperature during the winter is usually a few degrees warmer in the winter than in the summer.

Perhaps more enticing to divers is that during the winter months the visibility improves. Most winter days divers can see 10 to 12 feet or sometimes more. During the summer the visibility is usually about half that. Make no mistake, diving in the Pacific Northwest is challenging because of the cold and the limited visibility, but the profusion of life and the beautiful fish and invertebrates make it worth it.

Two popular dives on the central Oregon coast are the south jetty at Newport and Netarts Bay.

The Fingers off the south jetty is probably the best known dive in the Newport area. The entry is over big rocks and is tricky, especially since most divers are packing somewhere around 60 additional pounds of gear. You can always carry your gear over a piece at a time, but most divers do it in one pack and hope they don't fall in a hole. The jetty area provides some great hiding places for crabs, lingcod, black, blue and copper rockfish, greenlings, cabezon and lots of invertebrate life. The finger jetties are perpendicular from the main jetty and protect the diver somewhat from the current and the swells. But since this is the only outlet for Yaquina Bay, diving at high slack tide is recommended.

Netarts Bay in Tillamook County is another dependable dive when the surf is up. It has the added advantage of not having much freshwater flow into the bay so visibility is usually pretty good even after the coast has had a lot of rain. The higher salinity in the bay also means that the crabs and other invertebrates flourish. Entry is easy down the boat ramp. Keep the rock wall on your right and study the life hiding in the rocks. Going back, keep the rocks on your left. The sandy bottom is home to many crabs and eel grass beds that provides cover to small fish. Most of the action is on the rock breakwater, however. On a dive last week a team of divers saw more than four kinds of crab, five different species of nudibranchs (sea slugs), several smaller species of fish and fields of flower-like anemones.

Frogs and more

Amphibians are on the move this month. Watch for rough-skinned newts, Pacific giant salamanders, red-legged frogs and other Oregon coast amphibians as they cross fields, lawns, roads and paths to find appropriate ponds and other still bodies of water to lay their eggs. Look just below the surface of the water at wetlands for clusters of eggs. A close inspection will reveal the embryo developing and often moving in the transparent egg. Many newts produce toxins to avoid predation, but the toxins of the Oregon rough-skinned newt are particularly potent. One thirtieth of the toxin present in the skin of an average adult rough-skinned newt is sufficient to kill a healthy adult human. Toxicity is generally experienced only if the newt is ingested, although there are reports that some individuals experience skin irritation after handling the newt.