The weekly Oregon Recreation Report (fishing, hunting, viewing), updated Wednesday, Jan. 17, by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:

WILLAMETTE ZONE

FISHING

ODFW is scheduled to supply Huddleston Pond, Sheridan Pond, and West Salish Pond with broodstock trout the week of Jan. 15.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: The river has dropped to a fishable level and the color is good. However, at mid-week the cold weather had caused the temperature of the river to drop into the 35° to 36° range. The steelhead tend to become lethargic at these cold temperatures making angling a challenge. Things should improve once the current cold snap ends. Monday's flows were at 3,000 cfs (12.69').

Angling activity has been slow in the past few days due to the cold weather. The winter steelhead are likely distributed throughout the river from McIver down to Gladstone. With the later returning broodstock steelhead now part of the fish management plan angling should pick up in the next couple of weeks providing the water conditions hold up.

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

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

Boaters should be aware that recent high water events have made changes to the river that could surprise unsuspecting boat anglers. Be cautious during high winter flows.

EAGLE CREEK: The creek was flowing moderately low and clear over the weekend. It should remain in good shape without any heavy rain in the forecast. Conditions are very cold and clear due to the recent winter weather. Some warmer weather in the weekend forecast should help. Tuesday's water temperature at the hatchery was 35°. The hatchery has had over 100 adult steelhead swim into the holding pond so far this winter.

The arrival of steelhead at the hatchery is a good indication that fish are distributed throughout the creek and reports indicate that steelhead are being caught in many areas. The large number of vehicles that were parked along the road and at Eagle Fern Park over the cold, frosty weekend is typically a good indicator of angling success. Reports are that the catch was fair to good depending on your location. Anglers continue to have the best luck in the area near the lower ladder and up in the canyon below the hatchery.

The water conditions on Eagle Creek can play an important part in deciding the type and color of gear to choose. Be prepared with both bright and subtle colors of jigs or spinners. Anglers may also have success with sand shrimp or small egg clusters and yarn.

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

GREEN PETER RESERVOIR also offers fishing for rainbow, chinook, and kokanee. The reservoir level has dropped to below the elevation of the boat ramp at the Whitcomb Creek recreation site, so boaters will need to use the ramp at Thistle Creek.

JUNCTION CITY POND: Recently stocked with Brood Trout and One Pounders.

SANDY RIVER: The Sandy has dropped considerably due to the recent cold weather. Flow readings for Monday showed 1,930 cfs (9.6') and a water temperature near 35°. These cold, low, and clear conditions have made winter steelhead fishing a bit tougher.

Winter steelhead anglers have found limited success with a few wild and hatchery fish picked up. The Sandy fish are now a later returning stock versus what anglers were used to a few years ago. This is a result of the wild broodstock program initiated under the current Sandy River fish management plan. Angling should improve as the river gets back into shape. Decent catch rates should continue through March.

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

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

Recent stockings of Walter Wirth Lake and Walling Pond in Salem are providing some good opportunities for winter trout fishing. Bait and patience will likely work best.

WILLAMETTE RIVER: The Willamette River is continuing to drop after some very high flows experienced last week. The river is still running somewhat high and off color, but it is improving daily. Monday's readings were at 43,900 cfs, the visibility was 2.0 feet, and the temperature was down to 40°. Fish counts at Willamette Falls totaled 700 winter steelhead through January 9th. The final coho count ending Dec. 31 was 6,186 adults and 1,614 jacks.

Winter steelhead anglers have had some very good days despite the higher flows. Anglers can expect the Meldrum Bar and Dahl Park areas to provide the greatest opportunity. Steelhead will usually hug the bank in this area, particularly during the high flow periods. Most of these fish are destined for the Clackamas River and Eagle Creek.

You shouldn't need to cast out very far to find the fish and watching the other regular anglers will help tremendously if you are new to this type of steelhead fishing. Be aware that with higher flows much of the bank access is under water so space can often be at a premium.

Please note that the Willamette River, including Multnomah Channel is open for the retention of sturgeon under rules carried over from 2006. Retention of sturgeon will be allowed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each week until July 31, 2007. Sunday through Wednesday of each week angling for sturgeon will be allowed but on a catch and release basis only. Please also note that anglers are limited to the use of only one single-point barbless hook while angling for sturgeon.

There were reports for both keeper and sublegal sturgeon but the colder water tends to slow down the bite. The sections of river both above and below the St Johns Bridge have been productive, as has the area near the Fremont Bridge. Boat anglers might also try Multnomah Channel or the Oregon City/Gladstone area. Bank fishing for sturgeon can be found at Meldrum Bar and at the wall in downtown Oregon City. Sturgeon anglers have found fresh smelt and sand shrimp to be effective.

The Willamette River can be a dangerous place this time of year as evidenced by serious boating incidents that occurred this past fall. The combination of high flows, unpredictable currents, low water visibility, and plenty of debris requires that extreme caution be used when boating on the river.

NORTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

ATTENTION ANGLERS: Extreme flooding earlier this fall moved large amounts of debris downstream in many areas. Boaters should be very cautious and be on the look out for log jams or other hazards. Boat ramps may be heavily silted or damaged. Scout the area you want to fish before launching, and be prepared for the situation.

ALSEA RIVER: The winter steelhead run is underway. Returns to the Alsea Fish Hatchery and harvest rates in the area have been good, depending on river conditions. The fishery is expected to remain productive over the next couple weeks throughout much of the river. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?TIDO3

BIG CREEK: Winter steelhead angling is fair to good. Water levels have dropped, but are cold. Good numbers of fish have been collected at the hatchery. Approximately 180 steelhead were recycled from the hatchery last week. Call 503-458-6529 for recorded fishing information.

GNAT CREEK: Gnat Creek is a small, short stream located 18 miles east of Astoria on Hwy 30. The 3.5 miles upstream from tidewater to Barrier Falls (1000 feet upstream from Gnat Creek Hatchery) is all public access with angler parking along Hwy 30. Gnat Creek water conditions drop and clear extremely quickly with very few (if any) days when fish can not be hooked because of water conditions. Steelhead fishing the last two weeks has been fair to good with reports of very good numbers of fish in the creek. Most fish are taken on small baits of eggs or yarn. Call 503-455-0701 for recorded water conditions and steelhead fishing information.

KILCHIS RIVER: A few winter steelhead are being caught. A tree has fallen across the river just below Kilchis Park. Although partially cleared, boaters should use extreme caution in this stretch until the tree is cleared. Water conditions have been good, but were dropping and clearing quickly with recent cold weather.

NECANICUM RIVER: Winter steelhead angling is fair to good. Fish are available throughout the river. Water is clear and cold. Anglers should be persistent as fish are likely to be lethargic.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: Winter steelhead angling has been good. Best angling has been from the hatchery downstream, although some hatchery steelhead are available upstream of Hwy 53. About 500 fish were collected at Nehalem Hatchery again last week. Call the Nehalem Hatchery recorded information line at 503-368-5670 for updated reports. ODFW is conducting voluntary creel surveys on the North Fork. There are kiosks located at several locations along the river for anglers. Please stop and fill out a survey form.

NORTH FORK KLASKANINE RIVER: Hatchery winter steelhead are available throughout the system up to Klaskanine Hatchery. Fishing has been fair to good. Water level is good, but is dropping and clearing quickly. Public access is available at the hatchery and downstream off of Hwy 202.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: The Nestucca River has been high, dropped into shape quickly with recent cold weather. Three Rivers is in good shape, but is clearing quickly also. Water temperatures are cold. Angling for winter steelhead has been slow to fair. A few wild brood hatchery steelhead are beginning to show up in the catch. Hatchery fish have been caught in the Nestucca up to about 6th bridge. Best fishing in Three Rivers has been below the hatchery. About 200 winter steelhead have been collected by the hatchery thus far. Check river levels before fishing at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pqr

NORTH COAST LAKES: Trout stocking will begin in March. Town Lake, Cape Meares Lake, Tahoe Lake, and Lorens Pond have been stocked with surplus hatchery steelhead.

SILETZ RIVER: Winter steelhead fishing is fair to good for the drift boat fishery and for bank fishing in the upper river. The fishery is expected to remain productive through the weekend and into next week despite the current cold snap. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?SILO3

SIUSLAW RIVER: The winter steelhead fishery is underway with fair to good angling. The fishery is anticipated to improve over the next week or two as good numbers of hatchery fish are starting to show. River flows should be favorable for the weekend. Current river levels and forecasts can be found at http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?MPLO3

TILLAMOOK BAY: Sturgeon are available throughout the bay. Some good catches have been reported lately. Pressure has been light.

WARM WATER ANGLING: The mid coast has many lakes which have a variety of warm water species. Fishing for these species is typically very good from late spring to late fall using a variety of baits and lures. The following is a list of accessible lakes with some of the warm water fish species. In the Lincoln City area - Devils Lake (large mouth bass, perch, bluegill); in the Newport area n Big Creek Reservoir 1 and 2 (large mouth bass, brown bullhead); in the Toledo area n Olalla Reservoir (large mouth bass, bluegill); in the Waldport area n Eckman Lake (large mouth bass); in the Florence area n Sutton, Mercer, Munsel, Woahink, Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes (large mouth bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, brown bullhead).

WILSON AND TRASK RIVERS: A few winter steelhead are available throughout the Wilson and Trask rivers. Angling has generally been slow, but should improve as the rivers drop and clear. Water temperature is cold. Check river levels at http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr prior to fishing.

YAQUINA RIVER: Winter steelhead fishing is slow to fair. The fishery in the Big Elk should be fair to good throughout January. The best fishing in the Big Elk is typically from the fishing deadline and downstream a few miles.

VIEWING

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

GRAY WHALES are migrating south from the Bering Sea on their way down along the Pacific coast to the Baja area. Late December and early January is the peak of the migration season, but the migration continues through March. There are a number of excellent places to view the whales from. From north to south, places include Ecola State Park and Silver Point near Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park and Neah-Kah-Nie Mtn. near Manzanita, Cape Meares and Cape Lookout State Parks west of Tillamook, and Cape Kiwanda near Pacific City. Be sure to bring your binoculars for best viewing!

ROOSEVELT ELK are common in the fields at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Management Area, located in central Clatsop County off of Hwy. 26. The larger bulls are generally found in fields on the west end of the main refuge tract (Fishhawk) along Hwy 202, and the cows, calves and smaller bulls usually occupy the larger fields on the eastern end. Elk can also be seen on the Beneke Tract along Beneke Road and on the Humbug Tract near Camp 18 along Hwy 26.

STELLAR SEA LIONS have been seen in large numbers on Seal Rock, which is one of the smaller rocks within the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, located just west of Oceanside. Unlike their smaller cousin, the California Sea Lion, Stellars are far less numerous and actually federally listed as a threatened species. The large pinnipeds can be seen there almost any month of the year.

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

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

NESTUCCA BAY NWR is home to a variety of Canada Geese, including the Aleutian, Dusky, Cackler, Western and others. Located along Hwy 101 near Pacific City, the refuge also fronts Nestucca Bay, where many other types of water-loving birds can be observed as well.

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA: With hunting going on, public access to much of Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is closed. However, birds can still be viewed at Coon Point, the eastside viewing platform and at the end of Rentenaar Road.

FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA: Royal Avenue and the trail to the Fisher Butte viewing platform remain open daily.

E.E. WILSON WILDLIFE AREA: Winter is not the peak times for viewing but opportunities will improve in spring when visitors can see broods of waterfowl, shorebirds and neo-tropical migrants (swallows, hummingbirds, flycatchers).

JEWELL MEADOWS WILDLIFE AREA: Users of Jewell Meadows should be aware that ODFW is reviewing and updating the wildlife area's management plan. The agency will host two public meetings to present the plan (Jan. 24, 7-9 p.m., Forest Grove City Auditorium, 1915 Main Street, Forest Grove and Jan. 25, 7-9 p.m., OSU Seafood Lab, 2001 Marine Dr. Room 253, Astoria) Meeting Attendees will hear a brief presentation about the plan and have the chance to make public comments. The plan can also be reviewed at the link below and public comments sent to odfw.comments@state.or.us

www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/07/jan/L_Jewell%20Meadows%20Wildlife%20Area%20Plan%20-Draft.pdf

HUNTING

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

FOREST GROUSE AND MTN QUAIL: The season extends through the end of January 2007. Blue grouse are most commonly found at higher elevations like ridge tops, whereas ruffed grouse occur mostly on mid-slopes and especially along riparian areas of streams. Mtn. quail are usually found in older, brushy clearcuts, especially on south-facing slopes. It appears that brood production this summer was lower than normal for all three species, so the forecast is only for fair hunting for those birds on the north coast.

WATERFOWL: Fair numbers of local and migrant ducks are present on north coast estuaries, including the lower Columbia River. Hunting will be best in upper estuary areas except when rains begin to flood fields and pastures and disperse birds. Unfortunately, there has been a tremendous amount of rain lately. Pay particular attention to the tide tables when planning a trip on coastal estuaries and realize that timing of the tides in the upper estuary can be over an hour behind published times. Hunting tends to be best on the incoming tide.

SAUVIE ISLAND WILDLIFE AREA (Portland) is open for waterfowl season but closed to goose hunting. Mud Lake on the westside had the most birds with 178 for the past two hunt days. McNary on the eastside came in second with 123, followed by Deadwillow (86) and Crane (84). Most bodies of water within hunting units are frozen solid on both the eastside and Westside, creating a new challenge for the hunters. Hunter harvest success was 1.7 birds per hunter (bph) on Jan. 9, 2.2 bph Jan. 13, 3.0 bph on Jan. 15. Visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/waterfowl/counts/sauvie_island/2006/index.asp for more information on hunter harvest statistics at Sauvie Island.

FERN RIDGE WILDLIFE AREA (Eugene): Reservation waterfowl hunts continue on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in the East and West Coyote units. Hunters who did not apply for reservation hunting can try to hunt standby by coming to Neilson Road check station 90 minutes before legal shooting time. Hunter harvest success was 1.6 birds per hunter (bph) on Jan. 10, 1.0 bph on Jan. 13, and 2.3 bph on Jan. 15.

For more hunter harvest statistics visit

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/waterfowl/counts/fern_ridge/

Users of Fern Ridge should be aware that ODFW is reviewing and updating the wildlife area's management plan. The agency will host two public meetings in Eugene (Jan. 20, 7-9 p.m., Eugene Water and Electric Board, 500 East 4th Street and Jan. 24, 7-9 p.m., Fern Ridge Wildlife Area headquarters, 26969 Cantrell Road). Meeting Attendees will hear a brief presentation about the plan and have the chance to make public comments. The plan can also be reviewed at the link below and public comments sent to odfw.comments@state.or.us

www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/07/jan/L_Fern%20Ridge%20Wildlife%20Area%20Plan-%20Draft.pdf

E.E. WILSON WILDLIFE AREA (Monmouth): Open for waterfowl, rabbits, big game (Willamette Valley deer tag holders) and upland birds. Most ponds are frozen and duck hunting has slowed; ponds are expected to thaw later this week. During the last week, 100 hunters (60 upland, 3 big game, and 37 waterfowl) visited the area, harvesting 8 quail, 7 ducks, and 32 rabbits.

SOUTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

On Jan. 10, ODFW added 175 steelhead to Expo Pond near the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point and 50 steelhead to Reinhart Park Pond (formerly called All Sports Pond) in Grants Pass.

APPLEGATE RIVER: Steelhead are reported to be providing action on the Applegate, with anglers using gold, copper and blue/silver spoons. Conditions are cold for both anglers and fish. Outflows from the reservoir are averaging 39F and 490 cubic feet per second on Tuesday morning. The Applegate River is open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead between January 1 and March 31. The Applegate is also open for trout fishing with a limit of 2 adipose fin-clipped rainbow trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. Nonadipose fin-clipped rainbow trout and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed. The use of bait is allowed.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout and land-locked juvenile spring chinook salmon are available. Bank anglers will likely fish either floating bait or worms, while trollers can do well fishing a spinner and worm combination. The low water ramp at French Gulch is open.

CHETCO RIVER: The River is very low and clear. Anglers using small egg clusters have been picking up a few steelhead, but conditions are tough.

Anglers are reminded that ODFW regulary collects winter steelhead from the mainstem Chetco River for the broodstock program. The adult fish collected in the fall produce the steelhead smolts that are planted back in the Chetco River. At times the collection of steelhead may interfere with an anglers fishing experience. ODFW asks all anglers to be curtious to ODFW personnel as this is a valuable part of the winter steelhead hatchery program.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: Trout stocking will resume in the spring. Nice holdover trout are still available though. Warmwater fish can still be caught but require a slow presentation with the low water temperatures.

COOS RIVER BASIN: River levels have dropped and angling has been good on the East Fork Millicoma and South Coos. The West Fork Millicoma has been running low and clear. Angling should pick up there with some rain. The West Fork Millicoma has good public access on the Elliott State Forest where many steelhead are caught. The Nesika Park area on the East Fork also has good public access. Access to the South Fork above Dellwood requires a permit from Weyerhaeuser Co., available at Airport Heights and TNT Markets. Weyerhaeuser is no longer issuing these permits at their Dellwood office. The stretch of river above Dellwood has good bank access and and an acclimation site near mile 5 where many fish are caught.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Fishing has been good in the South Fork, East Fork and North Fork Coquille. No reports have come in for the Middle Fork. The South Fork and North Fork Coquille provide good opportunities for anglers to catch steelhead. Laverne Park on the North Fork provides good bank access for anglers. The Middle Fork Coquille does not have a hatchery program but is a nice place for anglers looking to avoid crowded conditions.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: Rainbow trout are available when winter weather allows comfortable access, but Emigrant's orientation allows south winds to affect conditions even when other valley locations are calm. Anglers should be aware that recent testing by the Department of Human Services has found elevated levels of mercury in smallmouth bass at Emigrant, and a health advisory has been issued recommending limits on consumption of all fish from Emigrant except rainbow trout. Information on the Emigrant Reservoir advisory, along with general information on mercury and fish can be found on the DHS website at www.healthoregon.org/fishadv.

EXPO POND: For an early season angling opportunity, Expo Pond at the Jackson County Fairgrounds was stocked last week with 190 adult winter steelhead. The fish are excess to broodstock needs at the hatchery and are in good condition, averaging 4 to 5 pounds. Fishing has been slow during this period of cold weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Suggested techniques include casting small spinners or spoons. Fly anglers casting leech or wooly bugger-type streamers should do well, while bait anglers might try either nightcrawlers or a small piece of salmon roe either below a bobber or off the bottom. Trout bag limits for lakes are five per day, 8 inch minimum length and one fish over 20 inches.

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

ILLINOIS RIVER: The Illinois River up to Pomeroy Dam is open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead and trout between Jan. 1 and March 31. Tackle is limited to artificial flies and lures only.

LAKE SELMAC: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass and panfish are available.

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

PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: Winter bottom fishing can be good when ocean conditions permit but anglers should be cautious of bar and ocean conditions that can turn dangerous quickly this time of year. The minimum size for lingcod retention dropped to 22 inches on January 1. The limit remains 2 legal lingcod. Some surfperch are being caught. Good spots for surfperch are around Horsfall Beach and Bullards Beach.

REINARD PARK POND Reinhart Park Pond in Grants Pass, formerly called All Sports Pond, was last week stocked by ODFW with 60 adult winter steelhead for an early season angling opportunity. The fish are excess to broodstock needs at the hatchery and are in good condition, averaging 4 to 5 pounds. Fishing success should pick up as the water warms. Suggested techniques include casting small spinners or spoons. Fly anglers casting leech or wooly bugger-type streamers should have success, while bait anglers might try either nightcrawlers or a small piece of salmon roe either below a bobber or off the bottom. Trout bag limits for lakes are five per day, 8 inch minimum length and one fish over 20 inches.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: Plunking on the Rogue River has slowed. Lower flows has made boat fishing the best method for winter steelhead on the lower Rogue. Anglers side drifting eggs around the confluence of the Illinois have been picking up good numbers of fish.

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: Anglers are reporting early season success on winter steelhead entering the area and being caught in the vicinity of Rand and Argo. Conditions are cold for both anglers and fish. Flows are averaging 3,790 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass. Anglers will likely do best on plugs or roe, although puff balls can also be effective. The harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead is allowed year-round.

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

The Rogue is open for trout fishing with a limit of five adipose fin-clipped trout per day, 8 inch minimum length. All nonadipose fin-clipped rainbow and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: Winter steelhead have yet to reach the upper Rogue in big numbers, and movement over Gold Ray Dam has slowed significantly during the recent cold weather. A total of 245 winter steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of Jan. 14. Outflows from Lost Creek Reservoir are averaging 41F and expected to drop to 1,450 cubic feet by Wednesday of this week.

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.

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 nonadipose 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.

SMITH RIVER: Winter steelhead fishing opened on Dec. 1. 100 winter steelhead were passed through Smith River Falls. Wild steelhead must be released unharmed from the Smith River. Hatchery clipped steelhead only may be retained.

SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: No report.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: Steelhead fishing has slowed on most streams as flows have dropped. Some of the best angling will in the lower reaches as fish moving in from the ocean will hold up until the next storm event.

SOUTH COAST BEACHES: No recent reports on perch fishing.

TENMILE BASIN: Steelhead are in Tenmile Creek and angling has been fair. Spinreel Park is a popular spot for anglers who fish within the park or walk downstream.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: Sturgeon fishing is slow as clear water continues. Crabbing has been excellent.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: Winter steelhead fishing was very good last week. Good numbers of hatchery fish were caught last week. Fishing is slow right now with the low water and cold water temperatures. Boat fishing should be good with the lower flows. Spin-n-glos are the favored lure and can be used effectively with or without bait. Anglers may now retain one wild winter steelhead per day and five for the year.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: Steelhead numbers through Winchester Dam have slowed due to high stream flows and turbidity. The best bank fishing is occurring at the Idleyld Park area. Winchester Dam counts show that 930 winter steelhead and 11,247 coho have passed over the dam through Jan. 8.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Winter steelhead fishing opened Dec. 1. Wild steelhead must be released unharmed in the South Umpqua River. The South Umpqua came into shape last week and fishing was very good from Canyonville downstream. There should be some hatchery steelhead beginning to stage near Stanton Park as they get ready to move into Canyon Creek. Hatchery clipped steelhead only may be retained.

WINCHESTER BAY: Crabbing remains poor. Sturgeon fishing should improve, when the estuary becomes fishable, with the large amount of food being washed downstream to the estuary from the high winter flows.

SHELLFISH

The entire Oregon coast is now open for razor clams, bay clams, and mussels. A minus tide series will occur through Monday Jan. 22 in the early evening (about 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20), providing good opportunities for razor clammers willing to work by lantern or flashlight. Clammers should always be aware of surf conditions and ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates. For more information about razor clams and current status of particular areas see the ODFW razor clam web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams

Crabbing in Coos Bay has been fair. Winter crabbing can be excellent when the weather and water conditions cooperate. The COOS BAY shoreline along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.

HUNTING

DOUGLAS COUNTY

DEER: Black-tailed deer hunters can expect an average hunt in our area. All general seasons have passed, and only controlled hunts remain. Hunters are being asked to drop off their deer heads at the local ODFW office within 48 hours of harvest for CWD testing.

ELK: Elk hunters in Douglas County can expect a better than average hunt. All general seasons have passed, and only controlled hunts remain for the rest of the hunt year. Hunters are being asked to drop off their elk heads at the local ODFW office within 48 hours of harvest for CWD testing.

COUGAR: Hunters can expect an average hunt. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers.

BLUE & RUFFED GROUSE: Hunting availability and success for forest grouse should be average to above average until the end of the season Jan. 31, 2007. Blue grouse can be found in the Cascades in partly open conifer stands. Ruffed grouse are found near creeks at mid elevations of the Cascades and Coast Range.

MTN QUAIL: Hunting success should be average to above average until the end of the season Jan. 31. Success is best in the mid-elevations in brushy areas on secondary forest roads.

CALIFORNIA QUAIL: Hunting success should be average until the end of the season Jan. 31. Success is best on low elevation agricultural lands.

WATERFOWL: Duck & Goose hunters can expect an average to above-average year. Hunting for resident geese and ducks in Douglas County will continue to be good until the end of the season Jan. 28, 2007. Nearly all waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley is on private property and hunters are asked to obtain landowner permission before hunting.

COOS COUNTY

ELK: Bull seasons and most antlerless elk seasons are concluded now in Coos County. Waves of periodic storms moving through Coos County have kept elk on the move. Hunters are reporting good success in locating elk. If the present trend on frequent storms continues elk hunting should remain good. Elk numbers are good in most places due to several years of adequate calf production.

DEER: Deer seasons are now concluded in Coos County.

BEAR: Bear seasons are now concluded in Coos County.

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

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

UPLAND GAME BIRDS: Blue and RUFFED GROUSE plus CALIFORNIA and MOUNTAIN

Although grouse production appears to be very low this year based on survey results hunters are reporting seeing grouse frequently while hunting other species. Persistent hunters will find birds by hunting closed roads and creek bottoms for ruffs and ridges for blues. An interesting fact about blue grouse is that they move up slope to winter in large conifers near ridge tops. They actually spend most of the winter in the branches of these trees. Hunting may be becoming more difficult due to that fact.

Snow has accumulated across much of the landscape in Coos County which will make seeing flushing grouse and quail easier.

Quail production appears to be better. Brood sizes look to be fairly good. Hunters will find these birds near agricultural lands. Mountain quail brood sizes appear to be lagging behind California quail but still better than grouse.

WATERFOWL: Recent cold weather has frozen most of the ponds and lakes in the area. This should prove to be a benefit to hunters who want to hunt local waterfowl on in coastal bays. The bays are free of ice. Once conditions warm the birds will, likely move inland.

This year there is a new goose hunting zone called the South Coast Zone. Hunters should refer to the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for open seasons in the south coast. Hunting is expected to be good through the season as this is an area that has been hunted lightly in the past.

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

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

CURRY, JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES

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

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

UPLAND GAME BIRD: Open through Jan. 31. Mountain quail and forest grouse hunting have slowed down. Look for mountain quail in mid-elevation brush fields, ruff grouse along creek bottoms and blue grouse along conifer covered ridge tops.

WATERFOWL: Duck and goose hunting closes Jan. 28. Portion of the Southwest Coast counties have a goose hunt for February 24, 2007 thru March 10, 2007 hunt, consult regulations for details. Waterfowl season has been slow with low numbers now being found in the area. Some public hunting opportunities can be found on the Rogue River and on the Denman Wildlife Area. Fields have flood on the Denman Wildlife Area; waterfowl have been making use of our feed fields. Early and late shooting hours have been the best when storms and high wind are in effect. Hunters are reminded to obtain permission to hunt private lands, and be considerate of private residences along the riverbanks.

VIEWING

COOS COUNTY

Bird watching opportunities in and around the Coos Bay area continue to be good. Viewing on the bay is best at high slack or low tides.

ROGUE WATERSHED

A covered viewing station on the Denman Wildlife Management 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, wheelchair-accessible pathway. It is on the Whetstone Pond, just north of the ODFW Rogue Watershed Field Office in Central Point.

CENTRAL ZONE

FISHING

Due to cold weather and icy conditions, angler activity and updates to this week's recreation report are limited. Contact ODFW at the Deschutes Watershed Office (541) 388-6363 or Klamath Watershed Office (541) 883-5732 for more information.

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-14 inch rainbow trout are fair. Illegally introduced bullhead have had a negative impact on trout angling. Recent snows may limit access. Contact Ochoco National Forest @ 541-416-6500.

CLEAR LAKE: Clear Lake, located about 20 miles west of Maupin, has been stocked with keeper trout and should offer good angling opportunity.

COLUMBIA RIVER FROM BONNEVILLE RESERVOIR TO JOHN DAY DAM: Bass fishing has been good in the main Columbia and backwaters. Anglers are reporting good catch rates of nice bass in shallow water with artificial baits of various types.

CRESCENT LAKE: No boat ramps are accessible due to snow and few if any anglers on the water over the past week. There is open water for those anglers with float tubes and pontoon craft.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: Angling opportunities for redband trout and mountain whitefish are good. Flows are projected to be from 200-250 CFS the next few weeks. Wading in the river should be relatively easy and trout hungry after weeks of high water. Anglers using nymphs are likely to be most successful. Anglers can check daily flows at this website. http://www1.wrd.state.or.us/cgi-bin/choose_realtime_gage.pl?basin=05.

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

DESCHUTES RIVER (Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls): No angling reports from the past week. Deschutes River flows are over 1000 cfs. Please note that this reach of river is restricted to flies and lures only.

FALL RIVER: Reports of success being hit and miss with an overall assessment of fish activity on the slow side. Please note that the reach of Fall River below the main falls is closed. The reach of river above the falls is open all year

FROG LAKE: Frog Lake, located about 20 miles west of Maupin, has been stocked with keeper trout and should offer good angling opportunity.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Rainbow and brown trout 10-18 inches are available. No recent reports.

KINGSLEY RESERVOIR: Kingsley Reservoir, located west of Hood River, has recently been stocked with keeper and trophy trout and should offer good angling opportunity.

LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: The Metolius Arm is closed to angling. The balance of the reservoir has fair to good opportunities for bull, brown and rainbow trout.

LAURANCE LAKE: Laurance Lake, located near Parkdale, has been stocked with keeper trout.

METOLIUS RIVER: There are no new reports from anglers from the past week. This time of year the bull trout and mountain whitefish are typically fairly active and can provide an enjoyable day. Please note that the Metolius River is catch and release for all fish.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-18 inch rainbow trout are good. Portions of the reservoir may be icing over, however, conditions are likely unsafe for ice angling.

PINE HOLLOW: Stocked with keeper trout.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are fair to good. Portions of the reservoir may be icing over, however, conditions are likely unsafe for ice angling.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: Rock Creek Reservoir, located near Wamic, has been stocked with keeper and trophy trout and should offer good angling opportunity.

WALTON LAKE: Opportunities for 8-16 inch rainbow trout are fair.

HUNTING

OCHOCO DISTRICT

GENERAL: Hunters should be prepared for cold, and wet or icy conditions. Snow accumulations are generally below average, but should be expected above 4000 feet elevation. Off road motorized travel should not be attempted without proper equipment and checking with local BLM and Forest Service officials regarding motorized access restrictions in effect to protect wintering big game. Hunters are reminded they need a 2007 hunting license.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR WMA: The entry gates for the North Side Access Road have been shut closing the WMA to motorized access for the protection of wintering big game. The area is open to foot traffic and other non-motorized access.

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

GAME BIRDS

VALLEY QUAIL AND CHUKAR: Opportunities are limited for chukar, with the best chances on steeper canyon areas associated with the John Day, Crooked, and Deschutes Rivers. Valley quail are present in all three units, particularly in more agricultural areas around streams, ponds, and other wet areas. Concentrations of birds will generally be near or on private lands where permission from the landowner is necessary.

DUCKS/GEESE: Smaller ponds and edge areas of reservoirs and portions of the Crooked River are iced up. Birds are concentrating on remaining open water areas, which are mostly on private lands where access may be difficult. Hunters are reminded duck season closes in Central Oregon Jan. 21.

KLAMATH WATERSHED

Chukar releases on Lower Klamath Hills regulated hunt area are done for the season. Quail hunting on public land and private land (with permission). Duck hunting is moderate on rivers.

SOUTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Snow will make access to some waterbodies difficult. Contact ODFW at the Deschutes Watershed Office (541) 388-6363 or Klamath Watershed Office (541) 883-5732 for more information on fishing opportunities.

ANA RESERVOIR: Some hybrid bass over 10 lbs have been captured, but most are in smaller size classes ranging from 14-16 inches. Trout fishing has been slow.

ANTHONY LAKE: Fishing is slow.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 51 percent full on Jan. 15, and inflow was 60 cfs. Fishing is slow.

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

BLITZEN RIVER: Catch and release for trout from Nov. 1 through May 26. Two fish bag limit from May 27 through Oct.31. No recent angling report. Recent cold weather may lead to icy conditions. Flow was 41 cfs Jan. 5.

BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 65 percent full on Jan. 15, and about 100 percent ice covered. The boat ramp is accessible but ice covered. Angling for warmwater fish is slow. No ice fishing activity was observed last week.

BURNS POND: Watch for thin ice. Test holes indicated the ice was approximately 6 inches thick Jan. 5, but ice conditions can vary.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: Watch for thin ice. Ice thickness is variable across the reservoir. Test holes near the boat ramp indicate that the ice is approximately 6 inches thick by the dock, and 6.5 inches thick elsewhere. However, the first week of January there was an area of skim ice or open water near the fishing access points on the northeast side of the reservoir.

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

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

DEEP CREEK: Angling is fair for redband trout.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: Angling is slow for rainbow trout. Access will be difficult due to snow. DELINTMENT LAKE: Watch for thin ice. No reports on ice thickness at the lake or road access.

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

FOURMILE LAKE: Access is blocked by snow and the lake is frozen

GERBER RESERVOIR: Gerber Reservoir is frozen and ice fishing is hazardous due to thin ice.

GRANDE RONDE LAKE: Ice is on the lake. Fishing is slow.

JUNIPER LAKE: No angling report. The lake was stocked with fingerling cutthroat trout this spring.

KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: Lakes are frozen.

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

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

KRUMBO RESERVOIR: Closed to angling through late May.

LAKE OF THE WOODS: The lake is frozen.

LITTLE HEART LAKE: Access is blocked by snow

LOFTON RESERVOIR: Access is blocked by snow.

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

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

MALHEUR RIVER (from the South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, downstream to Gold Creek): Flow in this section is a result of runoff down the South Fork Malheur River and releases from the dams. Flows from Warm Springs and Beulah dams have been shut off for the winter. Angling below the dam is slow.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: Water level is down about 10 feet from full. Boat ramp is still accessible but covered with ice. The reservoir is about 100 percent covered in ice. Ice fishing activity is occurring on the reservoir. Catch rates are probably slow.

MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: Access to the North Fork is limited by snow. Trout angling is slow. Remember to release bull trout. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures upstream of Beulah Reservoir.

MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: Access to the Middle Fork is limited by snow. Trout angling is slow. Remember to release bull trout. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures upstream of Bluebucket Creek.

MANN LAKE: No recent angling report. Special regulations are in effect. Two trout per day, 16-inch minimum length. Restricted to artificial flies and lures.

MILLER LAKE: Access is blocked by snow.

MOON RESERVOIR: Watch for thin ice. There was some open water along the edge of the reservoir during the first week of January.

MURRAY RESERVOIR: Ice fishing has been fair.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: Most if not all of the small desert ponds are ice covered. The condition of the ice is unknown at this time.

OWYHEE RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 64 percent full Jan. 15. All boat ramps are in the water. Warmwater angling is slow.

OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): Irrigation flows below the dam are shut off for the winter. Discharge was 20 cfs on Jan. 15. Much of the slow sections of the river have iced over. Anglers still need to be aware of redds and not step on the gravel piles downstream of the bowls. Angling for rainbow trout and brown trout is slow.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): Discharge at the Rome Gage was 136 cfs on Jan. 15. Angling for smallmouth and channel catfish is slow.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: Fishing is fair-good for trout and perch. Trout are running 12-14 inches.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: Ice is on the lake. Water level is at 19 percent.

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is about 100 percent covered in ice. Ice condition is unknown at this time. No ice fishing activity was observed last week. Angling is slow.

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

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

SNAKE RIVER: Flow was 9,515 cfs near Nyssa and 11,387 cfs near Weiser on Jan. 15. Angling for catfish and smallmouth bass is slow.

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: Most if not all of the small desert ponds are ice covered. The condition of the ice is unknown at this time.

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

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

SYCAN RIVER: Closed to angling.

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

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

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.

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

UNITY RESERVOIR: Ice is on the lake. Fishing is slow. Water level is at 41 percent.

WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: The reservoir was 52 percent full Jan. 15. The boat ramp is accessible but ice covered. The condition of ice around the reservoir is unknown at this time. Fishing is slow.

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

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

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: Ice has formed on the lake. Fish near the dam, as the ice is softer near the headwaters.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: Watch for thin ice. Test holes during the first week of January indicated ice was approximately 11 inches thick, but ice thickness can vary. Good angling for 8 to 14 inch rainbow trout. Access roads were covered with a few inches of snow and ice. Recent storms may make access more difficult.

HUNTING

KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA

Open on odd days for upland game birds and waterfowl hunting during the month of January. Permits are required and available at the check station. Duck season ends Jan. 21, goose season ends Jan. 28.

Waterfowl hunting has been slow. Most duck hunting has ended on the wildlife area since the ponds have frozen over. Great Basin Canada goose hunting may begin to improve from now until the end of the season.

Klamath Wildlife Area and all other public lands or waters owned or controlled by any state, county, or federal agency, including public waters, waterways, and impoundments, will be closed to hunting during the white fronted goose late season Feb. 24 n March 10.

SUMMER LAKE WILDLIFE AREA

Hunting Report

Waterfowl hunting was good during the 14th week of the 2006-07 hunting season. Weather conditions were variable during the week. Early in the week were unseasonably warm temperatures, sometimes strong winds but generally dry. Towards the end of the week, temperatures turned very cold and skies were generally clear. Cold conditions prevailed over the weekend and frozen-over conditions were extensive across the Wildlife Area. Temperatures fluctuated widely during the week with a range of 5?F to 35?F for the lows and a range of 52?F to 26?F for the day time highs.

Hunter participation (60 check-ins) was down -16.7% from the same week last year, and reported harvest (with 91.7% check-out) of 123 birds was up 86.4% from 2006.

Reported duck harvest (102) was nearly 4 times from the 28 taken last year and consisted of 66 mallards, 24 gadwall, 8 bufflehead, 2 Am. wigeon and 2 goldeneye for an average of 1.96 ducks per hunter. This duck per hunter average was more than 4 times greater than 2006 average of 0.44.

Reported goose harvest of 18 birds (17 Canadas and one snow) was three birds less compared to 2006. The goose per hunter average of 0.20 was down -11.7% from last year when hunters averaged 0.22 geese per hunter.

Upland game bird hunters reported the harvest of 3 California quail, considerably less than the 17 reported in 2005-06.

Overall bird harvest averaged 2.37 birds per hunter for the week and was up (129.4%) from 2006.

Hunters reported spending an average of 4.3 hours in the field, up 30% from the 3.3 hours per hunter last year.

The weekly waterfowl count conducted on Wednesday January 10, 2007 found about 3,100 ducks and 1,000 geese on the Area. This number is near the traditional wintering level and is not expected to increase.

Prospects for the next week remain fair for waterfowl, provided weather conditions remain somewhat harsh and consistent. Duck and goose numbers will remain at low levels, but winter residents will continue to provide hunting opportunities. Birds are scattered across the Area in refuges or sanctuary areas and pockets of open water in the hunt area. Over 95% of the Area is ice covered at this time. Food availability is only fair at this time due to most shallow water areas being frozen over. Hunters with decoys and willing to spending most of the day in the field will have the best success. Pass shooting from dikes and casual decoying will continue to see very poor results.

Ring-necked pheasant season is closed. California quail hunting should continue to be fair due to favorable bird numbers. Quail are found predominately at the north end of the Area, in and around old homestead and habitat improvement sites, and remain fairly numerous. Coveys continue to be difficult to locate and are probably widely spread over the good habitat conditions found on the Area. There is no snow covering the ground so birds are not concentrated and have an abundance of food available. Hunters will have to work hard at finding birds that have been pushed into dense cover and the use of dogs will improve success dramatically. Non-toxic shot is required for all game bird hunting and it is unlawful to possess toxic shot while in the field.

Hunters are reminded they must have a Daily Hunting Permit in their possession to hunt Summer Lake Wildlife Area. Free Daily Hunting Permits are available at the Headquarters Checking Station. Please follow all instructions when obtaining hunt permits at the self-service check-in which is open 24 hours a day.

Check-out is mandatory and can be accomplished by filling out the harvest and activity information and dropping permits in self check-out boxes found at each of the campgrounds and major access areas.

Please remember to obtain Harvest Information Program (HIP) validations, waterfowl and upland game bird validations before arriving and to avoid delays in getting daily hunting permits and/or citations.

Again, please remember check-out is mandatory. Self check-out drop boxes are found at each of the Area's campgrounds and major access areas.

Wetland habitats are in fair condition due to winter weather and cold temperatures that have caused most ponds and still water to freeze-over.

Open water can be found scattered across the Area; along Ana River, in canals and other moving water areas found near water control structures. Natural food sources of seeds, tubers and plant parts remain abundant and available in nearly all wetland areas. Emergent bulrushes, cattails and other sedges and rushes are lodged over due to strong winds associated with storm systems improving hunter and bird access.

Upland sites remain in very good condition, providing abundant seeds for many species of birds. The ground is open and free from snow cover at this time. Trees and shrubs have produced abundant fruit and seeds.

VIEWING REPORT

Viewing opportunities are only fair at this time. Hunting seasons are in effect and most birds are concentrated in refuge or sanctuary areas where viewing access is difficult. Most bird populations have dropped to low wintering levels and wintering species are now very apparent. A weekly waterbird count found about 3,100 ducks (13 species) and about 1,000 geese (Canada, greater white-fronted and snow), and about 950 swans (with at least 30 being trumpeters). Most waterbirds (other than waterfowl) have departed the Area at this time but a few species can still be found. Resident and wintering raptors are scattered throughout the Area as well as on private lands along Highway 31. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadow areas and both red-tailed and rough-legged hawks are commonly seen.

Prairie falcons, bald and golden eagles are frequently seen during this time of the year.

Passerine species (primarily sparrows) remain fairly common around the Headquarters Complex, Summer Lake Rest Area, homestead sites and shelterbreak plantings at the north end of the Area where they are attracted to tree and shrub cover found at those locations. The wildlife viewing loop is CLOSED and will remain that way through the end of waterfowl hunting seasons on Sunday, January 28, 2007 and cross country travel by motor vehicles or ATV's is prohibited.

Non-motorized access and viewing opportunities are available in areas other than posted refuges and the Schoolhouse Lake Viewing Blind provides a good opportunity to view refuging waterbirds.

Camping is permitted at four sites on the wildlife area.

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

NORTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Streams in the Northeast zone closed for trout angling.

IMNAHA RIVER: Angler success remains low, cold weather is likely creating icing conditions.

LOWER GRANDE RONDE RIVER: Steelhead are being caught in the Troy area, angler success has been fair to good. Creel survey data from early January suggests a catch rate of a little over 3 hrs/fish. But current icing conditions are likely to create problems for anglers until the weather breaks.

UMATILLA RIVER: Steelhead angling is slow. The river is icing with flows in the 300-500 cfs range, and dropping. This trend should continue over the remainder of the week with the current weather forecast of cold temperatures. For up-to-date flow information, visit the following website: www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/umatilla/index.html. No fish are being hauled upstream.

WALLA WALLA RIVER: Good numbers of steelhead are not expected into the Oregon portion of the River until February or March.

HUNTING

GRANT DISTRICT

UPLAND GAME BIRDS: Hunting for chukar partridge and quail has been good and should improve with more snow.

WATERFOWL: Duck and goose hunting seasons are open in Grant County. Hunters have had low success due to the low concentration of waterfowl in the John Day valley.

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

UNION DISTRICT

BIRDS: Chukar, Hungarian Partridge hunting seasons remain open until Jan. 31. There is no open season for Mountain Quail in Union County. Union County has a limited number of Chukar in the south end of the county. The Chukars will likely remain widely dispearsed until the weather gets more severe. Much of the land is private in this area and landowner permission is a must. Duck hunting ends Jan. 21 and goose season ends Jan. 28. Duck hunting is slow due to the low number of birds (primarily mallards) in the Grande Ronde Valley. Goose hunting is poor as there are likely less than 200 geese in the Valley. Waterfowl hunting should improve on the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (LMWA) when warmer weather allows for more open water.

BAKER DISTRICT

COYOTE: Fresh early morning tracks and the right wind can make for a successful calling situation. Be sure to ask permission if hunting on private property.

UMATILLA/PENDLETON DISTRICT

COYOTE SPRINGS: Waterfowl hunting opportunities is dependent upon excess water received on the Wildlife Area.

PORT OF MORROW RHA: Five agricultural circles are available to hunt seven days a week for Waterfowl. Success for field hunting Geese is dependent on status of migration through area as well as climatic conditions.

IRRIGON WILDLIFE AREA: Recent wetland restoration projects have provided opportunities for waterfowlers in addition to the Columbia River shoreline. Waterfowl success may be considered fair to moderate for this time of year.

WILLOW CR. WILDLIFE AREA: Waterfowl hunting is good on Delta, particularly in windy conditions. Jump shooting opportunities also exist for waterfowl in Willow Creek which has been productive in the past.

POWER CITY WILDLIFE AREA: Waterfowl hunting has been reported as poor to fair.

COLUMBIA RIVER RHA: Waterfowl hunting has been good in select areas. Waterfowl hunters should concentrate on points and eddies along Columbia River for success. Cold weather from the North has increased Waterfowl numbers and harvest.

BRIDGE CREEK

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

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

WATERFOWL: Both duck and goose numbers have increased in the Columbia Basin since the middle of November. Goose hunting will be best in fields planted to winter wheat, alfalfa, or with field corn stubble. Goose hunters will also find success using decoys over water along the Columbia River shore.

Duck numbers are variable and down in recent years. Harsh weather may draw some birds down from Washington and improve hunting on the Columbia River and nearby wetlands. Hunters should expect lower numbers of ducks in the Columbia Basin of Oregon than were present up through the mid 1990s.

WALLOWA DISTRICT

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

LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA: Open for waterfowl and upland bird hunting and hunting pressure has been heavy. Waterfowl hunting has been generally good and excellent during overcast and windy weather. Upland game hunting continues to be fair.

WENAHA WILDLIFE AREA: Deer and elk have moved down onto their winter ranges and can be seen on Eden and Bartlett Benches. Winter feeding commenced on Jan. 1. Big Horn sheep can be seen on the cliffs adjacent to the Grande Ronde River Road. Bird watching is good at lower and mid elevations. The Wildlife Area is open to hunting during all legal seasons and for non-motorized recreation year round. Due to a State Parks Administrative Rule, open fires are prohibited year round with in ¼ mile of the Grande Ronde River between Wildcat Bridge and the State Line. This area, designated a Scenic Waterway, includes BLM lands as well as State owned lands. Fires are permitted if contained within fire pans, but all debris and ashes must be packed out.

Users of Wenaha should be aware that ODFW is reviewing and updating the wildlife area's management plan. The agency will host three public meetings about the new plan (Feb. 6, 7 p.m., ODFW La Grande Office, 107 20th Street, La Grande; Feb. 7, 7-8 pm, Troy Elementary School, 66247 Redmond Grade Lane, Enterprise

Feb 8, 7-8 p.m., Cloverleaf Hall, 668 NW First Street, (HWY 3), Enterprise). Meeting attendees will hear a brief presentation about the plan and have the chance to make public comments. The plan can also be reviewed at the link below and public comments sent to odfw.comments@state.or.us

www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/07/jan/L_Wenaha%20Wildlife%20Area%20Plan-Draft.pdf

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

FISHING

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Fishing has been very slow for all species. What fish are biting are deep. Some ice has been on the reservoir in the Powder river Arm. The reservoir is fairly stable at 13 feet below normal. Call Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit www.idahopower.com under the "Rivers and Recreation" heading. For reservoir level information, visit http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/perl/dataquery.pl?k=brownlee

OXBOW RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: Fishing is slow. Approximately 1000 hatchery steelhead have been released into the reservoir for angling. These steelhead are considered trout in the regulations for Hell's Canyon Reservoir and above, and anglers may take one per day.

SNAKE RIVER (Below Hells Canyon Dam): Steelhead fishing has been good below Hell's Canyon Dam.

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

Salmon, Steelhead, and Shad: The following regulations are now in effect for the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam:

BUOY 10 UPSTREAM TO THE I-5 BRIDGE: Effective January 1 through March 31, this section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring Chinook, adipose fin-clipped coho, adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad. The daily bag limit is two adult salmon (Chinook > 24 inches or coho > 16 inches) or steelhead and five jacks.

I-5 BRIDGE UPSTREAM TO BONNEVILLE DAM: Effective January 1-March 31, this section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad. The daily bag limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead.

BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE OREGON/WASHINGTON BORDER ABOVE MCNARY DAM: Effective January 1-March 31, this section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and shad. The daily bag limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead.

The lower Columbia River salmon creel program has come to a close for the 2006 season and will resume in February 2007.

The Dalles Pool: Weekly checking showed one adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept for one bank rod; and four adipose fin-clipped steelhead kept, plus four clipped and four unclipped steelhead released for six boats. Three walleye were kept for one boat.

Sturgeon:

BUOY 10 UPSTREAM TO WAUNA POWERLINES: This section of the Columbia is currently open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week. The daily limit is one sturgeon between 42 and 60 inches. The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

The following modifications were adopted for the 2007 mainstem Columbia River sturgeon fishery from Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) downstream to the mouth at Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries. The modifications include:

* Allow the retention of sturgeon seven days per week during Monday January 1 through Monday April 30, 2007 with a 42-inch minimum size limit.

* Prohibit the retention of sturgeon seven days per week during Tuesday May 1, 2007 through Friday May 11, 2007.

* Allow the retention of sturgeon seven days per week during Saturday May 12, 2007 through Wednesday July 4, 2007 with a 45-inch minimum size limit in effect.

* Prohibit the retention of sturgeon seven days per week during Thursday July 5, 2007 through Sunday December 31, 2007.

* Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during retention closures.

WAUNA POWERLINES UPSTREAM TO BONNEVILLE DAM: Effective January 1-July 31, this section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of sturgeon on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with a daily bag limit of one sturgeon between 42 and 60 inches in length and an annual limit of five fish. The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited. Catch and release of sturgeon is allowed on non-retention days. Modifications to the sturgeon fishery above Wauna will be considered at the January 25, 2007 Compact hearing.

The following modifications were adopted for the 2007 mainstem Columbia River Sturgeon fishery from the Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) upstream to Bonneville Dam, including all adjacent Washington tributaries and the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including Multnomah Channel). The modifications include:

* Allow the retention of sturgeon three days per week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and prohibit the retention of sturgeon four days per week on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday beginning Monday January 1, 2007 through Tuesday July 31, 2007.

* Prohibit the retention of sturgeon seven days per week during Wednesday August 1-Monday September 30, 2007.

* Allow the retention of sturgeon three days per week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and prohibit the retention of sturgeon four days per week on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday beginning Monday October 1, 2007 through Monday December 31, 2007.

* Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during sturgeon retention closures.

BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO MCNARY DAM: In Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day pools, the retention of sturgeon is currently allowed seven days per week. The daily limit is one sturgeon between 42 and 60 inches from Bonneville upstream to The Dalles Dam and one sturgeon between 48 and 60 inches between The Dalles Dam and McNary Dam. Pool specific catch guidelines have not been established, but will be determined at a January 18 meeting of the Sturgeon Management Task Force.

Sturgeon angling in the lower Columbia has been slow and effort has been light. Anglers reported catching a few smelt in the mouth of the Cowlitz on Saturday (1/6).

Gorge Bank: Weekend checking showed no catch reported for seven bank rods (incomplete trips)

Gorge Boats: No report.

Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed two sublegal sturgeon released for one boat (complete trip).

Portland to Longview Bank: Weekend checking showed one legal white sturgeon kept, plus one sublegal sturgeon released for eight bank rods (incomplete trips).

Estuary Boats & Bank: No report.

Bonneville Pool: No report.

The Dalles Pool: No report.

John Day Pool: No report.

MARINE ZONE

FISHING

Ocean conditions moderated somewhat over the weekend allowing charter and private boats to fish for bottom fish and crab. For sport crabbers the minimum size for Dungeness crab is 5 ¾ inches measured in a straight line across the back immediately in front of, but not including, the points. For a photograph and diagram see page 96 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

Lingcod and cabezon move inshore to mate and lay eggs this time of year. Fishing for rockfish and lingcod along the coast is good when ocean conditions allow. Anglers report fishing for lingcod is good. The marine daily bag limit for 2007 is six fish (including rockfish, greenling, flounder, sole, cabezon and other marine species) and two lingcod. Canary rockfish and yelloweye rockfish may not be retained. For illustrations and descriptions of these species see page 98 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet or download the Red Rockfish Identification Guide at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/regulations/sport_fishing. The minimum length for lingcod is 22 inches, for cabezon it is 16 inches and for greenling it is 10 inches. For complete regulations please see http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/regulations_2007.pdf

The entire Oregon coast is open for the harvest of razor clams. A minus tide series will occur through Monday Jan. 22 in the early evening (about 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20), providing good opportunities for razor clammers willing to work by lantern or flashlight. Clammers should always be aware of surf conditions and ALWAYS CHECK FOR HEALTH ADVISORIES by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates. For more information about razor clams and current status of particular areas see the ODFW razor clam web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams

The daily limit for razor clams is the first 15 taken regardless of size or condition. For more information on Oregon's razor clams, including tips on how to dig razor clams, visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams. Sport harvest of mussels and bay clams is open coastwide also. A shellfish license is required for taking all shellfish.

Recreational salmon fishing in the ocean is closed.