The Oregon Recreation Report (fishing, hunting, viewing), updated

Learn to hunt and fish at ODFW workshops

ODFW's Passport to the Outdoors program hosts workshops around the state to introduce beginners to hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. During the next six months, you can try rabbit hunting near Corvallis, archery in Eagle Creek, fly-tying in John Day and Pendleton and fly-fishing at Camp Sherman along the beautiful Metolius River. Visit the link below for schedule and registration information. Gift certificates for the workshops are also available to introduce a friend or family member to the outdoors; call 503-947-6025 to order.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/workshops.asp

Whale Watching

The winter migration is under way. The whales are not slowed by calves in the pod and single-mindedly drive southwards in straight lines a few miles offshore. You can see their spouts, but they are distant. About 18,000 gray whales will pass by the Oregon coast in four weeks from mid-December to mid-January. During Winter Whale Watching Week-Wed, Dec. 26, 2007 through Tue., Jan 1, 2008-trained volunteers will be present at 28 sites along the coast to show visitors the gray whales.

For times and locations, visit http://whalespoken.org/

Fishing: Family-friendly crabbing on the coast; trout stocked ponds

Families heading to the coast for the holiday, this is a great time for crabbing. Families can catch a delicious dinner crabbing from public docks; kids often enjoy sorting out the smaller crab that can be abundant. Bay crabbing often slows after heavy rain because crab head toward the ocean where the water is more salty. More information on crabbing

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/crab/index.asp

Willamette zone anglers, another good family-fishing opportunity are the recently-stocked ponds Junction City Pond, Walter Wirth Lake and Walling Pond in Salem, Huddleston Pond and Sheridan Pond.

Hunting: Still time to get your holiday turkey

Turkey hunting continues to grow in popularity in Oregon but there are still about 125 fall turkey tags left. General fall turkey season is open in Southwest and portions of Northwest and Willamette zones through Dec. 31.

Shellfish harvesting

North and central coast reopened to most shellfish harvesting following flood event Mussel harvesting still closed due to PSP toxins

Sampling and testing indicates that water quality has returned to pre-flood-event levels so the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the reopening of commercial and recreational harvest of clams on the north and central coast with the exception of commercial harvesting of clams in Tillamook Bay. Recreational mussel harvesting remains closed along coastal beaches, rock, jetties, and at the entrance to bays from north of Siletz Bay to the Columbia River due to elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). That closure, due to naturally-occurring marine toxins, has been in effect since October.

Recreational shellfish harvesting south of Yaquina Bay on the Oregon coast has remained open this fall. Commercial and recreational harvest of Dungeness crab along the north and central coast reopened earlier this week.

For information and tips on crabbing and clamming in Oregon: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/index.asp

WILLAMETTE ZONE

STOCKING SCHEDULE:

The South Willamette Watershed District stocked Junction City Pond with larger brood stock rainbow trout and Walter Wirth and Walling Pond with catchable size rainbow trout the week of Dec. 10. The next scheduled stocking for the South Willamette Watershed will be the week of Jan. 7.

The North Willamette Watershed will stock Huddleston Pond and Sheridan Pond the week of Dec. 17 with 175 trophy trout each.

CLACKAMAS RIVER: steelhead

Winter steelhead angling has been improving lately with some good catches reported in many areas on the river below McIver Park. A few summer fish are still being landed as well. Water conditions were ideal early in the week and should remain good into the weekend. This could change if heavy rains come later in the week. Jet sleds have had no trouble getting above the Barton area, but always use caution in unfamiliar waters.

ODFW and OSU have released 80 hatchery summer steelhead implanted with radio-tags into the Clackamas River downstream of River Mill Dam as part of a study to monitor adult summer steelhead behavior. The fish in the study can be identified by an antenna trailing from the abdomen, and a blue plastic tag carrying a unique number inserted just below the dorsal fin on the back of the fish. The department reminds anglers it is against the law for anyone to retain a radio-tagged fish in this river, and these fish must be released unharmed. In addition, these fish have been anesthetized for surgery to implant the radio tags and are not fit for human consumption. Anyone who catches one of the tagged summer steelhead is asked to record the number printed on the plastic tag, without removing the tag from the fish, and notify ODFW of the date and location where the fish was caught and released by calling the Clackamas Office any time at (971) 673-6000. Anyone witnessing a tagged fish in the water is also asked to call. All reports of tagged fish will provide important information for the study.

Boaters will find good ramp availability at Clackamette, Riverside, Carver, Barton, Feldheimers, and McIver Park.

Bank anglers need to be aware that with the new fish ladder at Rivermill Dam there has been a change to the angling deadline. This change is particularly noticeable on the McIver Park side of the river where a new fishway entrance was installed. The new angling deadline is clearly visible in bright yellow painted rocks on both the park side and Estacada side. Anglers must adhere to this deadline, making sure to fish and cast downstream of the line. The new deadline is being strictly enforced by law enforcement.

EAGLE CREEK: steelhead

With reports of winter steelhead catches in much of the Clackamas River there should also be some fish showing up in Eagle Creek. Effort was seen over the weekend from the park down past the lower ladder, with several cars parked along Eagle Fern Road. As of Monday the water conditions on the creek were good, with stable flows and good color.

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 on private land. Eagle Creek will remain open for coho angling until Nov. 30 with a bag limit of three adipose fin-clipped fish.

JUNCTION CITY POND: rainbow trout

Junction City Pond was stocked with large rainbow trout brood stock the week of Dec. 10.

NORTH AND SOUTH SANTIAM: steelhead

Santiam River flows have moderated with relatively dry weather and reservoir levels near minimum pool. Flows are a little high, but fishable. New winter fish numbers are still low, but there is a fair number of summer steelhead still hanging around.

SANDY RIVER: Steelhead

There have been reports of winter steelhead in the lower Sandy River, with native fish the more likely catch at this early stage of the season. 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.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new sport-fishing regulations for the Sandy River which move the fishing deadline (or boundary) upstream to the mouth of the Salmon River (near Brightwood) beginning Jan. 1, 2008.

This will provide an additional seven miles of fishing opportunity in an area that was historically popular among anglers before 1999 regulations closed the area. The changes are the result of the removal of Marmot Dam, which made the current angling deadline of "200 feet below the dam" obsolete.

The changes at the old Marmot Dam site and the movement of material have the potential to affect conditions downstream of that area. The entire section of river near the dam removal site is a hazardous construction zone with no public entrance allowed at this time. Access to the PGE property at the previous site of Marmot Dam is still closed to all public access.

Access to the river can be gained 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.

WALTER WIRTH LAKE/WALLING POND: Rainbow trout

Walter Wirth Lake and Walling Pond in Salem were stocked with catchable sized trout the week of Dec. 10. Walter Wirth Lake will also receive a few of the larger brood stock rainbow trout.

WILLAMETTE RIVER: sturgeon, winter steelhead

Angling for winter steelhead has improved steadily in the Meldrum Bar area. With many winters trying to make their way into the Clackamas River, fish should be hugging the east bank of the Willamette on their way upstream. Casting out 15 to 20 ft from the bank with lures can be very effective.

Please note that the Willamette River, including Multnomah Channel, is operating under recently updated and modified rules. Effective Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, the retention of sturgeon is allowed on all seven days of the week. Please also note that anglers are limited to the use of only one single-point barbless hook while angling for sturgeon.

Sturgeon angling has been fair on the Lower Willamette but colder water appears to have slowed the bite somewhat. Reports indicate a few keepers taken last week with shakers dominating the catch from the St Johns area all the way up into Oregon City.

Bank fishing for sturgeon can be found at Meldrum Bar and at the wall in downtown Oregon City. Sturgeon anglers have been using frozen smelt, herring, or sand shrimp as effective bait.

WILLAMETTE ZONE HUNTING

Small Game Clinic, Jan. 19

EE Wilson Wildlife Area, Family Event

This workshop is designed for beginners, but all skill levels are welcome. ODFW and Mary's Peak Hound Club are partnering to provide this beginner's clinic for families interested in learning more about small game hunting. You will learn about using dogs to assist with hunting small game such as rabbits, raccoons and squirrels; what clothing and equipment is needed; and what safety and ethical practices you need to follow. Participants will have the opportunity to practice their shotgun skills on the range prior to joining members of the MPHC and their beagles for an actual rabbit hunting experience on the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area. Registration Limit: 30

Workshop Notes: Continental breakfast, lunch, use of equipment, instruction and resource materials will be provided. All participants carrying a gun must have a valid hunting license. Minimum age for participation is 12. All youths must have proof of their Hunter Education Certification prior to the workshop.

BOW Event, A Day at the Archery Range, Mar. 15

Douglas Ridge Rifle Club Eagle Creek

This workshop is designed for beginners, but all skill levels are welcome. This hands-on session will teach you the basics of archery and bowhunting. The Douglas Ridge Rifle Club sits on about 130 acres of woods (primarily Douglas Fir), open meadows, and a ridge rising 400 feet above the flatland in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Archery and bowhunting basics will be covered including safety, equipment and clothing. Participants will have ample time on the range to try different types of bows, including longbows, recurves, and compounds, and will have a chance to shoot at a variety of targets. Registration Limit: 30

Workshop Notes: All needed equipment and lunch will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own bows.

BOW Event, Day at the Range, May 24

Emerald Empire Gun Club (Eugene-Springfield)

This workshop is designed for beginners, but all skill levels are welcome. This workshop, held at the Emerald Empire Gun Club in the Eugene - Springfield area, is designed for beginning shooters. Participants will be instructed on gun handling, firearm safety, terminology, shooting techniques and marksmanship. You will have lots of time on the range to practice with a variety of handguns, rifles, and shotguns under experienced supervision. Registration Limit: 30

Workshop Notes: Your registration fee covers continental breakfast, lunch, use of equipment, instruction and resource materials. Participants are welcome to bring their own firearms if desired.

OPEN: Waterfowl, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, California quail, mountain quail, bear, cougar, crow, turkey

Turkey - The South Willamette district where the general season is open supports large numbers of turkeys. Unfortunately, many flocks occur near urban areas. Huntable flocks are distributed on low elevation private property. Most public lands in the zone do not have suitable habitat to support turkeys so hunters will need to have access to private land for good turkey hunting. If you are lucky enough to have that access, the season should be excellent.

Blue grouse, ruffed grouse, mountain and California quail - Look for Mountain and California quail, blue and ruffed grouse while they search for their meal of berries and insects along graveled roads. Hunters targeting the blue grouse should look in upper elevations, openings and clear cuts. Ruffed grouse are more common along streams. Mountain quail should be found in 3-5 year-old clear cuts.

ODFW staff observed good populations of blue and ruffed grouse in the Cascades. The number of grouse chicks observed along the Coast range appears average. Hunters have reported success of ruffed grouse in lower elevations along rocky roads close to water and blue grouse in higher elevations.

Department surveys for California and Mt. Quail showed poor chick survival in the North Willamette Watershed District management units this summer. Hunters will need to look for a variety of berries, grains and other food sources that will concentrate birds.

Hunting after or during rainfall makes the woods quieter and easier to sneak up on prey.

Bear and cougar - In North Willamette Watershed, bear and cougar are rare in Scappoose, east Trask, northeast Stott Mt. and Willamette units; populations are higher in north Santiam unit. The highest densities of bears in the South Willamette Watershed can be found in the Siuslaw and Indigo units. Bear activity should be tapering off as bear den. Hunters looking for bears should concentrate on low elevation areas. Hunters wishing to pursue cougars should try calling or glassing in areas holding abundant wintering deer or elk populations.

Waterfowl:

Duck, merganser, goose, snipe - Willamette Valley waterfowl season is in full swing with most of the available ducks being mallards and other local birds although a few migrants are starting to arrive from the north. The weather usually plays a large role in the success of hunters on a given day, with the best conditions being on the onset of storms when birds are leaving the large water bodies and seeking shelter in vegetated areas along the edges of estuaries and lakes. Hunting on windy and rainy days can improve a hunt whereas the birds will fly lower to the ground, and easier to shoot.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area success rates are as follows: Dec. 17 averaged 1.3 birds per hunter with Crane and Seal units leading; Dec. 15 averaged 1.2 birds per hunter with Seal, North Crane and Johnson leading; Dec. 13 averaged 2.1 birds per hunter with Crane and Johnson leading; Dec. 11 averaged 2.2 birds per hunter with Crane and Malarky leading; Dec. 9 averaged 1.2 birds per hunter with Johnson, Rentenaar, and Aaron leading; Dec. 7 averaged 1.8 birds per hunter with Johnson leading at an astonishing 6.2 birds per hunter average; Dec. 5 averaged 1.9 birds per hunter with Aaron, Johnson, and Rentenaar leading.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Hunt Results: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/waterfowl/counts/sauvie_island/2007-08/index.asp

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area hunters are enjoying a successful waterfowl season. An aerial survey conducted Nov. 14 found more than 107,000 waterfowl on the Island. Oregon's waterfowl population is up 27 percent and nationwide up 14 percent. The food crops and moist soil plants are in excellent condition and will provide good feeding opportunities well into the season. All hunt units will have flooded areas with opportunities for decoy use.

EE Wilson Wildlife Area

Rabbit hunting continues to be excellent at EE Wilson Wildlife area and the waterfowl hunting is picking up. The week of Dec. 10, EE Wilson reported 93 hunters with a harvest of 70 rabbits, 6 ducks and 3 snipe. With recent rains, most ponds have sufficient water to attract waterfowl, with fair numbers of waterfowl on the wildlife area. Goose hunting is not permitted at EE Wilson Wildlife Area, but hunting for duck and snipe is allowed.

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area

Success rate at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area is as follows: Dec. 15 averaged 2.6 birds per hunter with blinds 1W, 3W and 4W leading; Dec. 12 averaged 1.8 birds per hunter with blinds 4W and 3W leading; Dec. 10 averaged 1.5 birds per hunter with blinds 3 and 10 leading; Dec. 8 averaged 0.6 birds per hunter with blind 11 leading with 5 birds; Dec. 5 averaged 0.6 birds per hunter with blinds 11 and 10 leading; Dec. 3 averaged 2.9 birds per hunter with blinds 2W and 9 leading.

The East and West Coyote units are open to entry in conjunction with the reservation waterfowl hunt. Hunters who missed the reservation cut-off date are welcome to attend the reservation hunt and take their chances as a stand-by hunter any Mon-Wed-Sat mornings.

The Fisher Butte and Royal Amazon units are currently open for hunting daily with a 1:00 p.m. closure on hunting and a 2:00 p.m. closure for public access. The closure is in effect to provide daily periods of sanctuary for waterfowl. The exception to the 2:00 p.m. closure is that the Royal Avenue roadway and the trail to the Fisher Butte unit viewing blind remain open all day, year-round.

Units that are open to hunting are also open to pheasant hunting during general pheasant season and the fee hunt tag is no longer required. One of the best bets is the large grassland field in the southern portion of the Fisher Butte unit accessible by the parking area on Highway 126.

Winter drawdown of Fern Ridge lake is well underway to provide flood storage capacity in the Willamette basin system. Hunters using boats on the lake are cautioned to watch for exposed stumps and shallow water areas as the lake level continues to drop daily. In order to make your visit with local game troopers a pleasant one, be sure to check your license documents before heading to the field, double check to see if your plug is still in your shotgun, and be sure to pack only non-toxic shot. Call the wildlife area headquarters at (541) 935-2591 for updates and additional information.

WILLAMETTE ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count; Dec. 14 through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Airlie-Albany Christmas Bird Count Sunday, December 30

Contact Paul Adamus (541) 745-7092, adamus7@comcast.net

Brownsville, Christmas Bird Count, Wednesday, December 26

Contact Barbara Combs, (541) 689-6660, bcombs232@gmail.com

Meet 7:00 a.m. at Pioneer Villa Restaurant (Brownsville exit off Interstate 5).

Cowlitz/Columbia Christmas Bird Count, Tuesday, January 1

Contact Bob Reistroffer, (360) 636-5125, breistrof@aol.com

Dallas, Christmas Bird Count, Thursday, December 27

Contact Roy Gerig, (503) 589-4636, roygerig@hotmail.com

Meet 7:00 a.m. at Farrol's Restaurant in Rickreall, South of Hwy 22 along Hwy 99W.

Eugene Christmas Bird Count Sunday, December 30

Contacts: Dick Lamster, (541) 343-8664, maeve@uoregon.edu

Barbara Gleason (volunteer coordinator), (541) 345-0450, bdgleason@comcast.net

Sector teams and meeting places arranged in advance; please contact compiler.

Forest Grove, Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 22

Contact Mary Anne Sohlstrom, (503) 463-9540, masohlstrom@msn.com

Meet 7:00 a.m. (earlier if eating breakfast), Elmer's Pancake House, 390 SW Adams, Hillsboro.

Portland Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Portland will hold its 82nd Count this year. Birders will comb the parks, open spaces, wetlands, rivers and neighborhoods all over Portland looking for birds. At the end of the day, volunteers get together and share what they found. For more information, contact Wink Gross, winkg@hevanet.com, (503) 226-3842

Silverton Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Contact Roger Freeman, carrotguy@att.net

Sauvie Island Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 29

Oregon contact: Karen Bachman (503) 289-3605 or (503) 802-2057, konion6@comcast.net or karen@tonkon.com

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

Around the region

Look for birds of prey on your next road trip. When the weather turns foggy, several raptors including eagles, hawks and falcons leave the tops of trees and look closer to the ground for their next meal. They can be easily seen along highways as they perch on the tops of road signs and power lines watching for mice and other rodents in ditches and empty fields.

For more information on viewing birds of prey:

http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=12330

Eugene Area

NEW: Delta Ponds

There are many different types of waterfowl and raptors currently using the area. With the higher water and earlier dusk, now is a good time to see beaver and muskrat. Best viewing times are around 4:30 p.m.

When viewing wildlife, please remember to be respectful and try not to disturb the animals' natural behaviors. Sometimes, the best way to view animals is from inside your vehicle as to not frighten the birds/animals away.

For more information on the Delta Ponds project: http://www.orsolutions.org/willamette/deltaponds.htm

Forest Grove Area

Fernhill Wetlands

Fernhill Wetlands is 243 acres of wetland and moist soil habitats. From November through March, thousands of waterfowl can be seen daily. Currently, the resident American bald eagles can be seen in the tops of cottonwoods.

For information on Fernhill Wetlands, visit

http://thebirdguide.com/washington/site_guides/fernhill_wetlands/fernhill.htm

Lake Oswego

NEW: Two varied thrushes were seen by ODFW staff the week of Dec. 10 in a wetland area off Holly Springs Road in Lake Oswego. The wetland drains into Spring Brook Creek, which flows into Lake Oswego. Many homes surround the wetland area as well as abundant bird life.

For more information on varied thrushes: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/200/_/Varied_Thrush.aspx

Portland Area

NEW: Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area

The Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area is one of the nation's largest urban freshwater wetlands. Located near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, the lakes function as a flood absorption system for the lower Columbia River. Hidden within an industrial area and just minutes from downtown Portland, the wetlands provide for diverse communities of plant and animal life. Numerous local schools use Smith and Bybee Lakes for a variety of outdoor education programs.

For a printable wildlife checklist: http://www.smithandbybeelakes.org/checklist.html

Mt. Talbert Nature Park

The nature park includes the top of the former lava dome as well as the west facing slopes visible to the tens of thousands of people that travel I-205 every day or shop at the Clackamas Town Center. The park offers miles of new hiking trails, information about the cultural and natural resources found there and greater access to nature close to home.

A series of interpretive signs along the trails provide visitors information about the plants and animals that can be seen n and heard n at the nature park. Residents and visitors to Mount Talbert include deer, coyotes, raccoons, Western gray squirrel, rubber boa, pileated and hairy woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatch, Western tanager and many more.

The park is just east of I-205 and south of Sunnyside Road. From Southeast Sunnybrook Boulevard turn south on 97th Avenue and follow until it becomes Mather Road. The park entrance is on the left off of Mather Road.

For information on the park, visit

http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=22177

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

Sauvie Island is a great place for a day trip; there are lots of raptors to see. A resident cooper's hawk can frequently be seen near the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area office on Sauvie Island Road. Cooper's hawks are a medium-sized hawk whose diet consists mainly of birds.

Viewing areas currently open to the public are Coon Point, the Eastside Viewing Platform and Rentenaar Road. Other raptors that can be seen on Sauvie Island include barn owls, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels, and northern harriers. A variety of waterfowl and migratory birds are easily viewed on the wildlife area including Aleutian cackling and dusky Canada geese.

Delve deeper into the Wildlife Area by hiking the trail to Warrior Rock. The trail begins on the beaches of the Columbia River and winds through the wildlife area back out to the Columbia at a charming old lighthouse.

A parking permit is required for the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and can be purchased at ODFW Point of Sale vendors. A daily permit is $3.50 and an annual permit is only $11.00.

Directions to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/sauvieisland.htm

NORTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

Anglers, particularly boaters, should use extreme caution when fishing local waters. Many roads are blocked or damaged, and large amounts of debris is present in most rivers. Log jams or other hazards may be present in many places. Silt and other debris will make launching boats difficult at some ramps until they can be cleaned up.

NORTH COAST LAKES:

Surplus hatchery summer steelhead were released in Town and Cape Meares lakes recently. Approximately 175 fish have been released in Town Lake and 87 in Cape Meares Lake.

Forest roads leading to several local lakes may be damaged or blocked. Anglers should check with the appropriate land manager about road conditions prior to heading out.

MID COAST LAKES:

Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes (located just south of Florence along Hwy 101) are open to wild coho salmon retention through Dec. 31. The daily bag limit is one adult coho salmon and one jack coho salmon. Anglers are limited to retaining five adult coho, in combination, from Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes during the season. The coho fishing boundaries are as follows.

The waters of Siltcoos Lake open for coho angling are defined as that area upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge and downstream of the railroad trestle on the Maple Creek arm and the Fivemile Road crossing on the Fiddle Creek arm.

The waters of Tahkenitch Lake open for coho angling are defined as that area upstream from the Highway 101 Bridge and downstream of the first road crossing on the Leitel Creek arm and the ODFW Marker at the bridge on the 059 Road just west of Douglas County Road 49.

ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead

Fishing is slow at Alsea Hatchery, but good from Alsea on downstream. Quite a few large fish are being caught. Anglers have been picking up a few winter steelhead in the mainstem river. Both drift boat fishing and bank angling is productive using a variety of baits, jigs and other lures. River conditions are looking favorable for the coming week. Good returns typically start to show by the end of the month.

Current river levels: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?TIDO3

BIG CREEK: steelhead

Some winter steelhead are being caught below the hatchery. Decent numbers of fish are beginning to arrive. Fishing should be improving.

GNAT CREEK: steelhead

A few winter steelhead are being caught in the lower river.

KILCHIS RIVER: chinook, steelhead

Angling for fall chinook and winter steelhead is slow to fair. More winter steelhead are beginning to show in the catch. A large tree is partially blocking the river just above the 101 takeout. Boaters should use extreme caution, especially as flows drop.

Current river levels for major north coast streams are available at: http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr

NECANICUM RIVER: steelhead

A few winter steelhead are being caught. Angling has improved over the last week ass more fish moved into the system. Concentrate on the lower river for best success. Boaters should use extreme caution. Log and debris jams may be present in one or more locations. The Kloochy Cr. Park bridge is closed to vehicle access.

NEHALEM RIVER:

The Nehalem River Road is closed at the Salmonberry River. Flood waters blew out the bridge over the Salmonberry. Use alternate routes.

NORTH FORK NEHALEM RIVER: steelhead

Angling for winter steelhead is slow to fair overall. Best angling is below the hatchery, but a few fish are being caught upstream as well. Boaters beware- downed trees or other hazards may create problems. Anglers may call 503-368-5670 for recorded fishing information.

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: chinook, steelhead

Fall chinook angling is very slow. The few remaining fish are mostly dark and should be released to spawn. Winter steelhead angling improved last week with decent catches in Three Rivers below the hatchery. Anglers in the main river are catching fish now that the river has cleared. Hatchery fish have been caught in the lower river and upstream above Beaver.

SALMON RIVER: chinook, coho, winter steelhead

Fishing for chinook and hatchery coho has nearly ceased. Any remaining fish will be dark and spawning, these fish should be released. A few winter steelhead are starting to return with better numbers expected to start showing in January.

SILETZ RIVER: chinook, steelhead

The fall chinook fishery is slow throughout the basin and nearly over. With a small return this season anglers are having a difficult time catching fresh bright fish. Most fish this time of year are dark and preferably should be released to spawn. Winter steelhead have been observed throughout the river and fishing is starting to pick up. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on fishing from Logsden down to Morgan Park. Floating and/or back bouncing fresh baits, jigs and lures can be very productive.

Current river levels and forecasts: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?SILO3

SIUSLAW RIVER: chinook, winter steelhead

The fall chinook fishery is slow and nearly ceased. Most fish in the system are now very dark and spawning, these fish should be released unharmed. Some early winter steelhead are beginning to show up and be caught in the lower river. Drift boat angling is the most productive early on as more water can be covered. Drifting or back bouncing fresh bait, jigs or other lures can be very productive.

Current river levels and forecasts: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?MPLO3

TILLAMOOK BAY: chinook, sturgeon

Fall chinook fishing is winding down. A few fish are still available, but angling will be sporadic for the most part.

Angling for sturgeon should be good. Recent muddy waters should have stirred up food sources and drawn more fish into the bay.

WILSON RIVER: chinook, steelhead

The river has receded from flood levels, but is muddy and clearing very slowly at this time. Check river conditions before heading out. A few winter steelhead and late fall chinook will be available when river conditions improve. The river upstream from the North Fork is clearer and a few winter steelhead should be available.

TRASK RIVER: chinook, steelhead

A log jam is blocking the river at the railroad bridge. Do not attempt to float downstream of Lorens Drift. A few fall chinook and early winter steelhead are present in the river. Angling is fair overall, but improving for winter steelhead as more fish arrive.

KILCHIS RIVERS: chinook, steelhead

Angling for fall chinook and winter steelhead is slow to fair. The river was one of the first to clear after the flood. A large tree is partially blocking the river just above the 101 takeout. Boaters should use extreme caution, especially as flows drop.

Current river levels for major north coast streams are available at: http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr

YAQUINA RIVER: chinook

The fall Chinook fishery has nearly ceased with most remaining fish very dark and spawning. Winter steelhead will start showing any time now. The best option is to fish Big Elk Creek starting just above tide water.

NORTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/hunting_forecast/2007_fall_northwest.asp

OPEN: Waterfowl, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, California quail, mountain quail, bear, cougar, crow

Forest grouse and mountain quail

Look for these birds while they search for their meal of seeds, insects and grit along graveled roads in the forest. Hunters targeting the blue grouse should look in upper elevations, especially forested areas on ridge tops. Ruffed grouse are more common along stream bottoms and mid-slope areas. Mountain quail should be found in older, brushy clear cuts, especially on south facing slopes, and tend to be more abundant in the eastern half of the coast range than the western half. ODFW staff observed higher than average number of grouse and moderate numbers of mountain quail on summer surveys in the Coast range.

Waterfowl

Duck season on the north coast in December tends to be better when there is freezing weather in the Willamette Valley, pushing more birds to the coast. Dry periods tend to enhance hunting on coastal bays as there is less water in fields and pastures to disperse feeding birds. With recent groups of mallards, wigeon, pintails and teal on north coast estuaries, the "rafts" of ducks on the bays are larger than earlier in the season. Generally, the weather usually plays a large role in the success of hunters on a given day, with the best conditions being on the onset of storms when birds are leaving the large water bodies and seeking shelter in vegetated areas along the edges of estuaries and lakes. Goose hunting reopened in Tillamook County for Northwest Oregon Special Permit holders on Dec. 15 and runs on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter through early March. Check the game bird regulations for special closures, bag limit, checkout and other information regarding goose hunting on the north coast.

Bear and cougar

Black Bear are becoming much less active on the north coast and most have likely denned up for the winter. Some large boars may still be active and activity may increase during periods of warmer weather when they will emerge from dens for a short time. A strategy for hunting them in the early morning and late evening hours is watching clear-cuts, old meadows and natural openings. At other times during the day, use of a predator call is the best approach. Generally, long and persistent calling is the most effective way to call them in.

All indicators point to the north coast as having relatively low cougar densities, when compared to most of the rest of the state. However, they can still be located, especially if hunters are dedicated to using calls as their primary strategy. Like with black bear, cougar are probably most effectively hunted by long and persistent calling with a predator call.

NORTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count; Dec. 14 through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Knappa and Brownsmead, OR and Wahkiakum, WA, Christmas Bird Count, Friday, December 28

Contact Andrew Emlen, (360) 795-8009, aceasp@pacifier.com

Oregon counters meet 7:00 a.m. at The Logger Restaurant, Knappa.

Washington counters meet 7:00 a.m. at Skamokawa Center in Skamokawa.

Upper Nestucca, Christmas Bird Count, Thursday, December 27

Contact Don Albright, (503) 538-8890, donalbri@teleport.com

Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Contact Rebecca Cheek, (541) 867-4699, nelsoncheek@charter.net

Meet 7:00 a.m., Apple Peddler Restaurant, 705 SE Coast Hwy, Newport.

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

Oregon Coast Aquarium December Activities

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport has a plethora of events to keep students entertained this winter break.

Dec. 22: A Flock of Fledglings: Parent's Day Out 9:30-12pm (4 and 5 yr. olds NO parents)

Dec. 27: Sea Otter Encounter 12:30-1:30pm

Dec. 28: Sea Squirts 10:30-12pm. (2 and 3 yr. olds with parents), Sea Lion Encounter, 10-11am; Family Sleepover 7pm-9am

Dec. 29: A Flock of Fledglings: Parent's Day Out 9:30-12pm (4&5 yr. olds NO parents), Sea Otter Encounter 12:30-1:30pm

Dec. 30: Sharks and Finned Friends Encounter 1:30-3pm

Dec. 31: Sea Lion Encounter 10-11am, Youth New Year's Eve Sleepover 6pm - 10am. Have your children spend New Year's Eve sleeping with the sharks! Ages 7-12 $65 per person, $55 for members.

For more information: http://www.aquarium.org/events.asp?sid=3#SpecialWinterBreakPrograms

Salmon Walk, Dec. 22, 11:30am and 1:30pm, Tillamook Forest Center

Salmon begin their amazing journey up the rivers of the Tillamook State Forest this time of year to spawn. Join Tillamook Forest Center to learn about life cycles and habitat requirements. After a short presentation, the class will take a walk over to Jones Creek to try to observe these impressive fish.

For more information: http://tillamookforestcenter.org/calendar/index.cfm?event=events.list

North Coast

Watch for Whales

From mid-December to mid-January, about 18,000 gray whales will pass the Oregon coast on the way from Alaska to Mexico. From Dec. 26n Jan. 1, trained volunteers will be present at 28 sites on the coast to show visitors the gray whales. The main body of whales is about 5 miles off shore, but some can be seen as close as 1-2 miles off shore. So, binoculars and spotting scopes are very helpful! Excellent viewing areas on the north coast include Ecola State Park and Silver Point near Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park (both Cape Falcon and Neah-Kah-Nie Mtn.) near Manzanita, Cape Meares State Park and National Wildlife Refuge near Oceanside, Cape Lookout State Park near Netarts, and Cape Kiwanda State Park near Pacific City. For more information, http://whalespoken.org/

Winter Shorebirding on the North Coast

During winter storm season, don't be alarmed by a few or moderate number of dead seabirds along the shoreline. It is common for a severe storm event to disrupt many seabirds. If you see an injured bird or a large number of dead birds, call your local wildlife rehabilitation center or ODFW office for advice.

Some shorebirds that aren't often seen on the coast for most of the year can be seen during the winter months as they move to winter homes along the coast. Birds to look for include semipalmated plover, black turnstone, surfbird, sanderling, least sandpiper and common snipe. The best time to view shorebirds is during high tide, which pushes the birds to dry areas. For good viewing visit the Necanicum River estuary off Hwy 101 between Seaside and Gearhart and Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach.

For more information on Haystack Rock:

http://www.cannon-beach.net/cbhaystack.html

Winter Raptor viewing

Look for birds of prey on your next road trip. When the weather turns foggy, several raptors including eagles, hawks and falcons leave the tops of trees and look closer to the ground for their next meal. They can be easily seen along highways as they perch on the tops of road signs and power lines watching for mice and other rodents in ditches and empty fields.

For more information on viewing birds of prey:

http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=12330

Astoria Area

Twilight Eagle Sanctuary

Twilight Eagle Sanctuary, located east of Astoria off of Hwy 30, is not only a haven for bald eagles but also for numerous water-loving birds. The Wolf Bay area is currently host to a variety of ducks, including both divers and dabblers. At lower tides, shorebirds can be seen feeding on the mudflats. Bring your binoculars, or better yet, your spotting scope.

Pacific City Area

Sand Lake

Sand Lake is a relatively undeveloped estuary, north of Pacific City. Whalen Island, which sits in the middle of the estuary, is home to the Clay Myers State Natural Area. Not only can you see loons, grebes, shorebirds, ducks, geese and other water-loving birds in the estuary, the island also has a short and easy trail through the uplands portion where resident and wintering songbirds can be seen. Also, keep your eyes on the tall conifers surrounding the estuary for wintering bald eagles. The adults are actually easy to spot, with their white heads, against the dark green foliage of the trees.

For more information on the estuary visit the Coastal Atlas Web site, http://www.coastalatlas.net/learn/settings/estuary/estuary.asp?es=6

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located just south of Pacific City along Hwy. 101. If you're a Canada goose enthusiast, here you can see a variety of races of geese, both resident and migratory ones. The best viewing is right along Hwy. 101 in the fields that the refuge staff keep managed for grazing geese and other wildlife.

For more information, http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/nestuccabay/

Seaside Area

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

Reservations for the winter elk feeding tour program have been filled. Elk viewing has been good along Hwy 202. The best viewing times are from 9:00 a.m. to about noon. Staff tries to feed fairly close to the viewing areas, especially on weekends, to allow for better viewing opportunities. Other wildlife that visitors may see at Jewell Meadows include: coyotes, red-tailed hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, bald eagles and various song birds.

Jewell Meadows is located near Seaside along Hwy 202. Directions and information: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/jewellmeodows.htm

Tillamook Area

Munson Creek State Natural Site

Both plant life and wildlife viewing are big attractions at this park. Ancient western red cedar and sitka spruce set this Pacific Northwest rainforest apart. Take the trail to Munson Creek Falls, a 319-foot waterfall that tumbles into a pool that feeds salmon spawning grounds. And look for year-round bird residents including American dipper, varied thrush and winter wren.

For directions and more information: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_245.php

Cape Meares Lake

Cape Meares Lake, located west of Tillamook on Bayocean Spit, is a spot to find migrating waterbirds such as grebes, coots and loons. Occasionally, bald eagles can be seen roosting in the tall spruce trees just south of the lake. Recent observations have shown that some migrating ducks from the north have arrived, and the lake is a favorite hangout of canvasbacks and occasionally sea ducks.

SOUTHWEST ZONE

FISHING

APPLEGATE RIVER: trout

The Applegate River is open for adipose fin-clipped trout. Trout fishing has been good. Anglers are catching and releasing wild rainbow trout up to 15 to 16 inches between Jackson Picnic Park and the deadline below the dam. Worms are the bait of choice. Rainbow trout over 16 inches are considered steelhead and must be released unharmed.

APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass

A good place to fish for trout during the winter months. One angler recently reported catching 5 fish, 3 in the 10-12 inch range and 2 in the 12-14 inch range. He attempted to catch bluegill and crappie, but none would bite. Recommended gear includes, bait, spinners, and flies. Fish a variety of depths and locations.

Three different boat ramps are available at different reservoir elevations. The Hart-Tish boat ramp is available from full pool (1987 feet above sea level) down to 1928 feet above sea level. The Copper boat ramp is not locked up and can be used down to 1940 feet above sea level. The gate is opened and the French Gulch boat ramp is available at reservoir levels below 1940 feet above sea level. Current reservoir level above sea level can be obtained at 1-800-472-2434.

BABYFOOT LAKE: rainbow trout

No new report

CHETCO RIVER: steelhead

A series of storms week of Dec. 17 will make for great steelhead fishing by the weekend. Anglers that don't have boats will want to start fishing spin and glows near the bank when the river is at 9000 cfs and dropping. Two of the best bank angling spots for plunkers are Social Security Bar and Loeb State Park. Drift boat anglers will want to hit the river once it reaches 4000 cfs and dropping. Anglers can keep an eye on the flow by looking at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?14400000.

ODFW will be collecting wild steelhead for the Chetco River winter steelhead hatchery program. At times this effort will interfere with fishing but collecting wild steelhead is important for maintaining the Chetco River winter steelhead hatchery program. ODFW thanks anglers for their cooperation.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: trout, bass

Fish stocking is over for the year but holdover fish should be available into the winter. Many of these lakes hold warmwater fish species such as bluegill and crappie. Although the bite will be slower this time of year, warmwater fish can still be caught in cooler temperatures.

COOS RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead

Steelhead fishing has been fair in the Coos basin. Both forks of the Millicoma and the South Coos are producing fish. 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 an acclimation site near mile 5 where fish will hold.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: winter steelhead

Steelhead fishing should be pretty good but few reports have come in. Some fish have been observed around Laverne Park on the North Fork. Drift boaters have done well on the South Fork Coquille. 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.

DIAMOND LAKE: rainbow trout

The lake is now closed to fishing until April 26, 2008.

ELK/SIXES RIVER: fall Chinook, steelhead

Good fishing conditions are expected by late this week. Fall Chinook fishing is winding down and steelhead are making up a greater portion of the catch. Drift boat anglers will want to start side drifting eggs for the best action. Elk River fishes best at 5.0 feet and dropping. Anglers can call Elk River Hatchery (541-332-7025) to get the latest gage heights.

EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: trout, bass

Good bet for winter trout fishing. The reservoir is deep enough for holdover trout. Try fishing bait and lures and spinners near cover. Try submerged ledges that drop off, near the mouths of gullies and streams, vegetation, and deeper areas also. As expected, bass fishing is slow at this time of year, but they are still biting, according to one angler that was interviewed by a Jackson County Parks Employee.

FISH LAKE: rainbow trout

With angling pressure low, Fish Lake is a good place to fish in the winter for trout. Try bait, spinners, and lures. Most of the lake is iced over this week, however, you can still see unfrozen water in the center of the lake. Thin ice on the lake can be very dangerous.

GALESVILLE RESERVIOR: rainbow trout, bass

Galesville Reservoir is open to angling year-round. Fishing for trout is currently fair. Some anglers report seeing external "worms" on a few of the trout, and in some trout's gills. These are copepods, a fish parasite, which occurs naturally throughout the watershed. The copepods can be removed and the fish safely consumed. Anglers at Galesville are catching some of the 26,000 sub-legal sized trout which were stocked in early October. These fish, while still too small to keep, have grown nicely and are now about 6 inches long. They should help provide an excellent spring fishery. The harvestable trout were 10 n 12 inches. A few 10 inch, coho have also been caught.

GARRISON LAKE: trout

Garrison is a good bet for rainbow trout and cutthroat. Bank access is limited to the State Park or 12th street boat ramp. The best way to fish Garrison is slow trolling wedding ring spinners or flies. Anglers should keep an eye on the weather and target the lake when winds are light.

LAKE SELMAC: trout, bass

Try Lake Selmac for winter trout. Use bait, lures, and flies. Fish near cover.

LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: trout, smallmouth bass

This is a good place to fish for trout all winter. The reservoir was stocked the first week in October with 7,500 legal sized rainbow trout. Try fishing upstream of the Hwy 62 Bridge at the East end of the lake. Four anglers interviewed recently caught 8 trout that ranged in size from 10 to 12 inches. Worms and wedding rings worked well for these anglers.

PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: bottomfish

Bottom fishing can be challenging in the winter due to weather and ocean conditions. When the weather and ocean do cooperate, fishing can be excellent. Anglers should be cautious of the ocean and bar conditions which can change quickly. Sport boat anglers may no longer keep cabezon but shore anglers may continue to retain legal sized cabezon.

POWERS POND: trout, warmwater fish

Fish stocking is over for 2007. Holdover trout are available as well as warmwater fish that are present all year.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: fall chinook, coho, steelhead

Steelhead fishing will be excellent by the weekend (Dec. 22). Anglers fishing spin and glows close to the bank reported mixed catches of wild and hatchery steelhead prior to the recent storms. Anglers can keep an eye on Rogue River flows at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?14372300. Bank anglers will fair best when flows hit 8,000 n 9,000 cfs and dropping.

ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: chinook, trout, steelhead

The flow on Dec. 17 was 1,890 cubic feet per second at Grants Pass. Fishing is slow, and pressure is light. Anglers are talking about catching a few winter steelhead below Grants Pass. Winter freshets should start pushing them over Rainey Falls. Plugs are working in the Griffin Park area, and lures downstream from there.

ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: trout, steelhead

Pressure is up and anglers are getting steelhead and an occasional coho on night crawlers with corkies and drifted roe. The number of summer steelhead over Gold Ray increased to 7,445 as of Dec 11. The outflow from Lost Creek Reservoir was 1,310 cubic feet per second and the outflow temperature was 43 as of Monday morning.

Regulations: Angling is restricted to the use of artificial flies and lures between Gold Ray Dam and the Shady Cove Boat Ramp. Consult the regulations for more information. Steelhead anglers should target riffles, runs, and slots, though fish can be found in a variety of waters. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead, trout, and coho salmon may be harvested.

SODA SPRINGS RESERVOIR: brown and rainbow trout

Soda Springs reservoir is open for trout angling, but tributaries upstream of the reservoir are closed to angling until April 26, 2008. The road to Soda Springs dam is currently closed due to a high volume of dump trucks and heavy equipment. At this time the only access into the reservoir is at Medicine Creek bridge.

SMITH RIVER: cutthroat trout

Striper fishing has been fair, with some very nice stripers being caught in lower Smith River. Trout season is now closed in the Smith River and tributaries. The Smith is currently open for adipose-fin clipped steelhead from the mouth upstream to Sisters Creek on the mainstem and the North Fork Smith from the mouth upstream to Bridge 10. A few steelhead have been counted crossing the falls.

SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: trout

Fishing is slow on all lakes and ponds.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: cutthroat trout, steelhead

Trout season is closed in the Umpqua, Smith River, South Umpqua, North Umpqua, and Cow Creek basins. No report on steelhead fishing.

SOUTH COAST BEACHES:

No report.

TENMILE BASIN: yellow perch, trout, largemouth bass, winter steelhead, warmwater fish

Tenmile Lakes are open year-round, and holdover fish are available. Winter steelhead should be available in Tenmile Creek. Spinreel park is a popular spot where many fish are hooked. Anglers willing to hike the sand dunes will find other opportunities downstream to catch steelhead. Warmwater fish species such as bluegill and crappie are in Tenmile Lakes. Although the bite will be slower this time of year, warmwater fish can still be caught in cooler temperatures. Anglers should slow their presentation for warmwater fish during the winter (e.g. if using a lure such as crankbait/spinnerbait, slow the retrieve and allow it to settle more).

TOKETEE LAKE: brown trout

Fishing is open in Toketee all year round. Fishing has been slow but the best fishing occurs early in the morning.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: sturgeon

No new report but fall chinook and coho fishing has been slow in recent weeks. Sturgeon fishing has been improving, some large green sturgeon are being picked up in the Big Bend area. Crabbing has improved with a few limits being caught, the best crabbing is occurring in the half-moon bay area.

UMPQUA HIGH LAKES AND FOREBAYS: trout

No new report. Diamond Lake and Lemolo Lake are closed starting Nov. 1. However the other high cascade lakes are open year-round.

UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: shad, bass, chinook

The river is high and muddy with more rain in the forecast. However as conditions improve the steelhead will be moving. Some hatchery steelhead are already upstream in the Cleveland Rapids area. To date over 300 steelhead have crossed Winchester Dam. This is a fairly strong run for December. Rainy weather and high, turbid flows will favor bank anglers as the steelhead move toward the shores. As the river drops, the steelhead will move back toward the deeper pools and boat anglers will enjoy a higher success. About 4,500 coho have passed Winchester Dam but angling is slow and most of the fish are actively spawning.

Remember that as of Jan. 1, 2008, the mainstem Umpqua will be closed to wild steelhead harvest; it remains open year-round for adipose fin-clipped steelhead.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: steelhead, coho

About 4,500 coho have pasted the dam as of Dec. 1. Coho fishing is currently slow. Steelhead fishing for bright fish should slowly improve. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead can be harvested on the North Umpqua for the remainder of this year and in 2008 due to new regulations that closed the wild steelhead harvest.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: steelhead

The South Umpqua is open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead only, Dec. 1 n 31, and Jan. 1 n April 30. Fishing is slow, but anglers should have the most success in the lower sections. Fishing for steelhead will continue to improve as the season progresses and more fish move upstream. As the fish move into the river, there are good bank angling opportunities at Templeton Beach, the Myrtle Creek bridge, Stanton Park, and behind Seven Feather Casino.

WILLOW LAKE: trout, bass

Willow Lake could be a good bet for winter trout angling. Try bait, lures, and flies fished near areas with cover and deep waters.

WINCHESTER BAY: sturgeon, coho, chinook

Fishing remains slow.

SHELLFISH

Ocean crabbing opened on Dec. 1 but rough seas have prevented sport crabbers from crossing the bar. Bay crabbing is open the entire year. The next few months are a great time for bay crabbing. 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. Crab are generally full of meat and available in good numbers in coastal bays. Crabbing inside Coos Bay has been good recently with boats returning with nice catches of crab. Shore based crabbers are also getting some keeper crabs. The COOS BAY shoals (20-30 feet deep) along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston, and Empire.

Additional information about crabbing: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/crab/index.asp

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

More information about razor clams and current status of particular areas: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams

Information about bay clams: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/bayclams/

SOUTHWEST ZONE HUNTING

OPEN: Fall turkey, blue grouse, ruffed grouse, cougar, bear, California quail, mt. quail, duck, goose

Visit the Southwest Fall Hunting Forecast

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/hunting_forecast/2007_fall_southwest.asp

DOUGLAS COUNTY

BIG GAME:

Deer - Hunters are reminded that for the rest of the hunt year in Douglas County only a few controlled hunts are open. Deer populations are similar to last year.

Elk - Hunters are reminded that for the rest of the hunt year in Douglas County only a few controlled hunts are open. Elk populations are similar to last year.

Bear - Bear season is open. Successful bear hunters are asked to turn in a bear tooth for the ongoing bear statewide population study. The hunt year ends December 31, 2007.

Cougar n Cougar season is open. Hunting cougar is most successful adjacent to private land with high deer populations. The hunt year ends December 31, 2007.

UPLAND GAMEBIRDS:

Grouse & Quail n The season is currently open. Blue grouse success is best in mid to high elevations of the Cascades in partly open conifer stands. Ruffed grouse can be found near creeks mostly at mid elevations of both the Cascades and Coast Range.

Success is best in the lower elevation agricultural lands for California quail and mid-elevations of the Cascades and Coast Range near brushy clear cuts on secondary forest roads for Mountain quail.

Fall Turkey n The season is currently open. Hunters can expect an above average year. Most turkeys are on or adjacent to low-mid elevation private lands associated with oak savannah habitat. The hunt year ends December 31, 2007.

WATERFOWL:

The season for ducks, geese, snipe and coot is currently open. Hunting ducks and geese in Douglas County is good because of excellent local production and good migratory numbers again this year. Nearly all waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley is on private property and hunters should obtain landowner permission before hunting.

MIGRATORY GAMEBIRDS:

Crow n The season is currently open. Hunters can expect an average year. Crow are abundant and widely distributed on the Umpqua Valley floor. Hunting crow is a challenge with most being on or adjacent to private lands.

TRAPPING & HUNTING:

Furbearers n A reminder to trappers and hunters that specific licenses and tags are required to hunt many furbearer species, and hunters should refer to the Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations for details.

Bobcat, Red & Gray Fox - Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon.

River Otter, Beaver & Raccoon n Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for these species is March 15, 2008.

Mink & Muskrat - Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for mink and muskrat is March 31, 2008.

Marten n Good populations at higher elevations of the Cascades. The last day of the season is January 31, 2008.

JACKSON, JOSEPHINE, CURRY COUNTIES

District staff encourages hunters to wear blaze orange.

TURKEY: Fall turkey season will end on Dec. 31. Tags are still available for those of you that would like to hunt turkeys for the holidays. Some of the best public hunting spots for turkeys are areas within the Jackson Cooperative Travel Management Area. These areas are Boswell mountain area west of Hwy 62 near Shady Cove and Camel Hump area east of Shady Cove. Another area within the TMA is the Green top unit off of Obenchain road north of Hwy 140 north east of Eagle Point. These areas all have road closure periods and maps are available at local ODFW office.

Deer n Youth controlled deer riffle season will run until January 1. Overall deer numbers in our area are on the increase and buck populations are up. Youth should have plenty of opportunity to find deer and bucks will be included. Deer will be found in lower elevation in and around oak trees and brush fields. Remember to wear blaze orange.

Elk - All general elk seasons are done for the year with a few controlled hunts for damage issue going on through March. Youth controlled elk rifle season will run until January 1. Youth can expect average success. Remember to wear blaze orange.

Bear n Bear harvest in Jackson, Josephine and Curry County have slowed. Bears should be foraging heavy before winter sets in. Hunters need to locate food sources such as acorns, green grasses and grubs. Bear population continue to remain high. Season will end December 31. Hunters are reminded to turn in their bear tooth for the statewide population study.

Cougar - Cougars are plentiful, although they are a challenge to locate and harvest. Cougars are best hunted with the use of predatory calls in and around areas of the prey base. Locate major ridge lines and rocky out cropping as areas of travel within their home range. Lower snow levels will provide great tracking opportunities.

Western Gray Squirrel nPortion of the Rogue unit is open year round with no bag limit; refer to regulations for more detail. Squirrels are found throughout this unit with only a few hunters taking advantage of this hunting opportunity. Squirrels are found from oak savanna habitat to conifer habitat types. Squirrel hunting is a great opportunity for young hunters to hone their hunting skills.

Grouse & Quail n The season is open until Jan. 31, 2008. Successful hunters are locating grouse and quail along closed forest roads and know habitat types. Look for ruffed grouse in timbered creeks and blue grouse on high mountain ridges. Mountain quail will be located in mid-elevation brush fields and California quail will be found in low elevation brush fields. The use of dogs will aid greatly in retrieval of these well camouflaged birds.

Waterfowl:

Hunter success will depend on storms to make birds fly and bring more birds into the area. Public waters are limited in the area, with the Rogue River and public lakes and reservoirs open. All fields on Denman Wildlife Area are flooded; storms have led to better hunting conditions and improved success rates. Through the end of waterfowl season, the Hall Tract is open Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day only. Other tracts are open every day.

TRAPPING & HUNTING:

Furbearers n A reminder to trappers and hunters that specific licenses and tags are required to hunt many furbearer species, and hunters should refer to the Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations for details.

Bobcat, Red & Gray Fox - Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon.

River Otter, Beaver & Raccoon n Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for these species is March 15, 2008.

Mink & Muskrat - Healthy populations throughout Western Oregon. The last day of the season for mink and muskrat is March 31, 2008.

Marten n Good populations at higher elevations of the Cascades. The last day of the season is January 31, 2008.

COOS COUNTY

ELK

All bull seasons and most antlerless elk seasons are closed now in Coos County. However, those hunters with controlled late-season tags should have little problem finding elk. Elk can be found in places where winter green-up is providing foraging opportunities. South slopes with mixed forest clearings and heavier cover will be good places to look.

BEAR

With cooler weather, bears will soon become inactive and very hard to locate. The good days to hunt are those occasional warm, sunny days when bears may become temporarily active. Keep in mind general bear season closes Dec. 31.

COUGAR

Cougar populations appear to be healthy in Coos County. Cougars are very elusive and use very large home ranges so they represent a supreme challenge for hunters. To locate them, take clues from their prey (deer and elk). In areas with high densities of deer and elk, you may find success attracting cougars with predator calls.

UPLAND BIRDS

Hunting closed roads and creek bottoms for grouse and ridge tops for mountain quail should prove effective to the persistent hunter.

Waterfowl

Most waterfowl are now using local inland valleys for feeding. Hunters will find birds concentrated around flooded fields. Typically, fields flooded with less that one foot of water are the most productive because dabbling ducks are more able to reach their food in shallower waters. Seaducks are numerous in local bays so targeting these species may be productive. As the season advances, more diving ducks will move in to the area too.

Trapping and Hunting

Winter is a good time to hunt or trap furbearer species (generally hunted for their fur). There are many species to choose from. Some are predatory animals while others are herbivorous. Some are aquatic and others live on land. Coos County has many opportunities for hunting or trapping these species. Hunters or trappers interested in taking advantage of the many opportunities should contact their local ODFW office for information on these species and on the regulations pertaining to pursuing them.

SOUTHWEST ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count; Dec. 14 through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Florence, Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 22

Contact Roger Robb, (541) 343-6557, brrobb@comcast.net

Little Applegate Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, December 30, 2007

Shelley Elkovich, (541) 821-0935, shelleye@mind.net

Port Orford Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 29

Contact Jim Rogers, (541) 332-2555, Meet 7:15 a.m., north side of Driftwood Elementary School on Hwy 101.

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

Coos County

Oddly, there are many pelicans along the South coast. Generally these birds have moved south by this point in the year. Those interested in seeing these birds should watch for them along local beaches and other shorelines. Other birds to see in these areas include large numbers of western grebes, common murres and a mixed variety of gulls. Also, Simpson Reef, located near Charleston, has a large congregation of wintering Steller sea lions, California sea lions and harbor seals.

Often with incoming storms come uncommon visitors to the south coast. Vigilant bird watchers should pay attention to local bays and ocean beach areas for seabirds that end up moving closer to shore as a result of the storms.

The fall rains have started and inland valleys are filling up, causing waterfowl to move inland. The result will be that viewing on the bays will not be as good as earlier this season but will improve inland. Often edges of flooded fields are very attractive to waterfowl.

There are still large numbers of seaducks in the local bays. As with dabbling ducks they are in breeding plumage so this is a good time to photograph for these birds. Local reports indicate there has been an influx of migratory waterfowl on local bays. This is probably due to recent storms.

Douglas County

Contact the local Audubon to participate in the annual Umpqua Valley Christmas bird count.

Bald Eagles

Bald Eagles are now commonly seen along the mainstem portion of the Umpqua River from Roseburg to Reedsport.

Columbian White-tailed Deer

Viewing is good at Whistler's Bend County Park about 10 miles east of Roseburg. The recently de-listed Roseburg sub-population of white-tailed deer is not hunted inside the county park, and they are easily viewed from a vehicle.

This is a good opportunity to see a species whose population numbers have recovered after a low population level in the 1960s. This once common wetlands and bottomland deer was found in western valleys from Canyonville in the Umpqua Valley northward through the Willamette Valley up to Puget Sound in Washington state. Today, there are only two remaining populations in Oregon/Washington-one in Douglas County around Roseburg and one along the Columbia River.

Douglas County is home to three deer species-black-tailed, white-tailed and mule. Mule deer, however, are only prevalent in higher elevations of Douglas County, near the Diamond Lake for example.

There are a few fairly easy ways to tell the difference between a black-tailed deer and a white-tailed deer on the Umpqua Valley floor. In the fall, white-tails will often have a sandy or light tan colored pelt as opposed to the brown coloration of the black-tail. White-tails have shorter ears, pronounced white eye rings and a larger, wider tail that, when down, is light brown in color fringed with white. When alerted to danger both species raise and wag their tails exposing its white underside as they leave the area.

Since white-tail deer in southern Oregon were federally de-listed a few years ago, ODFW has slowly increased hunting opportunities while continuing work on expanding white-tail deer populations throughout their historical range. Currently, ODFW is focusing on trapping, transplanting and re-establishing white-tails in other areas of Douglas County.

What can Douglas County residents do to help?

First, if you have white-tailed deer on your property and you would consider having ODFW relocate some of them with the goal of increasing populations across the valley, please contact the ODFW the Roseburg office at 541-440-3353.

Second, don't feed the deer. There is plenty of natural forage available to them to survive, even through the winter. Feeding deer can create problems by allowing them to congregate and possibly spread diseases such as deer hairloss syndrome or adenovirus from sick deer to healthy deer. Also, feeding deer can draw other wildlife including predators, like cougar, into you yard. It's best to look and enjoy the deer and other wildlife without feeding them.

To see white-tailed deer, visit Whistlers Bend County Park is located east of Roseburg off Highway 138E, adjacent to the North Umpqua River. The drive through the park is free.

Winter Raptors

Wintering raptors, especially hawks, can commonly be seen along highways throughout the county.

CENTRAL ZONE

FISHING

EVENT: May 17, Fly-fishing workshop at Wizard Falls Hatchery along the Metolius River in Camp Sherman. Workshop hosted by ODFW's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program; visit link below for more information.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/workshops.asp

This fishing report was last updated Dec. 17, 2007

CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout

No recent reports.

CRESCENT LAKE: brown trout, kokanee

The lake is now inaccessible due to snow and closure of the forest service boat ramp.

CROOKED RIVER MAINSTEM: rainbow trout

No new reports.

CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout

Mixed reports from anglers indicating some success for redband. ODFW and OSU have initiated a radio telemetry study on redband trout and whitefish, and 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.

DESCHUTES RIVER:

Remember the entire Deschutes River is closed to the retention of Fall Chinook at this time.

Sherars Falls to Warm Springs n Trout anglers will be successful by using nymphs. Water temperatures are cold and fewer bug hatches are occurring. Steelhead are in this section in good numbers and water temperatures and clarity are still good for steelhead fishing. Anglers are also reminded that the Deschutes River upstream from the northern boundary of the Warms Springs Reservation closes to angling December 31, 2007, and will reopen April 26, 2008.

Mouth to Sherars Falls n Steelhead anglers are reporting decent catches, as effort on the river has declined significantly. Anglers are encouraged to fish in water that is a little slower this time of the year as water temperatures are colder and fish prefer these softer areas in the river.

Spring Chinook:

No recent report.

DESCHUTES RIVER: Lake Billy Chinook to Benham Falls:

No anglers were interviewed as basis for a report. Please note that recent increased flow makes this stretch a little more of a challenge for anglers.

FALL RIVER:

No recent reports. Remember angling is closed downstream the falls.

FROG LAKE: rainbow trout

No new report.

HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, brown trout

No recent reports. .

HOOD RIVER: summer steelhead, fin clipped coho

Steelhead fishing has been slow on the Hood River, cold temperatures have improved water quality but not very many steelhead are entering the river. Winter steelhead should start entering the Hood at the beginning of January and will increase as spring approaches. Anglers are reminded that chinook angling is closed and coho must be fin-clipped for retention. Trout fishing is closed.

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

No angler activity to use as a basis for a report. There is opportunity for bull trout, brown trout and kokanee on the Deschutes River and Crooked River arms. Please note that the Metolius arm of the reservoir closed to angling for the season beginning Nov. 1. Anglers should be advised that the recommended boat launching facility is the upper Deschutes arm ramp of the reservoir.

LAURANCE LAKE: rainbow trout, smallmouth bass

Closes to angling as of Nov. 1.

LOST LAKE: rainbow trout

Lost Lake has been stocked with legal and trophy sized hatchery rainbow trout. Some naturally produced brown trout are also available for anglers. Anglers should focus on the shallower shoal areas for best success.

METOLIUS RIVER:

No recent reports.

OCHOCO RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

No recent reports. Anglers targeting rainbow trout should consider fishing the upper eastern end of reservoir.

PINE HOLLOW RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

No recent reports, but fall and early winter fishing can be productive at Pine Hollow.

PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Opportunity is good for 12 to 16 rainbow trout. No reports on recent angler success.

ROCK CREEK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Low reservoir level will limit both access and success.

SUTTLE LAKE:

No recent reports but there is usually good opportunity for brown trout at this time of year.

CENTRAL ZONE HUNTING

Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/hunting_forecast/2007_fall_high_desert.asp

Open: Chukar, duck, goose, California quail, mt quail (open in Wheeler, Hood Rvr and Wasco counties) cougar, crow

Ochoco Wildlife District

General: Snow is present at higher elevations and conditions can be icy and treacherous, with some higher elevation forest service roads impassable due to snow. Hunters need to be equipped to handle unpredictable winter conditions and should check with the Ochoco National Forest for road information. Hunters are reminded the motorized access restrictions associated with the South Boundary Green Dot Travel Management Area (TMA) in the Ochoco unit remain in effect year-round. Maps are available at portal signs as you enter the TMA, or from local ODFW and forest service offices. Additionally, areas on the Ochoco National Forest and Prineville BLM have seasonal winter motorized access restrictions effect to prevent soil damage and protect wintering antelope, deer, and elk. Maps of these areas are available from forest service and BLM offices in Prineville.

Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area: The area is open to non-motorized access only to protect wintering deer and elk and prevent soil damage. Walk-in hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts are welcome.

Cougar: Deer have moved to lower elevation winter ranges and cougar can be expected to have followed. Winter ranges include private lands and hunters need permission prior to hunting.

Coyote: Look for concentrations of wintering deer and pronghorn, and coyotes are likely nearby. Wintering deer and pronghorn are concentrating at lower elevations, including BLM lands in both the Ochoco and Maury units. Coyote hunters should keep a watchful eye out for cougars which also respond to predator calls.

Valley quail: Numbers are declining, but there are still good opportunities on mixed range and agricultural lands throughout Crook and Jefferson Counties. Springs, stream areas, and other rangelands with cover and water on the Crooked River National Grasslands and BLM lands would also be good places to check.

Chukar are more limited in distribution, with areas along the Crooked, Deschutes, and John Day Rivers offering the best opportunities. Much of this area is private land where permission from the landowner is needed.

Waterfowl: Access is a challenge as most of the better hunting is on private lands. There are limited opportunities on public land around Prineville Res., and along the Crooked River.

The Dalles Wildlife District

Hunters wishing to pursue cougar should focus their efforts in areas where big game populations are found. As winter continues to develop, more deer will continue to move onto White River Wildlife Area, and will provide the best opportunity for cougar hunters.

Waterfowl season is open within the district. The majority of waterfowl hunting opportunities are present on private lands, with a few exceptions along the Columbia and Deschutes rivers.

Upland game birds are found throughout the district. Bird production was fair in the area this year, with populations being at or near the ten year average. Hunters wishing to target quail should focus on areas in and around streams or near agricultural areas. Public access can be found on the Lower Deschutes and White River Wildlife areas, as well as BLM property in the Deschutes and John Day canyons. Hunters should be aware that bird hunting is prohibited within ¼ mile of the John Day River from the Columbia upstream to Thirtymile Creek.

CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count; Dec. 14 through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Biggs, Rufus, and John Day Dam, OR and Columbia Hills-Klickitat Valley, WA

Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 29

Contact Stuart Johnston, (509) 493-3363 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

johnstonstuartf@hotmail.com

Hood River Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, December 30

Contact Catherine Flick, (509) 493-1195, stewart@gorge.net

Meet 6:30 a.m. at the Best Western in Hood River (exit 64 off Interstate 84).

Prineville Christmas Bird Count, Monday, December 31

Contact Charles Gates, (541) 923-1320, cgates@empnet.com

Meet 7:00 a.m. at McDonalds in Prineville.

Redmond, Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, December 23

Contact Kimdel Owen, (541) 771-6558, kimdelo@yahoo.com

Santiam Pass Christmas Bird Count, Tuesday, January 1

Contact Steve Shunk, (541) 408-1753, steve@paradisebirding.com

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

December Wildlife Viewing

Freezing weather has arrived in parts of Central Oregon and most small ponds and water holes are frozen and snow blankets the ground at higher elevation. Deer are on winter ranges, winter raptors are at their usual feeding areas and waterbirds are confined to open water areas.

Mule deer are on their winter range and a good place to observe them is the Fort Rock Valley south to Silver Lake and east to Christmas Valley. Herds of five to twenty deer or more are commonly seen. This area is also excellent for winter raptors. Agricultural lands and shrub land on the edge of the forest are good places to look for rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, golden and bald eagles and prairie falcons. The wintering population of Red-tailed Hawks has more individual with dark phase plumage than is seen in the summer. A good field guide is helpful in sorting out the color phases of the raptors.

Winter range road closures are in effect on National Forests and BLM lands of Central Oregon. Main roads are open but side roads and less traveled roads may be closed to vehicle travel. Watch for signs and report violations to the nearest Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or Oregon State Police office.

Prineville Area

This is a good time to view wintering big game, including mule deer, pronghorn and elk. The better areas are accessible from the Paulina Highway east of Prineville on private lands along the Crooked River between the eastern end of Prineville Reservoir, to the town of Paulina, and north and east around Puett Rd. to the Paulina Ranger Station. Drivers need to turn south off of Hwy. 26 at the east side of Prineville, onto the Paulina highway, with the best viewing between milepost 20 and milepost 60. Approximately 4 miles east of Paulina proceed north to Paulina Ranger Station via Puett Road. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope for antelope and elk using the western slopes of Powell Mountain.

Animals are generally most visible in early morning or late afternoon, and drivers need to be careful of animals crossing the highway. This is approximately 180 miles round trip from Prineville and drivers should be prepared for winter driving conditions. In addition to big game, viewers will have opportunities to see coyotes, waterfowl, and a wide variety of birds of prey including bald and golden eagles, prairie falcon, red tail and rough leg hawks.

Migrating birds

Local reservoirs offer viewing of waterfowl and shorebirds as they feed and rest. The wildlife management area at the east of Prineville Reservoir is closed to motorized access, but walk-in access is encouraged. Park at the gate where the north-side access road meets the Paulina Hwy. and walk in along the river. Ochoco Reservoir is visible from Hwy. 26, eight miles east of Prineville. Migrating and wintering birds of prey are on the increase with sightings of red-tailed, rough-legged, and Swainsons Hawks; Northern Harriers; bald and golden Eagle; prairie falcon; and Kestrels common.

The Crooked River between Bowman Dam and Prineville offers spectacular cliff scenery interspersed with close views of the Crooked River. Bald and golden eagles frequent this stretch of river and use the cliffs and pine trees for perching and roosting. Otter, beaver, raccoons and a variety of waterfowl and wading birds are also present in the river.

Madras Area

Haystack Reservoir, 12 miles southeast of Madras, still has open water and last week local birders reported a good variety of waterbirds including five species of grebes, western, pied-bill, horned, eared, and red-necked. A few snow geese and a white-fronted goose were also reported from the same area. Since waterfowl hunting season is open, look for ducks and geese in the center of lake away from the shoreline.

The Dalles, Mid-Columbia Region and Northern Wasco County

As the temperature drops and the snow starts to fall, White River Wildlife Area begins to see migrating deer and elk. Visitors wishing to view wintering deer are best served in the Smock Prairie area, where deer will congregate in open meadows to feed, while those wishing to view elk are more likely to be successful in the Friend area.

Directions to the White River Wildlife Area, http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/whiteriver.htm

SOUTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

Winter conditions exist in Lake and Klamath County. Access is difficult; paved roads will be frozen with snow drifts on north facing slopes, primitive roads will alternate between frozen to muddy depending on weather conditions. Desert Reservoirs, Creeks and the High Lakes are icing up. Ice-fishing opportunities will be available late winter.

This report updated Dec. 17, 2007

ANA RESERVOIR: rainbow trout, hybrid bass

Ana Reservoir will be open all year long for rainbow trout and hybrid bass. Fishing is good for Rainbow trout. Catch rates for hybrid bass usually improve throughout the winter. Most anglers fish from shore on the east shoreline at night.

ANA RIVER: rainbow trout

Ana River is open year long and water temperatures tend to stay warmer due to spring input out of Ana Reservoir. This is a great place to fish during late fall and winter. Angling for rainbow trout has been good. The river level is high. Rainbow trout can be very spooky so stealth is required. Bait angling is allowed and productive. Expect good hatches of various mayflies during cloudy weather. Tui chub and pit roach are abundant minnows in Ana River therefore LARGE minnow lures/flies can catch the larger rainbow trout while not catching as many little fingerling rainbow trout.

BEULAH RESERVOIR: redband trout, whitefish, bull trout

The reservoir is totally covered in thin ice. Fishing is poor.The reservoir went dry on Aug. 31. The reservoir is 13 percent full and inflow was 45 cfs on December 16.

BLITZEN RIVER: trout

Catch and release angling from Nov. 1 through the end of May. Angling should be slow to fair for redband trout. With recent cold weather, anglers may have to deal with extensive ice. Flow fluctuated between approximately 16 and 99 cfs from December 10 through December 17. Flow was 37 cfs December 17.

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

Ice is beginning to form around perimeter. Angling is poor. The reservoir was 11 percent full on Dec. 9.

BURNS POND: trout, bass

Watch for thin ice. Ice thickness can vary across any waterbody. Test holes indicated the ice was 3.5 to 4 inches thick near the fishing dock on Dec. 17.

CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: trout

Watch for thin ice. Test holes at several locations indicated that the ice was 4 to 4.5 inches thick, but ice thickness can vary across any waterbody. Ice fishing should be good later this winter.

CHEWAUCAN RIVER: redband trout

Angling is closed below Paisley. Angling is slow for redband trout above Paisley. Much of the river is frozen.

DELINTMENT LAKE: trout

Watch for thin ice. Recent snow may make access to the lake difficult. If the lake is accessible, ice fishing should be good.

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

The warm water fishery at Dog Lake has declined with cold weather and will continue to be poor until spring and warmer temperatures.

DUNCAN RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

The reservoir is still free of ice and accessible. Sheets of ice are forming but gone by late morning. Hatchery stocked rainbow trout are available and more interested in biting during warm up periods

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

The north loop road is closed for the winter. No recent angling report.

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

Yellow perch angling has been slow.

HOLBROOK RESERVOIR: rainbow trout

Access is open. The reservoir is partially frozen over.

JUNIPER LAKE: cutthroat trout

The lake almost went dry this year, so the trout population was lost.

UPPER KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKE: redband trout and yellow perch

The lake is frozen. Angling for redband trout has been slow at the open water around the spring areas.

KLAMATH RIVER: rainbow-redband trout

Angling for wild redband trout has slowed down. Water temperature has cooled down to below 36 degrees which will slow catch rates. Wading below Keno dam is difficult as the water is turbid and the substrate is made of slick boulders. A wading staff, studded wading boots, and wading belt is recommended.

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

Lake of the Woods is beginning to freeze. Angling is slow for all species of fish. Ice fishing will be good for yellow perch later this winter. Contact Lake of the Woods Lodge at (1-866-201-4194) for recent angling update.

LINK RIVER: redband trout

Angling is slow as water temperatures are 32 degrees. Access is available along the entire west side and boats can be launched at Veterans Park and motored upstream to the powerhouse. The Link River is open year long.

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

Angling is poor. Flow is very low in this stretch of the river is since there is little or no discharge from Warm Springs Reservoir. Discharge from Warm Springs Reservoir was 0 cfs on December 16.

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

Angling is poor.Flow is very low in this stretch of the river since there is little or no discharge from Warm Springs Reservoir or Beulah Reservoir. Discharge from Warm Springs Reservoir was approximately 0 cfs, and discharge from Beulah Reservoir was 0 cfs on December 16.

MALHEUR RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Trout angling is poor. The reservoir is iced over. It is not thick enough to support any weight. The boat ramp is still in water. Water releases were shut-off in late September.

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

No recent angling report. Remember to release bull trout.

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

No recent angling report. Remember to release bull trout.

MALONE RESERVOIR (Lost River): yellow, brown and black bullhead

Angling for yellow, brown and black bullhead is slow. Angling for sunfish and largemouth bass is slow.

MANN LAKE: trout

No angling report available. The lake should be covered by thin ice.

MOON RESERVOIR: bass, trout

Trout and bass angling are slow. The reservoir is very low. Watch for thin ice.

NORTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: rainbow trout.

Angling is expected to be poor. The reservoirs should also have a thin layer of ice on them. Roads are frozen.

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

Angling is slow. The reservoir was 23 percent full Dec. 16. The county ramp near the powerhouse and the ramp at the resort are still useable; the other three are not.

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

Irrigation releases below the dam were shut-off on Oct. 12. Brown Trout are still spawning so anglers need to be careful around spawning areas to protect redds. Angling for rainbow trout and brown trout is slow.

OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): smallmouth bass and channel catfish

Angling for smallmouth and channel catfish is slow. Discharge at the Rome gauge averaged approximately 139 cfs on December 16.

PAIUTE RESERVOIR: rainbow trout and Lahontan cutthroat trout

Sheets of ice are forming but open waters exist. The reservoir is still accessible. Angling has been slow recently. Lahontan Cutthroat trout and Rainbow trout are available.

PHILLIPS RESERVOIR: trout, perch

Fishing has been fair for trout and perch. Ice is forming but not safe yet. Water level is at 9 percent.

PILCHER RESERVOIR: trout

Ice is on the lake but may not be safe yet.

POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: hatchery rainbow trout

Trout angling is poor. The reservoir is iced over. The ice is not thick enough to support any weight. The water level at Pole Creek Reservoir is very near minimums.

POWDER RIVER: trout, spring chinook

Fishing for rainbow trout is closed from HuntingtonnRichland road bridge to Hughes Lane bridge in Baker City. Above Hughes Lane to Phillips Reservoir is open to catch and release, and use of artificial flies and lures only.

SNAKE RIVER: catfish and smallmouth bass

Angling for catfish and smallmouth bass is fair. See Snake River zone for more information.

SOUTH MALHEUR BLM STOCK PONDS: hatchery rainbow trout.

Angling is expected to be poor. Roads are frozen. Snow depth is minimal. The reservoirs should also have a thin layer of ice on them.

THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: trout

The reservoir is filling but fishing is expected to be slow for a few months. Fingerlings were stocked in October.

UNITY RESERVOIR: trout, bass, crappie

No recent report. Ice has formed on the reservoir but it is not safe yet. The water level is rising which makes ice unstable.

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

Fishing is poor. The reservoir is 6 percent full, inflow at the Drewsey gauge averaged 50 cfs on December 16.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: crappie, trout

Reservoir is very low. Ice has formed on the lake but is not safe yet.

YELLOWJACKET LAKE: trout

Watch for thin ice. The lake is still accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicle. No recent angling report.

SOUTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

Visit the region's Fall Hunting Forecast

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/hunting_forecast/2007_fall_high_desert.asp

Open: Pheasant, chukar, duck, goose (reopens Dec 22 in Klamath Co), cougar, bear, crow, California quail, mt. quail (open in Klamath County)

NEW LANDS OPEN TO HUNT: More than 42,000 acres of private land in Malheur and Harney counties is now open to public hunting access, thanks to ODFW's Access and Habitat Program. More information:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2007/November/110107.asp

COUGAR

Cougar populations are healthy in the Southeast zone. Snow should help improve hunting conditions.

COYOTE

Any area with wintering deer will provide good opportunity for coyote calling. Hunters should be aware that cougars will respond to predator calls. In order to harvest a cougar you need a valid tag and be using a .22 caliber or larger center fire rifle.

If you are hunting in Klamath County, the Grenada butte and Chicken hills area have a lot of coyote sign in the recent snow and would be a good place to try.

UPLAND BIRDS

Chukar numbers are down from last year due to poor hatch success. The Malheur River and Owhyee River corridors are the best areas in Malheur County. In Lake County the best areas are Abert Rim, Coleman Rim and Guano Rim. Most quail are on private land and hunters will need to obtain permission before hunting. Hunters should focus on permanent springs and seeps that still have water.

Years of dry conditions are sending some hunters to Klamath Wildlife Area's Miller Island Unit on the WA because the waterfowl habitat also provides good cover for upland birds.

WATERFOWL

Duck and goose hunting on the Snake River and major reservoirs in Malheur County should be fair for local birds. In Lake County, best areas are Warner Valley, Abert Lake and Summer Lake Wildlife Area.

Duck hunting in the Klamath Basin is fair and best hunting will be in areas with open water including Lost River, Sprague River and Klamath River. Many ponds and area wetlands have frozen over, resulting in many birds continuing south or finding open water areas.

Goose hunting in the Klamath Basin is closed until Dec. 22. Goose hunting should improve once the season reopens dependant on weather conditions.

KLAMATH WILDLIFE AREA

Winter freeze-up of pond units on Miller Island has occurred and this usually signals an end to duck hunting. As long as the Klamath River remains open (unfrozen), occasional ducks may provide a pass-shooting opportunity on Miller Island. Goose hunting reopens in Klamath County Dec. 22. Goose hunting should improve after the first of the year as migrating geese enter the basin and resident geese become more accessible.

Hunting permits are required on the Miller Island Unit for all hunters and are available at the checkstation located on Miller Island. Hunt days are odd days in December, and even days in January. Free daily hunting permits are available at the checkstation on hunt days. All units on the Miller Island Unit are open to hunting utilizing self-service permits set out for hunters with no limit on hunter numbers. All units on Miller Island Unit are open for hunting all day on hunt days. Permits must be carried while in the field hunting and check-out is mandatory.

Shoalwater Bay Unit, Sesti Tgawaals Unit, and the Gorr Island Unit are open to public hunting seven days a week without a permit.

Please remember to have current year HIP, Upland game bird and/or waterfowl validations prior to arriving.

Overnight camping is not allowed on the Miller Island Unit.

Please contact Klamath Wildlife Area at (541) 883-5734 or email lanny.a.fujishin@state.or.us for additional information.

SUMMER LAKE WILDLIFE AREA

Daily hunting permits are required of all hunters and are available at the Checking Station located 1.3 miles south of the town of Summer Lake. Free daily hunting permits are available self serve in the Checking Station lobby 24 hours a day and Check-out is mandatory!

Tenth week of the season waterfowl hunting was fair due to favorable weather conditions most of the week. Daily bird per hunter averages ranged from a high of 3.43 on Monday to a low of 0.90 on Saturday. Weather conditions were clear, cold and calm for most of the week with a storm moving in on Sunday afternoon. Majority of wetlands remained frozen for the entire week. Freeze-up caused ducks to concentrate in remaining open areas and increased feeding activity. One hundred and fifty-nine (159) hunters checked-in for the week, up 32.5% from the same week last year. Hunters averaged 1.47 birds per hunter for the week, which was down -26.2% from the same week last year due primarily to reduced Mallard and Canada goose harvest.

Total duck harvest (162; primarily mallards, gadwall and bufflehead) was down -5.8% compared to last year, while goose harvest (24; all Canada geese) was down -38.5%. A total of 15 American coot and 15 California quail were harvested during the week.

On Dec. 12, about 7,000 ducks and 1,350 geese were counted on the Area. The duck count was similar while the goose numbers doubled from the previous week. Another count will be conducted this week (Dec. 18) and results will be posted on the department website and Wildlife Area telephone answering machine by the weekend.

Last weeks' count showed duck and goose population fairly stable and at a moderate level for this time of the year. Most birds have moved south towards wintering areas in California. As cold conditions persist, it is expected bird numbers will continue to decline with the exception of Canada geese that may show increasing numbers. Birds were concentrated in small areas due to frozen conditions.

Due to declining bird numbers and winter-like conditions, hunting success should continue to be only fair to poor unless favorable conditions prevail. As winter sets in, freezing conditions will occur and open water areas will ice over. Favorable weather conditions (storms with wind) will be needed to increase hunter success, especially for ducks. Canada goose hunting should improve with the cold and frozen conditions that usually push more birds onto the Area. Hunters using decoys and willing to spend most of the day in the marsh should see good results. Pass shooting will continue be very slow and unproductive during this time due to low bird numbers.

Nearly all units are frozen over and will remain that way unless temperatures moderate and/or strong winds prevail. Ana River, canals and channels of moving water, especially those below water control structures should remain open. Snow cover is absent, so above ground food sources remain available to many species. Moderate afternoon temperatures allow for thawing that increases food availability along wetland margins.

Hunters are reminded that the Link Marsh area will be held dry during the entire hunting season due to ongoing marsh management activities. The River Ranch unit is being drawn down at this time in preparation for habitat enhancement activities to occur in 2008. Though hunters might see a short-term impact to their regular hunting spot because of the work, these habitat improvements occurring on areas of Summer Lake over several years will improve conditions for waterfowl and for hunters over the long term.

Pheasant season is now CLOSED. Quail seasons remain open through January 31, 2008 and fair numbers can be found predominantly in upland habitats in the north portion of the Wildlife Area. These areas provide excellent grass and shrub cover and an abundance of natural and planted foods. Hunters, especially those using dogs should find fair success in most areas.

Please remember to have current year HIP, Upland game bird and/or waterfowl validations prior to arriving. Permits must be carried while in the field hunting and check-out is mandatory. Hunters can check-out by filling out the number of birds harvested and hours hunted and dropping off their permits in boxes located at each campground and major access areas.

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

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

SOUTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Hart Mountain Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Contacts: Marla Bennett, marla_bennett@fws.gov

Craig and Marilyn Miller, (541) 389-9115, goosemiller@msn.com

Contact organizers ahead of time. Meet 7:00 a.m. at refuge headquarters. Free lodging for count participants.

Summer Lake 21st Annual Christmas Bird Count, Tuesday, December 18

Contacts: Marty St. Louis, (541) 943-3180(h) or 943-3152(w), martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us

On average, about 80 species and nearly 10,000 birds are found in the diverse habitats found within the count circle. Participants will meet at Summer Lake Wildlife Area Headquarters at 7:30 a.m. to form counting groups. For more information, participants can call the Wildlife Area (541-943-3152) or e-mail count compilers martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us or jason.a.journey@state.or.us

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

Klamath Falls Area

Colder weather has reduced open water in the basin pushing most of the waterfowl out of the area and concentrating the remaining birds along the rivers. The Link River connecting Klamath Lake to Lake Euwana is an excellent waterfowl viewing area during freezing weather. A good hiking trail follows the west side of the link river and can be access from Moore Park.

Bald eagles numbers will continue to increase as they migrate into the lower Klamath Basin from northern nesting areas. Good viewing areas are in the vicinity of Township Road and Stateline Roads where they can be found scavenging on sick or dead waterfowl. Also look for rough-legged hawks in agricultural areas.

White-headed woodpecker, Lewis' woodpecker, red-shafted flicker and many other passerine (perching) birds can be found within Moore Park located on the south end of Upper Klamath Lake just outside Klamath Falls.

Klamath Wildlife Area

Waterfowl seasons are now underway and hunting will occurs on odd days in December, and even days in January. Best viewing opportunities will be on non-hunt days at the Miller Island Unit. Good viewing of raptors is available including northern harrier, kestrel, red-tailed hawk, bald eagle and rough-legged hawk. Most shorebirds have already migrated south towards wintering areas in California.

Ponds have frozen at this time, and subsequently, most waterfowl viewing has ended until the northern migration begins in February.

The Wildlife Area is located four miles south of Klamath Falls. For directions and more information, visit the ODFW Web site. www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlifearea/klamath_wa.htm

Lake County and Lakeview Area

Waterfowl are abundant at this time with Tundra Swans present in good numbers on all the major wetlands. Common raptors wintering throughout the county are present including rough-legged hawks, harriers, red-tail hawks and golden eagles. Most migrating shorebirds and passerines have moved through the county to winter ranges south of Oregon. Best viewing opportunities are along the Warner Valley lakes, Goose Lake at Goose Lake State Park and along the shores of Lake Abert. Resident and migrating raptors can be viewed throughout the Goose Lake and Warner Valleys.

Summer Lake Wildlife Area

This section was updated on December 17, 2007.

Note: Though many areas remain open to viewing, with waterfowl hunting season in progress, this is not the most ideal time to visit Summer Lake to view wildlife. Refuge areas are closed to all entry during hunting seasons.

Wildlife viewers are permitted to access the Viewing Blind situated adjacent to the Schoolhouse Lake Refuge to observe migrant waterbirds. Hunting is not allowed in this area. The Wildlife Viewing Loop and major dike roads are closed and will remain that way through the end of General Waterfowl Hunting Season.

The 21st Annual Summer Lake Christmas Bird Count will take place on Tuesday December 18, 2007. On average, about 80 species and nearly 10,000 birds are found in the diverse habitats found within the count circle. Participants will meet at Summer Lake Wildlife Area Headquarters at 7:30 a.m. to form counting groups. For more information, participants can call the Wildlife Area (541-943-3152) or email count compilers (martin.j.stlouis@state.or.us or jason.a.journey@state.or.us).

Waterfowl

Ducks remain fairly numerous although many have migrated south with the recent cold and freezing weather conditions. They remain widely scattered across the Area, predominantly in Refuges. Nearly all ducks have completed their molt and are in their bright and colorful nuptial plumage commonly seen during winter. Many species are beginning to form pairs and some courtship activity has been evident.

Resident Canada goose flocks are dispersed widely across the Wildlife Area and adjacent private lands. They can be found in most wetlands and hayed meadows in the surrounding area. Nearly all migrant arctic nesting geese (snow, Ross' and greater white-fronted) have departed to California wintering grounds. It is expected no snow geese and very few greater white-fronted geese will be found during the next weekly count scheduled for Dec. 18.

Most tundra swans have passed through Summer Lake Wildlife Area enroute to wintering locales in California. About 2,000 swans will spend the winter taking advantage of the Area's warm and moving water along Ana River and numerous diversions that do not freeze-over. Swan numbers dropped from 2,300 to only 1,300 birds from the previous count. Migrant and wintering trumpeter swans continue to be observed, 28 trumpeters were recorded on the count. Look for swans in large open water bodies where they can be observed feeding on submerged aquatic plants or on ice-covered pond margins where they roost.

Shorebirds, waders and other waterbirds

Nearly all have migrated south through the Area, only a few incidental migrants remain and can sometimes be located along canals and in ponds scattered across the Area.

Raptors and Others

Resident and wintering raptors remain scattered throughout the Wildlife Area as well as on private lands along Highway 31. Meadows offer excellent foraging opportunities for many raptors. Wintering raptors are found in good numbers throughout the Summer Lake Basin and are very apparent along Highway 31. Northern harriers are especially numerous over marsh and hay meadows. Bald eagles are commonly seen along the Ana River near the River Ranch. Prairie falcons and golden eagles are sometimes seen during this time of the year. Arctic nesting rough-legged hawks have arrived and numbers are expected to increase as winter progresses. Of interest is a red-shouldered hawk that remains near the Headquarters Complex. Look for this species in tree cover where it behaves similar to accipiters (Cooper's, goshawks and sharp-shinned hawks).

Eurasian collared doves remain at Headquarters Complex.

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. Wintering species continue to arrive and increase in number.

Facilities and Access

Non-motorized access and viewing opportunities are available in most of the Area at this time. Posted refuge areas are closed to all entry while game bird hunting seasons are underway. Camping is permitted at four sites on the Wildlife Area.

The Wildlife Viewing Loop closed on October 3 and will remain so through the General Waterfowl Hunting Season (ending on January 27, 2008).

Secondary and minor dikes remain closed to motor vehicle traffic and cross country travel by motor vehicles and ATVs is prohibited.

Habitat

Wetland habitats have changed dramatically as mild fall conditions have changed due to harsh winter weather. A majority (90%) of the Area's wetlands are frozen over. Ana River and moving water, such as channels below water control structures will remain open unless cold temperatures become harsh and prolonged. As storms continue to move through the area, tall and erect emergent marsh plants (bulrush and cattails) will become lodged over and increase visibility across wetlands. Seeds and submerged vegetation has been greatly reduced since freeze-up has occurred.

Meadows and hayfields are found on adjacent private lands and in selected locations on the Wildlife Area. These areas continue to provide excellent hunting sites for raptors since the ground is free of snow.

Habitat enhancement and restoration activities continue in Bullgate Refuge, Link Marsh and East Link Units. These areas were controlled burned in spring and dried out to mimic drought conditions that historically restored productivity to semi-permanent wetlands. Bullgate Refuge Unit is fully flooded but ice covered at this time, while East Link and Link Marsh units will remain dry until fall 2008. These areas have been mowed and portions will be disked next field season to reduce dense monotypic stands of tall emergent vegetation. The River Ranch unit is being drawn down at this time in preparation for habitat enhancement activities in 2008.

Upland sites are in excellent condition due to lush growth of grasses and forbs. The lack of snow cover at this time allows for good food availability to most wildlife. Trees and shrubs have produced an abundance of fruits and seeds that are being utilized by a wide variety of wildlife species now.

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

NORTHEAST ZONE

FISHING

FISHING EVENT: Fly-tying workshop, Feb. 9 (John Day) and March 22 (near Pendleton). Experienced instructors will teach the basics in the art of fly tying. Participants will be introduced to fly tying tools and materials as they tie flies including the Wooly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, Wooly Worm and other basic trout fishing flies. This workshop is open to adults (18 and over) of all skill levels and is hosted by ODFW's Passport to the Outdoors program. Visit the link below for more information.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_skills/workshops.asp

GRANDE RONDE, WALLOWA AND IMNAHA RIVERS: steelhead

Steelhead angling in the lower Imnaha and Grande Ronde Rivers has been fair to good. Steelhead anglers surveyed on the lower Grande Ronde River past several weeks averaged one steelhead for every 9 to 10 hours fished. Counts of adult steelhead moving upstream at lower Snake River dams are exceeding last years counts and the ten year average. We expect good steelhead angling to continue when water conditions are favorable. Icing can make angling a challenge during colder weather.

JOHN DAY RIVER: bass and steelhead

Floating ice is beginning to hamper steelhead angling success after night-time temperatures fell below 20 degrees F. Steelhead are well distributed throughout the river up to Twickenham. Remember to keep those clipped hatchery fish and release the unmarked ones.

Stream flow levels, Service Creek gauging station: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?14046500.

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.

LAGRANDE RESERVOIR: Closed to fishing until next spring.

MAGONE LAKE: trout

Ice has covered the lake and 8 inches of snow covers the access road. 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."

MORGAN LAKE: Closed to fishing until next spring.

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

Due to fish passage concerns at the Feed Canal Diversion Dam(River Mile 28), all steelhead returning to Threemile Dam as of December 6th are being transported upstream to approximately River mile 44 for release back in to the Umatilla River. Modifications to alleviate the passage concerns at Feed Canal Dam are currently being evaluated. Fish releases directly above Three Mile Dam will resume when passage concerns are resolved. Fishing has been good for steelhead below Threemile Dam, last week anglers averaged one steelhead for every two hours fished. Steelhead returns numbers should improve as river flows increase.

WALLA WALLA RIVER: Steelhead

Steelhead angling is slow, fish numbers should increase with increased river flows and water temperatures.

WALLOWA LAKE: trout

Fair for stocked rainbow trout. Lake conditions are good but the boat launches are a challenge because water levels are low and boat docks have been removed for the winter. Rainbow should be distributed throughout the lake and bait angling will be most effective for rainbow from the bank.

WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: Trout, crappie, bullhead catfish

Trout angling is fair.

NORTHEAST ZONE HUNTING

ATV users, please respect road closures designed to protect wildlife and improve the hunting experience.

Visit the Northeast Fall Hunting Forecast

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/RR/hunting_forecast/2007_fall_northeast.asp

Open: Cougar, chukar, duck, goose mt. quail (open only in portions of zone) and California quail

UNION COUNTY

ELKHORN WILDLIFE AREA: The Elkhorn Wildlife Area closed to the public on Dec. 1, to minimize disruption to wintering deer and elk herds.

Waterfowl hunting is fair, many bodies of water are currently frozen, so hunters should focus on moving water and grain fields.

Upland bird production is about average. Pheasant numbers appear slightly better than last year, probably due to the dry spring.

Cougar populations are healthy to increasing in the area. Tracking cougars to kill-sites can be a productive way to harvest a wary cat. Early winter snows will produce excellent tracking conditions for the dedicated cat hunter.

LADD MARSH WILDLIFE AREA

Most of the water on the marsh is currently frozen. A sudden thaw could produce some good waterfowl hunting. If you are interested in hunting Ladd Marsh, watch the weather report for La Grande. If the weather is going to be overcast and windy, it will be a good day. Hunters are always encouraged to let the birds work; do not shoot at birds out of range (skybust) as this can ruin other people's hunt.

GRANT COUNTY

Access to parts of the west Murderers Creek unit will be closed for the purpose of capturing feral horses. The closure will only be in effect from December 10-20, 2007. For more information please contact the Malheur National Forest at 541-575-3000.

Chukars and Huns can be found on open slope were green up has started growing. Overall numbers of birds are low but chicks per brood is fair. Quail can be found in brushy draws and riparian areas along river system. Production is fair around the county.

Now that colder weather has set in, 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.

Cougar populations are healthy and increasing in the area. They may respond to calls but will likely come in slower that coyotes. With recent snow, one may be able to track a cougar down.

MORROW COUNTY

Upland bird production was down in the district this year. The Chukar and Hun numbers are about the same as they were last year. Quail numbers are down compared to last year. Overall hunters should expect a similar season to last year.

Bear populations are naturally lower in the district.

Cougar populations are healthy. Winter snows make it easier to look for fresh cougar sign and calling with distress type calls or recorded cougar vocalizations can be effective. Dawn and dusk are the best times for calling.

Coyotes are abundant in the district. Finding a good location with coyote sign, watching the wind direction and using distress type calls or howlers can be effective.

WALLOWA DISTRICT

COUGAR: Cougar are abundant throughout Wallowa County, but can be difficult to observe. Locating fresh cougar sign and patiently calling attempting to imitate a fawn or calf in distress can sometimes be an effective technique.

COYOTE: 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.

UPLAND BIRDS: Chukar hunting continues to be very slow, birds are widely scattered as populations are below normal.

WATERFOWL: Duck hunting has improved with increased numbers of migratory birds showing up in the valley. Hunters have been successful jump shooting or hunting over decoys.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS: Noregaard, Whiskey Creek, and Shamrock travel management areas in the Sled Springs unit are in effect.

UMATILLA DISTRICT

Waterfowl: Hunters can expect normal numbers of early local birds in areas on or adjacent to the Columbia River.

Quail: Numbers are good and will provide some good recreation throughout the season. Hunters will be served best by concentrating on Shrub areas along creeks in low areas. The Columbia River Wildlife Areas are good locations for quail hunting (Irrigon, Power City, Coyote Springs, and Willow Creek Wildlife Areas).

Cougar numbers are high throughout the forested areas of Umatilla County. Hunters will find the best success by finding a fresh natural kill and sitting by it for the cougar to return, or by calling in areas near the snowline.

BAKER COUNTY

ELKHORN WILDLIFE AREA: The Elkhorn Wildlife Area closed on Dec. 1, to minimize disruption to wintering deer and elk herds.

Chukar/Hun: The recent snow and cold weather has concentrated birds on south slopes, while numbers are still low this year decent bird hunting can still be found. For best success try portions of the Pine Creek and Lookout Mountain Units located along Brownlee Reservoir. Decent hunting can be found for Hungarian Partridge, an often-underutilized opportunity.

Quail: Look for quail around agricultural areas or lowland riparian areas with abundant forage. Try along Snake River Road in eastern Baker County.

Waterfowl: Waterfowl hunting has improved with the recent cold fronts. Look for areas with open water for your best chance at harvesting a limit of ducks. Look for new growth in agricultural fields for your best goose hunting. Remember to ask permission before accessing private ground.

Cougar: Populations are high across the county. With the snow and cold weather cougars have moved down to the deer winter ranges. Calling tactics and tracking in the fresh snow are two good methods of harvesting an animal.

NORTHEAST ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count; Dec. 14 through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Baker County-Baker Valley Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Contact Joanne Britton, (541) 523-5666, jobr@oregontrail.net

Meet 8:00 a.m. at Sumpter Jct. Restaurant, Exit 304 off Interstate 84, in Baker City. Please contact the compiler in advance.

Umatilla County Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 29

Contact Aaron Skirvin, umatbirder@yahoo.com

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

Baker County

Rocky Mountain elk have moved onto the feed sites. The best time for viewing is mid morning or late in the afternoon. For a close up look try a wagon ride. For information, contact T&T Wildlife Tours, (541) 856-3356, http://www.tnthorsemanship.com/tours.htm

T&T Wildlife Tours operate at the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Anthony Creek feed site located on North Powder River Lane, 8 miles west of North Powder, Oregon. (Take the North Powder exit off of Interstate 84, and proceed west following the wildlife viewing signs.)Tours are offered every weekend beginning December 15, 2007 and concluding February 24, 2008.

Bighorn sheep can be viewed in the Burnt River Canyon west of Durkee or along the Snake River Road south of Richland.

Mule deer are on the winter ranges. Mature bucks can be found in the vicinity of large herds. For the best viewing opportunities look at middle to lower elevation slopes with a southern exposure

Bald eagles can be seen along open water areas of the Snake River and Brownlee Reservoir. For best viewing, drive the Snake River Road between Richland and Huntington.

Gilliam, Morrow and Wheeler Counties

NEW: Short-eared owls (Asio flammeus) are showing up in small numbers around the district. Look along the open fields in the mid- to lower foothills near dawn and dusk to spot them. A distinct pause in their wing beat and an irregular flight make it easy to differentiate short-eared owls from the Northern Harriers that frequent the area.

Visit WhatBird.com for more information, http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/10/_/Short-eared_Owl.aspx

Bald eagles can be seen along the John Day River from Dayville to Spray.

Elk can still be seen along Highway 19 south of Spray, dusk is the best time to Spot them moving down from the hills across the John Day.

Mule deer are on their winter ranges and are very visible. The best chance to spot large bucks is with larger herds in the mid elevations on both the Heppner and Monument sides of the Forest.

Rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus) are showing up in their wintering areas in the area. Rough-legged hawks summer at the artic tree line and winter down here in Oregon's open country. The open grass lands in the lower foot hills of the Blues will give one the best chance of seeing a Rough-legged hawk. Drive any of the highways in the Heppner area and one is sure to see a few on the power poles.

Grant County

Mule deer have moved on to the winter ranges of Grant Count, providing an excellent opportunity for viewing. Look for deer along the Middle Fork of the John Day, Highway 26 between Dayville and Prairie City; and Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area along the South Fork of the John Day.

Bald eagles can be observed along the John Day River between Dayville and Prairie City.

They may be hard to see but from December until April there will be the opportunity to see big horn sheep. Aldrich Mountain on the South Fork of the John Day River is the best in Grant County for viewing.

Umatilla National Forest

The Umatilla National Forest provides good birding opportunities for songbirds, woodpeckers, forest grouse, turkeys and raptor species. Deer and elk can also be seen in the forest. Once winter snows have fallen it is a great time to find tracks of various animals as the cross the road or trail. Snowshoe hares, deer, elk, coyotes, bobcats, and cougars are some of the most common and easiest to identify.

Information. http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/

Union County

Bald eagles have arrived in the Grande Ronde Valley. Watch for river otters, beaver, mergansers and wood ducks along the Grande Ronde River; driving west on Highway 244 from La Grande provides good access to river viewing.

Deer and elk are on winter range and can be seen around the edges of the valley.

Umatilla County

Along the Columbia River, gulls and raptors including bald eagles can be seen. As cold weather settles in, waterfowl numbers will increase. With the Columbia Basin experiencing an increase in field corn production, the area is positioned to experience a large increase in wintering waterfowl with the dominant species being mallards. If this waterfowl wintering concentration develops, impressive numbers of ducks will be observed going out from and returning to the Columbia River on feeding flights. These flights of waterfowl will occur in the first half hour of light in the morning and last half hour of light in the evening. Visit area wildlife areas to see shore and marsh birds in addition to perching birds and raptors.

Wintering rough-legged hawks and short-eared owls will be common sights in grassland areas. Wood ducks are flocking up at this time and can be seen traveling in flocks up and down the river systems with cottonwood trees along the banks.

Swainson's hawks are starting to accumulate for migration and can often be seen traveling in large groups in the Hermiston/Echo area during the early and late hours of the day. With the bat migration on, elevated numbers of bats can be seen at twilight near bodies of water and cliff areas foraging on insects. All forested habitats in the east and southern portions of the County will have large numbers of migrating birds during the September to mid October timeframe. Riparian and deciduous flat areas will offer the best viewing.

White-tailed deer can be seen in foothill areas near the base of the Blue Mountains in the early morning and the last hour of light in the evening. Mule deer can be seen out in the desert areas west of Highway 11 and 395 south of Pendleton during the same hours as white-tailed deer.

ODFW's Willow Creek Wildlife Area, Pendleton

Visit the Willow Creek Wildlife Area to see waterfowl, raptors, game birds and passerines (perching birds). On the road through the farm lands to the Wildlife Area, glassing the irrigation pivots can reward the viewer with some of the areas rare visitors, Gyrfalcons, the largest of all falcons, and Snowy owls (Artic owl) if the winter is cold enough to bring them this far south.

The habitat varies from open water to riparian woodlands. Bald eagles are an occasional visitor. The brush and thick vegetation areas in the uplands and fields are good spots for pheasant and California quail. The Wildlife Area is open to hunting. Take exit 151 off I-84, go south and follow the signs.

Snowy owls: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snowy_Owl.html

Wallowa County

Bald Eagles

Bald eagles are common in the Wallowa Valley during winter months. Eagles can 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.

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 be observed along the breaks of the Grande Ronde River, when driving the river road from Troy up-stream to Wildcat Creek. Bighorns can be observed along the west side of the River. A few can also be observed from the river road downstream from Troy to the Washington State line. Winter months are the best time to see animals.

For individuals interested in hiking, the Lostine bighorn herd can be observed on the higher elevations of the Lostine Wildlife Area during winter months. Access the Wildlife Area by driving south 6 miles from the town of Lostine, park and hike up the open slope on the east side of the Wildlife Area (Dry Gulch).

SNAKE RIVER ZONE

FISHING

BROWNLEE RESERVOIR:

Rising water levels have thrown off the bite but this should be temporary. As water levels stabilize, perch and small crappie should start biting again. Perch are in tight schools scattered around the reservoir. The reservoir is almost full.

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. Reservoir level information:

http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/perl/dataquery.pl?k=brownlee

OXBOW RESERVOIR: trout

Trout are at the mouth of streams.

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: trout

Trout are at the mouth of streams. Approximately 1000 surplus steelhead have been released into Hells Canyon Reservoir. These fish are considered trout over 20 inches and only one can be kept per day. No tag is needed if fishing in the reservoir.

SNAKE RIVER below HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: steelhead, trout

The water levels have been fluctuating and success with steelhead fishing varies below the dam. Using corkies and eggs from the bank is successful. If fishing from a boat, plugs and sandshrimp with a diver has been working from the dam to Wildsheep. Please use good fishing ethics when boat and bank fishermen are in close proximity. Trout fishing has been good also.

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

Flow was 7,690 cfs near Nyssa and approximately 10,664 cfs near Weiser on December 9. Angling for catfish and smallmouth bass is slow.

COLUMBIA ZONE

Notice of Columbia River Compact/Joint State Hearings: ODFW & WDFW have scheduled a second Compact/Joint State hearing for 10 a.m. Thursday Jan. 24 at the Water Resource Education Center located at 4600 SE Columbia Way in Vancouver, Washington to consider recreational and commercial fishing seasons for spring chinook on the Columbia River for 2008.

2008 Spring Chinook Forecast: Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife released the 2008 spring chinook forecast Dec. 11 for the Columbia and Willamette Rivers during a meeting of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association. Based on projections by staff biologists and the Technical Advisory Committee the report offers recreational and commercial fisherman a first look at what to expect this spring.

It can be accessed on ODFW's Web site by clicking the link below:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/OSCRP/CRM/index.asp

FISHING

SALMON, STEELHEAD, AND SHAD:

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Buoy 10 Line upstream to Tongue Point/Rocky Point Line: This section of the Columbia River is currently open through the end of the year to the retention of chinook, adipose fin-clipped coho and adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead (only one of which may be a chinook) has been modified to allow the retention of two additional fin-clipped adult coho. The retention of chum salmon is prohibited. Effective October 1 this section is also open to the retention of jack salmon with a daily bag limit of five jacks.

Effective Jan 1-March 31, this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and adipose fin-clipped coho with a daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead (chinook greater than 24 inches and coho greater than 16 inches or steelhead greater than 20 inches) and five jacks as per permanent regulations. Modifications to the 2008 spring chinook fishery will be considered at the Jan. 24 Joint State Hearing.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Tongue Point/Rocky Point Line to I-5 Bridge: This section of the Columbia River is currently open through the end of the year to the retention of chinook, adipose fin-clipped coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead (only one of which may be a chinook), and five jacks has been modified to allow the retention of two additional fin-clipped adult coho. It is unlawful to angle for jack salmon after the daily bag limit has been reached. The retention of chum salmon is prohibited.

Effective Jan 1-March 31, this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and adipose fin-clipped coho with a daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead (chinook greater than 24 inches and coho greater than 16 inches or steelhead greater than 20 inches) and five jacks as per permanent regulations. Modifications to the 2008 spring chinook fishery will be considered at the Jan. 24 Joint State Hearing.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, I-5 Bridge to Bonneville Dam: This section of the Columbia River is currently open through the end of the year to the retention of chinook, adipose fin-clipped coho, and adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The daily bag limit of two adult salmon or steelhead (only one of which may be a chinook), and five jacks has been modified to allow the retention of two additional fin-clipped adult coho. It is unlawful to angle for jack salmon after the daily bag limit has been reached. The retention of chum salmon is prohibited. Effective Nov. 1-Dec. 31, angling for salmon from a floating device is prohibited between Beacon Rock and Bonneville Dam.

Effective Jan. 1-March 31 this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead with a daily bag limit of two fish as per permanent regulations. The retention of spring chinook is prohibited. Modifications to the 2008 spring chinook fishery will be considered at the Jan. 24 Joint State Hearing.

COLUMBIA RIVER MAINSTEM, Bonneville Dam to the Oregon/Washington Border: This section of the Columbia River is currently open to angling for chinook, coho (only adipose fin-clipped coho may be retained between Bonneville Dam and the Hood River bridge), and adipose fin-clipped steelhead. The daily bag limit is two adult salmon or steelhead and five jacks. It is unlawful to angle for jack salmon after the daily bag limit has been reached. The retention of chum salmon is prohibited.

Effective Jan. 1, this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead with a daily bag limit of two fish. The retention of spring chinook is prohibited as per permanent regulations. Modifications to the 2008 spring chinook fishery will be considered at the Jan. 24 Joint State Hearing.

Steelhead fishing was good in the Columbia above John Day Dam and in the John Day Arm last week. The salmonid creel program on the lower Columbia has ended for the year and will resume next February.

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

Weekly checking showed eight adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead kept plus 13 unclipped steelhead released for 18 boats and two adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead kept plus one unclipped steelhead released for 14 bank rods.

Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed no catch for two boats.

STURGEON:

BUOY 10 UPSTREAM TO WAUNA POWERLINES (including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries):

This section of the Columbia River is closed to the retention of sturgeon through December 31, 2007. Catch and release will be allowed during the retention closure.

The Compact adopted the following rules at the Dec 13 Joint State Hearing for the sturgeon sport fishery below Wauna power lines (RM 40) downstream to Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries for 2008:

* Allow the retention of white sturgeon seven days per week during Jan. 1 through April 30 with a 42-inch minimum size and a 60-inch maximum size limit in effect.

* Allow the retention of white sturgeon seven days per week during May 10 through June 24 (or until catch guideline is reached) with a 45-inch minimum size and a 60-inch maximum size limit in effect.

* Prohibit the retention of sturgeon seven days per week during May 1 through May 9 and June 25 through Dec. 31, 2008. Catch and release angling is allowed during all retention closures.

* Retention of green sturgeon is prohibited as per permanent regulations.

* Daily and annual catch limits listed in the 2008 Oregon Sport Regulations pamphlet remain in effect.

WAUNA POWERLINES UPSTREAM TO BONNEVILLE DAM (including all adjacent Washington tributaries and the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls including the Multnomah Channel):

Effective Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2007, this section of the Columbia River is open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week with a daily bag limit of one sturgeon between 42-60 inches in length and an annual limit of five fish. The retention of green sturgeon is prohibited.

The Compact adopted the following rules at the Dec. 13 Joint State Hearing for the sturgeon sport fishery above Wauna power lines (RM 40) upstream to Bonneville Dam, including all adjacent Washington tributaries, and the lower Willamette River (including the Multnomah Channel) upstream to Willamette Falls for 2008:

* Allow the retention of white sturgeon four days per week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during Jan. 1 through July 31 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008.

* Prohibit the retention of sturgeon three days per week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during Jan. 1-July 31 and Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008 and seven days per week during Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2008.

* Retention of green sturgeon is prohibited as per permanent regulations.

* Daily and annual catch limits listed in the 2008 Oregon Sport Regulations pamphlet remain in effect.

BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE DALLES DAM:

The retention of sturgeon in the Bonneville pool is currently closed through the end of the year. Catch and release will be allowed during the retention closure. Effective Jan. 1, this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week until the catch guideline is reached with a daily bag limit of one fish between 42 and 60 inches in length and an annual limit of five fish. Pool specific catch guidelines have not been established, but should be available in early February.

THE DALLES DAM UPSTREAM TO MCNARY DAM:

The retention of sturgeon in The Dalles and John Day pools is currently closed through the end of the year. Catch and release will be allowed during the retention prohibition. Effective Jan. 1, this section of the Columbia River will be open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week until the catch guideline is reached with a daily bag limit of one fish between 48 and 60 inches in length and an annual limit of five fish. Pool specific catch guidelines have not been established, but should be available in early February.

Effort was light in the lower Columbia River this past weekend, and the sturgeon are not biting very aggressively in the cold water. Anglers in the gorge, Troutdale, and Portland to Longview areas were catching a few sublegal sturgeon.

Gorge Bank:

Weekend checking showed one oversize and 16 sublegal sturgeon released for 39 bank anglers (incomplete trips).

Gorge Boats:

Weekend checking showed 30 sublegal sturgeon released for three boats.

Troutdale Boats:

No report.

Portland to Longview Bank:

No report.

Portland to Longview Boats:

Weekend checking showed 62 sublegal sturgeon released for twenty boats (incomplete trips).

WALLEYE:

Troutdale: No report.

COLUMBIA RIVER ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count; Dec. 14 through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Hood River Christmas Bird Count, Sunday, Dec. 30

Contact Catherine Flick, (509) 493-1195 or stewart@gorge.net

Meet 6:30 a.m. at the Best Western in Hood River (exit 64 off Interstate 84).

Portland Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Portland will hold its 82nd Count this year. Birders will comb the parks, open spaces, wetlands, rivers and neighborhoods all over Portland looking for birds. At the end of the day, volunteers get together and share what they found. For more information, contact Wink Gross, winkg@hevanet.com, (503) 226-3842

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

National Audubon Society's Web site, http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/getinvolved.html

MARINE ZONE

FISHING

Clams

Taking of mussels continues to be prohibited along the coast and at the entrance to bays from north of Siletz Bay to the Columbia River due to elevated levels of the PSP (paralytic shellfish poisoning) toxin. The recreational harvest of other shellfish is open coastwide but harvesters should check for current closures on the ODA shellfish safety page at http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml 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 at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/. They contain everything you need to know for identifying and harvesting Oregon's clams.

Fish

Anglers reported catches of lingcod and rockfish slowed last week but this may be temporary. Winter is often a good time to go fishing when conditions are safe. Species illustrations and descriptions are in The Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (page 98) and The Red Rockfish Identification Guide. The minimum length for lingcod is 22 inches, for cabezon it is 16 inches and for greenling it is 10 inches. Fishing for cabezon from a boat is closed through Dec. 31, but cabezon may still be caught from shore and by shore-based divers.

The marine daily bag limit for 2007 is six fish (including rockfish, greenling and other marine species) and two lingcod and 15 surfperch. Remember: yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish may not be retained. Also, the Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area approximately 15 miles west of Newport is closed to the harvest of rockfish, lingcod and flatfish. Complete regulations, including waypoints for the Stonewall Bank YRCA, are in the 2007 Oregon Sport Ocean Regulations for Salmon, Halibut and other Marine Fish Species and online at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/.

The 2008 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations are available from license vendors and ODFW offices and will soon be online at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/ Seasons and restrictions for ocean salmon are set in April; catch limits and seasons for Pacific halibut are set in March. Seasons and regulations for all other marine fish are the same as in 2007.

Crabs

Sport crabbing is open in the ocean, bays and estuaries. Bay crabbing often slows after heavy rain because crab head toward the ocean where the water is more salty. For more information on sport crabbing visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/

For sport crabbers the minimum size for Dungeness crab is 5¾ 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 97 of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

MARINE ZONE VIEWING

EVENTS

Join in the Christmas Bird Count!

Oregon's Christmas Bird Count continues through Jan. 5

Birders of all experience levels are invited. It's great fun, as well as a way to improve your birding skills, find new places to go birding and meet other birders. If you can't join the field teams, take part by counting the birds in your yard.

Florence, Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 22

Contact Roger Robb, (541) 343-6557, brrobb@comcast.net

Port Orford Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, December 29

Contact Jim Rogers, (541) 332-2555, Meet 7:15 a.m., north side of Driftwood Elementary School on Hwy 101.

Upper Nestucca, Christmas Bird Count, Thursday, December 27, 2007

Contact Don Albright, (503) 538-8890, donalbri@teleport.com

Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count, Saturday, January 5

Contact Rebecca Cheek, (541) 867-4699, nelsoncheek@charter.net

Meet 7:00 a.m., Apple Peddler Restaurant, 705 SE Coast Hwy, Newport.

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Portland Audubon Web site, http://www.audubonportland.org/events/christmas_bird_count/cbc2007

Whale Watching

The winter migration is short and quick-usually only about four weeks-from mid-December to mid-January. The whales are not slowed by calves in the pod and single-mindedly drive southwards in straight lines a few miles offshore. You can see their spouts, but they are distant. About 18,000 gray whales will pass by the Oregon coast in these four weeks.

To watch the winter migration it is best to pick a calm day and find a view point that is high enough to spot the spouts that will be a few miles offshore. Learning good binocular technique will help spot the whales. Gaze out onto the ocean, focusing on medium distances until you see a puff of white. Then raise your binoculars while continuing to look at the place you saw the puff. This technique takes some practice, but generally works better than swinging the binoculars around looking for something. Just keep your eyes focused on the whale and raise the binoculars to your eyes, looking through them, not into them.

For more information, visit http://whalespoken.org/

Winter Shorebirds on the Coast

During winter storm season, don't be alarmed by a few or moderate number of dead seabirds along the shoreline. It is common for a severe storm event to disrupt many seabirds. If you see an injured bird or a large number of dead birds, call your local wildlife rehabilitation center or ODFW office for advice.