Idaho Fish Report

View this week's report.

Spring bear opens April 1, 2020

Hunters have until May 1 to buy a tag

The deadline to purchase tags has been extended to give hunters more time to decide to hunt or choose other options. Get ready for your hunt by checking out the 2020 Spring bear hunting forecast, and these 9 tips to be a better bear hunter.

Best bets for weekend fishing

Find a place close to home to limit travel

Even with boat ramp and access closures, there are still plenty of opportunities to fish this weekend while observing social distancing guidelines.

• Steelhead fishing has picked up on the Alsea thanks to much needed rain.
• Anglers have started catching spring Chinook on the lower Rogue. The higher water levels are ideal for plunking – a good way to get out fishing while maintaining social distancing.
• For bank anglers wanting to stretch their casting muscles, the Clackamas, Sandy and Eagle Creek offer some chance for winter steelhead.
• Largemouth bass have been moving into the shallows of Tenmile Lakes on warm, sunny days.
• Fishing for steelhead on the South Umpqua has been great for those fishing from the bank.
• Bank anglers will find trout fishing has been picking up on the lower Deschutes from Beavertail to the reservation boundary.
• As of April 1, boat launches at Phillips, Pilcher, Thief Valley and Unity reservoirs are open. Campgrounds, however, are closed. Fishing at these reservoirs can be very good right after ice off (like, right now).
• Big Rock Reservoir is the perfect place right now to take the kids and catch a bunch of trout.
• Anglers have been catching some nice plump rainbow trout in the 14- to 16-inch range at Priday Reservoir.
• Tatone and McNary ponds have been stocked with trout recently.
• Marr Pond has been stocked with surplus steelhead. This is a good opportunity for small children to catch big fish.

Fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing remain open

Access may be tricky – know before you go

Fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing in Oregon remain open. However, Oregon State Parks as well as several cities and counties have closed parks, boat ramps and other facilities that could hinder access to your favorite spots. This list of closures changes quickly, so it’s a good idea to call the land manager and confirm access before you go.

Trout stocking schedule offline

Limiting congestion at stocking locations

We have taken down the online trout stocking schedule in order to prevent public crowding at waterbodies when we deliver hatchery fish. We will continue stocking trout but we will deliver on a slightly different schedule and at some different locations to avoid a rush of anglers showing up along with the hatchery truck.

NOTE: Local ODFW offices do not have access to the trout stocking schedule either.

ODFW COVID-19 updates

Find the latest information here

Find all ODFW closures and cancellations, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about fishing, hunting and recreating outdoors.