Idaho Fish Report

Best bets for weekend fishing

• The coho salmon run has been a bright spot this season, with a strong return and anglers success from the coast to the Willamette Valley to some eastern Oregon Columbia tributaries.
• Recent rains will have pushed fall Chinook into the freshwater of coastal rivers. Look for fishing to be fair to good on the mid- and north coast.
• Some fire closures have been lifted allowing access to popular locations like Hemlock Lake and Lake in the Woods. Fishing should be very good until the snow flies and the roads are closed.
• Check out the Willamette Zone where a handful of waterbodies will be stocked, or have recently been stocked, with trout for fall fishing.
• Steelhead anglers have been finding fish in Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers. 

Elk hunters: Get your elk tested for CWD

ODFW will set up voluntary CWD check stations during Rocky Mountain elk 1st season on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2021 from 9 a.m. – dusk at:

• I-84 West at Celilo Park (Exit 97).
• Prineville ODOT weigh station (just east of Prineville on Hwy 26).

Learn more about what hunters can do to prevent the spread of CWD to Oregon.

Several popular fisheries close Oct. 31

Anglers have just two more weekends to hit several popular fisheries before they close for the season. These include: all cutthroat fishing in coastal rivers and streams, Pacific halibut, Laurance Lake, Crane Prairie, Odell Lake, Wickiup Reservoir and the Metolius River above Allingham Bridge. These closures are to protect migrating salmon/steelhead smolts, and/or sensitive native species like bull trout. Check the regulations for more closures.

Game bird harvest statistics at ODFW wildlife areas

As upland bird and waterfowl hunting continue, hunters can use the harvest statistics from ODFW wildlife areas to help plan their next hunting trip.

Tips for e-tagging

Whether you plan to hit the field for deer or the water for salmon this weekend, here are some tips for tagging your harvest.