Idaho Fish Report

Sturgeon retention to open on lower Columbia

The lower Columbia River from Wauna to Bonneville will open to sturgeon retention on Saturday, Sept. 10, Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 17. Daily bag limit is one white sturgeon, 44-50 inches fork length.

2022-23 game bird hunting forecast

A district-by-district look at how this year’s upland bird and waterfowl seasons are shaping up.

Best bets for weekend fishing

• Fall Chinook fishing is starting to pick up on the mid-coast estuaries including the Yaquina, Alsea and Siletz.
• Limited wild coho seasons will open this Saturday, Sept. 10, on the Nehalem and Nestucca, and the Tillamook Bay tributaries.
• Anglers are picking up some early fall Chinook in the Chetco River estuary.
• The non-selective ocean coho season from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain opened Sept. 3. 
• Steelhead and salmon fishing are open on the lower Deschutes from Moody Rapids upstream to Pelton Dam. 
• On Prineville Reservoir, trout fishing on continues to be good near the dam and anglers report good fishing for large crappie.
• Fishing should be excellent, and the mosquitoes have thinned out, on the hike-in lakes in the Sky Lakes Wilderness.
• Water conditions on the John Day should be good for bass fishing, but not so great for floating. Look for good bank fishing opportunities between Kimberly and Spray.
• The lower Columbia from Wauna to Bonneville will be open to sturgeon retention this Saturday (Sept. 10). 

CWD check stations

ODFW will set up chronic wasting disease check stations along major highways during the deer and elk hunting seasons in 2022. With the recent discovery of CWD just 20 miles from the Oregon border, this is one way ODFW is stepping up efforts to contain the spread of CWD to Oregon.

Western fee pheasant hunts begin in September

These pheasant hunts are a great way for new hunters to hone their skills in a place that’s close to home, and with a good chance of bagging a bird. Learn more about these fee hunts held at ODFW’s Sauvie Island, EE Wilson, Fern Ridge and Denman wildlife areas.