Douglas County January 2025 recreation report | Environment

Trout stocking is scheduled to resume February, 2025.

Ice fishing safety — With several water bodies beginning to ice over, anglers need to be cautious during first-ice conditions. Take the following precautions: use the “buddy system,” wear a PFD in case of thin ice, carry a throw-rope, and use a heavy metal staff to check for thin-ice. The Minnesota DNR has developed guidelines for ice thickness and other safety tips. Remember that any hole cut in the ice for fishing can’t be larger than 12 inches in diameter.

BEN IRVING RESERVOIR — No recent reports from anglers. With the recent weather change, fishing effort and success has slowed. For more success try a slower presentation.

COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR — Angling can be slow this time of year, but some anglers are finding success still with bass. Slower presentations can work well.

DIAMOND LAKE — Diamond Lake is starting to freeze. Until it is solid enough for anglers to walk on, no one is fishing. Diamond Lake has been stocked with tiger and brown trout. These fish were introduced to help control illegally introduced tui chub. These trout are catch-and-release only and need to be released immediately and unharmed if caught.

GALESVILLE RESERVOIR — Galesville anglers like other reservoir anglers in Douglas County will have more success fishing on warmer days and with slower presentations. The reservoir has been lowered for winter storage, which can concentrate fish. Anglers should also find some larger trout. Galesville holds trout well and anglers have reported some large fish.

HEMLOCK LAKE & LAKE IN THE WOODS — Winter is here, so check with the US Forest Service on road conditions before heading out. It is likely that the lake may not be reachable without snowmobiles. There are a lot of trout left over from the spring stockings.

LAKE MARIE — This lake is located west of Hwy 101 along the coast. With the more moderate temperature changes this can be a good spot to catch some perch.

LEMOLO RESERVOIR — US Forest Service campgrounds are closed for the season. Lemolo Lake Resort is closed for the season, but they may be reached at 541-643-0750. Trout fishing can still be good in the winter, but Lemolo is being drawn down for winter storage. Kokanee in Lemolo are considered trout and therefore fall under the daily limit for trout of five per day with only one of those measuring over 20-inches.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES — Fishing for bottom fish is open to all-depths year-round. The 2024 daily general marine fish bag limit is 5 fish with no retention of quillback or yelloweye rockfish. As of July 1, anglers are allowed to harvest 1 cabezon per day as part of the general marine fish bag limit. Anglers are reporting good catches of rockfish and lingcod near Charleston and Bandon when the ocean swells are small. Anglers may choose to fish the offshore longleader fishery outside of the 40-fathom regulatory line, which is open year-round. The longleader fishery daily bag limit is 12 fish made of only yellowtail, widow, canary, blue, deacon, redstripe, greenstripe, silvergray, chillipepper, and bocaccio rockfishes. No other rockfish or lingcod are allowed on an offshore longleader fishing trip. Surfperch anglers took advantage of smaller ocean swells recently to catch decent numbers of redtail surfperch. Anglers will find redtail surfperch along the ocean beaches like Horsfall Beach, Bullards Beach and near Cape Blanco. Surfperch anglers are also catching striped surfperch along rocky shorelines. Anglers have been catching surfperch using sand shrimp, mole crabs or artificial sand worms. Be cautious of ocean waves and drift logs.

PLAT I RESERVOIR — Winter bass fishing can be decent at Plat I. This reservoir is usually drawn down in the fall for winter storage. The reservoir has been lowered.

SMITH RIVER, Umpqua — With the recent rain there should be a few early winter steelhead in the lower sections. Open for hatchery steelhead all year. Wild coho is not open in Smith River. The area above Spencer creek to Sisters creek is open to hatchery steelhead through April 30.

UMPQUA HIKE-IN LAKES AND FOREBAYS — Some lakes may be freezing over and may not be accessible by car. The forecast calls for the higher elevation lakes to get snow. For a map of lakes stocked in the SW check out the ODFW’s trout stocking map. Working with volunteers, stocking has been completed for this year with rainbow trout fry. Prospective volunteers for stocking in 2025 should contact Levi.m.simmons@odfw.oregon.gov for more information.

UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM — All Chinook harvest is closed till Feb.1. Early forecasts for wild spring Chinook are looking low for 2025, which may impact the fishery. Wild coho retention is closed but the river is still open for hatchery salmon and steelhead. Anglers are starting to target early winter steelhead in the Elkton area. Fishing has been fair with anglers reporting success throughout the main Umpqua. Only hatchery steelhead maybe harvested.

UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH — A few winter steelhead are starting to cross Winchester Dam. It is still a little early for winter steelhead, so angler effort is low. Only hatchery steelhead may be harvested. There are very few coho moving across Winchester Dam now. There is no retention of wild coho. Early forecasts for wild spring Chinook are looking low for 2025, which may impact the fishery.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH — The South is open for hatchery steelhead and hatchery coho. The best fishing for steelhead will be in the lower sections. There has been very little effort so far. But with recent rains, angler effort should increase as the river starts to recede.

CRABBING AND CLAMMING REPORTBay clams — Please check the regulation update section above for those areas of the Oregon coast that are open for bay clamming. Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Grab a shovel or rake and your shellfish license. Butter, cockle and gaper clams are waiting to be dug. During fall and winter, negative low tides suitable for clamming occur in the evenings. Monitor the weather forecast, and the swell and surf advisories before going out to make sure you can safely clam. Clammers should be mindful of safety while clamming at dark. Safety measures include not clamming in unfamiliar areas, bringing a reliable light source and avoiding clamming alone.

Mussels — Please check the regulation update section above for those areas of the Oregon coast that are open for mussels. Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Mussels, like clams, are filter feeders and those who like eating clams are likely to find mussels just as delicious. Mussels attach to rocks and other permanent habitat in the intertidal zone, so it is best to go looking for them during a low tide. When harvesting, wear gloves and use a twisting motion to pull mussels off rocks. Be careful when harvesting by the ocean and watch for sneaker waves. Each harvester will need a shellfish license and their own bucket.

Razor clams — Please check the regulation update section above for those areas of the Oregon coast that are open for razor clamming. Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Fall and winter harvesting of razor clams can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Unlike the spring and summer, low tides are in the evenings and at night when visibility is poor or nonexistent. Typical to the Oregon coast, the fall and winter brings large storm events, which keep the razor clams from “showing” as readily and can also be a safety risk with surging water and debris on the beach. Make sure to monitor swell and surf advisories as well as predicted wind prior to harvesting. Combined seas greater than 10 feet and winds greater than 20mph will make harvesting difficult for all, including the most experienced harvester. Fall and winter harvesting can be greatly improved if harvesters actively “pound” to make clams show. With winter storms, clams will not show as readily and need an added incentive to do so. Clatsop beach clammers should expect a moderate abundance of razor clams 3 to 4 inches with a few larger ones available. Targeting the largest “show,” greater than a nickel in diameter, will greatly increase the odds of harvesting a larger clam. Clammers should plan to be on the beach at least two-hours before low tide to ensure plenty of time for a successful harvest. Any low tide that is negative is sufficient to harvest clams on Clatsop Beach if the seas are less than 10 feet. With lots of smaller clams available, clammers need to remember to keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Other areas such as Indian Beach (Cannon Beach); Cannon Beach; Cape Meares Beach (Tillamook); Agate Beach (North of Newport); North Beach and South Beach (Newport); Waldport Beach; North Umpqua Spit (Winchester Bay); Bastendorff Beach and North Spit (Coos Bay); Whiskey Run (Bandon); and Meyers Creek Beach (Gold Beach) will also have razor clams.

Crab — Please check the regulation update section above for those areas of the Oregon coast that are open for crabs. Always call the ODA shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or ODA shellfish closures website before harvesting for the most current information about shellfish safety closures. Bay crabbing in Newport has been fair. Bay crabbing in Waldport has been good. Crab quality is good as shells have hardened and crabs are full of meat. When there has been a lot of rain, crabbing in bays is typically not good since the surge of fresh water from the rivers forces the crab to retreat to the saltier water of the ocean. Shore and dock crabbing can be a great activity during the summer months. A good tool to try is the “castable folding crab trap.” Usually attached to a fishing pole, these traps are great for kids because they are lightweight and can catch crab within minutes. No heavy pulling or long wait times! They are available for purchase at most local stores. Happy crabbing! Some crabbers in estuaries may also encounter non-native European green crab in their catch. While they look similar to Oregon’s native shore crabs, identify them by the three prominent bumps between the eyes and 5 spines down each side of their body (carapace). They are not always green and color is not a good identifying feature. The daily catch limit for European green crab is 35 per person per day. European green crab can be any size or sex.

Black bear — Fall bear continues through Dec. 31. Success seems to be limited because of restricted access due to fire season. There are still good Blackberry and Elderberry crops hunters should be targeting where access is open.

Cougar — Look in areas adjacent to agriculture and within areas of higher concentrations of deer. The hot dry weather will further concentrate deer so pay extra attention to water sources at lower elevations. When fresh tracks are found, set up and call with either mouth or electronic predator calls. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Hunting cougar is a challenge because these animals are very secretive, but harvest success is greatest adjacent to private land with high deer populations using a predator call.

Coyote — There are plenty of coyotes throughout Douglas County. Using predator calls to lure them in can be an effective method for harvesting coyotes. Try calling in early morning and late afternoon. Be sure to ask permission before hunting on private land.

GAME BIRD HUNTINGEurasian collared-doves — These birds have no protections in Oregon, so there are no closed seasons and no limits to their harvest. Target Eurasian collared doves around agricultural areas where food sources are abundant. Be sure of your identification before you hunt these birds which are larger and lighter than mourning doves with a distinctive band around the back of the neck. Identify this species and its habitat.

Habitat conditions — Things remain hot and dry in Douglas County. We continue to get new fires starting and are still in extreme fire danger. Hunters need to be checking ODF, BLM and USFS websites for up-to-date information on access. Last updated 9/11/24.

Mourning dove — Season closed Dec. 14. Learn more about hunting mourning dove. There is not a lot of publicly accessible dove hunting in Douglas County. Those interested in doves should be concentrating on getting permission on private property.

Grouse — Our surveys this summer indicate that forest grouse production was below average throughout the county. The same surveys showed that Mountain Quail production was average to above average in the coast range and lower elevations in the cascades. With the continued drought conditions hunters should focus on areas with nearby water or older timber stands.

Fall turkey — The western fall turkey season runs from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31, 2024. Turkey production for Douglas County seemed to average. Hens with poults were encountered in new areas in the Cascades, likely meaning expansion into some previously unoccupied habitats.

Big Game — Columbian white-tailed deer once occurred across northwestern Oregon. Only two small populations remain, and the Umpqua Valley is a great place to come see this unique western population of what is better known as an eastern deer species. Recovery efforts in the Umpqua Valley resulted in removal of this population from the federal Endangered Species Act in 2003. This time of year, Columbian white-tailed (and black-tailed) deer can be found throughout much of the greater Roseburg area. Visit them at the North Bank Habitat Management Area, or look for herds on private agricultural lands and fields, where they often occur in strong numbers.

Birds — Acorn woodpeckers are a Strategy Species in the Klamath and Willamette Valley Ecoregions, and the abundance of oak habitats in southwestern Oregon provide an important refuge these birds. As year-round residents of Douglas County, acorn woodpeckers can be found living in groups and defending granary trees. Birds drill holes into granary trees, which they then use to store insects and acorns which provide food through the winter. Common locations to find acorn woodpeckers include Roseburg at River Forks Park, North Bank Habitat Management Area and Whistlers Park. The website www.UmpquaBirds.org is a great resource for birding opportunities in Douglas County. Visit the website to download seasonal lists of birds expected to occur in coastal, cascade, and valley habitats within the region. You can also visit umpquaaudubon.org to sign up for upcoming birding events or to look for presentations about the region’s avifauna. Ford’s Pond in northern Douglas County is home to nearly 200 species of birds. During the fall, you can expect to see plenty of ducks, geese, swallows, and a diversity of shorebirds such as dowitchers, sandpipers, yellowlegs, snipe, and egrets. Other fall birding hotspots in Douglas County include Stewart Park near Roseburg (great for swifts, swallows, and waterfowl). In the fall, Greater White-fronted Geese migrate along the Pacific Flyway from breeding habitat in Alaska to wintering areas in the western US and Mexico. Listen for the characteristic “laughing” call of large flocks as they pass overhead. Fields and lakes or ponds are good places to look for geese that may stop over to rest and forage before continuing the migration.

Wildlife Tracking — Snow levels in eastern Douglas County can limit motorized access to high-elevation areas; however, storms can also provide excellent opportunities to track wildlife through the snow. Check road and snow conditions before you go, and if you’re visiting one of the Sno-Parks on the Umpqua National Forest (Mt. Thielsen, Cinnamon Butte, North Crater Lake, South Diamond, and Three Lakes), you’ll need an Oregon State Sno-Park Parking Permit. Squirrels, rabbits and hares, deer and elk, mustelids, and carnivores are common in this region and can all be identified by the size, shape, and pattern of prints left behind in the snow. If using a photograph to identify the print, include an object in the photo for scale.