Andy Walgamott, Author at

ODFW Extends Willamette Two-rod Fishing Above Falls Through Coho Season

Coho anglers will again be able to run a second rod on the Willamette River above the falls after ODFW extended the two-rod validation in those and other upstream waters.

Fire Danger Leads To Closure Of Northeast Oregon Access & Habitat Lands

Due to wildfires and scarce firefighting resources, ODFW closed more than a dozen Access & Habitat-enrolled properties in the northeast corner of the state as well as year-round Upland Cooperative Access Program lands along the Mid-Columbia, and the agency says it will monitor things as the start of bow seasons in late August nears.

Mt. St. Helens Spring Chinook Release A ‘Major Milestone’ In NF Toutle Fish Passage, Reintro Plan

WDFW details recent efforts to reintroduce Chinook into the North Fork Toutle above the Corps of Engineers’ Sediment Retention Structure, where coho and winter steelhead have previously been released, as part of a project that is expanding fish access to historic spawning and rearing habitat below Mt. St. Helens.

SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (7-29-26)

Late July 2026 catch stats for the Lower Columbia River and select Southwest Washington tributaries.

‘Major Win’: IP 28 Fails Second Signature Check, Won’t Qualify For Fall Ballot

Initiative Petition 28, which would have put the future of hunting, fishing, trapping, ranching and more in Oregon up for a vote, will not appear on the fall ballot.

Public Comment Open on Oregon 2027 Big Game Reg Proposals, Other Commission Topics Open

ODFW is accepting public comments on the proposed 2027 Big Game Regulations and other agenda items the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider at their September meeting in La Grande.

WDFW Cracking Down On Unlawful Shark Fishing

Washington game wardens are cracking down on illegal shark fishing and making an example of one content creator.

SW WA, Lower Columbia Fishing Report (7-21-26)

Mid-July 2026 steelhead and salmon catch stats for the Lower Columbia and select Southwest Washington tributaries.

NWTF Touts Lake Wenatchee-area Forest, Wildlife Project

The National Wild Turkey Federation reports on a hunter-funded 18.2-acre habitat project on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest benefiting a wide variety of wildlife and creating openings where native plants can thrive.

Bipartisan Sea Lion, Harbor Seal Removal Bill Receives Congressional Hearing

Another bill addressing pinniped predation of ESA-listed salmon and steelhead is now swimming around in Congress, and this one is being backed by Washington tribes, recreational fishermen and state fish and wildlife managers.

IP 28 Fails First Signature Review Test; Bigger Sample To Now Be Checked

Multiple reports say that initial sampling of signatures gathered for an initiative petition that aims to outlaw fishing and hunting in Oregon suggests IP 28 may come up short to make the fall ballot, though another review with a bigger batch of names is being performed.

Anglers Asked To Contact BPA Over Pulled SAFE Hatchery Production

ODFW and two longtime fish and fishing advocacy organizations are stepping up the pressure on the Bonneville Power Administration after it said it would no longer contribute to a salmon hatchery program fueling sport and commercial fisheries in the Lower Columbia and offshore.