Fall Chinook fishing is at is at its peak on Oregon’s North Coast. Try fishing the Kilchis, Nestucca, Trask, and Wilson rivers, or Tillamook Bay. These are some of Oregon’s premier inland big game fisheries. Watch the weather, river conditions, and check this report often for the best opportunities.

Start a new Thanksgiving tradition: Free fishing Nov. 25-26
Take family and friends fishing for free on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26. It’s a free fishing weekend in Oregon and no licenses, tags or endorsements will be required to fish, crab or clam anywhere in the state. It’s the peak of the fall Chinook run on the coast, several lakes and ponds have been stocked with trout throughout the fall and fishing is great, and the first winter steelhead of the season are starting to appear. Check out this week’s Rec Report for opportunities near you.

Best trout fishing of the year
With cooler temperatures, renewed stocking and hungry fish preparing for winter, fall can offer some of the best trout fishing of the year. Check out the zone reports to see where our biologists have been finding the fish, and what waterbodies are now open year-round.

Coast elk seasons: Bag limit changes for hunters with disabilities
Second coast elk season runs Nov. 19-25. Just a reminder that hunters with a disabilities permit can no longer take an antlerless elk in Wilson, Scappoose or Saddle Mtn units. See page 99 of the regulations for details.

Preference points available until Nov. 30
If you didn’t make the first May 15 deadline, you can still get a preference point. Purchase online or using this fax/mail order application.

Late archery deer seasons in November
Bowhunters with an unfilled general season deer archery tag can hunt Nov. 12-Dec. 4 and Nov. 19-Dec. 11 in parts of western Oregon, see page 54 of the regs for details.

Turkey hunting open until Dec. 31 in western Oregon
Outdoor writer and TV personality Scott Haugen recently shared hunting tips. See it here

See elk herds in the meadows now at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area
Elk viewing has been good at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Best viewing has been in the mornings and evenings until dark. The elk breeding season or “rut” is over for the season and elk have gathered into larger groups. With the cooler and wetter weather, elk are spending more time in the open fields and recently some elk have been visible throughout day.