10 good bets for weekend fishing

This weekend anglers will be spoiled with choice. It may be easier to catch the fish than it will be deciding where to go and what to fish for.

1. Trout. May is a huge month for trout stocking, and it seems as if we’re putting fish almost everywhere. Check the stocking schedule for locations near you.
2. Bass. Finding good bass fishing is almost as easy as finding good trout fishing. Bass are moving into shallower waters for spawning, making them easier targets for anglers. Check the zones reports for the best fishing.
3. Kokanee. Anglers are landing kokanee at Lemolo Reservoir, Detroit Reservoir, Green Peter Reservoir, Lake Billy Chinook, Wickiup Reservoir, Odell Lake and Wallowa Lake. Find even more locations and tips for catching them.
4. Spring Chinook. If you’ve been dreaming of a spring Chinook fillet on the grill, try the lower Columbia tributaries, Rogue (lower, middle and upper), mainstem and South Umpqua and Willamette rivers. Look for this list to grow in the coming weeks.
5. Crappie. Crappie are excellent table fare, and you might catch your dinner at any of several reservoirs like Fern Ridge, JC Boyle, Owyhee, Pilcher, Wolf Creek and those on the Snake River. Learn more about crappie fishing.
6. Shad. Anglers might find some early returners in the Coos and Coquille basins.
7. Striped bass. You may find a lunker in the Coquille or Smith rivers.
8. Surfperch. Fish come closer to shore to spawn in late spring and early summer. Here are some tips for catching them.
9. Halibut. Seasons are open and fishing can be good when ocean conditions permit.
10. Razor clams. The Clatsop County beaches are now open for razor clamming, and diggers are reporting big clams. Here’s how to dig for them.

Need more intel or ideas? Check out the zone reports.

Take an ODFW fishing, hunting or archery class

Workshops are hands-on and designed to get you out and doing.

• Introduction to hunting in Oregon seminar.
• Archery and bowhunting skills workshop.
• Wizard Falls fly-fishing workshop.

Find dates, locations and all the details you’ll need to register.

It’s the 2023 family fishing event season

The family fishing event calendar is filling up fast. These events are aimed at the whole family and can be a great way to learn how to fish together. Find an event near you.

Apply for your big game hunt tag

Less than ONE week left to apply for your 2023 big game tag by May 15. This is our annual reminder to apply early to avoid the last-minute rush and to allow for kinks in the system. Maybe one year it will work. How to apply online.