Where can I go fishing?

The Recreation.Gov web site identifies fishing and other recreational opportunities on Federal lands. There are many units in the National Wildlife Refuge System through the United States that are open to fishing.
Please remember to get permission from private landowners before fishing on their lands. Also, you may be interested in our Where can I go hunting? site.
See the Web sites of State fish and wildlife agencies for information on other fishing opportunities. Individual states manage fishing license programs and seasons. Many States operate extensive systems on wildlife management areas or other areas open to regulated public fishing. In addition to their home pages, other fishing-related sites on the Web may identify opportunities for fishing a particular species or in the particular geographic area of interest to you.
Units in the National Wildlife Refuge System That Are Open to Fishing


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Eagle FishElite 500C GPS/Fishfinder

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Fishing heats up as water temperatures rise on the Umpqua

Smallmouth fishing along the South Umpqua River and Umpqua River mainstreams has picked up in the past week, according to reports by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.Warm water temperatures have improved fishing conditions on the South Umpqua. Worms have worked well as bait in catching smallmouth bass, and Shad angling has been good around the Sawyers Rapids area.Following is the weekly fishing report, compiled by regional fisheries and biologists working with the ODFW and posted each Wednesday on its Web site:
ALL SPORTS POND: Fishing for and bass and panfish should be good.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Applegate Reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout. The reservoir also offers land-locked juvenile spring chinook salmon, along with bass and panfish.
COOS COUNTY LAKES : Bass fishing at Tenmile has been good recently but the weedline is starting to show just out from the shore. Bluegill angling has also been good. Tenmile anglers are reminded that largemouth bass over 15 inches must be released unharmed back into the lake. COOS RIVER BASIN : Chinook should start entering the bay soon. Anglers typically start picking up fish trolling or mooching between the jetties this time of year. Bar conditions can be dangerous and change suddenly so use caution if boating in this vicinity.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Anglers are starting to pick up Chinook in the Coquille River around Rocky Point. This fishery will gradually improve over the coming weeks and last through September. Retention of coho is prohibited above Lampa Creek at river mile 11.5. Striped bass fishing in the Coquille River is best up to Arago. Other areas where they are commonly caught include Riverton, Randolph Island, Myrtle Point, and adjacent to Johnson Mill Pond. Stripers will take bait such as shrimp or baitfish, as well as large plugs. Most feeding activity is near dawn and dusk.
EXPO POND: Expo Pond is stocked with rainbow trout, and good numbers are still available for anglers at the pond. Fishing for largemouth bass and panfish should be good.
FISH LAKE: Fish Lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and brook trout are also available. Anglers will need to be prepared for reduced water clarity during algae blooms that are common at Fish Lake.
HOWARD PRAIRIE RESERVOIR: Trout fishing is slow at Howard Prairie, but anglers are having some success by fishing deep water. Legal-sized trout have been released to supplement the fingerling-based fishery. The reservoir is still nearly full, so fishing conditions will be good. HYATT LAKE: Hyatt Lake has been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout as a special opportunity this year. Numerous small-sized bass are dominating the catch at this time, however. Largemouth bass anglers have done very well at Hyatt. Spinner baits are a good bet at Hyatt for bass. The reservoir is still nearly full, so fishing conditions will be good.
ILLINOIS RIVER: The Illinois River up to Pomeroy Dam is open for adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Artificial flies and lures only.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: The public health advisory for algae has been lifted at Lost Creek Reservoir. Trout anglers will likely want to fish deep or at the upper end of the reservoir above the bridge, where trout will seek cooler water temperatures. Bass fishing should be good. PACIFIC OCEAN & BEACHES: Ocean salmon fishing has been good recently. After many days of wind and fog, ocean conditions calmed down and many anglers got out. In addition to salmon, bottom fishing continues to be excellent and some boats got out deep enough for tuna. Anglers should use extreme caution and consider going with other boats if targeting tuna. This years salmon continue to run large with many in the 30 pound range. Retention of coho between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain closed July 31. Ocean anglers should immediately release any coho they hook. The Chinook season is scheduled to continue through October 31. Minimum length for Chinook is 20 inches. No more than 2 single point barbless hooks may be used. The next all-depth Pacific halibut opener will occur August 4-6 from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mtn. Regulations from previous openers still apply, including the Stonewall Bank closure.
COOS COUNTY LAKES : Warm water temps and weed growth in some water bodies has made lake angling a challenge recently. Anglers should concentrate their efforts in the morning and evening. Tenmile anglers are reminded that largemouth bass over 15 inches must be released unharmed back into the lake.
ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: Chinook fishing in the Rogue Bay has been slow. Anglers have been picking up most of their fish about 3 hours into an incoming tide. The fish that have been caught are running in the high 20's to mid 30's. Expect lots of wind in the afternoon, which makes fishing downstream of Highway 101 tough. Anchovy and spinner are still the top choice bait. Summer steelhead fishing has been slow. Water temperatures have been running in the mid 70's.
ROGUE RIVER , MIDDLE: Good numbers of early run summer steelhead are available, and the harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead is allowed year round on the Rogue. Anglers are reminded that only adipose fin-clipped chinook can be taken between Hog Creek and Gold Ray Dam through August 14 th. Flows at Grants Pass are averaging 1,570 cubic feet per second on Monday morning.
ROGUE RIVER , UPPER: Good numbers of summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray for this point in the run, and anglers are having some success on these early run fish. The harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead is allowed on the Rogue year-round. Anglers are reminded that chinook fishing is closed above Gold Ray Dam as of August 1 st. Reservoir outflows are averaging 1,900 cubic feet per second on Monday morning. A total of 4,718 summer steelhead have been counted at Gold Ray Dam as of July 28th.
ROGUE RIVER ABOVE LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: The mainstem and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir are open, with a limit of five trout per day, eight inch minimum length, and no limit on the size or number of brook trout taken. The North Fork Rogue above Prospect will be stocked this week, and fishing in locations such as Hamaker Meadows has been good. The use of bait is allowed.
SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: Anglers should expect slow fishing at most South Coast lakes as water and weed growth continues to rise. Southard, Babyfoot and Laird Lakes should hold up through the summer and continue to produce good catches of rainbow trout.
SOUTH COAST STREAMS: Anglers interested in cooling off may want to consider wet wading some the upper reaches of Sixes, Elk, Pistol, and Chetco Rivers for some excellent resident cutthroat fishing. Don't expect to catch anything bigger than 14 inches, but action will be con stant. Anglers should try using flies or small spinners.
TENMILE BASIN : Trout angling in Tenmile Creek is open, with flies and lures required above tidewater.
UMPQUA ESTUARY: Sturgeon fishing has been very good in the estuary for oversize with a few legal fish being harvested.
UMPQUA RIVER MAINSTEM: Main-stem Umpqua closed to the retention of all non fin-clipped steelhead, but remains open year round for fin-clipped steelhead. Smallmouth fishing is good. Rapalas, crawfish crankbaits, and worms are the best bets for catching smallmouth. Shad are still in the river and fishing will be good around the Sawyers Rapids area.
UMPQUA RIVER , SOUTH: Smallmouth fishing has improved and will continue to improve as water temperatures warm.
SHELLFISH
As of July 31, razor clam harvest is open from Cape Perpetua (located south of Yachats) to the California border. Bay clamming and mussel harvest is open state wide. Domoic acid levels in Razor clams north of Cape Perpetua have exceeded the range safe for human consumption. Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 800-448-2474 for updates. For more information about razor clams see the ODFW razor clam web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/razorclams

Top Secret Bass Fishing Tips That Almost Take The Sport Out Of Bassmouth Fishing

Copyright © 2006 Karin Manning

To be at the top of every pro bass fishing tournament you need to know more about bass than probably you know about your wife. If you are happy to be an amateur bass fisherman who occasionally catches a fish then continue doing what you are doing.
However, if you are anxious to become a better bass fisherman and to be a serious competitor in pro bass fishing tournaments (and have a huge trophy bass mounted on your wall) then you need these top pro bass fishing tips and techniques up your sleeve.

Different bass fishing locations will have different weather conditions. You need to use the best tools for the current weather conditions so that you can fish like a pro wherever you are, and in whatever weather conditions you are in.

BASS FISHING IN WARMER CONDITIONS
Bass notice when the days start getting longer. In warmer weather conditions they will be getting ready to hit warm shallow waters to feed.

The northwest position of a lake or in primary creek arms seem to hold the largest bass and are an ideal fishing hot spot.
Banks that have a lot of cover will also house some nice sized bass.
Once temperatures rise and hotter conditions prevail bass tend to migrate to river systems and murky lakes.

BASS FISHING IN COOLER CONDITIONS
When conditions are cooler most largemouth bass follow bait fish into impoundments or shallows. Try to match your lure to the type and size of bait fish that the bass are feeding on. Try casting right into the schools of bait fish.

In winter largemouth bass head for deeper water. There is definitely more of a challenge to catching bass in winter. They conserve their energy, having eaten aplenty in the warmer periods, and so bass activity will be significantly reduced.
However, cooler weather conditions mean you’ll have less competition and quite often this is when you’ll find your largest trophy bass.

The most popular bass bait for cooler conditions is soft baits, followed by hard baits.
In windy conditions pro bass anglers will go to fishing spots where they’ve found plankton hoping that largemouth bass will be feeding off smaller fish who are, in turn, feeding off plankton.

When light is low largemouth bass tend to feed more often. Moderate rain will often heavy feeding while heavier rainfall may make them retreat though it’s possible to find largemouth bass feeding wildly about 15 feet below surface.
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Live Bait Fishing Tips - Keeping Your Baits Alive

Copyright © 2006 Obsession Sessions

Obviously you can’t live bait if you can’t keep it alive, and this can often be quite a task. Keeping your baits happy, healthy and kicking can be approached in many ways, so I have put down a few key tips to remember; and some good alternatives to fully plumbed live bait tanks.
I will start with problems that affect even perfectly plumbed tanks and go from there.
COMMON PROBLEMS
If you have a fully plumbed, top of the line bait tank, then you are well ahead of the game but will still have fish dying. If the tank becomes overcrowded fish will start to die.
Remember the bigger the baits the less will survive in your tank. Baits so big they can’t freely swim around the tank will have a high mortality rate. Once fish have died make sure to remove them from the tank as it will affect the remaining survivors.
When you are catching bait make sure to handle them as little as possible. If possible catch bait with long shank hooks then hold the shank of the hook and shake the bait off and straight into the tank. That way you never touch the fish.
ALTERNATIVE TANKS
If you don’t have an inbuilt tank, or room for this, the next best thing is to use an esky. In a good sized tinnie I have even plumbed a good quality esky with great results, the next best thing to an esky is the good old fashioned ‘kill box’ the ones commercial fishos use for storing their catch.
Eskies work very well as bait tanks because one major problem for keeping fish alive is change in water temperature. Not only are fish very sensitive to temperature change but when water warms up it loses its dissolved oxygen killing the fish.
A 50 litre tank of water in summer warms up very quickly, this is very important to remember when you don’t have any circulation in your tank. The temperature problem also relates to colour, try and use white tanks so they don’t attract more heat.
FRESH WATER
Without having the tank plumbed you will have to use a bucket to constantly refresh the water in the tank, its hard work but often worth it. You can also purchase small bait pumps that will help but I’ve found that you still need to use the bucket but just not as often.
When you pour water into your tank don’t try to be gentle, this is a mistake, it is best to do it from a good height and create a lot of foam, this is oxygen mixing with the water and benefits your baits.
OXYGEN
Another key point is the shape of the tank. Ideally a high surface area is great which again is why most eskies work well and so do ‘kill boxes’.
The higher the surface area the more oxygen can dissolve into the water, this is also why little kiddy wading pools are perfect when fishing from the shore.
THE BASKET CASE
One last useful tip for boat fishos is to have a laundry basket that is deep and narrow in shape. Put some weight in the bottom of the basket and flotation around the top of the basket.
When you are at anchor simply put this in the water and tie it of to the side of the boat. Transfer your livebaits from your tank into the basket while fishing at anchor and they will stay healthier than in any livebait tank. Always have a small net for transferring the baits so as not to damage your baits.
Remember the better you handle your livebaits the better baits they’re going to be.
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DAN BURGESS is keen angler, writer, video producer and a graduate of the Marine Sciences school of Sydney University. His latest project is the 2Dans Fishing video. It's all about how to catch kingfish around his native waters in Australia, and features entertaining action and informative fishing tips.Check out the free fishing videos, photo galleries and articles at http://fishermandan.com.au

5 Useful Tips On Trout Fishing

By: Travis Clemens -

In fishing, trout are one of the favorite “fishing friends” of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout.
For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.
On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas.
It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.

2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.

3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5. Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.


Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! www.best-fishing-tips.com

Salmon Fishing Tips

By: Dan Farrell

I have had the pleasure of fishing for salmon in Alaska. It was a thrilling experience! To see 3 feet long Silver's in a stream surrounded by 10,000+ foot mountains is something you dream about.

If you have fished for salmon anywhere and they are spawning you know they aren't all that easy to catch as they aren't feeding only intent on running up stream to their spawning spot. So it takes some patience and good timing as well as knowing where and when they are running. But for any fisherman, this is one of the ultimate experiences!

Here are a few tips:

Your First Pole:
The most important piece of equipment is a fishing pole of course! The best place to purchase a pole is at a real pro shop or bait and tackle shop. Pro shops usually have a generous return policy. If you get a pole that is not comfortable for you, too stiff or too flexible, too long or too short, they will generally exchange it for a pole that will work better for you.
Bottom line, they want your return business for other things like bait and tackle.

The Place:
The best place to fish for salmon is in the river when they come up to spawn. The local pro shop should be happy to provide you with the best times for fishing salmon. Salmon spawn at different times and come up the rivers at different intervals throughout the season. So, planning is important if you want to actually fish when the salmon are spawning. You can get alot of good information with a subscription to Alaska magazine or do a search online for the location you are interested in.

The Boat:
Best case scenario is to have a flat bottom river boat, but those are expensive. It may not be a good idea to take a regular "V" hull lake boat into the river because the depths can be too shallow and unpredictable. Another wonderful way to experience your first salmon trip is by hiring a guide. You'll learn more from the guide then on your own. It can be pricey, but it's worth it. Alaska guides generally charge $200/day per person.
No boat? No worries. Fishing from shore is a wonderful way to experience this fantastic hobby as well. Get some waders and watch out for the slippery rocks!

The Bait:
Ask the Pro's at the pro shop what works best in your area or the area you are going to fish. They will most likely suggest salmon eggs. They are cured in many different ways and everyone has their favorite. You may wonder why you would want to use salmon eggs.
It's very simply really. After salmon spawn, the parent fish stay around the nest to protect the eggs from predators like trout. The currents will also carry the eggs away. When this happens the parent fish gently pick the eggs in their mouth and bring them back to the nest. So, when you dangle salmon eggs in the water after the salmon have spawned, they will see the eggs and assume that some have floated out of the nest. When they go to retrieve them, they get hooked!

The Catch:
Take along an ice chest filled with ice to keep your catch fresh. You may want to have a couple of five gallon buckets as well. One bucket for cleaning your catch. Another bucket to keep the ready-to-eat gutted and cleaned salmon in. If you clean it before you take it home, you avoid the smelly bloody mess in your kitchen. Many rivers in Alaska, Kenai, Russian, Montana, Bird...have fish cleaning facilities. A third bucket could be used to save salmon eggs gutted from a female. You can save the egg sack and cure it later. You can learn more about how to cure the eggs, or roe, online or talk to someone in your local pro shop for suggestions.

The Filleting:
You can cut your fish in two ways, steaks or fillets. Salmon steaks are the easiest way to cut them up. Filleting takes a little more practice. You will probably mangle the first few you try to fillet. Don't let that bother you. All those little mangled pieces can be smoked and turned into a salmon dip. Mmm good!

The Cooking:
There are many ways to cook salmon. Pan fry, BBQ, roasted or even smoked. If you do decide to smoke your salmon pieces, be sure not to over dry them. Here's a simple recipe for salmon dip. One cup smoked salmon Two 8 oz packages of cream cheese Half cup chopped onion Salt, pepper, garlic, to taste Now it's time to stop reading about it and go out there and catch some salmon!


Dan Farrell is the owner of www.thebest-fishing.com where you can read more articles on all types of fishing, fishing equipment, fish lodging and fishing destinations

Best Fishing Flies for Salmon and Steelhead

By: Christine Harrell

With more than 10,000 cataloged patterns of fishing flies, finding the best one can be a long task of trial and error. The quest to find the perfect fishing fly has burdened fishermen for ages, but the general rule of thumb is to use dark fishing flies on cloudy days and bright fishing flies on sunny days. Another strategy is to match the color of the riverbed. Additionally, big flies often work best in high water while small files work best in low water.

Below you’ll find a list of the 5 best loved fishing flies for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Thunder and Lightning:
As the name insinuates, the deep orange, gold, brown and black colors are perfect for fly fishing on dark days and in dark river bottoms. This classic salmon fishing fly, once called the “Great Storm” fly is probably the most common fly used today for salmon and steelhead fishing.

Green Highlander:
This colorful fly composed of light green, pink, and orange feathers is perfect for bright sunny days. The green highlander is a classic pattern and very popular in all parts of the world.

Green Butt Skunk:
The green butt skunk looks exactly as it sounds, with bright green strand of yarn finishing off an otherwise black fly with a light colored tuft. These flies are the top choice for salmon and steelhead fishing in the Northwest but are incredibly successful around the world. The burst of green and the contrast of the dark and light make this fly a magnet for salmon and steelhead.

Skykomish Sunrise:
These fishing flies are a burst of bright orange and yellow that are perfect for dirty water on a bright day. It was a Skykomish sunrise fly that landed George McCloud, the fly’s originator, a record breaking 29 pound 2 ounce steelhead in 1955.

Jock Scott:
Sir Edward Grey called the Jock Scott “the best all round fly, excellent for all seasons, weathers and waters.” This incredibly intricate fishing fly can take up to 10 hours to craft by hand and was originally composed of more than 28 different materials. The Jock Scott’s timeless design has retained its popularity since it was first crafted in 1854.

Although these 5 fishing flies rank among the most popular, don’t hold back on trying new varieties of flies. Pack a variety of different fishing flies during salmon season and try a variety of colors and sizes until you find the types that work best for you.

Author is a writer for Blue Fly Cafe which specializes in fishing flies for salmon and steelhead fishing. For more information you can visit www.BlueFlyCafe.com.

Bass Fishing Facts And More

By: Travis Clemens -

Bass fishing has a fascinating history. It started in the late 18th century and continues to progress until today. It probably was originally practiced in search for food among the people in the south of the United States. Since then, it has started gaining numerous audiences of all ages and nations.

Today, countries such as Australia, Cuba, South Africa, United States and most of Europe participate in this kind of event.

Timelines
• The year 1768 or 1770 represents the birth of bass fishing sports. Onesimus Ustonson introduced his first multiplying reels to the fishing gurus and lovers. It was later developed into bait caster.
• William Shakespeare Jr. materializes the production of a level wind device and secured its patent on 1897.
• The William J. Jamison Co introduced the overly ornamented Shannon Twin Spinner in 1915 and was improved to create today’s spinner baits.
• In 1932, President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted the creation of Tennessee Valley Authority and encouraged the creation and building of numerous dams. These dams were later used for culturing different varieties of bass fishes.
• Five years later, DuPont Company filed patent for nylon fishing net, this was later developed into nylon monofilament fishing line.
• The year 1992 is one of the most glorious events in the history of bass fishing. Larry Nixon, the famous fisherman in the history of bass fishing won $1 M total earnings for this sport on this year.

Bass Fish:

Several fish species that are being caught in the bass fishing events are the following:
• Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede) - Largemouth Bass
• Micropterus dolomieui - Smallmouth bass
• Micropterus punctatus - Kentucky BassOther species of Micropterus are also caught but one that remains popular is the Largemouth bass.
However, it should be emphasized that Australian Bass are different from the above North American Bass variants although most share similar features.

Perhaps, the most robust success of Bass Fishing was in the 1950s. The popularity of the game during this period is the springboard to the development of modern fishing equipments from bass boats, rods, lines, lures and various fishing gears. Electronic gears were also incorporated among the host of equipments bass fishers used at that time. Reels of different types, which function in hauling and hoisting, were also created.

The contribution of bass fishing industry to the US economy records $50 to $70 Billion and the number continues to grow. Statistics show that the audience base of this sport is increasing and that more and more people are getting interested in it compared to tennis and golf.

Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! www.best-fishing-tips.com