FISHING

CHETCO RIVER: The river has dropped into prime fishing condition. Anglers can expect excellent steelhead fishing from now on. Keep an eye on the weather and flows. It won't take much rain to blow the river out again.

COOS RIVER BASIN: High levels slowed steelhead angling recently but fishing should be good as rivers drop back into shape. Fish are being caught in both forks of the Millicoma and the South Coos. The West Fork Millicoma has good public access on the Elliot State Forest where many steelhead are caught. The Nesika Park area on the East Fork also has good public access. Access to the South Fork above Dellwood requires a permit from Weyerhaeuser Co., available at Airport Heights and TNT Markets. It is no longer issuing these permits at Dellwood office. The stretch of river above Dellwood has good bank access and an acclimation site near mile five where many fish are caught.

COOS COUNTY LAKES: Trout stocking is over for the year and will resume in the spring. Nice holdover trout are still available. Warmwater fish can still be caught but require a slow presentation with the low water temperatures.

COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Steelhead are being caught in the Coquille system. Large rain events may slow fishing for a few days but fish are available. Laverne Park has produced a number of fish, and the other forks also should have fish in them. The South Fork and North Fork Coquille provide good opportunities for anglers to catch steelhead. Laverne Park on the North Fork provides good bank access for anglers. The Middle Fork Coquille does not have a hatchery program but is a nice place for anglers looking to avoid crowded conditions.

PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: Bottom fishing has been good when ocean conditions permit. Some surfperch are being caught. Good spots for surfperch are around Horsfall Beach and Bullards Beach.

TENMILE BASIN: Steelhead are in Tenmile Creek, and angling should be improving now. Spinreel Park is a popular spot for anglers, who fish within the park or walk downstream. Steelhead angling in Eel Creek opens Jan. 1, 2007.

ROGUE RIVER, LOWER: The Rogue River was still fairly dirty this week, but flows are dropping fast. Anglers have been picking up winter steelhead fairly regularly. The best bet continues to be plunking a spin and glow off one of the Rogue's many gravel bars.

SOUTH COAST BEACHES: No recent reports on perch fishing.

SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: Garrison Lake is at 16 feet, but will be dropping as the lake outlet is scheduled to be reopened this week. Bank anglers should target areas around the state park. Boat anglers should target the south end of the lake as well.

SOUTH COAST STREAMS: Elk and Sixes rivers fall Chinook fishing is winding down. Both rivers are in excellent shape. Anglers can expect a mixed catch of winter steelhead and fall Chinook. Fishing conditions change daily, and anglers are reminded to keep an eye on the forecast and give the Elk River Hatchery a call for the latest water conditions.

UMPQUA ESTUARY: Sturgeon fishing is slow as clear water continues. Crabbing has been excellent.

UMPQUA RIVER, SOUTH: Winter steelhead fishing opened Dec. 1. Wild steelhead must be released unharmed in the South Umpqua River. Fishing will improve as river levels drop. Drift boat and bank fishing should be good for wild fish. There should be some hatchery steelhead beginning to stage near Stanton Park as they get ready to move into Canyon Creek. Only hatchery clipped steelhead may be retained.

CRABBING: Crabbing in Coos Bay is good now. Winter crabbing can be excellent when the weather and water conditions cooperate. Freshwater from large rainstorms can temporarily push crabs out into the ocean until the heavy runoff subsides. The Coos Bay shoreline along the inside of the North Spit from Empire to Charleston is a good area for crabbing. Public crabbing docks can be found in Winchester Bay, Bandon, Charleston and Empire.

SHELLFISH: The entire Oregon coast is now open for razor clams, bay clams and mussels. Always check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's shellfish line at 1-800-448-2474 for updates. For more information about razor clams and current status or particular areas, see the ODFW razor clam Web site at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP.shellfish/razorclams.”

HUNTING

Coos County

ELK: Bull seasons are concluded now in Coos County. There are several antlerless seasons yet to come. Waves of periodic storms moving through Coos County have kept elk on the move. Hunters are reporting good success in locating elk. If the present trend on frequent storms continues, elk hunting should remain good. Elk numbers are good in most places due to several years of adequate calf production.

DEER: No open seasons.

BEAR: Bear season is open through Dec. 31. Bears are becoming somewhat inactive. Hunters may find success in using predator calls or looking for natural attractions for bears like mushrooms.

COUGAR: Season continues after Jan. 1, 2007. Look for areas frequented by deer and elk to hunt cougars. Roadless areas on public or private land with limited access are good choices. Remember to ask first before hunting private lands. Private landowners can be a valuable source of information when it comes to recent cougar sightings in the area.

WATERFOWL: Cool, windy and rainy conditions have improved hunting conditions in Coos County. If winter storms continue to track through the Pacific Northwest, more birds will be expected to move in to the area. Recent wet weather is causing inland valleys to fill with water so most birds will be found in those areas. However, bays will continue to produce hunting opportunity.

Curry County

DEER: Deer season have ended this year, hunter success appears to fair this season. Deer are now finding shelter from the storms of winter and finding ways to conserve energy.

ELK: Most elk hunts in the Southwest Region have ended for the year except for a few damage related hunts on private lands.

BEAR AND COUGAR: Bear hunting continues to be good. Season closes Dec. 31. Open hillsides during early mornings and late afternoon in and around our plentiful wild berry crops will be where hunters find success. Hunters are reminded to turn in bear teeth to ODFW offices. Predator calls have been successful for both cougars and bears. Cougar season continues after Jan. 1, 2007.

Douglas County

DEER: Black-tailed deer hunters can expect an average hunt year in our area. All general seasons have passed, and only controlled hunts remain for the rest of the hunt year. Hunters are being asked to drop off their deer heads at the local ODFW office within 48 hours of harvest for CWD testing.

ELK: Elk hunters in Douglas County can expect a better than average year. All general seasons have passed, and only controlled hunts remain for the rest of the hunt year. Hunters are being asked to drop off their elk heads at the local ODFW office within 48 hours of harvest for CWD testing.

COUGAR: Hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant throughout with indicators pointing to stable or increasing numbers. Cougar hunting continues after Jan. 1, 2007.

BEAR: Hunters can expect an average year. Bear hunting closes Dec. 31. Successful bear hunters are reminded to turn in a bear tooth for the ongoing bear population study.

WATERFOWL: Duck and goose hunters can expect an average to above-average year. Hunting for resident geese and ducks in Douglas County will continue to be good until the end of the season Jan. 28, 2007. Nearly all waterfowl hunting in the Umpqua Valley is on private property and hunters are asked to obtain landowner permission before hunting.

COOS COUNTY VIEWING

Bird watching opportunities in and around the Coos Bay area continue to be good. Viewing on the bay is best at high slack or low tides.