Fall in Love with Oregon’s Outdoors

Valentine’s Day marks the middle of a lovely month for anglers and wildlife viewers.  Anglers have a long list of options. Trout stocking is getting into full swing, steelhead are surging into coastal streams after every rain and walleye are hungry as spawning approaches. For viewers, critters are easier to see without all the leaves and winter birding is in full effect. You gotta love it! Make the most of it by getting your license today.

Trout Stocking Ramps Up

Our fish liberation trucks are busy stocking lakes with legals and even some trophy size trout in Western Oregon. With the mild weather, it’s a perfect time to get out fishing. See our Trout Stocking Schedule to find out where we are stocking. 

Kokanee Bring Salmon Fishing to Lakes

Oregon is home to several strong populations of kokanee, a landlocked sockeye salmon favoring cold lakes and reservoirs. Their meat is a lot like their larger cousins that go to sea, only smaller and some say better. In this article, an avid kokanee angler gives tips on electronic tools to improve your success rate.

See You at the Sportshows!

Come visit us at the Pacific Northwest and Central Oregon Sportsmen's Shows, Feb. 11-15 in Portland and March 5-8 in Redmond. ODFW in partnership with the Sportsmen's Shows will offer free entry for Pioneer license holders; show your 2026 Pioneer license/photo ID at the door. Join ODFW's Passport activity, come listen to one of our seminars, or get help planning your hunt and refining your optics technique. Read on for more information. See you there!

Magnet Fishing at Show Entrance

A great activity for kids (and adults!) Take part in our magnet fishing activity at the show entrance during the first 4 hours of the show each day. Everyone who participates wins prizes from our partners and earns entry into a grand prize raffle.

Hunter Ed Field Days at Central Oregon Show

We’re excited to offer several hunter ed field days at the Central Oregon Sportsmen's Show in Redmond, for kids who have completed the online course and registered in advance. Field days at the show in Portland are full. Also on tap this month: Steelhead 101 classes in Troutdale and Hillsboro and Intro to Hunting classes in Tualatin. Coming in March: a new rifle skills series, plus bowhunter and youth spring turkey classes.

Get Help with Mule Deer, Other Hunts

Visit our booth to learn about the new Eastern Oregon deer hunt structure, get tips for planning your hunts, and explore tools to make smart choices. Try a fun optics challenge to sharpen your skills—plus win prizes from ODFW and partners for participating in booth activities!

Listen in at Show Seminars, Podcast

ODFW will host several seminars to share tips to maximize your hunting and fishing experiences and discuss key fish and wildlife issues. Topics include new mule deer hunt areas, hatcheries, Pacific halibut, high lakes fishing, black-tailed deer strategies, Portland-area walleye fishing and CWD. Or listen in as ODFW’s Brian Wolfer joins Randy Newberg’s Hunt Talk Radio podcast to talk about hunting in Oregon.

Winter Birding Event Feb. 21, Sauvie Island

ODFW, Bird Alliance of Oregon and Topaz Farms are excited to host the annual “Hawks and Hot Chocolate” winter birding event. The main goal of the Sauvie Island event on Feb. 21 is to see the Fantastic Four of raptors: Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, and Bald Eagle. Naturalists with spotting scopes will be stationed and ready to help. Other attractions include farm-fresh beef and baked goods for purchase. Don’t forget your parking permit--the annual permit gets you entry to all of ODFW’s wildlife areas.

Catch of the Month Photo Showcase 

Albertus with a beautiful hatchery steelhead caught on the Wilson River, his first ever steelhead! Way to go!

Want a chance to showcase your awesome catch to other anglers? Excited about your latest fishing trip? Snap a great photo while wildlife viewing? Proud picture of your recent harvest? Share your best photos and videos with us. Chosen photographs and videos will be displayed in the Catch of the Month spotlight in an upcoming issue of the ODFW Monthly Messenger, ODFW Photo Gallery and may be used in promotional materials.

If you know of or suspect crimes against fish, wildlife, or habitat, please contact OSP Dispatch at: 800-442-0776 for the Northern Command Center or 800-442-2068 for the Southern Command Center; or call *OSP (*677) from a mobile device. Or email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov.

ODFW Messenger: Monthly Edition | February 2026

The ODFW Messenger is a monthly email which highlights some of the best seasonal opportunity available, and we’ll cover content for fishing, hunting, clamming, crabbing, wildlife viewing, and everything in between. Consider the Messenger your short list for the best adventures in the current season. Lastly, we want to thank you for your continued readership and hope you’ll share it with your friends.