General Information The Beaver State, with a total of 97,073 square miles, is composed of high, arid desert, towering mountain ranges, lush forestland, and the Pacific coastline. The Cascade Mountains to the west control the amount of precipitation that reaches the majority of Oregon, keeping the eastern portion of the state dry for the most part. Mt. Hood in the Cascades is the highest point at 11,235 feet, and high mountain lakes, rivers and streams abound as cool runoff filters down from the mountains. Oregon is a naturally beautiful setting for most all outdoor recreational activities. Capital City: Salem Largest City: Portland National Parks and Forests: Crater Lake National Park Deschutes National Forest Fremont National Forest Ochoco National Forest Rogue River National Forest Siuslaw National Forest Umatilla National Forest Umpqua National Forest Walloma-Whitman National Forest Willamette National Forest Sport fishing Oregon is famous for salmonid fishing. It has more than 15,000 miles of streams, even more miles of rivers, hundreds of clear, cold, mountain lakes, and the Pacific coastline to suit the angler's fancy. Pacific salmon are caught during migrations in the spring and fall, and steelhead fishing is productive throughout the year in many of Oregon's famed rivers such as the Columbia, Rogue, and Umpqua Rivers. Cutthroat trout, golden trout, eastern brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, and kokanee salmon thrive in watersheds throughout the state. Oregon fishing remains best for salmonid, though some warmwater species exist in the state. Crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, walleye and bluegill are found in a limited number of reservoirs and lakes within the state. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality website.