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Tuesday, May 10, 2005 www.dfw.state.or.us
Columbia River will not open to shad or steelhead angling
Decision protects spring chinook stocks
Oregon and Washington fishery managers decided Tuesday to postpone the upcoming shad and steelhead angling seasons in the Columbia River in an effort to reduce risks to spring chinook listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Officials emphasized, however, that abundant fishing opportunities remain for sturgeon in the Columbia and for spring chinook, steelhead and shad in Columbia River tributaries. The Columbia River Compact will meet again next Tuesday and could reopen the shad fishery then.
The shad fishery in the mainstem Columbia River was slated to re-open May 16, from the mouth at Buoy 10 upstream to Bonneville Dam. The steelhead fishery between the Rocky Point-Tongue Point line and the Interstate 5 Bridge also was slated to open Monday.
The mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 to McNary Dam remains closed to the harvest of spring chinook.
During a Columbia River Compact teleconference Tuesday morning, Oregon and Washington fish biologists predicted the number of spring chinook entering the Columbia River destined for locations above Bonneville Dam to be 78,800. The pre-season forecast was for 254,100 spring chinook to enter the Columbia.
Fish managers set the Columbia River spring chinook fishery based on the number of fish expected to return from the ocean and the allowable impact to wild salmon and steelhead stocks listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. "Impacts" are the unintended mortalities associated with handling and releasing wild fish. The allowed non-Indian impacts for ESA-listed Snake River spring/summer chinook and Upper Columbia River spring chinook are 2 percent for funs greater than 82,000, but drops to 1.5 percent for runs less than 82,000. While the potential to harm a listed spring chinook is small during the shad and steelhead seasons, fish managers did not want to take any chances.
The following fisheries provide other angling opportunities:
Columbia River and lower Willamette River sturgeon: The area between the Buoy 10 and Wauna Powerlines reopens May 14 for the retention of sturgeon seven days a week. Between Wauna Powerlines and Beacon Rock, including the lower Willamette River, anglers may retain sturgeon Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Catch-and-release sturgeon angling is allowed Sunday - Wednesday.
Columbia River select area and tributary spring chinook: Tributaries to the Columbia River including Big Creek, Youngs River and Sandy River remain open for spring chinook angling under permanent regulations listed in the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. In addition, Youngs Bay and Blind/Knappa Slough also remain open.
Willamette River salmon, steelhead and shad: Open for adipose fin-clipped chinook and adipose fin-clipped steelhead all year with a two salmon or steelhead daily catch limit under permanent regulations. Shad fishing also is open all year with no daily catch limits.
In other action, the Columbia River Compact members decided to approve three commercial fishing periods for spring chinook in the select areas of Blind/Knappa Slough, Deep River and Youngs Bay beginning tonight at 7 p.m. The remaining two fishing periods will go forward if no upriver spring chinook are landed tonight.
Additional information current regulations on open fisheries can be found in the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations and the ODFW Web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/Regulations/2005_reg_changes.htm. Additional information about the Columbia River spring chinook season is found on ODFW's Web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OSCRP/CRM/action_notes.html .
The Oregon Department of Agriculture announced May 6 it is extending the current coast-wide razor clam closure to include mussels and non-razor clams on the north and central beaches, spits, and jetties. The closure boundaries for these additional species are from the Columbia River at Astoria to the south jetty of the Umpqua River at Reedsport. Commercial and recreational harvesting of razor clams remains closed on the entire coast at all harvest areas. Domoic acid levels continue to rise in mussels and razor clams samples collected from Reedsport to Astoria.
NORTHWEST ZONE
FISHING
Because of unseasonably low lake and river levels quality stocking conditions are becoming less optimal at an increasing rate. District staff are re-scheduling most stockings in August and September to be stocked by the end of May.
Warm water Game fish: Anglers can anticipate good fishing for warm water game fish from spring through fall in area lakes. In the Florence Area, both Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes can offer anglers very good fishing for large mouth bass, perch, bluegill, crappie and brown bullhead. In addition, Mercer, Sutton and Woahink Lakes can offer anglers fair fishing for similar warm water species. In the Lincoln City area, Devils Lake can offer fair fishing for a variety of warm water species.
CARTER LAKE: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
CLEAWOX LAKE: stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
CULLABY LAKE: Was stocked recently with legal-sized trout week.
ECKMAN LAKE: Will be stocked this week with legal-sized trout.
LOST LAKE: Was recently stocked with legal-sized trout week.
MUNSEL LAKE: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
SUNSET LAKE: Stocked recently with legal-sized trout week.
SUTTON LAKE: Was stocked last week with legal-sized trout.
VIEWING
Bald eagles are nesting on the north coast. Birds can often be seen hanging around established nest sites usually situated along major rivers, like the Columbia, and coastal estuaries.
The peregrine falcons that nest by Cape Meares State Park and Lighthouse have been seen in the traditional area where they usually nest (a ledge on a steep cliff face). It is a rare opportunity to see peregrines nesting in a natural setting from a relatively short distance. Bring your binoculars for the best view.
Common murres and tufted puffins are staging around nearshore coastal rocks such as Three Arch Rocks near Oceanside. Some birds are already sitting on the rocks indicating that nesting is starting soon. At Cape Meares State Park, there are a number of excellent informational panels that describe the history and biology of this colonial nesting phenomenon. Each year over 200,000 murres and several thousand tufted puffins nest just at Three Arch Rocks.
Songbirds can now be heard in abundance as one walks through the forests on the north coast. These include warblers that tend to nest higher in tree canopies, and others that nest in bushes. Many birds that you hear calling are declaring nesting territories.
HUNTING
SPRING BEAR: WILSON-TRASK SPRING BEAR spend much of the spring eating grass and other vegetation, but will take animal matter if the opportunity arises. Hunters should scout for areas with plentiful sign and work a predator call.
SOUTHWEST ZONE
FISHING
Effective Jan. 1, rainbow trout over 16 inches are considered steelhead when caught in streams and must be entered on a tag if harvested.
AGATE LAKE: Good-sized largemouth bass are moving into the shallows at Agate Lake at this time. Panfish also are available.
ALL SPORTS POND: The pond is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing should be good.
APPLEGATE RESERVOIR: Applegate Reservoir is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout, and land-locked juvenile spring chinook salmon are available, along with bass and panfish. Fishing should pick up. Due to heavy late spring rains, the reservoir is expected to fill soon. The Copper and Hart-tish boat ramps are usable at this time.
APPLEGATE RIVER: Anglers are reminded that the Applegate River is closed to steelhead fishing as of March 31.
BURMA POND: Burma Pond is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout.
COOPER CREEK RESERVOIR, HEMLOCK, BEN IRVING RESERVOIR, GALESVILLE RESERVOIR, LOON LAKE, and PLAT I RESERVOIR: Cooper Creek, Ben Irving, Galesville, Loon, and Plat I reservoirs are all stocked with catchable trout. Fishing for trout will remain good throughout the spring with our continued stocking schedule. Warmwater fishing is improving now that water temperatures are increasing.
COOS COUNTY DUNE LAKES: Angling for warmwater species such as bluegill, crappie, brown bullhead, and yellow perch should be good in these lakes at this time. These fish are congregating in shallower water for spawning, making them easier to catch. They can be taken with bait (such as worms) and small lures (such as jigs), and provide a great beginner fishery, especially for kids. Now is a good time to fish for warmwater species, before weed growth gets thick in lakes and ponds.
COOS COUNTY LAKES: TENMILE LAKES, BRADLEY LAKE, EMPIRE LAKES, JOHNSON MILL POND, EEL LAKE, BLUEBILL LAKE, AND POWERS POND have been stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Lucky anglers can land a trophy trout up to five pounds. Trout are available for beginning youth anglers at the Millicoma Interpretive Center pond, near Allegany.
COOS RIVER BASIN: Shad should begin showing up as water temperatures warm. Shad fishing is usually best on sunny afternoons in the lower tidewater areas of the South Coos and Millicoma rivers. Trout angling in streams will open May 28.
Sturgeon can be caught at this time of year near the McCullough Bridge (Hwy. 101) or upriver near the South Coos/Millicoma confluence. Several surfperch species are in the Bay, and can be caught with shrimp and other baits around pilings and rock structures. Perch are often caught around the McCullough Bridge and structures near Empire boat ramp. Striped bass will be in tidewater of the Coos Basin at this time, although striper populations in the Coos have been low in recent years.
COQUILLE RIVER BASIN: Shad will start to show up in the Coquille as water temperatures rise. Trout angling in streams will open May 28.
Striped bass are in the lower COQUILLE RIVER, up to Arago. Other areas where they are commonly caught included Riverton, Randolph Island, 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.
DIAMOND LAKE: Fishing at Diamond Lake has been good in the southwest end of the lake where Silent Creek enters. It also has been good on the east side of the lake due to recent fish stocking. Anglers have been successful still-fishing Powerbait or trolling needlefish, rapalas, warblers, or flies. Another 10-pound Williamson Rainbow was caught last week and reports of other large Williamson rainbows over 5 pounds have been recorded since opening weekend.
DUTCH HERMAN POND: Dutch Herman Pond is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout.
EMIGRANT RESERVOIR: Emigrant Reservoir is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout, and bass and panfish also are available. Crappie less than 8-inches must be released unharmed. Emigrant is 95 percent full as of early May.
EXPO POND: The pond at the Jackson County Fairgrounds complex is stocked with rainbow trout. Bass and panfish also are available.
FISH LAKE: The lake is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout, and some anglers are catching larger holdover trout. Fishing should be good.
HOWARD PRAIRE RESERVOIR: Fishing should be fair to good for rainbow trout. The trout are in excellent condition, averaging 12 to 14 inches and running up to 20 inches. The reservoir is 60 percent full as of early May.
HYATT LAKE: Trout fishing should pick up at Hyatt Lake on large trout, primarily in the 14 to 16-inch size range. The reservoir is 97 percent full as of early May.
LAKE SELMAC: The lake is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout, and fishing for largemouth bass should be improving with warmer water temperatures.
LOST CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is full, thanks to heavy spring rainfall. Lost Creek is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout and land-locked juvenile spring chinook salmon also are available, along with bass and panfish.
MEDCO POND: Medco Pond is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Bass and panfish also are available.
PACIFIC OCEAN AND BEACHES: Boaters are cautioned to beware of hazardous ocean and bar conditions that may change rapidly. For the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, the Chinook General Season (all salmon except coho) is open from March 15 to Oct. 31 with a bag limit of two salmon per day. Retention of coho is prohibited until the Selective Coho Fishery opens June 18. The Selective Coho season will run through July 31, or until a quota of 40,000 adipose fin-clipped coho are harvested. Minimum lengths for chinook and steelhead are 20 inches. No more than two hooks may be used, and they must be single-point, single-shank, and barbless.
For the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, the "Inside 40-Fathom Line" halibut season runs May 1 through Oct. 31, or until a quota of 20,101 pounds are harvested. The "All-Depth" halibut season will occur on May 12-14, May 19-21, June 2-4, and June 9-11. Later opening dates may occur if quota poundage remains after the listed openings. The area at Stonewall Banks, off Newport, is closed to Pacific halibut fishing.
Redtail surfperch are available off local beaches, especially the steeper beaches at Horsfall, Bullards, and Whisky Run. Fish two dropper lines, baited with sand worms or shrimp, above a three to six-ounce weight. Surf anglers are reminded to beware of surf conditions that can be dangerous.
ROGUE RIVER ABOVE LOST CREEK DAM: The mainstem and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir opened April 23. The limit is five trout per day, 8-inch minimum length, and no limit on the size or number of brook trout taken. The use of bait is allowed. Stocking with rainbow trout will begin just prior to Memorial Day weekend.
ROGUE RIVER LOWER: Spring chinook fishing has been spotty all season. The best fishing typically has occurred after freshets. Rain on May 8-9 raised the river significantly, and spring chinook fishing should be good later in the week as the river flow drops. Access is excellent for both bank and boat anglers. There are improved boat ramps at the Port of Gold Beach, Lobster Creek USFS Campground, and Quosatana USFS Campground. Bank anglers can access most of the gravel bars downstream of Lobster Creek USFS Campground. Anglers generally use anchovies, spinners, or spin-glows.
ROGUE RIVER, MIDDLE: Surprisingly heavy rainfall pushed the river out of shape for fishing in recent days. The river flow measured at Grants Pass is 11,800 cubic feet per second on Monday morning. The Rogue is open to angling for adipose fin-clipped steelhead the entire year, but is now closed to the retention of non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead. Spring chinook salmon are migrating through the area.
ROGUE RIVER, UPPER: Lost Creek Reservoir is full as of this week, and outflows have increased quickly in response to recent heavy rainfall. Outflows at Lost Creek are averaging 2,500 cubic feet per second, while the flow at the Raygold gauge near Central Point is 8,140 cfs on Monday morning. A total of 11,857 winter steelhead and 2,201 spring chinook salmon have passed Gold Ray dam as of May 8. The Rogue is open to angling for adipose fin-clipped steelhead the entire year, but is now closed to the retention of non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
SOUTH COAST LAKES AND PONDS: Legal rainbow trout were stocked in Libby Pond and Garrison Lake on May 2. Floras Lake was stocked on May 9. Libby Pond is located on the North Bank of the Rogue River about 8 miles up the Rogue River. Bank access is good. Garrison Lake, located in Port Orford, has three boat ramps, however, bank access is limited. South of Langlois, Floras Lake has one boat ramp and limited bank access. In addition to rainbow trout, anglers can find cutthroat in good numbers in Floras Lake.
SOUTH COAST STREAMS: The opener for trout fishing in south coast streams is May 28.
SPAULDING POND: Spaulding Pond is stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Road access to Spaulding Pond can be blocked by snow early in the year. Updated road information is available by calling the Siskiyou National Forest at 541-471-6500.
TENMILE LAKES BASIN: Under new regulations for 2005, rainbow over 20 inches in TENMILE LAKES are considered "trout" from May 1 to October 31, and the bag limit is one per day over 20 inches.
Tournament catch rates for bass have been good this spring in TENMILE LAKES. Anglers are reminded that largemouth bass 15 inches and larger must be released. Bluegill, crappie, brown bullhead, and yellow perch are congregating in shallower water for spawning, making them easier to catch. Now is a good time to fish for warmwater species, before weed growth gets thick in lakes and ponds.
UMPQUA RIVER, MAINSTEM: The mainstem Umpqua River is high and muddy from weekend rains and is not expected to start dropping for a couple of days. Anglers are now catching spring chinook from Scottsburg to River Forks. The best fishing is occurring from boats anchored, fishing anchovies, spinners, or Kwikfish wrapped with sardines. Smallmouth Bass and Shad fishing was picking up until the weekend when river levels rose. Expect good fishing for all species when the river level drops.
UMPQUA RIVER, NORTH: The North Umpqua River is high and muddy from weekend rains. Spring chinook are now passing though the ladder at Winchester Dam and anglers are experiencing good fishing for spring chinook at the Narrows and Rock Creek. This area has excellent bank access and is located near Idleyld Park. As of April 22, 164 Spring Chinook and 7,426 winter steelhead have been counted at Winchester Dam.
WILLOW LAKE: The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Largemouth bass and panfish also are available.
WHETSTONE POND (DENMAN WILDLIFE AREA): The pond has been stocked with rainbow trout, and bass, bullheads and panfish are available.
SHELLFISH: Check for health advisories by calling the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Shellfish line at 800-448-2474 for updates.
Crabbing is fair in the estuaries at Charleston and Bandon, but crabs will become increasingly soft and have low meat content as they molt. Boaters can access crabbing grounds along the inside of North Spit from the BLM Boat Ramp south to the jetties. Crabs can also be taken with crab rings off the public docks in Charleston and Bandon. Bait your rings with turkey or chicken parts to deter seals and sea lions from stealing your bait.
A recreational shellfish license is required for everyone 14 years and older when harvesting marine abalone, clams, crabs, crayfish, mussels, piddocks, scallops, shrimp and sand shrimp and other marine invertebrates.
HUNTING
Douglas County
COUGAR hunters can expect an average year. Cougars are abundant throughout the area, with indicators pointing to stable numbers and distribution. A popular method of hunting cougars is with the use of predator calls imitating a wounded rabbit.
DEER: The first fawns of the spring are being seen, and it is very important to LEAVE FAWNS ALONE. This is the time of year that well-meaning people pick up fawns, thinking they have been orphaned, and bring them in to ODFW offices. However, usually mom is nearby feeding or hiding herself. LEAVE THE FAWN and DON'T DISTURB IT. The best chance for a fawn to survive is with its own mother.
SPRING BEAR: The Southwest region has an abundance of black bears and hunting for them should be good. The 722A SW Oregon hunt is underway and hunters are reminded to collect the two premolar teeth when harvesting bears. Be sure to collect the entire tooth as the root is critical in estimating bear populations in the SW Region. Hunters have been finding bear sign on forest roads adjacent to dense brush and clearcuts.
TURKEY: Only a few more weeks left in the spring turkey season. Recent rains will put a damper on hunting. However, once rains subside, hunting should pick up with more hens nesting and gobblers more available to hunters. Most turkey hunting in Douglas County takes place on oak woodland and pasture areas and that usually means lower elevation private lands. Be sure to secure permission from the landowner prior to pursuing those turkeys.
WILDLIFE VIEWING: International Migratory Bird Day is being celebrated this Saturday, May 14, from 10am to 3pm at the Umpqua Arts Center in Roseburg. There will be an art show, live birds, games, prizes, and interactive activities for all ages.
WILLAMETTE ZONE
FISHING
ALTON BAKER CANAL: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
BENSON LAKE: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
BETHANY POND: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
BIG CLIFF RESERVOIR: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
BLUE LAKE: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
CANBY POND: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
CARMEN RESERVOIR: Stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
CLACKAMAS RIVER: The Clackamas River angling conditions are good, although it has risen slightly after the weekend rains. Flows on Monday were running at 2,521 cfs (12.40'). Water temperatures are holding in the upper 40s. There are a few steelhead in the river, both summers and winters, but catch rates should be considered slow to fair. There continue to be spotty reports of spring chinook caught as far up as Feldheimer's, but not in good numbers yet. It's only early May, so look for chinook angling to improve as the fish spread throughout the system.
Bank anglers can access the river in the Gladstone/Cross Park area, at Carver near the mouth of Clear Creek, at Barton Park, at McIver Park near Dog Creek, and around River Mill Dam. Boat anglers can find access to the river from boat ramps located at McIver Park, Feldheimers, Barton, Carver, Riverside, or Clackamette. Keep in mind that the lower McIver boat ramp has been improved and provides a great launch site for drift boats.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has cleared debris from a rock slide on Highway 224 at milepost 36.5, but travel remains slow. Travelers should check the ODOT Web site for the latest information.
CLEAR LAKE: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
COMMONWEALTH LAKE: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
DETROIT, FOSTER AND GREEN PETER RESERVOIRS: Foster Reservoir is being kept at low pool to aid juvenile steelhead outmigration and is scheduled to stay that way until mid-May. The reservoir will be stocked this week and anglers are reminded that only fin-clipped trout may be kept. Kokanee fishing in Green Peter has been good, with fish averaging 11-12 inches. Trolling at 20-30 feet with flashers, spinner, and corn has been most productive. Green Peter will be stocked with trout again and should be good for bank anglers. Detroit Reservoir also is scheduled to be stocked with trout again this week in preparation for the annual community fishing derby. In addition to the rainbow, anglers who fish a little deeper may pick up some kokanee and chinook.
DORMAN POND: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
E.E. WILSON POND: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
EUGENE-AREA FISHING INFORMATION:
Angling Guide: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/springfield/anglingguide.html
Fishing Resources: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/springfield/fish_links.html
FALL CREEK: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
FREEWAY LAKES (south of Albany): Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
HAGG LAKE: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
HARTMAN POND: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
HILLS CREEK: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
HUDDLESTON POND: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
JUNCTION CITY POND: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
LEABURG LAKE: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
MCKENZIE RIVER: The McKenzie River, from Blue River downstream to Leaburg Dam, is a unique section of water. It is the most heavily stocked section of stream in the state and a fish planting raft is used to stock it with trout. The craft allows an even distribution of fish throughout the entire stream reach. Stocking begins with the opening weekend of fishing season and occurs every other week through the end of August. Best bets for fish are at boat ramps and turn-outs along the highway on both sides of the river. If you own a drift boat any section you choose to drift should provide good fishing.
MT. HOOD POND: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
ROARING RIVER PARK POND (near Roaring River Hatchery): Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
ROSLYN LAKE: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
SALT CREEK: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
SANDY RIVER: Sandy River water conditions remained steady this past week, with flows at 1,869 cfs (9.50') and the temperature in the upper 40s. The river is beginning to develop a little color after the weekend rains but is very fishable. Angling effort has been moderate but steady, with both boat and bank anglers out on the river. Some summer steelhead are available throughout the river, but few winters remain. Spring chinook angling has been fair, with fish spread throughout the system. The Sandy River Hatchery at Cedar Creek has had both spring chinook and summer steelhead swim into the hatchery holding pond.
Anglers can access the river from many parks, including Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge. When fishing the Oxbow Park area, remember that there is no angling from a floating device upstream from a point that is 200 feet below the Oxbow Park boat ramp.
Collection/recycling receptacles for discarded or lost fishing gear can now be found along the Sandy River. Look for them near boat ramps at Lewis and Clark, Dabney, Oxbow, and Dodge parks. Any tangled fishing line or old gear can be collected and disposed of in these canisters as an effort to maintain a healthy, clean Sandy River. Please use nearby garbage cans for any other types of trash. Watch for additional sites to be added soon.
SANTIAM, NORTH AND SOUTH FORKS: Numbers of fish passing the dams at Stayton and entering the trap at Foster last week are increasing a little, and more of the new fish coming in are summers. Chinook counts are still low, but passage has picked up substantially at Willamette Falls so that there are good numbers in the main river above the falls. Chinook numbers in the lower Santiam rivers should be increasing this week. Stream levels have also been raised some to maintain good flow and cooler temperatures in the mainstem Willamette for juvenile steelhead on their way to the ocean.
South Santiam Hatchery reports summer steelhead returns picked up somewhat last week. Hatchery staff recycled 182 fish on May 5, the biggest day of the season. However, to date, only 446 summer steelhead have been collected. This compares to 1,114 by this date last year. The winter steelhead run to date is 535, compared to 946 by this date last year. Eleven spring chinook have been collected so far compared to 135 fish last year. In short, fish runs are down this year across the board. On top of the lower numbers of steelhead, high flows are occurring that could damper fishing in most areas of the river. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has increased the South Santiam flow to 4,000 cfs to augment Willamette River flows.
SAUVIE ISLAND: The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is now open. Haldeman Pond has been stocked with trout a total of three times since the Wildlife area opened last month. The upper Willow Bar gate remains open for Sturgeon fishing. The Gilbert River Boat Ramp and Disabled Person Fishing dock are open. The Wildlife Area is experiencing a high level of litter in the area of Big Eddy. If it continues the gate which allows vehicle access will be locked. A parking permit is required for the Wildlife Area.
SILVER CREEK RESERVOIR: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
TIMBER LINN LAKE (Albany): Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
WALTER WIRTH LAKE and WALLING POND in Salem will be stocked with trout this week.
WAVERLY LAKE: Was stocked with legal-sized trout last week.
WEST SALISH POND: Will be stocked with legal-sized trout this week.
WILLAMETTE RIVER: The Willamette River continues to be in good angling shape with flows at 16,400 cfs, a temperature of 55° F, and visibility of 5.1 feet. The catch for the past week was slow and the effort was down somewhat, but passage numbers have remained fairly steady. Spring chinook survey data from the weekend showed a catch of 8 fish/64 boats in the Multnomah Channel/Lower Harbor area, 1 fish/22 boats near Milwaukie/Sellwood, and 15 fish/69 boats near Oregon City. The average catch was one kept chinook for every 8 boats last week, which compares to one chinook kept for every 4-5 boats the previous three week. Bank angling in the Oregon City/Gladstone area was fair over the weekend. Fish counts at Willamette Falls are 5,791 winter steelhead, 2,162 summer steelhead, and 15,620 spring chinook through May 4.
Sturgeon catch was fair last week, with legal-sized sturgeon taken in the St. Johns/Lower Harbor area and near Milwaukie. Catch has been slow for bank anglers near Oregon City. The Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls is open to sturgeon retention Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of each week through July 31 and again Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Please note that anglers are limited to the use of only one single-point barbless hook while angling for sturgeon.
The month of May brings with it the beginning of the Willamette River shad fishery and last weekend there were some shad reported in the survey sampling data. A few shad were checked in all sections of the river from Multnomah Channel up to Oregon City. Expect this fishery to get increasingly better as the weeks progress.
WILLAMETTE VALLEY PONDS: Valley ponds have been stocked regularly this spring and are still producing good catches of rainbow trout. Freeway Lakes and Roaring River Park Pond in the Albany area, and Walter Wirth Lake and Walling Pond in Salem are all scheduled to be stocked with rainbow trout again this week. All of these ponds also support populations of bass and sunfish. Successful angling for these fish always picks up this time of year when the water starts to warm. Try worms, small spinners, or jigs.
Fish counts for the Willamette and Siuslaw basins can be found here:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/springfield/fish_home.html.
VIEWING
The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is now open. The spring migration is in full swing with a variety of Warblers, Vireos and Flycatchers a common sight. The Bald Eagle nests are reported to be active. Waterfowl broods are now a common sight and, although it is real early a few Quail chicks were spotted over the weekend. The best opportunity to view these species is from Coon Point, the Eastside Viewing Platform and the end of Rentenaar Road. A parking permit is required at all three places.
SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY: Harbor seals spend equal amounts of time on land and in the sea. The "haul-out" areas on land are the hub of their daily activities and annual cycles. Here they rest, breed, give birth, nurse their young, and molt. Often pups are left on-shore at these areas for long periods while the females return to sea to feed. Harbor seals can be viewed year-round at most river mouths and associated estuaries, and on offshore rocks and reefs. In May and June pups are present at many sites. In Lane County, Strawberry Hill State Park, about 2 miles south of Yachats, generally has from 25-100 harbor seals that are easily viewed. Viewing is best at the lower daily tides.
Vaux's swifts do an amazing thing this time of year. They gather in large roosting concentrations as they migrate though this area. One such concentration can be seen at the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. Many thousand swifts gather in the late evening to roost in the chimney of Agate Hall, just east of the 18th and Agate Street intersection. They fly in a circular pattern like a black tornado above the chimney, then just before it gets dark, they descend into the chimney. Best viewing is from a parking lot on the north side of Agate Hall. Concentrations of swifts also roost in other industrial-size chimneys in the Valley and even in some residential chimneys. Other smaller roosting concentrations may be seen at the Village Green Resort Hotel just East of I-5 in Cottage Grove, Laurel Elementary School at 1401 Laurel St in Junction City, First Presbyterian Church at 114 SW 8th St in Corvallis, Capital Plaza Apartments at 1165 Chemeketa in Salem, the Palace theater in Silverton and Mt Angel High School in Mt Angel.
CENTRAL ZONE
FISHING
ALLEN CREEK RESERVOIR - The gate enabling vehicle access to the reservoir should be opened May 15. Contact BLM at 416-6700 for confirmation. Anglers are reminded that most of the shoreline is private property. Angling opportunities for 10-15 inch naturally produced rainbow trout are good.
ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR - Mild winter may have provided for considerable carryover of rainbow trout. Opportunities for 14-18 inch trout should be good. No recent reports.
CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: Flows will likely remain high through the week. Flows as of Monday were approximately 700 CFS. Drier weather is predicted for the end of the week, which may result in lower flows. Contact either ODFW at 447-5111 or Ochoco Irrigation District at 447-6449 for current information. Opportunities for angling will be limited during the high flow period. Anglers are should use extreme caution while wading.
HAYSTACK RESERVOIR: Good numbers of 16-18 inch brown trout are available. Brown bullhead angling on the south shore is excellent.
LAKE BILLY CHINOOK: Bull trout angling continues to be fair. Bull trout numbers are good, but the bite has been inconsistent. Consult angling synopsis for special regulations. Opportunities for kokanee are fair but recent reports indicate angling has been slow. Most fish are averaging 10-12 inches. A Tribal fishing permit is required for the Metolius Arm, as well as a State license.
LAKE SIMTUSTUS: Angling for 8-10 inch rainbow trout with the occasional larger fish should be excellent. Kokanee are also present in the reservoir with fish up to 16 inches available. A Tribal fishing permit is required for the Metolius Arm, as well as a State license.
OCHOCO RESERVOIR: Angling for rainbow trout 12-20 inches is excellent. Black crappie angling should improve with warmer weather.
PRINEVILLE RESERVOIR: Opportunities for 12-16 inch rainbow trout are good. Anglers trolling rooster tails are reporting success with trout up to 18 inches. Brown bullhead angling in the upper part of the reservoir should be excellent. Northside access is open.
WALTON LAKE - Carryover of trout stocked last year should be good providing opportunity to catch 14-18 inch rainbow. The gate to the campground and lake remain locked. Anglers will have to walk 1/4 mile to the lake.
SOUTHEAST ZONE
FISHING
BEULAH RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 93 percent full. Boat ramp is usable. Locally
heavy rains have increased the turbidity of the inflow and the reservoir so trout angling
is slow.
BLITZEN RIVER: River flow has been very high. Flow peaked above 2,000 cfs May 6, and was 550 cfs on May 9. Remember, special regulations are in effect. Catch and release for trout from November 1 through May 27.
BULLY CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 102 percent full. Boat ramp is useable. Angling for warmwater fish is improving.
BURNS POND: The pond was stocked two weeks ago. Angling should be fair to good.
CHICKAHOMINY RESERVOIR: No recent angling report. However, angling has been fair to good for 12-16 inch rainbow trout. Fly anglers are doing best using dark leech patterns or midge imitations. Spin anglers are doing best using gold or dark spinners. Bait anglers have caught a few fish using Powerbait and worms.
DELINTMENT LAKE: The lake was stocked with rainbow trout last week. Angling has been good for 10 to 14 inch rainbow trout.
DUNCAN RESERVOIR: Angling success has increased. Trout fishing from the bank and boats should be productive with warmer temperatures.
FISH LAKE (Steens Mountain): The loop road is closed.
GERBER RESERVOIR: Angling will improve for crappie, bass and bullheads with the warming weather. Reservoir is very low.
HAINES POND: The pond will be stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout week of May 2.
HIGGINS RESERVOIR: Opened April 23. The landowner has put a gate about 3/4 mile from the reservoir, which allows foot access only into the reservoir. Artificial flies and lures only. Trout fishing should be good.
HWY 203 POND: The pond will be stocked with 2,000 legal rainbow trout the week of May 2. Was also stocked with trophy (1-2 lbs) and additional legals as part of a Youth Angling Enhancement Program.
JUNIPER LAKE: The lake has been dry for the last few years and is dry this year as well.
KLAMATH AND AGENCY LAKES: Angling from a boat for wild redband trout has been improving with the warming weather. Bank angling with bait has been good. Petric Boat ramp closed until May 13.
Klamath River: Angling for wild redband has been fair on flies and lures. Flows have increased.
KRUMBO RESERVOIR: Fair to good angling for rainbow trout. Bank anglers are doing best with Powerbait or worms, while boat anglers have caught fish using spinners or still-fishing with bait. Fly anglers are picking up some fish using leech imitations.
LAKE OF THE WOODS: Angling for trout and perch has improved as the water temperature has increased.
LOST RIVER: Angling has been slow for warm water game fish.
MALHEUR RIVER (Warm Springs Reservoir downstream to South Fork Malheur River): Water release from the reservoir was 16 cfs May 9. Fishing is poor.
MALHEUR RIVER (South Fork Malheur River near Riverside, and mainstem downstream to Gold Creek): Flows from South Fork Malheur have subsided, but releases from Warm Springs and Beulah reservoirs have begun. Flow below the confluence of the North Fork is about 177 cfs. Angling is poor.
MALHEUR RIVER, NORTH FORK: Access to the upper North Fork is open from the south, but may still be closed from the north due to snow. The river just above Beulah Reservoir is high. Trout angling is slow. Remember to release bull trout. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures upstream of Beulah Reservoir.
MALHEUR RIVER, MIDDLE FORK: Access to the upper Malheur is open from Prairie City. All streams and creeks are high and muddy. Trout angling is slow. Remember to release bull trout. Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures upstream of Bluebucket Creek.
MALHEUR RESERVOIR: The reservoir was approximately 10 percent full, but with the heavy rains the amount of storage may have increased. As soon as roads become passable, we will look at storage levels.
MANN LAKE: Water level remains low. No recent angling report. However, in the past month, angling has been fair to good for cutthroat trout when weather permits. Fly anglers are doing best with midge imitations or small woolly buggers.
MOON RESERVOIR: Angling is fair for rainbow trout using bait or spinners.
OWYHEE RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 54 percent full. The ramps at the powerhouse, day use area, and resort are usable. Ramps at the State Park and Leslie Gulch are out of water. Angling for all species is improving.
OWYHEE RIVER (Lower): Flows below Owyhee Dam were turned on April 16. Flows below the dam are 138 cfs. Angling for rainbows and browns has slowed due to increased turbidity from the heavy rains.
OWYHEE RIVER (Upper): Flows at Rome are 6,925 cfs. Great float flows, but poor fishing flows for smallmouth and channel catfish.
PILCHER CREEK RESERVOIR: Trout fishing remains good. Some larger fish are being caught. The reservoir is 72 percent full.
PINE CREEK: Opened April 23 for trout fishing upstream of Oxbow bridge in Baker County.
POLE CREEK RESERVOIR: Heavy rains over the last week or two have increased water levels, but it does not have any fish yet.
POWDER RIVER: Opened April 23, upstream from Huntington-Richland Road Bridge. Use of bait allowed.
SNAKE RIVER: Flows in the Snake River near Nyssa have increased to 9,589 cfs. Flows near Weiser have increased to near 16,965 cfs. Angling is fair for catfish and slow for smallmouth bass.
SPRAGUE RIVER: Angling has been fair.
SYCAN RIVER: Angling has slow.
THIEF VALLEY RESERVOIR: Fishing is very good, with 16-18 inch rainbow trout being caught. The reservoir level is 100 percent full. Some fish are being caught below the dam as well, but water levels in the river are low.
UNITY RESERVOIR: Trout fishing is good with 16-18-inch trout being caught. The State Park is open for camping. The reservoir is full.
WARM SPRINGS RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 47 percent full. The ramp is still out of the water. Fishing is poor.
WILLIAMSON RIVER (UPPER): Angling for wild redband trout has been fair on flies and lures.
WILLOW VALLEY RESERVOIR: Angling has improved for trout and warm water fish with the warming weather and recent rains. Reservoir is low.
WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR: Reservoir level is 67 percent full.
WOOD RIVER: Angling slow for brown and wild redband trout on both lures and flies. River is high and muddy.
YELLOWJACKET LAKE: The lake will be stocked with rainbow trout this week. Good angling for 8 to 12 inch rainbow trout using bait, small spoons, or spinners.
HUNTING
KLAMATH DISTRICT
Spring Bear- Bear populations are the highest along the east slope of the Cascades from about Keno north and east to Sun Pass. Bear damage complaints are increasing around Rocky Point and Ft. Klamath and would be good areas to target by still hunting along clearcuts, creeks, and meadows. The Gearhart Mountain area holds fewer bears but open meadows in the area will provide more opportunity for glassing or spot and stalk. In more timbered areas the use of a predator call can also be effective.
Spring Turkey- Highest turkey populations occur in the southern portion of the Keno unit. Good reproduction last year combined with several transplants during the winter should make for a good turkey season. This area offers good public access and receives a lot of hunting pressure; good scouting and patience are prerequisites for success. Please report harvest of banded birds to the Klamath District Office 541-883-5732
WHITE RIVER UNIT
Turkey - Hunter success has dropped off as the hens have set on their nests and cool wet weather has settled over the area. Hunters are reminded to get permission before accessing private lands. Hunters should concentrate on hard to reach areas where the turkeys have not been disturbed as often.
NORTHEAST ZONE
FISHING
REMINDER: Steelhead season on all Northeast Oregon streams except the Snake River closed April 15. The Snake River from Oregon/Washington Border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam closes April 30. General trout season opens May 28 for NE Zone Streams.
COLD SPRINGS RESERVOIR: The reservoir is 59 percent full.
HONEYMOON AND TEEPEE PONDS: Holdover fish from last summer's stocking are available and fishing success should be good.
JOHN DAY RIVER: Steelhead fishing has closed above Kimberly in the Mainstem John Day River, the North Fork and Middle Fork. Steelhead angling is open the entire year for adipose fin-clipped steelhead on the mainstem John Day River, from Tumwater Falls to the North Fork John Day River. Smallmouth bass angling success is improving with warmer water temperatures.
LADD POND: Stocked with 500 legal rainbow trout the week of May 2. Large trout are being caught.
MAGONE AND BULL PRAIRIE LAKES: Access to Magone Lake and Bull Prairie is available and angling success has been good.
MARR AND WALLOWA WILDLIFE PONDS: These ponds were recently stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Fishing should be good.
MCKAY RESERVOIR: Fishing for 8-12-inch crappie, trout, yellow perch and bass is good. Due to drought conditions, the reservoir is 50 percent full when it should be near capacity. The north boat ramp is usable, but the south ramp is not. Anglers are reminded that off-road vehicle travel is prohibited on the widlife refuge.
MCNARY, HAT ROCK, WESTON AND TATONE PONDS: These ponds have all been stocked with trout.
MORGAN LAKE: Opened April 23. The lake was stocked with 100 trophy and 300 legal rainbow trout the week of April 18 as part of a Youth Enhancement Program. More trophy and legal sized trout will be stocked for free fishing day on June 11 as part of the same program.
NORTH POWDER PONDS: North Powder Pond #1 will be stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout the week of May 2.
ROULET POND: Stocked with 500 legal rainbow trout the week of May 2.
UMATILLA RIVER: Approximately 40-50 spring chinook are being counted daily at Three Mile Dam. The season total is over 300 fish. Chinook are being trapped at Three Mile Dam and hauled upstream above the lower river irrigation diversions due to drought conditions. When the river flow at Pendleton is below 250 cfs, the fish are being released upstream of Pendleton. When the flow is above 250 cfs, the fish will be released in the Barnhart area. However, most fish returning to Three Mile Dam are currently being taken for hatchery broodstock. The fishery is primarily below Three Mile Dam. The Umatilla spring chinook run forecast has been downgraded from the pre-season projection of 6,000 to the current projection of 2,000 fish. Anglers are reminded to check the agency website and local news papers regularly as the season could be closed on short notice.
UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST PONDS. Six ponds in the USFS Road 54 area and the "Boundary" and "Keyhole" ponds along the Summit Road (USFS Road 31) have been stocked with legal-sized trout. Fishing at the "Walk-in Pond" is good for holdover trout. For information of the location of these ponds contact the ODFW Pendleton District Office at (541) 276-2344.
WALLOWA LAKE: Fishing is fair for holdover stocked rainbow trout. Docks have been installed at both boat ramps. Kokanee should start showing up as the lake warms.
WILLOW CREEK: Due to low stream levels only a small number of trout have been stocked in Willow Creek within Heppner.
WILLOW CREEK RESERVOIR: The reservoir has been stocked with trout. Fishing for trout and warmwater gamefish is good.
HUNTING
BAKER DISTRICT
GENERAL CONDITIONS: Above normal precipitation last spring through fall produced good range conditions which have continued with good rains this spring. Wildlife are in excellent condition. Winter precipitation and resulting snowpack has been below average, however, and could mean a return to drought conditions this summer. With lower snowpacks, access to higher elevations is possible for turkey and spring bear hunters.
COUGAR: All indications are that cougar populations are continuing to increase.
BEAR: Spring bear season began April 15 and will continue until May 31. Access should be better at higher elevations this year. Glassing open hillsides at higher elevations during early morning and late evening will be a good way to find bears. Remember it is unlawful to take cubs less than one-year-old, or sows with cubs less than one-year-old.
TURKEYS: Turkey season began April 15 and will continue until May 31. Hunters can purchase 2 tags for this area and tags can be purchased throughout the season. Reported success has been good in the Keating and Pine Creek Units and parts of the Sumpter Unit. The bag limit is one male turkey (or turkey with a visible beard) per tag.
GROUND SQUIRRELS: Abundant ground squirrels are available in several valleys throughout the county. Almost all are associated with intensive agriculture. Be sure to ask permission to hunt on private property. A hunting license is required to hunt ground squirrels.
HEPPNER DISTRICT
COYOTE: Hunting has been fair using calls, primarily mouse squeaks and rabbit distress calls. Hunters are reminded to obtain landowner permission when hunting on private land.
SPRING BEAR: Hunters in the Heppner and Fossil units will find good access throughout most public land areas at the higher elevations. Hunters will have the best success locating foraging bears on mid-elevation open slopes where plants have already emerged. Bear activity will continue to increase through the season.
SPRING TURKEY: Turkey hunter success has been good so far this year. Turkey populations are good this year. Mild winter and current green-up in many areas has birds scattered throughout the mid-elevations. Most of the snowpack has melted and almost all areas are accessible by motor vehicle now.
UNION DISTRICT
SPRING TURKEY: Spring turkey season continues through May 31 with good numbers of gobblers available throughout Union County. Hunters may find birds almost anywhere in the county, with the best opportunities north of Elgin. Birds appear to be widely scattered and are becoming wary as the season progresses. Hunters are reminded to have permission before hunting on private land.
SPRING BEAR: Controlled spring bear season continues through May 31 in the Starkey, Wenaha and Catherine Creek Units. Hunters are finding good access to most portions of the units due to very little snowpack. Hunters should watch open slopes and meadows during mornings and evenings for feeding bears. Bears have an excellent sense of smell and hunters should travel into the wind to avoid spooking them. Watching for sign such as rolled over logs, bark pulled from old stumps, or dug up ant nests will indicate recent bear activity. Successful hunters are reminded to provide a premolar tooth in the provided envelope for age analysis.
COUGAR: Cougar hunting will continue to be slow due to poor conditions for locating tracks. Using a predator call to attract cougars may provide success.
WALLOWA DISTRICT
COUGAR: Cougar populations are high and hunters are having some success using predator calls. Calling lions requires locating fresh sign in an area and being very patient while calling. Locating a fresh lion kill and waiting for the lion to return is another successful method. Occasionally hunters follow fresh tracks and take an animal. Hunters should concentrate in areas where big game animals are present.
COYOTE: Good numbers of coyotes can be found throughout Wallowa County. Calling is most successful in areas of reduced human activity and near deer winter ranges. During spring coyotes spend more time around den sites. Hunters can improve their success by using a coyote howler near den sites.
TURKEY: Hunting for spring gobblers has been fair to good in the Wenaha, Sled Springs, and Chesnimnus units. Birds are widely scattered and hunters not familiar with these units should expect to do a fair amount of hiking in order to locate a gobbler.
BLACK BEAR: Bear activity has increased with warmer temperatures and increased grass growth. Road access is still limited in the Snake River, Imnaha, and Wenaha units due to snow pack at higher elevations. Bears can be located along canyon walls feeding in areas with new grass growth. Hunters should be patient and spend considerable time glassing open slopes.
REMINDER: The Noregaard, Shamrock, and Whiskey Creek travel management areas are in effect in the Sled Springs unit. Motor vehicles are restricted to designated open roads.
VIEWING
COLUMBIA RIVER AREA: Many spring bird migrants are traveling through. Now is the peak time for observing aquatic and shore birds. Bird enthusiasts can contact Umatilla NWR for viewing route information and recent bird sightings at 509-545-8588.
WENAHA WILDLIFE AREA
Spring conditions and good green-up have deer and elk scattered in all elevations. Deer & elk can be seen form the Eden Bench road. Vehicles can make the loop form the Eden Bench road/Forest Road 6212 then back to Troy via Forest Road 62. Passenger cars are not recommended.
The Wildlife Area is open to hunting during all legal seasons and for non-motorized recreation year round.
Due to a State Parks Administrative Rule, open fires are prohibited year round with in 1/4 mile of the Grande Ronde River between Wildcat Bridge and the State Line. This area is designated as a scenic waterway. The area includes BLM lands as well as State owned lands. Fires are permitted if contained within fire pans, but all debris and ashes must be packed out.
SNAKE RIVER ZONE
FISHING
BROWNLEE RESERVOIR: Bass, trout, perch and crappie fishing have been generally good. Bass and crappie fishing has been exceptional. Crappie are large throughout the reservoir, and in 10-20 feet of water. Catfishing has picked up. The reservoir is 3 feet below full. Call Idaho Power Company's recording at 1-800-422-3143 to get information on access at recreational sites or visit under the "Rivers and Recreation" heading. For reservoir level information, visit .
HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR: Catfish and bass have been good. Crappie and trout fishing have been fair.
OXBOW RESERVOIR: Catfish and bass have been good. Crappie and trout fishing have been fair. Catch and release only for bass until July 1.
SNAKE RIVER, HELLS CANYON DAM TO THE STATE LINE: Smallmouth bass, trout, and catfish angling have been good. Catch and release for sturgeon has been good also.
COLUMBIA RIVER ZONE
FISHING
SALMON, STEELHEAD AND SHAD:
Please consult the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation pamphlet for further information regarding the Columbia River Zone.
The following regulations are now in effect for the mainstem Columbia River salmon fishery from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam with modifications in bold:
BUOY 10 LINE UPSTREAM TO THE OREGON/WASHINGTON BORDER ABOVE MCNARY DAM: Effective 11:59 PM Wednesday April 20, this section of the mainstem Columbia River is closed seven days a week to angling for salmon, steelhead, and shad until further notice.
Biologists recently updated the predicted run size of spring chinook entering the Columbia River and destined for tributaries above Bonneville Dam. Based on the latest data, about 78,800 are expected this year compared to a pre-season forecast of 254,100. Based on this new run size, the 2005 harvest has exceeded the allowable impacts to wild fish. Additional information about the Columbia River spring chinook season also may be found on ODFW's Web page at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/OSCRP/CRM/action_notes.html .
STURGEON:
BUOY 10 UPSTREAM TO WAUNA POWERLINES: This section of the Columbia River is currently open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week. The daily bag limit is one fish between 42 and 60 inches in length and the annual limit is five fish. The use of more than one single point barbless hook is prohibited.
The following rules are in place for the 2005 mainstem Columbia River sturgeon fishery from Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) downstream to the mouth at Buoy 10, including Youngs Bay and all adjacent Washington tributaries:
-Retention of sturgeon allowed seven days per week Jan. 1 - April 30, 2005.
-Retention of sturgeon prohibited seven days per week May 1 - May 13, 2005 and July 5 - Dec. 31, 2005.
-Retention of sturgeon allowed seven days per week May 14 - July 4, 2005.
-The minimum size limit increases from 42 inches to 45 inches during the May 14 - July 4, 2005 retention season.
-Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during retention closures.
-Fishery will be managed for a 17,000 fish quota not to exceed 17,818 in this section of the Columbia River, and specific retention dates may be adjusted to meet the quota.
WAUNA POWERLINES TO BEACON ROCK: This section of the Columbia River currently is open to the retention of sturgeon on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The daily bag limit is one fish between 42 and 60 inches in length and the annual limit is five fish. The use of more than one single point barbless hook is prohibited.
The following rules are in place for the 2005 mainstem Columbia River Sturgeon fishery from the Wauna powerlines (River Mile 40) upstream to Beacon Rock, including all adjacent Washington tributaries and the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including the Multnomah Channel):
-Retention of sturgeon allowed three days per week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and prohibited four days per week on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Jan. 1 - July 30, 2005 and Oct. 1, 2005 - Dec. 31, 2005.
-Retention of sturgeon prohibited seven days per week Aug. 1 - Sept. 30, 2005.
-Catch and release of sturgeon may continue during sturgeon retention closures.
-Fishery will be managed for a 12,000 fish quota not to exceed 12,800 in this section of the Columbia River and specific retention dates may be adjusted to meet the quota.
BEACON ROCK TO BONNEVILLE DAM: Effective May 1 - July 31, angling for sturgeon is prohibited from Beacon Rock to Bonneville Dam.
BONNEVILLE DAM UPSTREAM TO THE DALLES DAM: The Bonneville pool is currently open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week. The daily bag limit is one fish between 42 and 60 inches in length and the annual limit is five fish. The use of more than one single point barbless hook is prohibited. The annual catch guideline for the Bonneville Pool is 700 white sturgeon.
THE DALLES DAM UPSTREAM TO McNARY DAM: The Dalles and John Day pools are currently open to the retention of sturgeon seven days per week. The daily bag limit is one fish between 48 and 60 inches in length and the annual limit is five fish. The use of more than one single point barbless hook is prohibited. The annual catch guidelines for The Dalles and John Day pools are 400 and 165 white sturgeon, respectively.
In the lower Columbia River sturgeon angling effort continues to increase. More than 300 boats were counted fishing for sturgeon May 7, with about half of those boats observed in the gorge. Sturgeon boat anglers had the greatest success in the gorge this past weekend, where boat anglers averaged 1.25 legal white sturgeon kept per boat. In the Portland to Longview areas boat anglers averaged 0.23 legal white sturgeon kept per boat.
Gorge Boats: Weekend checking showed 65 legal white sturgeon kept, plus 17 legal, five oversize, and 910 sublegal sturgeon released for 52 boats (complete trips).
Gorge Bank: Weekend checking showed four sublegal sturgeon released for seven rods (incomplete trips).
Portland to Longview Boats: Weekend checking showed 19 legal white sturgeon kept, plus one legal, one oversize and 210 sublegal sturgeon released for 84 boats (complete and incomplete trips).
Bonneville Pool Boat and Bank: Weekly checking showed one oversize and 24 sublegal sturgeon released for eight boats. Weekly checking showed two legal white sturgeon kept, plus two oversize and 44 sublegal sturgeon released for 51 bank rods.
The Dalles Pool Boat and Bank: Weekly checking showed one legal sturgeon kept, plus 12 sublegal sturgeon released for six boats. Weekly checking showed one oversize and 21 sublegal sturgeon released for 58 bank rods.
MARINE ZONE
Fishing
Perch fishing in coastal estuaries is improving coastwide. Most species will be entering coastal estuaries April through June and increase angler opportunity. North coast estuaries are showing early landings of Pile and Striped surfperch.
Surf fishing for Redtail Surfperch is improving coastwide and large fish are being landing on the south coast. Central coast anglers are landing good catches north of Newport. North coast catches are improving with the weather.
Coastal jetty fishing has been slow coastwide. Anglers are landing greenling and striped seaperch. Lingcod landings have slowed from jetties.
Ocean boats: Charters have been landing good catches of rockfish and lingcod.
Anglers are reminded that the marine fish bag limit for 2005, which includes rockfish and other species such as greenling and cabezon, has been reduced from 10 fish a day to 8 effective Jan. 1, 2005. The minimum length for greenling is 10-inches and for cabezon is 16-inches. The daily bag limit on lingcod remains at 2 fish with a 24-inch minimum length. Fishing for groundfish species outside of the 40-fathom line closes June 1 through Sept. 30, 2005. More information on 2005 marine fish regulations, and a list of waypoints describing the 40-fathom line, can be found at: hmsc.oregonstate.edu/odfw/regs/recregs.html
Pacific halibut: The 2005 fishery opens coastwide on May 1, but only inside the 40-fathom curve from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (central coast). The spring all-depth fishery on the central coast area will be open on May 12-14, and 19-21; and June 2-4 and 9-11. If quota remains after these initial dates additional days will be open. The central coast area summer fishery opens Aug. 5 every other Friday through Sunday. A map detailing the Oregon 2005 Sport Halibut Fishery Regulations can be found at www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP by clicking on the Sport halibut picture under Quick Links and then on the line that says: "View regulation map with dates and quotas".
Ocean salmon:
North of Cape Falcon is open July 3 through earlier of Sept. 30 or fin-clipped coho quota of 60,900 or the overall chinook guideline. Open area is from Leadbetter Point, Wa to Cape Falcon, OR. Closed in the Columbia River Control Zone, and closed between Tillamook Head and Cape Falcon beginning August 1. Open for all salmon, two fish per day, but only one may be a chinook, and all retained coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. Minimum length for Chinook is 24 inches, for Coho is 16 inches and for Steelhead is 20 inches.
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mtn. is open for all species except Coho March 15 through June 17, and from the end of the selective coho fishery through October 31. The bag limit is two salmon per day, except closed to retention of coho salmon. Minimum length for Chinook and Steelhead is 20 inches. In the Tillamook Triangular Control Zone between March 15 and July 31 all retained chinook must have a healed adipose fin clip. During days open for the all depth halibut fishery, only salmon trolling is allowed within the Stonewall Bank Groundfish Conservation Area. The Selective Coho Salmon Season is open June 18 through earlier of July 31 or coho quota of 40,000. The bag limit is two salmon per day, all retained coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. Minimum length for coho is 16 inches.
South of Humbug Mountain is open May 21 through July 4; and Aug. 14 through Sep |
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