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ODFW takes action to help native fish


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ODFW takes action to help native fish
July 16, 2015

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has curtailed fishing hours on most of Oregon's rivers to avoid additional stress on native fish already suffering from high water temperatures and low stream flows from this year's drought.

Effective Saturday, July 18, and until further notice, all waterbodies defined as streams in the 2015 Oregon Sportfishing Regulations are closed above tidewater (where applicable) to fishing for trout salmon, steelhead and sturgeon from 2 p.m. to one hour before sunrise.

Angling for these species will be prohibited at all times in the Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls, including the Clackamas River up to the Interstate 205 Bridge, the Multnomah Channel and the Gilbert River. The following sections of the John Day River will also have complete closures: The mainstem of the John Day River above Indian Creek near Prairie City; the Middle Fork of the John Day River above Mosquito Creek near the town of Galena; the North Fork of the John Day River above Desolation Creek and Desolation Creek.

Some streams will remain open for angling under normal hours because they are less prone to high water temperature risks due to springs, tides, cold water releases from some dams and high elevations.

Streams that will remain open for angling under normal hours are:

Northeast Zone:

  • The Wallowa River above Sunrise Road; Lostine River above Pole Bridge Campground; Prairie Creek; Hurricane Creek; Spring Creek; and all streams within the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area.
Southeast Zone:

  • The Malheur River and its tributaries; the Owyhee River below the Owyhee Reservoir; and the Blitzen River and its tributaries above Page Springs Weir and Bridge Creek.
  • The Klamath River and its tributaries.
Central Zone:

  • The Deschutes River above Macks Canyon; the Metolius River; the Fall River; the Crooked River (from mouth to Bowman Dam); and Tumalo Creek.
  • The Hood River and its tributaries and the White River and its tributaries.
Willamette Zone:

  • The McKenzie River and its tributaries; the Middle Fork of the Willamette River below Dexter Dam; the Middle Fork of the Willamette River and its tributaries above Lookout Point Reservoir; and Alton Baker Canoe Canal.
  • The mainstem of the South Santiam River below Foster Dam; Quartzville Creek; the North Santiam River above Detroit Lake; and the Breitenbush River.
Southwest Zone:

  • The mainstem Rogue River from Fishers Ferry upstream to William Jess Dam and all tributaries upstream of the William Jess Dam and Lost Creek Reservoir.
In addition to the statewide fishing restrictions, a hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 via teleconference to discuss curtailment of recreational catch-and-release sturgeon fishing upstream of Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River.

"Earlier this month, we indicated that if these drought conditions continued, we may have to close or restrict some fisheries," said Mike Gauvin, ODFW's recreation fisheries manager. "These are difficult, but necessary actions to protect native fish already suffering from extreme drought conditions."

"This doesn't mean that all fishing has to stop." According to Gauvin, most streams will still be open in the early hours when water temperatures are cool, and there are many great fishing opportunities in lakes, reservoirs for hatchery stocked rainbow trout, warmwater fish like, smallmouth bass or crappie, as well as all of the ocean fisheries.

"As extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, we need to be prepared for the stress these conditions will have on fish, wildlife and their habitats," Ed Bowles, Fish Division Administrator said. "Planning for the effects of these changing climatic conditions presents a unique challenge for us, yet we are committed to doing our best to enhance resiliency to climate change and avoid significant impacts on our natural resources."

ODFW already implemented emergency regulations on several other rivers. In addition, trout stocking schedules and locations have been adjusted and some hatchery fish have been released early as a result of high water temperatures. Elevated water temperatures have led to salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon deaths in several rivers.
Gauvin encourages the public to report sightings of stranded fish, or other wildlife distressed by drought, to the department and to take precautions when fishing during these drought conditions.

On days when temperatures soar, anglers can do their part to reduce the stress on fish by adopting the following measures:

  • Fish early in day when water temperatures are cooler.
  • Use a thermometer to check water temperatures frequently. Stop fishing when temperatures exceed 70 degrees.
  • Consider changing locations to high elevation lakes or shaded streams near headwaters. These places are often cooler.
  • Use barbless hooks so you can release fish easily without harming them.
  • Use the appropriate gear and land fish quickly. The longer the fight, the less likely the fish will survive.
  • Keep the fish in the water when you unhook it and cradle the fish upright until it revives enough to swim away.
  • Use your judgement. If conditions where you want to fish seem especially severe (low, hot water), consider fishing somewhere else where water conditions are better.
  • Check the regulation update pages on the ODFW website before you head out to make sure temporary emergency regulations have not been put in place for the waters you want to fish.
Gauvin recommends anglers check the weekly Recreation Report on the ODFW website for updates on stocking, water conditions and boating access.

In addition to fish and fishing related actions, the dry, warm weather could increase the danger of wildfires. Wildland fires can destroy hundreds, sometimes thousands, of acres of habitat. Late season fires may also affect hunting season dates, hunting opportunities and the condition of winter range for deer, elk and other species. Fewer water holes means wildlife will have to travel farther for water. Leave wildlife access to water by not camping at water sources.

Less water will also increase competition for placement of hunting blinds amongst hunters. Setting up a blind at a water hole is a common and lawful practice but hunters are asked to be extra considerate of other hunters and wildlife this year. Also, follow land manager's regulations and don't set up blinds too early or leave them indefinitely. BLM allows hunting blinds to be up for 10 days. U.S. Forest Service requires a permit and also has a time limitation.

The Bureau of Land Management does not allow camping within 300 feet of water sources; U.S. Forest Service rules vary by forest and area.

See the Oregon Department of Forestry's webpage for latest fire restrictions and check their Corporate Closure page for information about access to private timberland, or call the landowner.

In the effort to raise awareness of the dire conditions that Oregon faces this summer, Governor Brown's office has created a website for more information,www.drought.oregon.gov, and launched the "#ORdrought" campaign.

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Contact:
Bruce McIntosh (503) 947-6208
Chris Kern (503) 947-6209
Mike Gauvin (503) 947-6214
Rick Swart (503) 804-0841


States close sturgeon fishing upstream of Bonneville Dam1

July 16, 2015

CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The Columbia River will close to sturgeon fishing upstream of Bonneville Dam until further notice under temporary rules adopted by the states of Oregon and Washington.

The closure takes effect on Saturday, July 18 and applies from Bonneville Dam to the Oregon/Washington border upstream of McNary Dam, including adjacent tributaries. All sturgeon angling, including catch-and-release, and retention is prohibited until further notice in this portion of the river.

Fishery managers approved the closure after reviewing survey reports that showed increased sturgeon mortality as a result of the drought conditions in some of the mid-Columbia River reservoirs.

"What we're seeing right now is higher levels of summer mortality and indications that sturgeon are under a lot of stress this summer. This is something we can do immediately to give them some relief," said Chris Kern, deputy administrator of ODFW's fish division.

The sturgeon fishing closure above Bonneville is the latest emergency action aimed at reducing stress on the region's fish populations, which are experiencing unprecedented challenges due to high water temperatures and related factors.

Earlier today, ODFW announced a series of statewide restrictions curtailing fishing hours after 2 p.m. on most of Oregon's rivers to avoid additional stress on native fish already suffering from high water temperatures and low stream flows from this year's drought. Included in this action was a total closure to all angling for trout, salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon in the lower Willamette River and lower Clackamas River from upstream to the I-205 Bridge. These closures also take effect Saturday, July 18. However, normal fishing hours remain in effect for the mainstem Columbia and Snake rivers.

Fish biologists are appealing to anglers to adopt additional voluntary measures that will help reduce stress on the region's fish. Suggestions include fishing early in the day, moving to higher elevation lakes and ponds, shifting their focus from trout to warmwater species, using barbless hooks, and notifying authorities if they see mortalities or fish trapped in pools.

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Contact:
Chris Kern, ODFW (503) 647-6209
Rick Swart, ODFW (971) 673-6038
 
You can still fish - it's a daily closure of the streams at 2PM. Seems stupid to do a blanket ban state wide - should be on a stream by stream basis or on streams especially prone to high water temps. I fished the Wilson last Wednesday all day - and even in the sun that water was so cold my feet (wading wet) were going numb after just a few minutes. There were steelhead milling about in the bigger, deeper pools. I was fishing cutthroat and leaving the big buys alone, but it seems stupid that that stream is closing at 2PM.

ODFW is really pushing it with this one. Are we having a hot summer? Yeah. Is the water low in places? Yeah. But this statewide thing with a handful of exempt water ways is beyond silly.

At least this ban is only on trout/salmon/steelhead/sturgeon - you can still fish in the Columbia or Willamette or any of those streams that hold warm water fish, and fish for bass / panfish /carp / catfish to your hearts delight.

What this really does in effect though - is push everyone off the rivers onto the lakes, and the high temperatures has pushed every splash and giggler and their cousin onto the same lakes. Last time I tried going to Hagg Lake, on a Wednesday - there was no place to escape. Every turn out was already packed with swimmers. My boat isn't done yet, so it was a waste of gas/day pass to drive around and say "f this". If you have a boat or watercraft of some sort it wouldn't be terrible (that is, until now with all the other fisherman out there with you) but even the Wilson, last week, had as many swimmers as it did fisherman on Wednesday.

THey could've left the mountain streams open in the afternoons. I doubt many headwaters stretches or mountain streams/brooks get much warmer than 60 in the frog water even when it's 90+ degrees out.

Call me crazy, but I see this move more as ODFW flexing it's muscle than actually doing something to "protect native fish" - if that was their real goal they'd close ALL angling, period. And we wouldn't be allowed to even look at the fish, at least without a license. I should stop before someone in Salem gets any stupid ideas...
 

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