[ODFW-News] 2003 Deschutes River Chinook Fisheries Announced

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
	
For Immediate Release	Monday, March 31, 2003

2003 Deschutes River Spring and Fall Chinook Fisheries Announced

PORTLAND - Chinook salmon angling will be allowed April 15 - Oct. 31, 2003, in the Deschutes River because fish managers expect strong adult returns, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

State fish managers expect 9,000 spring chinook to return to two hatcheries on the Deschutes River and 10,000 wild fall chinook to return to Deschutes River spawning grounds. 

The spring chinook fishery is restricted to adipose fin-clipped chinook. During the fall fishery, which begins Aug. 1, anglers may keep any chinook until the daily catch limit of salmon is reached. 

The following regulations were approved recently by ODFW:

2003 Spring Chinook Fishing Regulations:

Area: Mouth at Interstate 84 bridge upstream to Sherars Falls.
Season: April 15 - July 31, 2003. Open for trout, adipose fin-clipped steelhead, and adipose fin-clipped chinook salmon. 
Catch limit: Two adult adipose fin-clipped salmon and five adipose fin-clipped jack salmon per day. Jack salmon are chinook 15-24 inches long. Steelhead are included in the daily two salmon catch limit, although one additional steelhead may retained per day for a total of three fish. All non adipose fin-clipped salmon or steelhead must be released unharmed.
Other: It is unlawful to angle for steelhead or trout between Sherars Falls and the upper railroad trestle (about three miles) after taking a daily bag limit of adult chinook salmon. It also is unlawful to angle for jack salmon after taking a limit of adult salmon.

2003 Fall Chinook Fishing Regulations:

Area: Mouth at Interstate 84 bridge upstream to Sherars Falls.
Season: Aug. 1 - Oct. 31 for chinook salmon. The area already is open under permanent regulations for trout and adipose fin-clipped steelhead angling.
Catch limit: Two adult salmon and five jack salmon per day. Jack salmon are chinook 15-24 inches long. Steelhead are included in the daily two salmon catch limit, although one additional steelhead may retained per day for a total of three fish. All non adipose fin-clipped steelhead must be released unharmed.
Other: It is unlawful to angle for jack salmon after taking a limit of adult salmon.

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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5528