[ODFW-News] Spring chinook fishing remains open in Portland-area rivers

[Odfw News]

For Immediate Release      Friday, April 22, 2005

 

Spring chinook fishing remains open in Portland-area rivers

 

SALEM - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today reminded
salmon anglers that the Clackamas, Willamette and Sandy rivers remain
open to angling for hatchery-bred spring chinook. 

 

The reminder comes following Wednesday's closure of the Columbia River
to sport and commercial salmon fishing until further notice. In closing
the season, fisheries officials noted that, so far, this has been the
second-lowest year in recorded history for spring chinook passing
Bonneville Dam. The states of Oregon and Washington meeting as the
Columbia River Compact to set harvest regulations will regularly review
dam counts and consider reopening the fishery.

 

"Some anglers have mistaken the Columbia closure to mean that salmon
fishing is also closed in the tributaries," said Steve Williams, ODFW
Fisheries Division deputy administrator. "We've been seeing steadily
improving water temperatures and visibility on the Sandy, Willamette and
Clackamas rivers. Salmon enthusiasts should consider any of these rivers
for a chance at a spring chinook or a steelhead."

 

ODFW biologists said in this week's ODFW recreation report the lower
Willamette catch is improving. Angler data from last weekend showed a
catch of 0.3 fish per boat in the Multnomah Channel area, 0.46 fish per
boat near Sellwood, and 0.32 fish per boat near Oregon City. Water
clarity readings have increased to 3.1 feet and the water temperature
was up to 50 degrees Thursday. With warmer water, more chinook will be
headed over Willamette Falls in the coming weeks.

 

In the Clackamas and Sandy rivers, angling conditions also are improving
and there are reports of increasing numbers of spring chinook being
caught.

 

Anglers are reminder to check the 2005 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
before heading out. Willamette Falls fish counts and the weekly
recreation report can be found on the ODFW Web page at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/ .

 

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