[ODFW-News] Umatilla River open for spring chinook fishing

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Tuesday, April 18, 2006
 
Umatilla River open for spring chinook fishing

PENDLETON - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reminds anglers that
the Umatilla River opened April 16 for spring chinook angling. 

Harvest management guidelines for the Umatilla River are based on actual
returns of adults to Three Mile Dam. The estimated return of spring
chinook to the river this year is much lower than in recent years,
according to ODFW District Fish Biologist Tim Bailey. ODFW fishery
managers anticipate an early closure of the season in order to stay
within harvest management guidelines. However, managers will closely
monitor fish returns and harvest to maximize angling opportunities and
ensure that season changes are made at the appropriate time.

Anglers also should be aware of fishing regulation changes for 2006.
Only adipose fin-clipped chinook may be kept. The bag limit is now two
adult and five jack spring chinook per day and 10 adults per year. 

"This regulation change will allow naturally produced fish to return to
the upper Umatilla River to spawn," Bailey said. "Over 90 percent of the
spring chinook return is expected to be adipose fin-clipped fish." 

Anglers are encouraged to check the agency website and local media to
keep updated on the status of the fishery. Rules and regulations for
this fishery and for statewide angling are listed in ODFW's Oregon Sport
Fishing 2006 Regulations.

For more information visit ODFW's Web site at, www.dfw.state.or.us or
contact Bailey at ODFW's Pendleton office at 541-276-2344.

Fisheries in the Umatilla River are co-managed by the Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
Reservation.    
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