[ODFW-News] Trout harvest limits will increase at Diamond Lake

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife  
Contact: Meghan Collins or Dave Loomis (541) 440-3353 
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us <http://www.dfw.state.or.us>   Fax: (541)
673-0372
 
 
For Immediate Release Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Trout harvest limits will increase at Diamond Lake 
 
ROSEBURG - The harvest limit for trout at Diamond Lake will increase
next month to encourage anglers to catch as many fish as possible before
an intensive netting operation begins in mid-July, Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife officials announced today. The netting will target
thousands of pounds of larger tui chub, as well as any remaining trout,
in preparation for the department's September rotenone treatment of the
lake.  
 
Beginning May 13, anglers may harvest 20 trout per day with two daily
limits in possession and no size restrictions. All fishing at Diamond
Lake will be closed from Sept. 5 - Oct. 31.  
 
"We really want anglers to help with this special fishing mission by
catching as many trout as possible," said Dave Loomis, Incident
Commander for the Diamond Lake Restoration Project. "This will be a
bonus angling opportunity with several large trout available to be
harvested."
 
ODFW is releasing 20,000 catchable-sized trout once the lake is ice-free
in mid-May and another 4,000 prior to Free Fishing Weekend on June
10-11. With this limited stocking and holdover trout from last year,
Loomis expects about 40,000 catchable fish will be available to anglers
this year.
 
ODFW recommends people stay off the lake until it thaws because the ice
is unstable. Once the ice melts, bank and boat fishing will be
available. However boat access will be limited because some of the boat
launches will be dry. The U.S. Forest Service may lengthen one or two of
the docks to provide public boat access. 
 
With the lake level lowered in preparation for treatment, the canal and
weir at the north end of the lake are visible, and anglers are reminded
that fishing is prohibited within 200 feet of the weir. ODFW also
reminds anglers that they still need an angling license to fish during
this season. 
 
The large-scale fish netting operation is scheduled to begin in mid-July
to remove as many fish as possible before the September treatment. The
operation will be conducted only during weekdays on different sections
of the lake, so impacts to anglers should be minimal.
 
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