Oregon Emergency Rules Protect Wild Fish From Angling Encounters During Hot Weather Periods

The OR Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) adopted emergency angling regulations protecting resident and migratory wild fish in multiple watersheds including three critical cold-water refugia (CWR) along the Columbia River – critically necessary due to low flows and extremely hot weather.

TCA is grateful and applauds ODFW’s efforts.

Photo courtesy of Jim Brown - October 15, 2020

ODFW’s Press Release can be accessed here:

Emergency fishing regulations in response to drought begin July 1

Cold Water Refugia are Essential in the Columbia River for Wild Steelhead

Exceptionally low wild steelhead returns since 2016 necessitate deep evaluations of angling impacts on migrating wild steelhead using the CWR. The OR Commission action establishing no-fishing sanctuaries beginning in 2018 are aimed to reduce the rate of wild steelhead encounters from fisheries (both indirect and direct) that have impacts on salmonid fitness, survival, and productivity. The three Thermal Angling Sanctuaries are at Eagle Creek, Herman Creek, and the very lower Deschutes River, and a portion of the Columbia River that is cooled by the Deschutes colder waters. 

The Conservation Angler has advocated for these conservation measures along the Columbia since 2016 and supports the OR Commission’s adoption of these protective measures as well as the emergency rules adopted last week.

Drano Lake, WA photo by David Moskowitz

The Washington Commission must take action on the designation of thermal angling sanctuaries as well the Cowlitz, Lewis, Wind and Little White Salmon.