[ODFW-News] Spring chinook fisheries appear strong for 2005, panel hears Fish and Wildlife Commission amends Developmental Fisheries rules

ODFW News Odfw.News at STATE.OR.US
Fri Dec 10 13:56:28 PST 2004


For Immediate Release	Friday, Dec. 10, 2004

Spring chinook fisheries appear strong for 2005, panel hears Fish and
Wildlife Commission amends Developmental Fisheries rules

SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday received the
first glimpse of next year's spring chinook returns and learned that
fishing opportunities will be similar to those of 2004. 

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists predict strong
returns of spring chinook to the Columbia and coastal rivers, which will
provide good fishing opportunities for hatchery-bred fish. The
Commission heard that between 200,000 and 250,000 "upriver" Columbia
spring chinook are expected to return in 2005, compared to the 2004
actual return of 193,800 fish. More than 100,000 spring chinook will
likely return to tThe Willamette River will likely have more than
100,000 spring chinook return compared to 2004's record run of 143,700
fishspring chinook. Returns to north coast rivers and the Rogue River
are expected to be similar to 2004.

In 2004, angler trips to target the highly-prized spring chinook
numbered 156,100 in the  angler trips occurred in the Lower Columbia
River and 110,800 angler trips were made toin the Lower Willamette to
target the highly-prized spring chinook. More than 35,000 spring chinook
were taken home by anglers in the two fisheries. In addition, Columbia
River commercial boats harvested more than 23,000 fish from the lower
Columbia River. 

Rules to open recreational and commercial spring chinook fishing
seasons on the Columbia River will be set in late January. Rules for
other recreational spring chinook fishing seasons are listed in the 2005
Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. 

The Commission also heard a preview of the 2005 Columbia River sturgeon
seasons. A proposal will be considered by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife
Commission that is identical to the 2004 seasons. A final decision will
be made in February. 

In other action, the Commission heard:
* AHeard of a draft proposal to require anglers who have lost their
combined angling card to purchase a duplicate at ODFWregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife offices. The proposal will be considered in February
at the request of anglers who have complained that some people have
purposely losesaid they lost their cards to avoid annual harvest limits
for wild salmon, sturgeon and/or halibut.
* Amended rules for new applicants to the hagfish fishery and for those
commercial fishermen who seek to transfer harvest permits in the
Developmental Fisheries program from one boat to another.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the policy-making body for
fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets
monthly. By mid-day Friday, the Commission was part way through its
agenda. The Commission was scheduled to make a decision on the 2005
groundfish seasons and hear public testimony on a draft plan for wolf
conservation and management before the end of the day. Additional
information will be released later. 


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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002


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