[ODFW-News] Imnaha River opens to spring chinook angling Saturday

[Anne Pressentin]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 947-6020 or Mary Hoverson (541) 963-2138
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6009

For Immediate Release	Friday, June 18, 2004
	
Imnaha River Opens to Spring Chinook Angling Saturday

ENTERPRISE * The Imnaha River, a tributary of the Snake River in northeastern Oregon, opens to hatchery spring chinook fishing Saturday, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.

ODFW worked with the Nez Perce Tribe and the National Marine Fisheries Service to provide this fishing opportunity.  The sport fishery quota will be 346 hatchery fish.  ODFW biologists estimate more than 3,500 spring chinook are returning to the Imnaha River this year. About 70 percent are hatchery-bred fish.

>From June 19 through July 5, 2004, anglers may fish for spring chinook from the mouth of the Imnaha upstream 45 miles to Summit Creek Bridge. Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped spring chinook and five jacks per day. Unmarked fish must be released carefully unharmed to the river. All other rules remain unchanged from the 2004 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations pamphlet.

Tribal members also may be fishing for spring chinook using traditional methods. Private lands border much of the area open to sport angling. Anglers are reminded to ask permission before entering private property to fish. 


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Anne Pressentin Young
Information Services Manager
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6020
anne.m.pressentin at state.or.us