[ODFW-News] Bag limit increases to 3 steelhead Friday in upper Willamette

[ODFW News]

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

For Immediate Release	Thursday, May 27, 2004

Bag limit increases to three steelhead Friday in upper Willamette
Basin

SALEM - Effective Friday, anglers may retain three hatchery-bred summer
steelhead per day above Willamette Falls, the Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife announced today.

Biologists recommended the change after determining the combined
hatchery-bred and naturally-produced run size above Willamette Falls may
be more than 30,000 fish. The run size estimate is well above average
returns, which means that fish in excess of hatchery broodstock
requirements will be available for harvest.  

The newly adopted rule allows anglers to retain one additional adipose
fin-clipped steelhead within the normal daily bag limit in those areas
open to steelhead angling in the mainstem Willamette River above
Willamette Falls and its tributaries through Nov. 23, 2004. The
permanent daily limit within the Willamette fishing zone is two adipose
fin-clipped salmon or steelhead. Fish with a missing adipose fin
identifies them as hatchery bred.

The director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has the
authority to adopt temporary rules in situations where biological data
allows expanded recreational opportunities. Temporary rules adopted by
the director must be approved by the Commission at the next regular
meeting. 
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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002