Emergency regulation – Scottsburg Bridge (Hwy. 38) to River Forks Boat Ramp
Today through Oct. 1, 2015, angling is prohibited within
200 feet of all tributaries including no angling in the tributaries
themselves from the mouth to 200 feet upstream.
This emergency regulation will protect wild summer
steelhead and fall Chinook salmon that hold in and around tributaries
looking for colder water. Currently, the Umpqua River has abnormally
low flows and higher than normal water temperatures due to drought
conditions.
Greg Huchko, Umpqua District fish biologist, says
projected low flows and water temperatures often over 75 F will likely
continue through the summer.
“The wild steelhead that haven’t made it up to the
North Umpqua will stay around those mainstem tributaries until the fall
rains come. They’re often easy to spot in shallow water and are more
susceptible to illegal snagging. Even fish caught legally and released
are stressed and mortality rates are higher in these conditions.”
Huchko said.
Tips for hot weather angling
- Fish during the cooler early mornings or evenings.
- Land your fish quickly to help increase survival rates.
- Keep your fish in at least six inches of water while releasing it.
- Revive the fish before release. Keep the fish upright facing into the current, and the current is slow, move fish back and forth slowly to help oxygenate the gill
