Jan. 19, 2017
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Sprague River near Klamath Falls will
close to all fishing beginning Monday, January 23 through April 21, 2017.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced
the emergency regulation today in order to protect spawning redband
trout from the stress and mortality associated with fishing pressure and
handling.
The redband trout spawning in the Sprague River spend
much of their lives in Upper Klamath Lake and move into the river, up to
91 miles (one way), to spawn. Fish then return to the lake to
recondition and most will spawn again, some up to six times.....
According
to Bill Tinniswood, ODFW fish biologist in Klamath Falls, the fish
tend to spawn in highly concentrated areas, making them very
susceptible to fishing pressure.
Traditionally, the river had been closed to fishing
after Oct. 31 to protect spawning fish. However, in order to increase
fishing opportunity the river was opened to year-round fishing in 2014.
According to Tinniswood, the expanded season on the Sprague was made
with the understanding that if fishing pressure increased too much on
the spawning areas, the new regulations would be re-considered.
“We thought the spawning areas would be protected
because the surrounding private property would limit access,” Tinniswood
said. Instead, fishing for these spawning trout has become an
increasingly popular fishery.
“The way people have been pounding on these spawners is
similar to “buck fever” in hunting,” Tinniswood said. Interviewed
anglers have reported catching over a hundred spawning trout during the
spawning season that began in November, he added.
Redband trout are on the state’s Sensitive Species
List, and there are several genetically unique populations that spawn in
the Sprague. Tinniswood anticipates that future regulations will again
prohibit fishing after Oct. 31 in order to protect these fish.
“These fish and their offspring are the future of the Upper Klamath Lake and Williamson River trophy trout fisheries,” he said.
