Afternoon fishing re-opens on Rogue River
August 13, 2015
MEDFORD, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has lifted
afternoon fishing restrictions on the Rogue River and tributaries.
Anglers can now fish from one hour before sunrise to one hour after
sunset from Fisher’s Ferry boat ramp to the mouth of the river, and on
all tributaries normally open to fishing. The change is effective
immediately.
Releases of cooler water from Lost Creek Reservoir
typically increase this time of year to minimize disease and
pre-spawning mortality in adult fall Chinook migrating upstream. Flows
from the reservoir were increased on Aug. 12. Combined with a milder
weather pattern, river conditions should be back to near normal for
August, allowing fishery managers to re-open the river to regular
fishing hours.
“We were waiting to increase water flows from Lost Creek
until we saw more fall Chinook at our seining project on the lower
river,” said Dan Van Dyke, ODFW fish biologist. “On Wednesday morning we
collected over 60 fall Chinook at the seining site, indicating the run
is in full swing.”
Anglers are still encouraged to follow the usual precautions when catch-and-release fishing in warm weather:
- Fish early in the day when water temperatures are cooler.
- Check water temperatures frequently, and stop fishing when they reach 70 degrees.
- Use barbless hooks so you can release fish quickly.
- Keep the fish in the water as you unhook them, and cradle the fish upright until it revives enough to swim away.
Afternoon fishing restrictions were adopted for Oregon rivers and
streams in July to help protect native fish from low, warm water
conditions caused by the current drought. Anglers should continue to
check the ODFW web site for regulation updates before going fishing.
