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WA Columbia River Mainstem & Tributaries Sport Sampling
Thursday, 08 May 2008
Salmon/Steelhead

Overall - For the most part, adult spring chinook catch rates for boat anglers in the Cowlitz, Kalama, Lewis, Wind, and Drano during the first week of May have been the lowest since at least 2001.  Catch rates during this time of year can average up to ½ fish per rod.   

Cowlitz River - Boat anglers averaged an adult spring chinook per every 23.5 rods while bank anglers averaged one per every 37 rods.  Spring chinook and steelhead (winter and summer runs) catches are scattered throughout the river.

Last week, Tacoma Power recovered 248 winter-run steelhead, 11 summer-run steelhead, 12 spring chinook adults, three spring chinook jacks and three cutthroat trout at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery separator during five days of operations. 

Only 33 adult spring chinook had arrived at Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery through April.  Under normal run timing with the forecasted run size there should be in excess of 500 adults to have returned within the first few days of May.

River flows at Mayfield Dam are approximately at 5,030 cubic feet per second on Monday, May 5.  Water visibility is 16 feet.

Kalama River - Boat anglers averaged an adult chinook per every 20.5 rods; fishing from the bank is slow.  Last year at this time boat anglers were averaging ½ fish per rod.  Effort is scattered throughout the river.

No spring chinook had returned to Kalama Falls Hatchery through April.

Lewis River - The North Fork has been a little more productive than the mainstem.  North Fork boat anglers averaged an adult chinook per every 7 rods.  Boat anglers were averaging about ½ fish per rod this time last year.  Overall effort has been lighter than normal.

Through April, a total of 118 hatchery chinook have returned to Merwin Dam trap (100 fish shipped to Speelyai Hatchery for broodstock).  Flows below Merwin were 5,670 cfs today which is similar to the long-term mean for this date.

Sea lions have been busy at the mouth.
Read more...
 
ODFW Recreation Report
Thursday, 08 May 2008

NORTHWEST ZONE FISHING

ODFW invites public comment on proposed fishing rules

 

ODFW is inviting members of the fishing public to comment on proposed changes to the 2009 sport fishing regulations at two public meetings held in Newport and Tillamook in May.

 

NEWPORT: Thursday, May 22 at Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 S.E. Marine Science Dr. 7-10 p.m.

 

TILLAMOOK: Friday, May 23 at Oregon Department of Forestry, 5005 Third St. 7-10 p.m.

 

The comments received at these meetings will be presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission when it considers changes to the angling regulations at its August meeting in Salem. The Commission will make its final decision on the 2009 sport fishing rules in September.

 

A list of all proposed changes, as well as a description of the review process and additional opportunities for public input can be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/docs/2009_Public_Process_Packet.pdf

 

NORTH COAST LAKES

Coffenbury (1,000), Lost (1,000), South (500), Town (500), Hebo (1,000), and Cape Meares(1,000) lakes are scheduled to be stocked the week of May 12.

Bay City Reservoir has not been stocked due to access problems.  Stocking will be delayed until the weather dries out. North Lake has also not been stocked due to access issues.

MID COAST LAKES

The rainbow trout stocking season will extend into June. Here is a list of lakes to be stocked in April with approximate stocking dates, number of fish and target size to be released. Please note that stocking dates are approximate and subject to change.

Carter Lake, 5-5-08, 2500 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Cleawox Lake, 5-5-08, 2000 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Munsel Lake, 5-8-08, 1500 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Sutton Lake, 5-9-08, 1000 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Eckman Lake, 5-12-08, 1000 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Big Creek Reservoir 1, 5-19-08, 1500 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Big Creek Reservoir 2, 5-19-08, 1800 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Olalla Reservoir, 5-21-08, 2500 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Thissel Pond, 5-22-08, 1000 trout at 3.0 per pound.

Big Creek Reservoir 1, 5-26-08, 1500 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Big Creek Reservoir 2, 5-26-08, 2750 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Alder Lake, 5-27-08, 425 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Buck Lake, 5-27-08, 425 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Dune Lake, 5-27-08, 425 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Georgia and North Georgia Lakes, 5-27-08, 75 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Cleawox Lake, 5-28-08, 1800 trout at 1.5 per pound.

Perkins Lake, 5-28-08, 200 trout 1.5 per pound.

Thissel Pond, 5-29-08, 1,000 trout at 3.0 per pound.

ALSEA RIVER: winter steelhead

Angling above tidewater is closed starting May 1 and will reopen with the cutthroat trout opener on May 24.  Steelhead and  angling will reopen August 1.

Current river levels: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?TIDO3

NESTUCCA RIVER AND THREE RIVERS: steelhead,

Angling for summer steelhead is improving as more fish arrive in the system. A few late winter steelhead are still available also. Spring  angling is still slow. Angling should begin to pick up over the next few weeks.

SALMON RIVER:

Closed to angling above tidewater. Angling will reopen on May 24.

SILETZ RIVER: winter and summer steelhead

Steelhead fishing is slow to fair. Wild fish are most abundant this time of year as spawning peaks well into May. Anglers are advised to leave wild fish in the water while releasing. A few summer steelhead are starting to return with good numbers typically showing by early June.

SIUSLAW RIVER:

Angling is closed above tidewater and will reopen for the trout opener on May 24.

TILLAMOOK BAY: sturgeon,

Angling for sturgeon has been slow to fair. Fish should be spread through the bay. Angling for spring  is slow. May is generally the best month for spring  angling in the bay.

WILSON RIVER: steelhead,

Angling for steelhead has been fair, with the occasional good catch reported. The catch has been a mix of late winter steelhead and early summer steelhead. Spring  angling is slow, with very few fish available in the river at this time.

TRASK RIVER: steelhead,

Winter steelhead angling is slowing down and is mostly over for this season. Angling for spring  is slow, but should begin to improve in the coming weeks. Johnson Bridge is being replaced. Demolition is scheduled for the coming weeks. Boaters should use extreme caution when approaching the bridge. Passage past the work site will be provided.

Current river levels for major north coast streams: http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=pqr

YAQUINA RIVER:

Angling above tidewater is closed. Angling will reopen on May 24.

Read more...
 
Kress Lake to close for Safety Day Event
Thursday, 08 May 2008

Action:  Closes Kress Lake to public fishing for two days starting Friday, May 16 at 12:01 a.m.

 

Effective Dates:

 

·       May 16 – 12:01 a.m., entire lake closed to public fishing

·       May 17 – Lake closed until 6:00 p.m., except the lake is open for juvenile anglers participating in the Safety Day Event on May 17 from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.

 

Location:  Kress Lake is located near Kalama, Wash., in Cowlitz County. Kress Lake is owned by The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

 

Reason for action:  This rule change is necessary to assure a safe and successful event. The reason for closing the lake is to ensure safety for the public as well as the event participants. There is expected to be over 600 people participating in the Safety Day program.

 

Boats will be used for teaching safety classes to kids and adults. Closing the lake will alleviate any boat traffic from anglers.

 

Other Information:  This is the fourth year the event has been held. The public is welcome to attend.

 

Information Contact:  John Weinheimer, District 9 Fish Biologist, (360) 906-6746

 

Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 May 2008 )
 
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