THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
ODFW has extended recreational angling gear restrictions for the Chetco and Winchuck rivers through Dec. 31 due to low water levels.
Angling is restricted in both rivers to bobber fishing or fly fishing with a strike indicator until Dec. 31. The Chetco restriction applies from River Mile 2.2 to Nook Creek, and in the Winchuck the restriction is from the mouth to Wheeler Creek.
Based on historical flow regimes, gear restrictions are typically in place Sept. 1 – Nov. 3 each year. As in 2022, this year is an exception with abnormally low flows and no significant rain expected. The gear restriction will be lifted once flows have increased and are forecasted to remain high enough to allow Chinook to distribute throughout the river.
Extending the gear restriction allows anglers the continued opportunity to fish for salmon while reducing the incidence of snagging and poaching. Illegal fishing techniques are problematic when low water levels keep fish within the lower reaches of the rivers. The salmon become a target for snagging and other methods of poaching.
ODFW biologists are already seeing good numbers of Chinook returning to the Chetco. Maintaining a fishing opportunity for anglers is important and this is also a good time of year to harvest returning hatchery fish.
Anglers are reminded that the daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish per day and no more than five adult wild Chinook can be retained for the season. Find more information on the ODFW Regulation Update Page.
