OSP Looking For Help IDing Alleged Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery Vandals

THE OREGON STATE POLICE ISSUED THIS UPDATE: “The two individuals in the photos have come forward and have been cleared by OSP investigators. OSP is not seeking additional information from the public at this time.”

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON STATE POLICE FISH AND WILDLIFE DIVISION

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking the public’s assistance to identify persons of interest in the vandalism of a cellular trail camera and taking of salmon from a fish trap at the Cole Rivers Fish Hatchery in Trail, Oregon.

The two individuals were first spotted by a trail camera at the hatchery on August 12, 2024, and returned on August 27, 2024, wearing motorcycle helmets, when they entered the stream around the fish trap at about 8 p.m., attempting to spear or gaff salmon. Trail camera photos showed one individual operating a red Harley-Davidson or similar motorcycle and the second operating a black sport bike. The subjects were accompanied by a black German Shepherd.

On July 5, 2025, at approximately 5 a.m., two masked individuals, matching the description and build of the two subjects from the prior year, were captured on a trail camera approaching the outflow fish trap wearing masks and baggy clothing. They were again accompanied by a black German Shepherd. One individual waded across the river and ripped the antenna off the cellular camera while the second individual remained on shore holding what looked like a large salmon net.

The following day, responding fish and wildlife troopers found the broken antenna and the trail camera pushed to the side. Personnel from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife later found the lock to the fish trap had been cut to gain access to the fish inside the trap. An unknown number of salmon were netted from the fish trap.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Please reference case number #SP25-355670.