Action Notice: Ocean Recreational Salmon
by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
3-9-2023
Website
March 9, 2023 RECREATIONAL OCEAN SALMON ACTION NOTICE: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, and the State of California met today via a blended conference call and in person meeting and have taken the following in-season management action related to the scheduled March 15 recreational Chinook salmon openings off Oregon between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt.:
ACTION TAKEN:
The recreational ocean salmon fishery scheduled to open on March 15 and continue through May 15 in ocean waters between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt. off Oregon are canceled for 2023.
RATIONALE: Multiple stocks of California Chinook Salmon are at extremely low abundance and are projected to potentially fall below target spawning escapements. Guidance from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for 2023 ocean salmon seasons that include contacts with Sacramento River fall Chinook was that “extraordinary measures are needed in 2023 to address these circumstances and to ensure that fishery management is not a contributing factor.” For Klamath River fall Chinook the NMFS guidance is “that a precautionary approach is warranted and underscores the need to carefully consider the factors described in the FMP in setting the ER (exploitation rate). Given the extremely low abundance forecast and resulting low level of allowable fishing mortality, NMFS anticipates harvest opportunity will be substantially constrained in the region between Cape Falcon, Oregon, and Point Sur, California.” Oregon fisheries typically intercept these stocks throughout the entire area to the South of Cape Falcon, and these stocks are very important contributors to Oregon’s spring and summer fisheries.
Seasons from May 16, 2023 through early May 15, 2024 are currently being developed. Season alternatives will be reviewed, and a final season recommendation will be made at the April Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting. Interested members of the public should visit www.pcouncil.org for information on how to participate in the April meeting.
Visit https://dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/ for more information on Oregon's ocean salmon seasons and fisheries.
Contact: Eric Schindler
Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
eric.d.schindler@odfw.oregon.gov
(541)857-2538
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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, March 8th, 2023Alsea River: The later returning wild broodstock hatchery fish are being caught in the NF Alsea
Kilchis River: If the rains come in as predicted it should be in pretty good shape early to middle of next week
Miami River: Miami remains low and clear but should get a nice bump early next week
Necanicum River: Will be in pretty good shape early to middle of next week
Nehalem River: Nehalem River Fishing Report
Nehalem River- North Fork: Upcoming rains should have it fishable through the weekend
Nestucca River: Fishing has been moderate but consistent on the Nestucca
Salmon River: The river is low and clear and fishing pressure has been consistent
Siletz River: We are seeing newer fish push into the system
Siuslaw River: The colder temps have made the Siuslaw challenging but conditions have remained fair
• Trask River Fishing Report
Wilson River: The Wilson has been low and clear but there are still fish being caught consistently
Applegate Reservoir: The elevation of the reservoir is close to the 1,906-foot mark and the surface temperature is 40oF
Applegate River: The Applegate River is open to trout and steelhead fishing through March 31
Ben Irving Reservoir: Trout fishing has been slow over the past couple of weeks
Chetco River: Anglers will want to keep an eye on flows
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Trout fishing may be good on warmer days
Elk River: Good time of year to run plugs as steelhead are getting pretty aggressive
Emigrant Reservoir: Emigrant is 23 percent full
Garrison Lake: ODFW conducted some sample netting last week
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Howard Prairie is at 18 percent full
Illinois River: River conditions are forecast to spike significantly over the weekend and early next week
Rogue River - Middle: Current flow is around 1,750 cfs
Rogue River- Upper: The release from Lost Creek Reservoir is in the 1,050 cfs vicinity
Umpqua River: No reports of spring Chinook being caught
North Umpqua River: Steelhead have been moving through Winchester Dam
South Umpqua River : Steelhead fishing has picked up over the last week
Winchuck River: Anglers will want to pay attention to flows as rains this week
Ana Reservoir: The reservoir has been lowered 6 feet to decrease erosion along the bank
Ana River: Anglers have been doing quite well on the river recently
Phillips Reservoir: Throughout the winter, Phillips Reservoir froze over
Pilcher Reservoir: Pilcher Reservoir Fishing Report
Thief Valley Reservoir: Thief Valley Reservoir emptied last year. It is likely that few fish remain in the reservoir
Wolf Creek Reservoir: This winter anglers have had good catches of 10 to 12-inch rainbows