Oregon Adopts 2017 Regs
Each week we round-up the top fishing news from the Northwest and beyond. Do you have a news tip? E-mail us at news /at/ salmonuniversity.com.
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Sets 2017 Regs
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission last week adopted fishing regulations for 2017. The majority of the changes are housekeeping corrections building on last year’s effort to simplify the regulations. A few more significant changes are:
- The portion of the Lower Deschutes River that borders the Warm Springs Reservation will be open April 22-Dec. 31 (reverting back to regulations in effect prior to 2016).
- Multiple Lower Columbia tributaries will only be open to the harvest of hatchery salmon to protect wild tule fall Chinook. The majority of salmon in these areas are hatchery fish so this change is expected to have minimal impact on fishing opportunities but will provide necessary protections for listed wild fish.
- New regulations and an updated map will more clearly designate the fishing areas in Herman Creek located in the Columbia River Zone
Additionally, the Commission approved funding several Restoration and Enhancement Projects, which enhance fish production or provide more public access to fishing waters. Approved projects included a new youth fishing pond in Camp Sherman, where the Commission directed staff to continue working with the local community to address their concerns. It appointed Rod Moore to the R and E board as the Seafood Processor Representative.
Updates to Washington Fishing Regs
Beginning September 1, Lake Washington, the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and Lake Sammamish will open to fishing for trout and other game fish, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) has announced. Meanwhile, beginning Tuesday August 16, Washington state anglers will be allowed to keep two chinook daily as part of their two salmon daily limit in Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco). Anglers must release wild coho and the changes in chinook take do not affect ocean salmon fisheries off Westport (Marine Area 2), La Push (Marine Area 3), or Neah Bay (Marine Area 4).
New Washington Bass Record
A new record for biggest largemouth bass caught in Washington waters has been set, it was confirmed lats week by state fisheries officials. Bill Evans of Bothell caught the 12.53-pound bass on Tuesday in Lake Bosworth in Snohomish County. The previous record was set by Carl Pruitt in 1977 at Banks Lake with a fish weighing 11.57 pounds.
“As soon as I set the hook, I knew it had to be a big one because the bottom pulled hard and it just wouldn’t quit,” Evans said, “When she finally tried to jump, she could only get her head out of the water.”
