KDRV Staff
 
May 29, 2009
 
GOLD HILL, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is limiting salmon fishing on the Rogue River.
 
Fisherman will not be allowed to keep adult wild spring chinook over 24 inches long below Gold Ray Dam. Retention would have been allowed after June 1st, but will remain closed for the remainder of this year's run to protect wild fish populations.
 
Harvest of adult hatchery chinook, which make up the largest part of the run, is allowed. Fisherman are allowed two adult hatchery chinook salmon a day. Anglers can also continue harvesting wild 'jack' salmon.
 
The current ban does not affect the Rogue River upstream of Gold Ray Dam to Dodge Bridge, where fishermen are already banned from killing adult wild spring chinook until July 1st. Above Dodge Bridge, no adult wild spring chinook may be harvested at all.
 
This is the fourth year ODFW has placed this type of restriction on Rogue River fishing in an attempt to maximize spawning for springers.
 
"I think that restricting what fishermen can take is not going to bring the run back. I think managing the fish at the hatchery a little better. And maybe getting fishermen's input on it," says Fisherman Brandon Shawnego.
 
ODFW says there are many factors that lead to the restrictions, including dams, overfishing, and ocean conditions.