ODFW Commission To Adopt Fall Chinook Regulations June 9

Due to anticipated poor returns, ODFW Commission members are expected to adopt some of the most restrictive fall chinook fishing regulations ever forwarded by biologists. Recommendations include reduced bag limits, new angling deadlines and the closure of the Nehalem basin to all chinook fishing. The Nehalem River is (was) home to one of the biggest chinook runs on the north Oregon coast. And while chinook fishing will be even more limited than last year, ODFW staff is recommending wild coho fisheries in tidewater portions of several different river systems – including the Nehalem, Yaquina, Coos and Coquille Rivers.

Why Are Coho Up And Chinook Down?
Chinook and coho salmon have different life histories, which makes it possible for these very similar species to return at different rates. Chinook and coho have different age structures – coho salmon return almost exclusively as 3 year-old fish, with a small number returning as 2 year-olds (jacks). Conversely, 4 and 5 year-old fish make up a significant part of the chinook return. Favorable ocean conditions have only taken hold (again) since 2007. This means that a large part of this year’s returning chinook headed into bad ocean conditions as juveniles, thus experienced higher mortality and lower overall returns. The coho salmon, with less turnaround, went to sea in better conditions and we are seeing greater returns. All things being equal (and we know they’re not), we will see a better return of fall chinook starting in 2010.

Commission Is A Wild Card
The ODFW Commission does not always follow staff recommendations, especially on controversial issues. For instance, on the Nehalem River how can you allow fishing for coho while chinook is shut down completely? How do you minimize the impact on chinook? Certainly some will be caught (and killed) incidentally? Also, Oregon Coast coho salmon are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The model of Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes does not fit the Nehalem fishery because on the lakes, there’s no chance of depleting an imperiled chinook run.

Regulations Not Much Different Than Last Year
Don’t expect any changes from last year’s regulations: the daily/season limit for chinook will most likely be 1/5 again this year. Also, angling is likely to be closed on Lake Creek, the mainstem above Lake Creek and on NF Smith River.

As always, your thoughts, calls, and e-mails are welcome on this and other related issues.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)