summary of public comments received at statewide public … · 2008. 8. 1. · don ratliff, change...

Summary of 2008 Public Meetings for 2009 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. May Meeting Summary 2008 regulations.doc 1

Summary of Public Comments Received at Statewide Public Meetings in May 2008 for Development of the

2009 Angling Regulation Proposals Note: Comments from the meetings are not necessarily complete but strive to capture the main elements of public comments. When possible, the name of the person commenting is presented, but in many cases only the first name is recorded. When no name was stated, an X is shown to indicate that a different individual from the previous person provided comments. Meeting agenda shown below: • 7:00 pm Introductions • 7:05 pm Process background – Rhine Messmer • 7:15 pm Zone Proposals- ODFW Fish Districts

o Public Comment • 8:30 Break • 8:45 pm Public Comment (continued) • 9:00 pm Statewide Proposals

o Public Comment • 9:50 pm Wrap-up Ground Rules for the meeting were also presented. Points of emphasis included respecting each other’s opinions and refraining from personal comments. The meeting facilitator also stressed the importance of keeping to the issue and not straying away from the regulation proposal in question. Ground Rules presented included: • Wait to be recognized before speaking • Do not interrupt other speakers • Respect other’s opinions • Focus on the issues and not personalities • All comments are good and will be considered • Keep to the subject In most cases, Statewide Proposals were discussed but when time was limited presentations and discussion of Statewide Proposals focused on proposals relevant to the local area. In addition to Statewide Proposals a brief summary of hooking mortality studies and some key findings was presented and discussed the public. The concept of a two-rod endorsement as part of the ODFW 2009-11 budget was also discussed (time permitting) and public comment was taken.


LaGrande 2009 Angling Regulation Public Meeting May 13, 2008 Blue Mt. Conference Center Attendees: ODFW Staff: Rhine Messmer, Bill Duke, Tim Bailey, Brad Smith, Tim Unterwegner, Kevin Blakely OSP Staff: Yes, name? Regulations Review Board: None Public Attendance: See sign-in sheet. Total of 8 public from LaGrande and Baker City. Note: Tim Bailey also scheduled a presentation and public discussion on Philips Reservoir fish management and efforts to deal with illegally introduced yellow perch. This presentation was one of the main reasons the public attended the regulations meeting. Notes and comments from this topic are not included in this summary. Bill Duke; Umatilla District. Bill presented 3 public and one staff proposals for his area including the proposed change in bass regulations for the Columbia River. 332P, Willow Creek Reservoir proposed bass regulations Comments: X - Not a bad proposal, always for catch-and-release. ODFW should go to the town of Heppner to see what local people like. X - Can keeping 1 bass per day put any fish population at risk? Will people drive for one fish? Vote? 333P, Willow Creek Reservoir Crappie – 10 fish per day. Comments: X - What is the biology related to this proposal? Are there too many, can they get large? X - Like 20 more than 10, 20 should be enough fish. Vote: Most disliked proposal. 335P, Willow Creek Reservoir Crappie – 20 fish per day. See comments above. Most liked this proposal. 71S, Columbia River bass regulations above McNary Dam. Comments: X - Like consistency of rules. Vote: All support proposal.


Brad Smith, Wallowa, Imnaha, Snake River. Brad presented two staff and one public proposal for his area. 64S, Imnaha River hook restrictions and 65S, Lostine River hook restrictions. Vote: Full support for restrictive hook regulations for trout anglers to prevent hooking of spring Chinook salmon. 331P, Wenaha River trout regulations. Comments: X – What about a possible split season, with some harvest, then 100%b catch-and-release? X – Is there a need for a reduced bag limit? ODFW commented that this river is not stocked with trout (or any fish). Public raised concern about lack of trout stocking in streams. They also noted that there is increased interest in fishing the Wenaha through some articles in national magazines. X – Commented that if we want larger fish, we should go to catch-and-release only. Angling the Wenaha is a quality experience without the need to harvest fish to take home. The Wenaha is one of the best places to trout fish in N.E. Oregon. At least a portion, upper section of river, should be only catch-and-release. Vote: All supported proposal. Tim Bailey, Grande Ronde and Snake rivers. Tim presented two public proposals. 66S Pilcher Creek Reservoir seasonal closure. Comments: X - There are too many reservoirs open year-round. Other waterbodies in area are closed during winter and are much better fishing. X - If we start shutting down reservoirs, it will put too much pressure on ones that are still open all year. Vote: 5 support and 1 opposed. 348P Snake River aggregate warmwater bag limit. Comments: X - Against any rule that limits the number of yellow perch taken from a waterbody. At Richland, now mostly yellow perch, used to be you could not catch a perch at Swede’s Landing. Now all you can catch is perch. Don’t put a limit on perch. X - Would like to see a stop in Portland people taking coolers of crappie. Vote: No public support.


Tim Unterwegner, John Day District. Tim presented a brief overview of 3 public proposals that did not pass the Review Board (328P, John Day “stubby steelhead”; 329P, John Day River bait restrictions; and 330P, John Day smallmouth bass restrictions). The public in attendance agreed with the current classification of these proposals. Tim was asked to present these proposals in order to provide a review to Fish Division Staff in preparation for the August Commission meeting. Rhine Messmer presented a review of Statewide proposals. Comments on Statewide Rules: 108P, require anglers to return Hatchery Harvest Tags. X - We need more incentive for anglers to return tags, more public input of why we need to return tags. Tags become unreadable by the end of the year. 9S, Carcass disposal. X - Concern about people littering fish carcasses on shore. Crappie could be put back into water so they don’t attract bears! X - Would like to see some allowances for carcass disposal. Stay away form public areas, perhaps put signs up to say where we can and can not dispose of fish carcasses.


Bend 2009 Angling Regulation Public Meeting May 14, 2008 Central Oregon Community College Attendees: ODFW Staff: Rhine Messmer, Brett Hodgson, Ted Wise, Mike Harrington, Rod French, Jason Seals, Tim Walters, Amy Stewart, Mary Buckman, Rich Hargrave. OSP Staff: Sgt. David Pond Regulations Review Board: None Public Attendance: See sign-in sheet. Total of 23 public primarily from Bend and Sun River. Rod French. Lower Deschutes District. Rod presented a brief overview of 3 public proposals that did not pass the Review Board. The public in attendance agreed with the current classification of these proposals. Rod was asked to present these proposals in order to provide a review to Fish Division Staff in preparation for the August Commission meeting. Brett Hodgson, Upper Deschutes District. Brett presented information on 7 public proposals for Prineville Reservoir and Lake Billy Chinook and one staff proposal for Lake Billy Chinook. 324P Prineville Reservoir Bass Comments: Chuck Lang, This rule is proposed to attempt to make Prineville Reservoir a quality fishery. It will help deal with the lack of bass recruitment. Currently, 85-90% of bass anglers catch-and-release so the regulation would target the majority of bass anglers. Vote: 2 people supported the proposal, none opposed. 327P Prineville Reservoir Crappie, 8 inch minimum Comments: Bob Judkins, the 8-inch crappie is a good size fish to eat, anything much smaller not much there to eat. The Oregon Bass and Panfish Club recently had their annual crappie tournament. The size of fish is going up. Basically, 7-inch too small to harvest. Bill. How easy is it for a family to measure crappie? Bob Judkins, where is a crappie measuring device on the market that makes it easy to measure crappie. Does not think measuring is a problem. Chuck Lang. At his local Barber shop (Prineville), most people like to fish for bigger crappie, throw back crappie under 8 inches. This was always done in the past. Now, we see Washington anglers coming in and loading up on crappie in Prineville Reservoir. Need to let fish spawn at least once to really see what the potential is. Where there are limits, anglers tend to appreciate larger fish even more. Don. Does not fish Prineville but does fish Ochoco and Haystack Reservoirs. With a rule like this, would see too many stunted fish. Kids love to catch 6-7 inch crappie. Chuck Lang. It takes a 3-inch fish to get to be a 8-inch fish. Just end up with smaller fish, taking fish before they have a chance to grow.


X - Possibly pass 8-inch regulation for 4-years, study to see what results are. Bob Judkins, harvest is what tends to keep fish from growing big. Give them a chance to grow big. Vote: 13 in favor, 3 opposed, and 1 mixed opinion. Lake Billy Chinook Bull Trout Proposals: 289P 2/day, 12 inch minimum 24 inch maximum; 290P 2/day, 12 inch minimum, only 1 over 24 inches; 292P 1-2/day, slot limit 14-24 inches; 293P continue to angle for bull trout, remove restriction. Comments: Don Ratliff. On Jefferson Creek, there is a high catch rate (mark recovery rate) on marked fish indicating a high survival rate of bull trout. Believes the decline in Kokanee is due to high bull trout abundance. Stated that many of the larger bull trout did not survive because lack of kokanee. Need to harvest off bull trout, get the kokanee population back up, then kokanee would support bull trout. Also, trying to provide sockeye from kokanee for recovery efforts. Less kokanee in the population would impact sockeye recovery efforts. Bull trout spawners need fish to survive, otherwise they will die. X - How old is a 24 inch bull trout? About 5 years old. Bull trout can get up to 36 inches, live to be 10-12 years old. X - Any concern with dip in the 2006-2007 dip in bull trout redd abundance? ODFW (Brett), not a lot of concern. 600-1,000 bull trout in the Metolius sub-basin counts. Likely to see a smaller reduction this year. X - How significant would these proposals be on full trout fishery in upper Metolius? Brett, could double number of fish caught out of the Reservoir. Targeting larger bull trout could impact population. Don Ratliff, change in kokanee harvest rate not in the information staff presented. Number of kokanee harvested in last few years is quite low. 400,000-500,000 kokanee taken per year. Predation is a major factor, and is controllable if there is a change in the structure of the bull trout population. Comments on 293P: X - If you catch a bull trout at 6:00am, and keep it then you are done for the day. Vote: 289P 1 support, 3 mixed, and 3 oppose; 290P 1 support, 2 mixed and 7 oppose; 292P 16 support and none oppose with anglers liking the idea that ODFW has flexibility to recommend appropriate rule; 293P 7 support and 4 oppose. 61S Lake Billy Chinook kokanee bag limit reduction. Comments: Don Ratliff, thinks this proposal is a good idea, would go along with change in bull trout 4d rule (allow additional bull trout harvest). Vote: 20 support none oppose.


Ted Wise presented information on 8 public proposals and 1 Staff proposal. 63S, upper Deschutes River Section 6, Crane Prairie Reservoir upstream to Little Lava Lake. Increase in daily limit for brook trout. 319P upper Deschutes River, Section 6, Crane Prairie Reservoir upstream to Little Lava Lake. Eliminate wild trout harvest. Comments: X - I do not like introduced fish, support increased brook trout harvest. C Caddis - Interaction between Crane Prairie and river brook trout. Brook trout diet includes stickle backs. Support brook trout and want to keep more fish for people to catch-and-release. X - Look at competition by catching some large spawners. C Caddis - If there is a chance a fin-clipped trout is up there anglers should be able to catch it. Vote: 63S 9 support, 5 oppose. 319P 6 support, none oppose. Crane Prairie Reservoir regulation proposals 62S, 296P and 298P 5/day marked, only 1 over 16 inches, 299P and 300P 5/day marked only 1 over 20 inches, and 301P keep current rules. Comments: X - Looking at the data, why didn’t ODFW submit a recommendation for a catch-and-release only fishery? Why did the public have to submit a proposal? ODFW (Ted Wise) response, our original proposal was submitted as a placeholder for consideration of rule changes to address harvest and escapement issues related to status of wild Cranebow trout population. When the proposal was submitted last year, we did not have the creel data analysis completed and therefore could not recommend a selective fishery. A selective fishery was discussed as a possible measure but we needed to complete data analysis before considering this proposed change. X - It is clear that wild fish spawning is going down, and hatchery fish spawning is going up. X - We should be concerned with wild fish. First kill no more wild fish. Why then did not ODSWP consider as a piece of this proposal. (see ODFW response above). X - We are concerned about preservation of the resource and the opportunity to catch a trophy Cranebow trout. X - Concern that 1 over 20 would result in loosing trophy Quality of fishery, taking too many large fish out. Vote: 62S 0 support and 14 oppose; 296P and 298P 14 support and none oppose; 299P and 300P 5 support and none oppose, and 301P no support. 307P Davis lake catch and release for trout. No public comment. Vote; 12 support none oppose.


Tim Walters, Malheur Fish District. Presented one public proposal, 342P Rock Creek, restrict trout angling. Comment: Is there any current information on fish population in rock creek. Tim, yes from 1999-2007 the population varied from 25,000 to 55,000 primarily due to water quantity. Fishing pressure is not limiting the trout population in Rock Creek. Vote: 1 support, 4 mixed and 1 oppose. Statewide Proposals: There was not enough time to present and discuss Statewide proposals. Rhine Messmer did run-through the proposals that passed the Review Board and highlighted proposals that could potentially impact anglers. Stated that anglers could still send in their comments on any of the Statewide rules they were interested in and also send in comments on other proposals in the Public Process packet.


Klamath Falls 2009 Angling Regulation Public Meeting May 15, 2008 OSU Extension Service Attendees: ODFW Staff: Rhine Messmer, Roger Smith, Bill Tinniswood. OSP Staff: Regulations Review Board: None Public Attendance: See sign-in sheet. Total of 13 public from Klamath Falls and Chiloquin. Roger Smith presented 3 public proposals for Agency Lake, Williamson River and Willow Valley Reservoir. 343P eliminate redband trout harvest in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Williamson River Comments: Andy, question on the number of redd counted on the Williamson River. What does 250 redds mean? ODFW, the number is only a partial count, shows trend in trout abundance over span of years. David, do we know how many juvenile trout survive and make it to the lake? ODFW, we don’t have any estimates. Cecil. Proposal to eliminate harvest would be contrary to habitat improvements that were pointed out in your presentation. Why shut down the consumptive fishery when these projects should improve fishery and the trout population? Who will benefit from reduced harvest? Guides and clients, they would become the major users of the resource. Concerned about mortality of released fish. Would mortality from released fish approach that of the kill fishery? What would be the implications of Klamath Tribe? ODFW, They would continue to harvest since the Tribal members can fish anytime and anyplace. Cecil, Fish savings would then go to the Tribes? Mike. All for catch-and-release. Seen one fish limit abused. Lack of enforcement and mishandling of fish. Spring Creek Red counts, remember putting in gravel. Had good results. Are we putting more gravel up there in recent years? ODFW, yes there have been multiple gravel projects in upper Klamath Lake tributaries. Mike, after the Williamson River dike removal there are problems with fish kills. What about all the weeds, vegetation that will rot. Will it take the oxygen out of the water? ODFW, this should not be a problem. Neil (local USFS Fish Biologist). ODFW will get their gravel projects done (referring to the gravel project that was delayed do to archeological concerns). Does not believe there is any documented decrease in redband trout populations and no basis for restricting current harvest opportunities. Pressure on river nearly doubled? He does not see a it. Most pressure is from Guides and clients. Proposal does not address where the pressure is coming from. Catch-and-release mortality figure around 10%. Catch-and-release can have same type of mortality. Proposal does not have a basis for rationale. Does not address pressure – Guides. Klamath Redband Trout Derby had a good economic impact. Proposals would take away from interest and enthusiasm for the trout fishery.


X - Data does not support curtailing keeping fish. Does not see anything adverse about restoration projects. Rationale stated (restoration projects negatively impacting redband trout) is contrary to ODFW’s assessment of trout run. X - Some people boat 200-300 trout a year. Not seeing the size of fish as in past years. Higher percentage of smaller fish. X - Noticed smaller fish, good spanners are the larger healthier fish. His concern is saving the Trophy trout fishing sio t does not become same as salmon fishing. Need to get ahead of problem. Save the fishery so down the road we will still have it. Loose less fish from catch-and-release. Carl from Agency Lake Resort. First came in 1996. Guides would double book clients. Some clients would go out more than once, after taking a limit. 70% of clients from California. In 1996 the fishery was healthy, no shortage of fish. Mouth of Wood River Projects need to be opened up and reevaluated. Water temperatures up 10-14 degrees taken from same spots on same dates since change. Business down 60%. Economically state is loosing license sales. Jack. Been here since 1972. Concern about kids being able to fish. Getting more restrictive. People do like to eat fish. Seems like guides would benefit most. John. Fishes the Williamson. His experience is the fish are smaller, not as many. Support catch-and-release. Terrific proposal for the fly angler. Should be special situation where Sprague River comes into Williamson River. Chuck. Can we add, must leave fish in water? ODFW, none of the project sponsors are at the meeting, so we can not independently modify their proposal. Chuck. Fish are not fit to eat. X - You can not compare 100% harvest to total catch and release fishery. Not correct. Many people release fish currently. Why should we regulate those that might want to keep a fish? Vote 343P: 6 support and 5 oppose. 335P Agency Lake, catch and release for redband trout Comments: X - How much gravel is in the Wood River? ODFW, there has been multiple gravel placement projects on the Wood and Crooked River, and tributaries. Are there any other factors limiting redband productivity. ODFW, yes most likely juvenile rearing in the rivers as well as some limitations in lake rearing due to water quality issues. Mike. What about the movement of the mouth of the Wood River? Seems like numbers are down. The mouth now is across a mudflat. The river was better when the mouth went across a hole. Think that they may have screwed-up the mouth of the Wood River. Largemouth bass found of the mouth. Also, brown trout in the Wood River, what is the affect on brown trout? Why not harvest brown trout. ODFW, brown trout harvest was proposed back in 2001. Landowners and guides were against harvest. I


X - With counts down, would enhancement and keeping regulations the same meet goals, or would there need to be catch-and-release also? Neil. I am against the regulation change, the rational for the change not supported by the data. Vote: 6 support and 6 oppose. 344P Willow Valley Reservoir bass restrictions Comments. Mike. Why 1 under 15 inches? Sponsor wanted to maintain opportunity to keep a potential trophy bass. If you are going to regulate, why not 5 per day under 15 inches, keep small bass and protect large bass. Vote 344P: 7 support and none oppose. Statewide rules. No comments. Additional comments: 338P Duncan Reservoir (rejected by Review Board), reduce trout bag limits from 5 to 2 per day. Want to have a quality type experience in a desert reservoir. Support this regulation. 337P Chickahominy Reservoir (rejected by Review Board), reduce trout bag limits from 5 to 2 per day with a 10-16 inch slot limit. Fishing has become good when water is available. Current regulation is abused, people are taking excess limits.


Central Point 2009 Angling Regulation Public Meeting May 16, 2008 Jackson County Auditorium Attendees: ODFW Staff: Rhine Messmer, Todd Confer, Dan Van Dyke, Mary Buckman, Joe Naughton OSP Staff: Sgt. Kirk Meyer Regulations Review Board: Lonnie Johnson Public Attendance: See sign-in sheet. Total of 59 public primarily from Medford, Shady Cove, Eagle Point and Grants Pass. South Coast District Todd Confer South Coast District. Discussed 5 staff proposals. 20S Elk River, expanded fall chinook bag limit. ODFW elected to have this proposal deferred to the 2008 Temporary Rule Development. 21S Garrison Lake (no discussion). Vote: Public supported this rule change. 22S Hunter Creek (no discussion). Vote: Public supported this rule change. 23S New River, consistent chinook rules and no retention of wild steelhead Comments: X - Does ODFW put clipped steelhead in New River? Todd Confer (ODFW) - A: No. Only clipped fish in New River would be from strays. Vote 23S: Public supported this rule change. 24S – Lobster Creek, expand trout angling Comments: X - What are the midsummer temps in Lobster Creek? Todd Confer (ODFW) - A: Mid-60’s. Vote 24S: Public supported this rule change. Dan Van Dyke, Rogue District. Dan presented public proposals for the Applegate, Illinois and Rogue rivers. There were no staff proposals in Rogue district 192P, 193P, 194P – Applegate River - allow angling from boat, seasonal or all year. Dan Van Dyke (ODFW) – Proposal summary presentation. Key points:

- each of these 3 proposals allows angling from a floating device - most of the waterway has privately owned land lining the river - most of the uplands in the basin are public - there is a hatchery steelhead program on the Applegate - there are additional steelhead to harvest on the Applegate - ODFW considers the steelhead population of the Rogue basin to be generally

robust and not at risk of extirpation


Comments: Proposal Sponsor – The public is paying to put fish in the river but is not allowed to harvest them. Current law identifies anyone wanting to fish on the Applegate to trespass, even if they are standing in the river, based on the rule stating that landowners own the bottom of the river. (CCA President) – Q: What percent of steelhead released in the Applegate have fin marks? Dan Van Dyke (ODFW) – A: 100% (landowner) – Applegate is too dangerous for boats. Twice I’ve had to rescue boats from the river near my property that try to boat where there is not enough water and the bridges are too low. Joel Hyde (landowner) – Safety is a major concern. This fight has gone on for a long time. If we have more floating devices on the river it is a safety issue. Landowners are just concerned about keeping the river clean. Brian Wright (guide) – Most of the Applegate is private, if you stop for lunch in a boat you will be trespassing. Ron Opertut (landowner) – Proposals are impractical. Inner tubes can barely float the river in the summer, and with the low bridges… Chad Marshall (landowner) – From Jan.1 to spring the average cfs is only about 150, and boating is very impractical. The term floating device needs to be defined. People are already trying to organize kayak trips down the river, and for kayaks it may be possible, but not for drift boats. Jeff Paneer (landowner) - The river is nice because it is private. People need to acknowledge and accept that the law says the river is privately owned. (guide) – I’ve floated that river and I wouldn’t do it again because of safety concerns. The proposals are also not practical because if you hook a fish you can’t fight it or drop an anchor without trespassing. Scott Howell (guide) – As guides we know when to and when not to put our boats in. Keeping the river private protects a good stretch of water for spawning habitat. Jack Schlereth – Agrees with Scott Howell. The system works as is. Landowners will generally give permission if asked. Deschutes is a blue ribbon river because they limit angling from boats. Mike Cooley (x-president of a steelheader’s club) – I’ve been fishing for 50 years. I can decide when to put my boat in the water and when not to. I don’t need anyone to tell me when a river is safe and when it isn’t. Predictions of collapsing fish runs if the proposal is passed are just scaremongering. The high water issue will work itself out (for navigability). X - Keep the river closed to floating and you will push the issue to the courts on June 10. Russell Mann (landowner) – We own the bank and the streambed but not the water.


Jeff Fox (guide) – Is against the proposal. The stretch where boats will be feasible will give boaters an unfair advantage over bank anglers. Son of Russell Mann (landowner) – We don’t want boaters trespassing on our land. (landowner) – Passing the proposal will cause trespassing. I pay taxes on the property in question, so go fish where you’re allowed too. (CCA President) – Q: What happens to hatchery fish returning to the hatchery? Dan Van Dyke (ODFW) – A: Females are spawned and males are destroyed. Proposal Sponsor – This proposal does not regard the health of the fishery. Only whether or not angling will be allowed from boats on the Applegate River. Josh White (guide) – Until this river is considered navigable, landowners have the rights and passing this proposal will escalate the issue. Rick Moyer (Upper Rogue landowner) – River users do trespass on my property, but they are adults and I can call the police. I don’t want to but I can do it. Boaters can use common sense and so can river boaters. Russell Mann – Riverbed is owned by the landowners, and the water belongs to the public. If there are accidents by boaters on a landowners property the landowner is legally responsible. Mike Cooley – Angling licenses are down due to fewer fishing opportunities. (landowner) – Maybe a compromise could be to make the upper river off limits to boating but open up the lower river? Vote 192P, 193P, 194P: Yes 25, No 22 219P– Illinois River – limited harvest of wild fish Comments: Chuck (proposal sponsor) – Allowing limited harvest of wild steelhead is biologically sensible. The proposal allows for the harvest of one fish per day, five per year, at least 24” minimum length. If the population is healthy and stable then the rule is ok. If the population is not stable, then the fishery should be shut down. X - I agree. Mike Cooley – Illinois historically has a strong population of wild steelhead, and is inaccessible which will keep pressure down. Josh White (guide) – There is a great amount of uncertainty in the Illinois and with other Rogue River fisheries. Given that there is a limited amount of data on that river which makes opening it up to a harvest of steelhead a bad idea. High catch numbers in a river may not necessarily reflect high fish numbers.


X – Q: Why is it necessary to keep wild fish? Dan Van Dyke (ODFW) – A: The latest survey of wild steelhead in the Rogue basin showed that juveniles are distributed widely. X – Why change the rule? Why not protect wild fish? Keith Miller (retired bioenergetics researcher) – I have many ethical problems with catch and release fishing in general. Fighting several anadromous fish to exhaustion in a day may be more damaging to the populations’ health and the fitness of any individual fish as killing a smaller number of fish. If the biological opinion is that a fish population is strong why second guess them. Keeping fish will increase angler interest. X – Q: Is there an estimate of adult escapement? Dan Van Dyke (ODFW) – A: No. X – We should support biologically sensible proposals. Mike Fey – Illinois can’t be easily damaged by passing this proposal. There are lots of fish in the river and I fish it every year. Access will limit pressure. (CCA President) – Q: How fast could the fishery be closed in the case that the proposal passed and there were disastrous consequences? Rhine Messmer (ODFW) – A: Theoretically, ODFW can issue an emergency decree that will close a fishery in two days. (guide) – Allowing people to fish when you don’t fully understand the runs in that river makes no sense. Vote 219P: Yes 33, 5 No 230P – Rogue River Canyon – removes bait ban on the lower river Comments: Vernon (proposal co-sponsor) – Rule was biologically unnecessary because Chinooks were doing fine in the Rogue River Canyon. Bait is the only practical way to fish for salmon with clients. Roger King (proposal co-sponsor) – After the bait ban, guides were thus forced to shift pressure in the canyon to ½-pounders, which are not as abundant as they are in the lower river. The rule simply causes guides to extend their trips down into the lower canyon for customers who would like to fish for salmon. Larry Banes – Exclusive fishing rules are unconstitutional. Rhine Messmer (ODFW) – The Fish and Wildlife Commission does have the authority to restrict gear types.


(guide) – Q: What was the intent of the bait ban in the first place? Rhine Messmer (ODFW) – A: The bait ban was implemented over concerns about fish mortality from fishing with bait. Irv Urie (guide) – Why have only certain sections of the river been closed to bait? If bait causes too high of fish mortality in one section, is it not causing too high of fish mortality in another? Why are there incongruent regulations in different parts of the river? X – The key to this regulation is the half pounders. They are not doing well in the canyon, and because of the gear restrictions they get hammered, but the salmon which are relatively abundant are left alone. X – The existing rule effectively limits use. Vote 230P: Yes 41, No 0 234P – Upper Rogue River – Bait and Gear Restrictions (this proposal was rejected by the Review Board but the project sponsor will be asking the Commission to reconsider this proposal. Since this proposed rule could be reconsidered, the Angling Regulation Coordinator had the District present the proposal at this public meeting. If the proposal is reconsidered, then the public comments will become part of the proposal evaluation) Comments: X (sponsor) – Lifting gear restrictions on the upper Rogue and it’s tributaries would have little impact on fish mortality according to OFDW. The problem with gear restrictions is that they exclude a majority of anglers. Why not be fair and let everyone fish the upper Rogue, particularly in areas where there are lots of people? X – Q: How much of the upper Rogue STS run are hatchery fish? Dan Van Dyke (ODFW) – A: At Gold Ray Dam, ~ 50%. ODFW puts out ~220,000 smolts to mitigate for habitat loss above Gold Ray Dam. X – This issue is not a social issue. The issue is about higher mortality on bait than on a fly or lure. The numbers of wild steelhead over Gold Ray Dam is declining. X – Bait is ok from Gold Ray Dam to Shady Cove in order to target all of those hatchery fish at the dam. Josh White (Guide) – Fishing gear types can be used as a management tool. Anyone can use lures and anyone can use a bubble and a fly. The fish are kegged up and if we allow the use of bait, it puts undo pressure on the fish. This is the section of river where I make my living as a fly fishing guide. John Knowles – Fish numbers are down in the Rogue even with gear restrictions. So why then exclude people who may not want to fly fish. Young people simply want to fish with worms. X – Some people can’t effectively fish with flies.


Rick Moorehead – Agree X – There may be unintended consequences from funneling bait anglers to specific areas. Steve Haskell (guide) – The regulation created in 2004 was a good compromise. People can still fly fish with spinning gear; they just have to use a bubble. Lot’s of people still have an interest in getting involved in fly fishing and there need to be places where they can do so. X (guide – 32 yrs) – In past they have segregated gear types. It’s not fair. A grandfather should be able to go wherever they want and take their grandson to catch a fish with a worm. Vote 234P: yes 34, no 6 Statewide Regulation Proposals 135p – Bass Catch Limits (no discussion) 136p – Channel Cat Catch Limits (no discussion) 5s – Statewide Gear Restrictions (no discussion) 72s – Leach Restrictions (no discussion) 7s – Restrict Gaffs in Freshwater (no discussion) 226p – Disposal of Fish Carcasses in Streams. Rhine Messmer (ODFW) – The idea behind this proposal is to find a way to dispose of fish carcasses in the stream where they can provide nutrients for the system. The problem is that we can’t have all of the carcasses dumped at the most convenient locations because then we have polluted areas. We are working with OSP to find a way to structure an enforceable rule, but it is difficult given that there is a gray area between where you are polluting and where you are responsibly disposing of fish. Comments: X – Putting fish carcasses back in the river is better because without a fish cleaning station, when the carcasses are in the garbage, the yellow jackets are all over. X – Anglers are lazy and will leave all of their fish in the water right at the boat ramp. X (OSP) – It would need to be a black and white rule for OSP.


Coos Bay 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 19, 2008 North Bend Library Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Mike Gray, Eric Vanderow, Tom Rumreich, Eric Schindler, Gway Kirchner, Jean McCrae, DeWain Jackson, Steve Denny, Chris Steveus OSP Staff: Isaac Cyr. Regulations Review Board: Lonnie Johnson Public attendance – Total of 27 public primarily from Coos Bay, North Bend, Lakeside, and Green Acres. County Commissioner John Griffith also was present. Mike Gray, Coos/Coquille and Tenmile District 16S Expand coastal harvest of fin marked coho salmon Comments: X – Q. Support proposal, will spawning chinook areas still be protected to prevent people from targeting coho salmon? ODFW response, deadlines are still in place to protect coho salmon. No new areas are opened up under this rule. The rule just allows anglers to keep marked coho salmon in ongoing salmon or steelhead fisheries. The rule will not open up new fisheries for coho salmon. Vote 16S. 10 support none opposed. 17S. Striped Bass, change in length limit Comments: X – Q. Why are we protecting these fish are all? They are non-native. In the old days we could catch all of them. ODFW, we manage many non-native gamefish in Oregon. This proposal would still allow some angling regulation; striped bass are not the limiting factor for coho production. John Griffith. Don’t use the Endangered Species Act to reduce number of striped bass. ODFW, Mike Gray. The ESA did not compel us to do anything on striped bass. John Griffith, let’s do something about shags and mergansers. Chuck Lang. Wouldn’t ocean conditions be limiting striped bass production like it is limiting salmon species? ODFW, no different habitat requirements through life-cycle. X – Who has the authority over striped bass in Oregon? ODFW. Buck Williams, Lake Side. Size of runs of striped bass has been reduced. If it effects reproduction will reduce sport angling opportunities. Dave Mort. Do stripers have to be a certain size before it becomes a male or female? ODFW, no. Striped bass sometimes have both male and female gametes but are sterile. John G. What size do bass mature? A. most first mature around 20 inches.


X – What about a 20 inch length limit rather than 18 inches. This change would still allow for more fish in the boat and more spawners. Would allow fish a chance to spawn. 11% of Age 3 females mature at this size. Vote: 17S 8 support and 8 oppose. Modified 17S, 20 inch minimum length. 12 support and one oppose. Note: staff have not endorsed any change to proposal 17S. This was brought up as a public modification. Staff will review proposed change. 18S South Fork Coquille fall Chinook salmon closure Comments: Gary Wellbaum– Support rule; would modify Arago boat ramp upstream to tidewater. Poor angler behavior in this area until heavy rains and anglers snagging in the Myrtle Point area. Fish are poor quality this high in system. X – This is a regulation to regulate fishermen not the fish. Need a bigger fine for people caught fishing illegally. X – Would like to see the closure based on water flows at the forks. Vote 18S 6 support 4 oppose. Public modification with Arago boat ramp 3 support 4 oppose. 19S Isthmus Slough Closure Comments: X – Think deadline should be moved further than proposed. Increase area closed to 1 mile; make the deadline at Milepost 20. Sees too many snaggers. X – Are these all hatchery fish. Yes. X – Is there currently a surplus of fish returning to this area? Tim, Steelheaders. Concerned about limiting a fishery on 100% hatchery fish. If you limit fishing, then raise the daily limit. Sgt. Cyr. Compliance with regulations in this area has been a problem for several areas. There is some legitimate angling but we are getting more and more calls about violations. OSP needs to respond and this area is taking away from other issues we need to deal with. Don’t want to ignore the public and their complaints. A whole of people are upset on what is going on down there. Under cover operations have seen people netting fish and snagging fish. Need to move the deadline to reestablish fair sport angling. John Wood. Should combine 19S and 224P, but increase the bag limit to 3 fish per day. Other public proposal 224P would move the deadline 1,000 feet to Mile Post 3, and have a September 1 – November 30 season for Disabled Anglers only. Clyde Hega. Don’t want to close legitimate angling on hatchery fish. Need to educate people, put signs up along the river. Should consider a low water closure, not allow anglers to walk within the high-water zone – stay above the high water mark. . There are no wild fish to protect in this area. Jerry Greene. Against the proposal because it takes away fishing areas for legitimate anglers.


Gary Willbaum would like to see signs, and more education on why you should not snag. John Ward. I am in favor of the proposal. Too many complaints about illegal fishing in the tidegate area, making a bad name for all fisherman. Vote19S 4 support and 9 oppose. 224P Isthmus Slough Disabled Angler season Comments: X – The problem is socially. What comes out of this is that people are against hatcheries, makes all hatchery programs look bad. Illegal fishing takes place in front of kids. OSP receives calls from Families with kids most often. Vote 224P 5 support and 7 oppose. 257P Tenmile Lakes bass regulations, remove 15 inch restriction convert back to statewide rules. Comment: X _ Q. What is the rational for the rule change? It is not really explained on the proposal. Chuck Lang. The current rule was proposed and adopted 4 years ago to protect larger bass from harvest. People were fishing on spawning fish and targeting larger fish. Rule was passed during the public process. There are several reasons to oppose this proposed rule found in ODFW documents: 1. ODFW webpage information Oregon coho salmon spawner abundance. 2. Oregon Coastal Coho ESU Documents Coast-wide. 3. Past coho salmon escapement numbers and managements actions. 1955 41,000 coho escapement 1964 Bluegill were introduced 1968 ODFW Rotenone Treatment. No bass in the lakes. Bluegill back into the lake, largemouth bass stocked to help control bluegill and provide a fishery. 1991 Basin Plan, time association between bass introduction and coho salmon. Coho decline prior to bass becoming established in Tenmile Lakes. Can not attribute this decline to bass. The count in 1972 of coho salmon dropped to 7,500 a huge drop. Bass not yet established in the lake. A total of 120,000 largemouth bass were planted in the lake at 40/lb along with 36 8 inch bass. In addition, the coho harvest rate in 1972 was 80%. Don’t feel that bass had anything to do with the decline of coho during this time period. Summer rearing in the lake has also been eliminated, mainly due to water quality and temperatures. In a 1989 review paper on summer coho rearing in Tenmile Lakes, water temperatures in July – August exceeded 65 F, which is too high for coho salmon. Dick Schradel, keep bass regulation as is. Bass can not be blamed for reduction in coho numbers. X – Tenmile Bass club member. Tenmile Lakes is the premier Oregon bass lake. We are seeing more and bigger bass.


Vote 257P 2 support and 15 oppose. 20S Elk River expanded fall Chinook bag limits. Comments: X – Against it, no basis. (Note: this was pulled from the 2009 process and deferred into the 2008 Temporary Rule development). Marine Zone Regulation Proposals 369P open the Pacific Ocean to sport crabbing all year Comment: John Griffith, is this just a social issue or is there a biological reason to have a closed season. John Ward, What is the most vulnerable time for crabs in the ocean? X – Q. How much impact will the sport season have if extended from August 15 to the end of September. ODFW (Jean McCrae) Hard to tell. Just starting to collect information. In the Ocean, this is a vulnerable time, males are soft-shelled and females are egg-bearing. The extended season could increase handling mortality in the Ocean. Vote: 269P 4 support and 4 oppose. 70S Gaper and Geoduck clams Comment. Vote: 12 support and none oppose. 76S Marine Fish Mutilation Comment: Vote: 8 support and none oppose. 68S Surfperch limits, reduce from 15 to 10 per day in aggregate Comments: X – With the closure of salmon seasons, could see effort directed to surfperch. Would like to se people trying out this fishery. Phil, Lived in North Bend and been fishing for 42 years. Have not seen numbers of come down to justify a reduction from 15 to 10 per day. Already a big jump when reduced from 25 fish with little data to support the reduction. ODFW (Gway Kirchner), we have some limited age data from carcasses. No current catch data. X – Looks like a solution looking for a problem. Find the problem first then talk about reducing bag limits. X – How do we know they are depleted. ODFW, we noticed a reduced catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) when we did monitor surfperch years ago. This rule change is a precautionary approach.


X – What is a surfperch in your eyes? ODFW, Redtail, Silver etc. X – Looks like you are taking the whole lot of perch just to restrict the most vulnerable. Opposed to the rule, not needed. Vote: 0 support and 14 oppose. 69S Halibut bag limits, increase from 6 to 10 fish per year. ODFW noted that it is likely that Oregon’s halibut quota will not increase this year as expected and will pull this proposed rule if there is no increase. We are looking for public comments on this proposed rule if and when the state’s quota increases. Comment: X – Any thought about raising the limit to 2 fish per day. ODFW, this limit is set through the Federal Process. Vote 69S 12 support and none oppose. Statewide Regulation Proposals. 108P Anglers required to return Hatchery Harvest tags Comments: X – Problems with proposal. Too many issues with this requirement. Vote: 2 support and 7 oppose. 135P Statewide bass regulations Comments: X – would rules conflict with Tenmile Lakes limits? No. Vote: no support, 3 oppose. 136P Statewide channel catfish regulations. Comments. X – Leave the way it is. Vote: no support, 2 oppose. 138P Statewide crappie limits Comments: X – Why not target specific waterbodies with crappie limits rather than a statewide regulation? John Griffith. In some waters it is king-of self regulated. Vote: no support, 10 oppose. 5S Bait restriction, Crayfish Vote. 5 support none oppose. 72S Bait restriction, Leeches Vote ) 12 support and 0 oppose. 7S use of gaffs to land fish in freshwater Comments: X – Sometimes gaffs are used to help land walleye in the Columbia River. Could use nets. Vote: 10 support none oppose.


9S Carcass disposal Comments: X – Be site specific. X – If disposal of carcasses is illegal, need to change facilities at areas like Charleston docks. X – Put up signs to educate the public. Vote: General support for carcass disposal. 10S prohibit harvest of freshwater mussels and clams. Vote: Those that spoke on this all supported proposed rule.


Roseburg 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 20, 2008 Douglas County Library Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Laura Jackson, Holly Truemper, DeWaine Jackson, Steve Denny, Laura Tesler, Mary Buckman, Meghan Collins OSP Staff: Lt. David Gifford and Sgt. Dean Perske Regulations Review Board: Lonnie Johnson and Dave GrosJacques Public attendance – 48 public (38 after the break), see sign-in sheet; Laura Jackson, Umpqua Fish District, proposed angling regulations 16S Expanded coho salmon harvest opportunity and regulation simplification Comments: Gary Moore – I thought we weren’t putting coho into North Umpqua? ODFW, Laura Jackson response: Coho stocking on the North Umpqua stopped in 2005, this will be the first year of no coho returning but we’ve still released 60K coho on the South Umpqua. Gary – There is no opportunity for coho fishing on the North Umpqua. Ron – The rule was designated to remove hatchery strays. Dave GrosJacques – UFA has helped w/fin-clipped coho at Galesville, and this will give us a chance to fish on them. Vote: 20 support and none oppose. 17S Striped bass minimum length Comment: Public question – Have striped bass recovered? Laura Jackson – Fairly good population, but we haven’t done a lot of surveys. Vote: 8 support and 3 oppose 255P Fly angling on South Umpqua Comments: Dave GrosJacques – Proposal would keep deadline at Jackson Creek Bridge but would reopen section to fly angling only. 80 miles of South Umpqua from River Forks open to all types of fishing, strong hatchery program. Not a proposal from a bunch of fly fishing groups to cut out other angling. Stream size keeps drift boats out, gives anglers chance to fish for winter steelhead and not worry about access. Good run of winter steelhead, and proposal is enforceable because of access and Forest Service road follows this stretch of river. Bob Nichols – Doesn’t support this because currently 30 miles of habitat is underutilized and the proposal overlaps w/arrival of spring Chinook – this is a concern. Currently, $10,000 or so spent


on Fish Watch and changing regulations could lead to confusion. It’s hard to tell number of winter steelhead we get. Scott Howell – Doesn’t support it, and sees animosity between gear and fly fishers. Majority of fish don’t make it up to this stretch until late in season and that’s when they start spawning. When they’re spawning, it’s time to leave them alone. Vote: 2 support and 29 oppose. 241P Mainstem Umpqua River wild steelhead fishery Comments: Chris Ellis – Opposes this and other Umpqua Basin proposals to harvest winter steelhead. No sense to harvest the one viable species we have left. We have opportunities to harvest all the other fish virtually year-round. Does not want to harvest wild winter steelhead. Read ODFW mission statement – how do we protect this fishery and keep it for future generations by re-instating harvest. Dan Taylor – Good thing to let these fish go. We have one of the last gems on the west coast and we shouldn’t take any chances on ruining it. Gary Moore – Against harvesting these native steelhead, but enjoys harvesting salmon and steelhead every once in awhile. I can harvest 5 winter steelhead and these guys can harvest two every day. I’m for putting more fish in the river so regular anglers have the opportunity to harvest more fish if they want. If we don’t put fish in these rivers, we won’t have them anymore – seals, sea lions, people coming into the State from California are harvesting our fish. Stanley Petrowski – With a community based non-profit group to re-vitalize economy in his area (Tiller). Group is opposed to harvest of wild salmon, we feel numbers are too abstract and we’d like to see runs vital and full. Robin Wilson – Petition going around to start winter steelhead hatchery program on North Umpqua River. If we had this fishery, we wouldn’t have to worry about these proposals. We’ve got to put fish in the river and there are petitions all over town (Idleyld Park). Dean Finnerty – Local guide for mainstem Umpqua to Reedsport to fly area, has clients from all over the world who choose to come here because of quality of fishery and no other place that affords anglers opportunities to catch these fish. They’re offended we had a regulation to harvest these fish, and most said if we go back to harvest, they wouldn’t return. Showed pictures of Apple Creek Bar – fish are usually there spawning and not there last year because of number of people that came to our area to fish. Harvest draws people from all over, California, Washington, etc. There’s an enormous amount of pressure on these fish. Harvest is in conflict with ODFW’s mission statement and Native Fish Conservation Policy. John Reans – It’s not that necessary to keep fish; if there’s even a 1% chance of damaging the size of future fish, we shouldn’t take it. Brad B – Keep hearing from guides there’s too many guides and they’re killing two to three fish a day. There isn’t a good wild winter steelhead run here. Biologically it is sustainable, but I don’t


support it because of what’s happening with the guides coming from out of the area. Solution if addressed by ODFW would be to take proposal to Marine Board and put limited entry on guides – precedent is already there – this would limit guides. I would not support any program that kills wild fish in the mainstem or South Umpqua. There’s no necessary reason for it. If there were hatchery program on North Umpqua I would not support it. The only reason anyone has to fish the North Umpqua is if you’re a guide or because you’re a masochist, so you have two alternatives – eliminate winter steelhead fishing for all expect guides w/paying clients or limit the number of guides on river. Or you can continue with penalizing everyone who wants to fish the North Umpqua. Scott Howell, guide. - Sees no reason to keep a wild fish. There has been countless projects to enhance the fishery, habitat projects, fish boxes, etc to protect habitat for wild fish. If we can keep fishery intact, future generations can have fish. I’m against the proposal. Cody Callen – Not a guide, I hate to see a wild fish killed. I’m in opposition and want to protect these fish by being proactive now and not be re-active down the road. John Raasch – Not a guide. We have such a unique fishery on the Umpqua with large fish and we have the South Umpqua hatchery program – it seems there’s plenty of opportunity to harvest hatchery steelhead. I don’t see a reason to kill wild steelhead. We need to enhance hatchery fish – there is a lot of pressure on the wild steelhead so preserve them and take hatchery fish. Gary Espinosa – Not a guide. I don’t agree with the rule, from a guy who only gets to go out on the weekend, it’s the greatest thing ever if you finally catch a fish. Just want an opportunity to take one fish. I see it as a collective punishment so make a rule that a guided boat would have to let go of the fish. Don’t cut it all off together. Some of us are not professional anglers and it’s harder to catch fish than a guide. I’d like to get just one fish per year. Cutting it off all together really cuts out the little guy. If we did have a North Umpqua hatchery program, I’d be in with you. No wild fish at all hurts the little guys that don’t have the opportunity to be out like the guides do. Scott Howell, Guide. – What we see as guides is increase of pressure that’s unprecedented. The Umpqua has become one of last few intact fisheries and world renowned. If pressure continues to grow and population continues to grow, we’re trying to be proactive. I think general population mindset has changed, we don’t need to kill a fish to justify being out there. Jerry Wolfer – Not a guide, fish on the weekend. Modify regulations to where guided boats can’t keep the wild fish. Doug Wilkas – 90% of fish are caught by 10% of fishermen. You’ll still have a lot of fish killed by small group and if it’s opened up to everyone, more fish will kill. X– We’ve got to prepare for the future, there’s a good run on the Umpqua but it’s important to protect them now. With increased pressure by guides and public, it would be a good thing to limit guides. The general public even on the weekends are getting better. The gene pool makes this place unique – if we lose that, we won’t get it back.


Jeff Daniels – There’s guides that catch 400 - 500 fish, and the 2-3 the private guys catch is nothing. If we’re going to protect it, let’s protect it. Gary Lewis – Local guide. When I started in 1980, there’d be three other boats at Colliding Rivers and you’d catch one fish. With techniques now, it’s no problem to hook 12-14 fish. What’s going to happen in the future if technology gets eve better? We have a gem here. There’s not one guide here who wants to kill wild fish on the main, South or North. I have people from all over the world who come here. I’m against killing wild fish. Peter Tronquet – Steamboater member in support of current regulation. Suggest that ODFW definition of opportunity is antiquated – define it as quality, not quantity for the future. The community needs to take pride in quality of the fishery. Opportunity has to represent quality. Fred Worsley – Please qualify the numbers and tell us what you see as biologists. You have data since 1946, do we have harvestable surplus? Do we have enough that people could keep one fish? Do we have more fish in last 10-15 years than we had 50 years ago? Fred Worsley – The method of fishing has changed, harvest has increased – is ODFW concerned? X - Guide,– I talked w/Dean Perske and found out some guides are keeping fish. The guides I know don’t harvest native fish. When I promote my business, I tell people you won’t be harvesting fish in my boat; clients all know they’re not harvesting natives in my boat. X – Will hooking mortality be available to us? Rhine – Those have been available for a long time. We’re updating studies and will present information to the Commission in August. . X – I feel sorry for the local angler who can’t harvest a fish. We can’t open it up to killing one fish a day for hooking mortality. It ends up fish being taken all the time. X- As guides, we do get people who want to keep fish. If I want t to keep fish, I go to the South or the Coquille. There’s plenty of opportunities to catch hatchery fish. X– I fished the Coquille 25 year ago, not now. You used to catch large steelhead, now they’re all cookie cutter hatchery fish. We have a place (Umpqua) where you can have a chance to get trophy steelhead. Vote: 5 support and 29 oppose. 242P Mainstem Umpqua River – 10 steelhead per year, marked or unmarked Vote: All opposed. 246P North Umpqua – wild steelhead harvest, expanded season of December Comments: X– If we’re talking about harvesting wild winter steelhead in December, there’d be killing of summer steelhead. Opposed


X– On December 1 all you’d be catching and killing is wild summer steelhead. Opposed. Vote: All opposed. 248P North Umpqua – wild steelhead harvest, traditional season (no December season) Comments: Anthony Wilson – Wild winter steelhead numbers are fine in North. Problem started when main was opened. I’m open for hatchery steelhead in the North. Peter Tronquet – 25% of fish go up North Umpqua – this is unique population so if you allow harvest of these fish, you won’t keep genetics intact. All of the ways to count don’t get to good understanding of population density and where they’re spawning, there’s not enough information, too much risk, and it needs to stay closed. X – Fish count for wild steelhead coming up the North has been great, the numbers show it should be re-opened on the North X – North Umpqua has been managed largely on social issues and it’s worked well because we have sustaining population. Not in favor of harvest. X – Kirk Beckler – I can’t believe anyone would want to harvest wild fish. Consider the future. Peter Tronquet – If we open this up to the pressure that exists today, those fish will be harvested at a greater rate than in the past due to better technology. Keep it the way it is and we’ll have a future fishery. X – How can people predict the future? The numbers speak that fish are coming back and it has been sustainable. X – Numbers have increased; we need to keep these fish; no harvest of wild fish. X – Consider that we can’t predict the future, the uncertainties are the very reason we need to reserve the fishery Vote: 5 support and 25 oppose. 251P South Umpqua wild winter steelhead harvest Comments: X - This is an especially bad proposal for several reasons – new acclimation site will expose the South to more pressure at Lookingglass Creek; more wild steelhead would be caught; higher risk since it flows along I-5, behind several mills. X - With Stanton Park and Lookingglass w/hatchery fish, it makes no sense to have wild harvest, it would devastate the river. Canyonville to Myrtle Creek is a mess. X This year, because North and main closed to native harvest, the pressure on the South was doubled. Don’t support harvest of wild fish. Where are all the people who sent the proposals?


X - We currently use up to 25% wild run for the hatchery program; not in favor of wild fish harvest. X South doesn’t have the habitat quality of the North, it gets way more pressure and wouldn’t take much to knock down the population. Vote: Most all oppose. Statewide Proposals: 108P – Mandatory harvest card return Comments: X - Prior to getting new tag, have people fill out a short questionnaire like the HIP program. Rhine: We’re sensitive about using POS for surveys (Idaho example), and angling is more complicated than hunting surveys. X - What’s the penalty? Rhine – no penalty; no way to track it; X - Educate the agents to ask for the harvest cards X - It’s a good idea because of difference of opinion on creel survey last year. Increase amount of the next tag if they don’t have previous one. X - Would give better data. What about the one day or out-of-state tags? Need a copy so if they get stopped in another state, they can show copy. X - In favor, we need data collection. X - Seems like if all were required to turn in tags, it would free up biologists time to do other things than creel surveys X - All for it, but it is too vague. Vote: Some support rule, most support concept. Few stated they did not support this proposal. 8S Sturgeon Length Retention Rules No comments. 1S Definition of “Aggregate” No comments 5S Gear and Bait Restrictions No comments. 72S Leaches Comments:


X- Support it except that leaches are present in many areas in Eastern Oregon and would prevent use within these waterbodies. I support not importing them from other areas. 226P Fish carcass disposal Comments: X - Your can’t just throw fish in the river, if you tag it; don’t understand harm of gutting fish along river. X - Fish carcasses are good for river system, but places like Osprey boat landing has an eddy that becomes a cesspool in summer, X - Whole ecosystem feeds off carcasses, how relevant is this (proposal)? X - Make it illegal to dispose of fish parts in standing bodies of water. Main problem in lakes, it’s very visible; in rivers, crawfish etc. would consume carcasses quickly. X - We have this problem of disposing the carcass, it would be nice to put it back in river 100 yards from boat ramp. It’s a problem near boat ramps, it’s a bee attractant if disposed in trash can. In other areas, carcasses are being shredded and put back in river. A lot of carcasses we’d like to put back in are within 10-15 days of when they’d spawn anyway. 135P New Statewide bass catch limits Comments Jim Henry – Current rule on Tenmile, group wants to change it to 5 bass/day; Tenmile rule was for coho survival. Doesn’t think there’s evidence of bass eating coho, millions of dollars were spent to improve Tenmile. The slot limit improved the fishing and the economic impact and that’s good for all of us. Al – Avid angler and diver. Started collecting data on why we don’t have the populations of salmon we used to, and there’s a glaring predation problem. Winchester Dam fish counts dropped dramatically after bass were introduced, there were millions of lamprey down to 49 a couple years ago, and 2% return on our smolts – they have to run the gauntlet of bass. Reckless and ridiculous that we’re harboring a non-native species like bass – ODFW needs to look at mission statement to protect resources. 136P Catfish limits 10/day and 138P Crappie limits 50/day Comment: X – Does not support 10S Freshwater mussel and clams Comment: X - Doesn’t see where this is necessary, the resource is not over-utilized. Multiple Rod Proposals Comment: X - This would be an enforcement nightmare; right now, OSP can glass and see easily how many people and how many rods – if this was passed, they’d need to check to make sure the person paid for two rods.


Eugene-Springfield 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 21, 2008 Lane Community College Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Steve Marx, Jeff Ziller and Kelly Reis OSP Staff: Sr. Trooper Kyle Elmenhurst Regulations Review Board: Darlene Kline-Dolby Public attendance – see sign-in sheet; several local proposal authors, including Moon Mullen, Scott Kinney, Steve Mealey Jeff Ziller, Upper Willamette Fish District, presented regulation proposals specific to Springfield management area (everything upstream of where the McKenzie River enters the Willamette River basin) that passed the initial review process. He also covered two proposals that did not make it through the initial review process, but were subsequently modified by Staff (modifications approved by project sponsor) and presented as modified. Upper Willamette Proposals Upper Willamette proposals were presented in 4 categories: Increased opportunities for steelhead, McKenzie basin, Middle Fork Willamette basin, and high Cascade lakes. Increased opportunities for Steelhead (25S, 26S, 30S, 35S, 36S, 37S, 43S, 57S, 58S, 59S) Proposals allow harvest of non-adipose fin-clipped steelhead >24” in waters with existing steelhead season. All other regulations remain same (season, use of bait or flies/lures etc). Proposals presented as a group. Comment: X - Questions regarding why increase harvest on naturally produced fish, especially with low numbers hatchery returns (Eric from Jasper) (non-native, competition, interbreed); enforcement hassle with 24” min (unlikely as few RB >24”); clarification all else (season, bait vs. flies/lures) remains same. Moon Mullen questioned data supporting few rainbow trout greater than 24 inches in waters. Scott Kinney asked why Little Fall Ck and Lost Ck (both Middle Fork Willamette Basin) not listed (oversight on Little Fall Creek – should be included; no summer steelhead season on Lost Creek) Vote: 14 supported, 3 opposed proposals (all summer steelhead proposals voted as single group) McKenzie River Proposals Lower McKenzie (269P modified, 270P modified) Jeff Ziller outlined the proposed modifications for 269P and 270P. These proposals did not pass the Review Board but with modifications are supported by ODFW District Staff. ODFW supporting reconsideration of these proposals at the August Commission meeting.


The modifications include: Steve Mealey, author of 269P and 270P, present and supportive of changes as presented. Lower McKenzie proposals (269P mod & 270P mod) presented together and then voted on separately. Proposal 269P modified – extend current Section 1 of McKenzie River to Hendricks Bridge, but now allow harvest of ad-clipped fish. Comment: Scott Kinney expressed concern about enforcing compliance with regulations, especially given compliance issues cited as reason to close C&R season in current McKenzie River Section 2. Leroy suggested by expanding Section 1, ODFW is restricting a larger section of river to just a few (by going to flies & lures); would prefer to see entire upper river restricted to flies & lures and open lower river to bait. Brett concurred Section 1 great for trout fishing, but concerned further restricts summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon anglers who use bait. Although most summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon anglers already fish above this section, would like to have bait allowance for salmon anglers near Hendricks Bridge. Steve Mealey spoke about the 2 year partnership between McKenzie River Guides and ODFW on PIT tag study where returns indicated a decline in native fish. Restriction on bait and harvest in extended Section 1 warranted due to declining numbers of wild trout. Eric of Jasper would like to see a delay in stocking until native redsides are larger and less susceptible to predation by hatchery trout. Vote 269P modified: 12 supported and 5 opposed 270P modified: 21 supported and 0 opposed Upper McKenzie (38S increase bull trout protection in Section 4, 39S allow unlimited brook trout harvest in Section 6 Carmen Reservoir to Clear Lake) ), Comment: X - Question about harvest being limited to brook trout if open section from Tamolitch to Carmen to harvest (depends on how well fish do there) Vote 38S: 15 supported and 1 opposed Vote 39S: 9 supported and 1 opposed Middle Fork Willamette Basin Proposals (274P new winter trout catch-and-release season on Salmon River, 275P new winter catch-and-release season on Salt Creek, 286P new winter catch-and-release season on Winberry Creek) Comments:


X - Question regarding funding available for enforcement & would it be worth opening? (Not an issue.) Leroy suggested allow harvest year round, but bait only during trout season as wouldn’t expect much harvest in flies & lures season. Ziller prefers to avoid harvest during migration/spawning season. 274P 15 supported and none opposed. 275P 10 supported and none opposed. 286P 8 supported and 1 opposed. High Cascade Lakes Proposals (55S, eliminate unrestricted harvest of brook trout in lakes that are stocked with brook trout) Clarification that Gold Lake not included in proposal, Deschutes National Forest regulations similar (unlikely to get into trouble if unwittingly cross forest boundary) Vote: 55S: 14 supported and 1 opposed Statewide Testimony 284P Trout slot limit (8-10 inches) and additional hook restrictions on Section 6 Willamette River, Middle Fork upstream to Dexter Dam Moon Mullen submitted 284P, but was told it failed to pass review process because “inconsistent”; feels cutthroat trout worth protecting. Would like to see 2 fish limit in 8-10” slot to decrease incidental (hooking) mortality due to anglers catching their 5 fish; expects additional pressure in in-town fisheries with increased gas prices. Moon Mullen supports 284P. 285P Trout slot limit (8-13 inches) and additional hook restrictions on Section 6 Willamette River, Middle Fork upstream to Dexter Dam Scott Kinney echoed Moon Mullen’s concerns and would like to be proactive to protect trout on the Middle Fork Willamette. Scott Kinney supports 285P 336P Area closure for trout angling on the Blitzen River. Joe Fergusen opposes summer closure of Blitzen River and has not noticed decline in fish numbers. 343P Eliminate harvest of redband trout on the Williamson Rive Joe Fergusen supports proposal to limit harvest of trout on Williamson River 242P,246p, 248P, 251P Proposals to allow harvest of wild winter steelhead on Umpqua (North Fork and South Fork and Mainstem) Joe Fergusen adamantly opposes opening Umpqua system to harvest of wild winter steelhead; considers existing North Fork Umpqua management plan outdated and lacking in spawning escapement goals. Several other public also opposed harvest of wild steelhead in the Umpqua (15) and a few supported proposals to harvest wild steelhead (6).


Leroy said Umpqua steelhead called wild, but system heavily stocked for years and, other than North Fork, those fish are of hatchery origin. Steve Schaefers, McKenzie River and Lower Umpqua River guide asked why the 1 in 5 rule on Umpqua changed in 3 years rather than through 4 year process and suggested it is a social rather than biological concern as good numbers of fish going over Winchester Dam (Rhine – 2 petitions submitted in 2008 to eliminate wild harvest, Commission split on vote, but knew it would come up again in 2009). Mr. Schaefers suggested approximately 75% of winter steelhead run is counted at Winchester & provided counts for 2007 (9631) and 2008 (9511). X - Another attendee commented with global warming, healthy native stocks are more likely to adapt to new climates than are hatchery fish and consequently we should be cautious and avoid harvest on natives in order to protect them X - Another attendee proposed we defer making a decision on this issue until the next regulations cycle to allow more time to see impact of recent regulation change and to develop an Umpqua basin comprehensive fish plan (currently lacking) and which would be critical prior to changing regulations. He recommended we continue to have discussions. Leroy asked for confirmation that biologists had supported harvest in the Umpqua. Rhine agreed staff had suggested a limited harvest was sustainable, but Commissioners, through a split vote, decided to be conservative Scott Kinney suggested this is not a river-specific issue. As Umpqua guide business increases, will see impacts in future dam counts. If Winchester counts drop as Scott Kinney suggests, ODFW can shut down fishery if necessary. 348P Snake River, Create an aggregate catch limit for warmwater fish species for the Snake River Attendee expressed concern (to Jeff Ziller over the break) over no designation of possession limit. Would be okay with 25/day if no possession limit. Make sure rule is compatible with that in Idaho. 257P Eliminate the 15 inch rule and revert back to the Statewide bass regulation Rob Warden, president of Emerald Bass Club, opposes a change to regulations for Tenmile Lake and feels it would provide no benefit and has the potential for damaging the fishery. Both he and the Club advocate for catch and release and sustainable fisheries and feel the current regulations on Tenmile Lake balances protection of larger fish while allowing harvest on smaller ones. Since current rule went into effect, he has noticed an improvement in the fishery based on both size and numbers of fish and would like to know the rationale for increasing the 15” limit and what benefits this increase would provide to the fishery. He feels Tenmile Lake should be the model for other fisheries rather than change to be consistent with other fisheries. Opposes 257P Bob agrees the Tenmile Lake fishery has improved since current regulation went into effect and the quality is excellent. Opposes 257P


257P didn’t ask for vote in favor, 12 opposed 108P Mandatory Return of Hatchery Harvest Tags Rhine reminded audience would need Legislative action to change fees. Comments: Darlene Kline-Dolby agreed this process can not implement fee changes, but opposes this proposal because she would like to see an increase in harvest tag fee which would then be discounted by same amount when turn in previous year’s harvest card. Darlene reminded audience creel surveys cost anglers money, and return of harvest cards may provide similar information for free Moon Mullen had concerns about being unable to purchase harvest card if lost previous year’s card; likes Darlene’s suggestion of additional fee and equal discount for returning card Eric supports need to turn in card and supports Darlene’s thoughts on fee increase/discount, but would like to see harvest card info printed on license; will follow-up on that idea with DeAnna Erickson X - One attendee expressed concern about discount scenario as he often buys his next year’s license in December, when he still needs previous year’s harvest card. Leroy asked about a study to determine labor needed to implement change? Vote 108P: 1 supported and 7 opposed 115P Statewide Sturgeon hook regulation Two audience members voiced support, although no vote held. 9S & 226P Fish Carcass disposal proposals Brett asked what is the issue with too many nutrients in the river. Nutrients feed bugs and trout. Rhine responded issues with water quality, biological oxygen demand causing fish kills, or attracting marine mammals; a social issue involving public acceptance. Want to keep simple (avoid flow restriction etc.) X - May be possible to have date or species restrictions. Likely won’t be resolved this go-around, but continue to discuss. Brett suggested not an issue in Alaska and is social rather than biological issue. In fact, must discard carcasses in river in Kenai. Eric suggested this isn’t enforceable and is therefore irrelevant. Voted 9 in support of pursuing this as a concept. 135P New Statewide catch limits Rob Warden suggested unnecessary to keep fish >17”; better to have something similar to Tenmile Lake where legal to keep anything under a certain size, release larger fish.


Eric prefers a slot limit to protect smaller fish, such as 5 fish 12-17” Vote: 135P: 1 supported, 11 opposed 136P Channel catfish limit, 10 per day Vote 136P: 6 supported and 0 opposed. 138P Crappie catch limits 50/day Comments: X - Attendee asked about biological evidence suggesting a need? Rhine responded some waterbodies may have a need, especially those with high use, but generally populations cycle. Eric expressed concern that limit of 50 functions as no limit on local waters; concerned large crappie have been over-fished locally Darlene reminded audience that currently there is no limit, and this is a starting point. Moon asked why no minimum length. Eric suggested a slot limit would provide larger fish at higher numbers. Vote 138P: 12 supported, 0 opposed 10S Prohibit the harvest of freshwater clams and mussels Question clarified proposal will not include harvest of clams/mussels in tidal flats near Florence. Multiple rod proposals: 127P, 140P, 141P, 142P Reminded audience any fee increase requires legislative action. Currently a two-rod concept in the ODFW 2009-20111 Budget, lakes and reservoirs only. Comment: General comment was that lakes and reservoirs would be acceptable for a two-rod endorsement. Rogue Basin proposals 192, 193, 194 Allow angling from a floating device on the Applegate River. Audience member wanted to go on record as opposing – safety issue 219 Illinois River, allow wild steelhead harvest. Same audience member opposes harvest of wild steelhead – fragile run 116P, Ban the use of salmon or steelhead eggs as bait (rejected by the Review Board) Audience member opposes 307P Davis Lake, catch and release for trout Moon Mullen wants Davis Lake to be catch & release for trout


Newport 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 20, 2008 Hatfield Marine Science Center Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Bob Buckman, Derek Wilson, Rick Klumph, Jean McCrae, Gway Kirchner, Eric Schindler, Tom Friesen OSP Staff: Todd Tomson? Regulations Review Board: Greg Harlow Public attendance – 12 public, see sign-in sheet; Note: Started out the meeting with comments from Bill Lackner who needed to leave early due to medical issues. Bill (Lackner): eliminate commercial razor clam digging south of Tillamook Head. Recreational clam diggers would like to have input in public process. Currently not represented in the process. Perceived ODFW transparency problem. Issue with election to board (P. Burke supported H. Mann). Thinks agency does not want resource users on boards/commissions. Resumption of retention of cutthroat fishery on S. coast mentioned. Bob Buckman, Mid Coast District, presented proposals for his District. Proposal 12S modify trout regulations to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon (close end of September) Comments: Mike (P?): is Beaver Creek open to salmon and steelhead fishing? Yes, in area open to steelhead (clarification). Vote; 3 support and none oppose. Proposal 15S Open areas of the North Fork Siuslaw to consumptive trout angling Supported by all voting public in attendance. Vote: 4 support and none oppose. Proposal 11S Expand harvest opportunities for adipose-fin marked coho salmon Comments: X – concern about hooking mortality. X - Question – which fin is clipped? (adipose). X - Clarification – can you still fish for Chinook (yes, within bag limit for salmon). X - Question – 2009 regulations? (yes). Question – includes Columbia? (no). Vote: 9 support and none oppose. Bob Buckman provided a review of proposals that were deferred into the 2008 Temporary Rule Development. Proposal – temporary rules in 2008 for fall Chinook. Comments: X - How does hatchery tag fit in? (no change). B. McPherson – what happens Jan. 1 2009? (will consider stock status and recommend whether to continue or discontinue rule).


X - Question – what about Yachats? (will remain as is; Bob will think through). X - Question: can you keep fishing after you kill a wild Chinook (yes, for hatchery fish). Extended discussion of previous rules. B. Buckman – we will clarify rules. Tom Ritchey, concern about hook/release mortality regarding this rule. Rights of fish vs. people…do we know mortality rates? Points out small number of hatchery fish returning to most coastal rivers; would rather see one and done (2008 run needs to be protected). Agreement from another attendee. Siletz deferred proposals: Comments: Tom Ritchey – should be more restrictive on closing upper tidewater section – emphasizes delicacy of 2008 run. Siuslaw staff proposals: Tom Ritchey) – lots of effort by locals to conserve run. Alsea Chinook staff proposal: Question: mouth to 101 bridge closure? Buckman: no concern; fish bright and not snagged. Joe: Alsea Watershed Council in favor of staff proposal deadlines. Marine Zone Proposals 369P – Year Round Ocean Sport Crabbing Comments: Mike Pettis (commercial fisherman) – How did this get through the review board (i.e. doesn’t think it makes sense as the crab are of poor quality)? Additional comment on how commercial fleet has summer landing limits because market can’t absorb the flow of crab. Bob Aue (commercial fisherman) – Opposed to proposal and thinks that sport and commercial crab size limits should be the same. Dan Marvin (commercial fisherman) – Columbia commercial crab fishery would be wiped out. Herb Goblirsch – Question: Was Crab Commission informed of the proposal? Answer: Yes, and they did not have a significant concern. Concerned that the sport in sport crabbing has gone away with use of “commercial type” pot gear by sport fishery. He thinks that sport crabbers should have to use rings only. Need more crab research. If proposal passes, then he will be going out and set pre-test sport crab pots in the ocean before the commercial opening so he will know where the crabs are. Mike Pettis (commercial fisherman) – Dungeness crab fishing has now been ranked as the most dangerous commercial occupation. If this season is approved, sport crabbers will die trying to go out due to rough winter weather (Author note: There is no reason to expect any increase of recreational crab related injuries as the season is already open during very poor weather in December, January, February, and March. US Coast Guard restricts recreational bar crossings in poor ocean conditions). Also made comment about recovery rate and quality of crab being very poor. Joe Rohleder – Thinks that the quality of the crab is not good enough during this time.


Vote 369P: 0 supported and 7 opposed. 70S – Geoduck added to gaper clam limit Comments: Greg Harlow – Why aren’t geoducks in the ID section of the regulations, and why is harvest allowed on a species with such a low population? Answer: Geoducks are only known from Netarts Bay, and are believed to be a remnant population from a planting by ODFW. Vote: 6 supported and none opposed. 374P – Increase littleneck clam limit (rejected by board) Comments: Mike Pettis – What percent of clams are below the tide line? Answer: With littlenecks, it is unknown but believed to be a lesser portion than with other Oregon bay clams. Herb Goblirsch – How long has the rule been in effect? Leave it as is. Vote: 0 support and 7 opposed. 371P/372P Razor Clam Proposals (not passed by Review Board): Comment: X - Where did proposal originate? (Clatsop Beach area). Vote: 0 support and 7 opposed. 67S Mutilation of marine fish Comments: X - Isn’t it currently illegal? (references freshwater game fish; these are food fish). Greg Harlow – what if I go to the fish cleaning station first? (OSP: trying to address loophole in current regulations). B. McPherson: suggest simplifying to delete “reaching automobile…”. (Rhine: reflects federal rules regarding completion of trip). X - Comment: what about retaining carcass? (OSP: makes language consistent). Greg Harlow: agrees with Barry; likes concept, but problems in some areas with returning to auto first. E. Schindler: clarifies – principal means of land transportation. (Rhine: will not change language to keep consistent with freshwater regulations). Vote: 9 support and none oppose. . 68S Reduced surfperch limits Comment: X - Sea lions probably eating perch; wants deal on albacore limit, will vote yes on perch proposal. Greg Harlow: Don’t see that the surfperch fishery is over fished. Can see why the limit was lowered from 25 to 15, but don’t see the justification to lower further until there is research.


Anglers sometimes release ripe females. Fishery dependent on weather; does not think proposal is warranted based on lack of data. Encourages more creel before taking away opportunity. X – Do you have data on how many anglers catch 15 fish per day? ODFW, Gway. Between 4-9% of anglers catch more than ten surfperch. X – Don’t know how much is out there, don’t know how much is being caught. B. McPherson: do we have data on anglers that currently catch limit (yes, best data shows most catch more than 10). Estimate of catch? (not known. Vote: 1 support and 4 opposed. 69S Annual Halibut harvest limit Comments: X – What is the average size of catch? (Gway/Schindler: ~36”, but minimum size restriction lifted a few years back). Vote: 4 support and 2 oppose. 366p and 367P tuna catch limits 10 per day (rejected by Review Board): Comment: salmon restrictions will result in increased tuna catch. Joe: how do we get a proposal back that has been rejected (Rhine asked staff to present at the public meeting since there was interest in sponsor to get these proposals reconsidered by the Commission. If reconsidered, needed public comment to classify). Comments: Herb: where did information on tuna stock come from? (Eric: from Tuna Council). Herb related that at a recent meeting, data showed albacore MSY has been exceeded for a number of years, mostly from long-lining. Eric: stock has not decreased, but they are fishing over the MSY. Rationale for reductions are to get other countries in line with each other. Herb has witnessed waste in CA; WA has no limit; S. of Pt. Conception = 10 fish. Smelt analogy. Who needs 25 tuna? Supports proposal. Greg Harlow: 25 fish is ludicrous; gives examples. Wants us to go to WA and CA to do the same. Supports proposal. Tom: repeats first comment. Fuel prices may affect sport fishery. Eric: average catch=4 fish. Barry McPherson: if numbers are valid, not much to be gained by change. Relates that lots of out-of-state anglers come to fish on albacore; does not support. Vote Split. 3 support and 3 oppose. Statewide Issues 108P Anglers required to return Hatchery Harvest Cards Comments:


Tom: under impression this proposal would have teeth; could get a lot of info off tag (gender!). Knows many people who don’t turn in tag. Greg Harlow: WA uses same system. Why doesn’t it have teeth? He wrote another proposal to correct this. (Rhine: set in statute). Question about fishing Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Disappointed in how this turned out. Herb: what about “core” charges? Issue with computer overload at end of year. Deposit? (Rhine: only can be done thru Legislature). G. Harlow: impact on sales by mail and internet? (don’t know) Barry: too much uncertainty. Vote: All attending public opposed (8). 8S Converting Sturgeon total to fork lengths. : All attending public support (8) 1S New definition of Aggregate: All attending public support (9) 2S Define Herring Jigs Comments: Tom: lots of perch caught with herring jigs. Greg: page 99 – clarify language? How many hooks? Barry: does not define number of hooks; herring jig definition is not defined. OSP clarified: this is a change to the size of hooks only. Todd: concerned with gap on large hooks (can be bent to 3/8”). Barry: intent to use bare hooks? (Rhine: change is to size only). Vote: No opposition by attending public (9). 3S New definition of Offshore Pelagic Species: No vote, no opposition. 4S Definition of Rockfish: Greg: how will ODFW help public identify rockfish? (Gway: you need to ID them already, but will add keys and other materials to help). No opposition by attending public (9). 5S Prohibit use of live crayfish as bait Comment: X - hard to enforce. Question: legal to transport live crayfish? (yes, we encourage anglers to kill them before fishing). Vote: No opposition by attending public. 72S Ban use of live leeches Comments: Greg Harlow: considering pathogens, should we allow at all? No opposition by attending public. 6S Clarify Fish Transportation Rules: No opposition by attending public. 7S Restrict use of gaffs in freshwater


Comment: X - Question of fresh vs. salt water. (Rhine: head of tide; consult maps) Eric S: would include riverine systems. Clarification needed. Greg Harlow: head of tide not defined in regulations. No opposition by attending public. 115P Statewide sturgeon hook regulations: No opposition by attending public. 9S and 226P Disposal of fish carcasses in Oregon Waters Comment: Barry: concern of transferring diseases: (name?) suggest processing into pellets. Greg: problems in metro area; issues on coastal streams; tidewater and below. Pinniped issue. Tom: agrees; seal issues, carcasses should be placed upstream. Rhine: development continuing. 135P Change general statewide bass regulation Comment: Herb-no limit, period – retain existing rule. 138P Statewide crappie limit 50/day: no comment. 10S Eliminate harvest of freshwater clams and mussels Comment: Greg: freshwater mussels in decline; support. Support echoed. Multiple rod proposals and concept: discussed briefly by Rhine, more later. Option package for two rods in Policy Option Package. No concerns voiced (if limited to standing water bodies). 150P allow retention of cutthroat trout on North Coast Streams Comment: G. Harlow supports consumptive cutthroat trout fishing.


Tillamook 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 23, 2008 Oregon Department of Forestry Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Robert Bradley, Keith Braun, Rick Klumph, Eric Schindler, Mitch Vance OSP Staff: Sgt. Todd Hoodenpyl. Regulations Review Board: None Public attendance – Total of 15 max and 13 most of the time, several people left at the break.

11S – Retain fin-clipped coho in any system open to chinook / steelhead.

Les Helgeson (LH) – Have we consulted with NOAA? ODFW, yes we sent them initial proposals and will also further consult on proposals when we have narrowed them down in number.

John Bracke (JB) – Do we see impacts from stray coho? Opposed to change, false pretense of increasing angling opportunity.

Bill Hedlund (BH) – Supports, knows some areas get large numbers of strays. LH – Support provided we don’t use it to increase hatchery programs

Vote: 13 support and none oppose. 73S – Open NF Nehalem above Hwy 53 Oct & Nov

LH – Why can’t we address fish passing with a weir? Adamantly opposed to opening area. Burt Went (BW) – Opposed, second trap catches a lot of coho, not much of a fishery. JB – Opposed, just looking to sell more license & tags Walt Weber (WW) – was Walt’s area, directed fishery was below hatchery for coho, mostly chinook above.

Vote: 2 support and 11 opposed.

150P – Limited cutthroat consumptive fishery Steve Morris (SM) – Opposed, concern over stocks. Bill Blaser (BB) – Only zone with no consumptive trout fishery for stream. Doesn’t buy

into cutthroat trout fishing having impacts on coho. Others fear lots of people continually fishing which is not true. Old arguments don’t hold true.

LH – Mhyre (OSP – retired) told Commission 40% of trout checked were steelhead. Resting hole counts are wrong, cutthroat trout are going down, need to develop a conservation plan. Adopting the regulation would violate NFCP, trend is down, Rick agrees. To say people aren’t fishing is crap; Nestucca is basically a mainstem spawning system. Angler survey says very small number of people want to fish for and kill a trout. No kill fishery will lead to sustainability.

WW – Where is the biological justification for having a fishery on a State Sensitive species? Populations above barriers do not contribute to searun cutthroat trout. Lots of


areas open to bait angling. Drastic coastwide decline. Knutsen white paper (ODFW) points out survey (resting hole) weaknesses.

JB – Anglers he has contacted on the upper Nestucca don’t see a need to have a kill fishery. Doing it only to generate revenue. Why don’t we do the creel in summer when trout fishing is open rather than in the winter and asking steelhead anglers. (NOTE: the creel he is referencing is the Nestucca winter steelhead hatchery broodstock evaluation, and one of the standard questions is did you catch any cutthroat of juvenile salmonids).

BB – disagrees with the “group” Catch & Release mentality. BH – back in 90’s state stocked cutthroat for put & take stream fisheries. Changed to put

fish in lakes for those who want to keep fish. Cutthroat have increased slightly in size. Gary Kish (GK) – why are we hashing this out again? Nothing has changed since last

angling regulations process. Tillamook cutthroat are in decline. Tillamook RBA (Rapid Bio Assessment) coho increase, everything else is declining. Cutthroat abundance shows 17% decrease between 06 -07, and 20% between 05 and 07. 63% decline on Trask, 23% decline on Wilson. Basin wide decline based on RBA data. Proposal should be removed. BW - fish Nehalem early summer / fall, has records from 02 on; F/H close to 2 in 03. 05, 06, & 07 F/H went down by half in Nehalem. Can’t afford to allow a fishery. Angler survey seems to contradict the intent of this proposed regulation. 41% felt release was more enjoyable than keeping. Doesn’t see a big public demand for a kill fishery. Don Abing (DA) – Astoria resident, opposed to it. Angler Ed instructor, students in his classes opposed to it. Angler ethics – wild native fish are a trophy fish, unique location, unique & finite resource. Cutthroat symposium – all other states focus on C&R to enhance cutthroat populations. All these populations are distinct, need population estimates on each individual system on populations up and down the coast. Worked at Astoria seafood processor way back when and saw totes of cutthroat come in; historic numbers are available. The data is not there. Teaches students to do the right thing, stop the killing, and enjoy the outdoors without killing. George McKibbin (GM) – not a trout angler but dumbfounded by an entrenched attitude from the C&R group, did you all come on the same bus here? They have their interest as they want it and don’t want anyone to take their fish away. No counter balance to the contingent at the meeting who want to keep a fish, most are kids. Not surprised because people have not had a chance to fish for trout. If there were an organization in support of harvest it would just be kids. Most people would support the chance for kids to catch and keep two fish per day.

Vote: 2 support and 11 oppose. 164P – Open Kilchis to steelhead angling year round BH – proposed regulation. The best part of steelhead run is late in the season. Very low

incidental catch mortality from C&R probably, 2 fish for the entire season. Has numbers and is willing to share if anyone wants them. Likely not very many anglers are going to fish this area.

LH – Is Kilchis like Nestucca with mainstem spawning? (yes – BH). Fishing on redds (guides) which will result in higher mortality. Conditionally support proposal if we exclude spawning areas.


JB – agrees with LH. Look at closing Kilchis above Kilchis Park or even at logging bridge, then would be much more supportive of allowing the regulation to proceed. In the old days we use to get together as necessary and amend proposals.

(short discussion on process to amend a proposal)- Bill H is willing to amend and add a deadline. BH – amend proposal to add a deadline at Kilchis Park during the extended period (April – late May opener?).

Original proposal – Oppose – 1

Support – 6 Amended proposal – Oppose – 0 Support – 11 12S – trout closure end of Sept to protect fall chinook in areas not open to salmon &

steelhead. LH – support, step in the right direction, summer not the time to fish (?), best time is

when they are in tidewater, also like to see tidewater added. JB – step in the right direction, should consider making it Sept 1.

Support – 7 Oppose 1 188P – Vernonia Pond bass bag limit reduction JB – what is downside of doing this?

Support – 6 Oppose - 1 189P – Vernonia Pond crappie bag reduction GK(?) – opposed protection of foreign exotics

Support -2 Oppose -2 191P – Close LNF Wilson to angling in December WW – coho and steelhead numbers – are there many in Jan? JB – How high is the stray rate?

GK – question why not deferred with all other chinook regulations (not a chinook regulation, is only open to steelhead angling, chinook used as rational)

Support – 12 Oppose – 0 Break – several people left at this time, 13 stayed for rest of meeting Marine / Shellfish Proposals


369P – Year Round Ocean Sport Crabbing Comments:

Walt Weber – Requested more explanation on the rationale. Gary Kish (proposal originator) – Explained that the proposal would provide more opportunity, especially for the August through October time period. He noted that for recreational crabbers the ocean is effectively closed from Nov. through March due to weather conditions. Commented that there are lots of hard shell crab available. It also provides a bonus to the guides taking their clients out for Chinook in the early fall.

Vote: 11 supported and1 opposed. 70S – Geoduck added to gaper clam limit: No Comments:

Vote: 9 support none opposed.

374P – Increase littleneck clam limit (rejected by board): No Comments: Vote: all opposed. 371P/372P – Increase razor clam limit to 24 in certain years (rejected by board) Comments:

Les – Would like the bag limit increased. X - Would not like bag limit increased. He thinks it is already over harvested. X – Likes the proposal, but would like the open dates to match the dates in Washington. X – Would like more science on the proposals.

No vote. 67S – Mutilation of food fish prior to reaching vehicle: No Comments: Vote: 10 support none oppose.

68S – Surfperch bag limit reduction Comments:

X – Would a size limit help? Reply – variety of species so length limits would need to be matched to each species and would add a lot of complexity to the rules. There would also be some release mortality. X – Some anglers are releasing large fish right now. X – Most anglers only kept a few females. Other populations (post Vietnam War) do not respect the fishery. X – Any restrictions to save species is good. X – Noted a definite decline in numbers from a long time ago. Regulation is needed and maybe even more restrictions. Vote: 11 support and none oppose.

69S – Increase annual halibut limit from 6 to 10 Comments:

X – Is this all depths? Reply – yes it is the annual catch card. X – What is Washington’s annual allowable? Reply – Don’t have that information available.


X – Is the annual quota steady? Reply – It is changed by the IPHC and base description of the proposed changes by IPHC provided. X – IPHC is commercial based and they are shifting quota North. X – We should deal with this later. Don’t waste time before we know what the quota is.

Vote: If quota goes up, then 4 yes and 6 no. Statewide Proposals 108P – Require mandatory harvest tag turn in JB – support, make similar to hunt survey requirements, but making actual physical tag

turn in will be tough.

General discussion on merits and problems

Vote: 5 support and 3 oppose. 8S – Sturgeon to fork length measurement 1S – Define aggregate 2S – define herring jigs 3S – off shore pelagic species definition 4S – Rockfish definition 5S – No use of live crayfish unless from the same waterbody 72S – No use of live leaches for bait 6S – Fish Transportation rule 7S – No gaff hook use allowed fresh water 115S – Sturgeon hook rules (single point barbless everywhere) 9S – Disposal of fish carcasses (or parts thereof- basically fish cleaning in the field) JB – Nestucca 1st & 4th Br ocean fish carcasses left LH – ok with proposal as written, probably the best we can do

? – technically can’t clean fish and dispose of anywhere – (correct) All the above had some minor discussion and were supported by those public left. 135P – Bass slot limit

No support 136P – Channel catfish limits (none to 10) 138P – Crappie limit to 50 / day 10S – Prohibit harvest of freshwater mussels & clams

The above 3 received no comment, not sure if they were supported or not. Hook Rules – Barbed vs. barbless, artificial vs. bait, etc. Will give update to Commission at August meeting LH – studies rely on professional handling in the research, angling is different.


Multiple Rod proposals (#127P, #140P, #141P, #142P) – looking at applying on standing water bodies only (trout and warmwater fisheries) LH – sees problems JB – have been to budget meetings, should costs the same as the first rod (license fee)

General Comments – Other Proposals LH – supports 329P – statewide C&R for wild steelhead (Bakke proposal). Bracke and Stewart proposals will be brought up at Commission meeting to get back on

the list. This is the first time the Fish Cons did not get a proposal passed out of the review board, something’s wrong with process.

Was told by one reviewer that they thought only 4 proposals were “reviewed” adequately by the board.

Claims no Fish Cons were on the board, need to have the Commission determine who is on the board, ODFW not fairly representing angling community. Attorney General says conservation trumps harvest. Consumptive trout regulation was taken care of last process, shouldn’t be addressed again. Claims committee didn’t know criteria.

WW - Did committee have access to the Angling Survey? (yes, a copies of the survey were given to Board members well in advance of the review meetings) Did committee have access to biological information to make decisions? (Yes, some of

them discussed proposals with District staff. Proposals were sent to Board members in several mailings as far in advance as possible to allow maximum time for reviews to take place. ODFW staff also were also asked to provide input on all proposals and this information was presented at the public proposal review meeting. Fish Division, Fish District and OSP staff also provide input on public proposals at the public review meeting. , felt he provide more than adequate data for them to pass proposals. WW and Rainland flycasters will bring up coast wide C&R for trout before the Commission.


Salem 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 27, 2008 ODFW Salem Headquarters Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Steven Mamoyac, Wayne Hunt, Tom Murtagh, Todd Alsbury, Jeff Boechler, Steve Marx OSP Staff: Lt. Jeff Samuels Regulations Review Board: Bob Judkins Public attendance12. See sign-in sheet. Allowances were made for Don Hibdon to give comments on two proposals at the start to the meeting. Don expressed opposition for 257P, which would remove special length regulations for largemouth bass in Tenmile Lakes. He stated that there was no scientific of biological data to support the proposal. He expressed support for 258P which is a proposal to maintain the current regulation on Tenmile Lakes. Steve Mamoyac, mid Willamette Valley District, presented information on public and staff proposals for his District. 32S Lost Lake, allow trout harvest 3 per day 8-14 inch slot limit Comments: Bob Burke, Lebanon. Sent in letter. Likes to fish Lost Lake. About 11/2 hours drive. Dynamite fishing. Can catch and release 50-80 fish out of the like, brook trout 17-18 inches. Against the proposal to allow anglers to keep three fish. Should remain catch-and-release. Keeps detailed records of fishing Lost Lake. Has fished the lake 66 times in the last 10 years. Last fish caught was a 21 inch rainbow trout. Has sees some dead fish after winter, but fishing is great every year. There is no bad winter die-off. Often the population is reduced by people keeping fish. Fish are also kept by ospreys, poachers, and bait anglers. Illegal anglers have been upset with him, and he has had to cut his trip short to avoid conflicts. Mainly fishes weekdays. If people want to keep fish, other lakes nearby that have wonderful opportunities. There are not a lot of high quality fisheries around. In the summer, low lake levels leave fish in one spot. Fish can become crowded and very vulnerable to anglers. Bill Nelson, Salem. Sent in letter. Been fishing Lost lake for quite a while. Very good place to camp and fish. Have never seen anyone complain about the regulation. Most all fly fish. Good place to take ids to teach them how to fly fish. Can catch large fish. Son caught a 26 inch rainbow trout. Have never seen OSP. If you allow people to keep fish, people will break the law and slaughter the big fish. Current anglers don’t want to keep fish. If the rule passes, like the 14 inch limit, but would not like to see this regulation adopted. Vote: 3 support and 7 oppose. 33S and 42S. Luckiamute River and Rickreall Creek, open to consumptive trout angling on native cutthroat trout. 8 inch minimum length, two fish per day, late May opener, artificial flies and lures only. Comments:


X – Good idea. It does not impact winter steelhead. Comments: Vote: 6 support none oppose. 41S Pamelia Lake, increase cutthroat trout bag limits. No comments. Vote: 9 support and none oppose. Santiam River, 46S, 48S, 49S, and 53S, allow harvest of naturally produced summer steelhead. Comments: Bill Egan, caught summer steelhead up the Santiam when he was a kid. No proof that summer steelhead were not native to the Santiam. Thinks they are and we should not harvest them. Vote: 5 support and 1 oppose. Santiam River 47S, 50S and 54S, allow the harvest of residual steelhead during ongoing trout fisheries. Comments: X – Sounds like a great idea. Upper part of river residual steelhead get up to 18-20 inches. The fish are aggressive and good to fish on. Good to have something to keep. Is there scientific data when most smolts go out of the system. ODFW, Steve Mamoyac. Yes, most move out prior to lake May season opener. Vote: 5 support none oppose. 51S Santiam River Mill City deadline. Increase bank angling for spring Chinook salmon. Comments: Greg, great idea. Anglers need more space to spread out a little bit. The south bank is sandy and a lot safer for kids and a good place for anglers to net/land fish and release if needed. Improve native fish handling and release. ODFW, Steve Mamoyac. Proposed deadline is just short of the sandy beach, may be able to look at this area and get the beach into the open angling Zone. Angling boundary would be marked with metal posts set into cement. Vote: 7 support and none opposed. 52S Santiam River Packsaddle angling deadline. Increase harvest of hatchery summer steelhead. Comments: OSP – This is a good spot to draw a line. Vote: 8 support and none oppose. 279P Little North Fork Santiam, close to all fishing (proposal was rejected by Review Board, 280P submitted as an alternate proposal). 280P Little North Fork Santiam River, no bait. Comments. X -ODFW wants to stop the escapement of hatchery summer steelhead into the lower part of the Little North Fork. Use of bait is an effective way to remove summer steelhead. X – I have caught a lot of summer steelhead out of this river. Would have no problem with closure (279P) if we had a brood stock for this lower river. Like the fall fishery where we cold keep fish in the lower part of river. Vote: 0 support and 3 oppose.


Tom Murtagh presented proposals for the Coast Range Unit. Northwest Zone Streams, Coast Range Unit. 11S Allow harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho salmon in steelhead and Chinook salmon fisheries. (would apply to the Clatskanie River, in Northwest Zone portion of his district). No comment. Vote: 7 support and none oppose. 13S Beaver Creek, allow the harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho salmon and consistent fall chinook salmon regulations. No comment. Vote: 7 support and none oppose. 14S Clatskanie River, allow the harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho salmon and consistent fall chinook salmon regulations. No comment. Vote: 7 support and none oppose. 73S Clatskanie River, move angling deadline down to Sweedtown to protect spawning fish. Comment: X – Good idea, don’t know why we don’t do for all ESA listed streams. Don’t want to fish on spawning fish. Vote: 8 support and none oppose. Willamette Zone waterbodies, Coast Range Unit. 264P Commonwealth Pond, create a youth only fishery. No comments. Vote: 8 support and none oppose. 265P Commonwealth Pond, bass limits 1 per day. Comments: Bob Judkins, Pond is shallow, trout don’t survive well. Warmwater fish are present and limiting harvest of bass may provide for a warmwater fishery. Bill Egan. Oregon Bass and Panfish Club stocks fish into pond (with an approved ODFW Fish Transportation and Stocking Permit). Want to keep large bass in lake to keep a check on other warmwater fish species. Vote: 9 support and none oppose. 266P Commonwealth Pond, crappie limit of 10 fish per day. Comments. Bill Egan. Crappie when the come to the banks are easy to catch and lake can be caught out. The regulation would keep fish in the lake for Families to catch. Vote: 8 support and none oppose.


29S Commonwealth Pond, create a youth only angling season from April 1 – August 31. Comments: Bill Egan OBPC. Has to stock pond with warmwater fish. It is a good place for families to fish but when it is stocked with trout, anglers stand shoulder to shoulder. Adults, and certain groups can wipe out everything in the pond. The Oregon Bass and Panfish Club supports youth angling but would want this regulation to be in affect all year. Vote: no support and 6 opposed. 60S South Fork Yamhill, create an adipose fin-marked trout fishery (stocking of triploid trout). No comments: Vote: 6 support and none opposed. 287P South Fork Yamhill River, expand coho salmon opportunities by moving angling deadline. Comments: Justin, How much public access in this area? ODFW, Tom Murtagh, Good access along Yamhill River to Rock Creek. Road goes along river, with some private land, but landowners support additional angling opportunity. X – Might think about putting more coho salmon up there to create a real fishery. Give something to fish for. Vote: 6 support and none oppose. Todd Alsbury, Clackamas Fish District, presented angling regulation proposals for his District. 27S Clackamas River, allow harvest of residual steelhead and fall back hatchery trout. Comment: X – Do we scatter plant the Clackamas River, no steelhead are released from set acclimation ponds. Vote: 7 support and non oppose. 28S Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. Allow additional trout harvest opportunities. Comments: X – Are there still brown trout there? ODFW, Todd Alsbury, yes. I think a long tome ago this section of the creek was closed to protect brown trout spawning. Don’t want to protect brown trout in this area. Vote: 5 support none oppose. 31S Johnson Creek, create a consumptive youth angling fishery on native cutthroat trout. Comments: Bob, are there native trout? ODFW, Todd Alsbury, yes.


Bill Egan, Many groups are restoring steelhead and coho salmon. Kids could not tell the difference and would harvest these fish. Noticed that on a lot of these proposed regulation changes that ODFW has not don the research on it. Will it stay artificial flies and lures. Yes. X – Why youth only? Will adults impact the resource more? ODFW, want kids to have good access and not have to compete with adults. X –Would this be stocked with trout. ODFW, Todd Alsbury. The original proposal went into the process without clarification of trout would be stocked after the rule took place. Bob, what kind of enforcement is available in Portland. Lt. Samuels, one Sergeant and 4 Troops in the area. Could get some enforcement in area if needed. Vote: 3 support and 2 oppose. 34S Mt. Hood Pond, create a youth only angling season. Comments: Bill Egan, pond all concrete and gets very warm. Only trout and goldfish in pond. Would ODFW consider stocking warmwater fish? ODFW, Todd Alsbury, the pond is screened but ODFW has no intention of stocking with warmwater fish. Bob, seems like it is too complicated, either let the kids fish or adults have it. Vote: 3 support and none oppose. 40S Molalla River, allow harvest of naturally produced summer steelhead: Comments. X – How many summer steelhead are in the basin? ODFW, 50-200 naturally produced steelhead have returned to the Molalla River annually over the last few years. Vote: 7 support and none against. 271P Molalla River, new angling deadline, hook restrictions, and no limit on bass taken. Note: this proposal did not pass the Review Board, but additional information was submitted to the Angling Regulations Coordinator which would have enabled this proposal to pass the Review Board. ODFW will support this proposal being reconsidered by the Review Board, therefore it is being presented at public meetings to get public comment. Comments: X – This section of the river is very important. Vote: 4 support and 1 oppose. 44S St. Louis Ponds, Allow angling from a floating device in some ponds. Comments: Bill Egan, need a better definition of float tubes. Vote: 7 support and none oppose. 45S Sandy River, open mainstem and tributaries upstream of Salmon River angling for naturalized summer steelhead, with hook restrictions.


Comments: Bill Egan, in the 1960’s and 1970’ s runs of fish in ZigZag. ODFW has yet to show us these are not wild fish. If they show us there are hatchery and not wild fish, OK. If not should not gear up to harvest. Vote: none support and 3 opposed. 278 Sandy River smelt harvest. Comments: Bob Judkins. When the smelt runs come back, they should be left alone to spawn. When he was a kid, would be lots of fish. Smelt are food fish for more than humans. Vote: 7 support and none oppose. 272 East Salish Pond, daily bass limit, 1 per day no size limit. Comment: X - Justified, 1,600 not many fish in pond. Ned predators to control other fish in the pond. Bob Judkins, new warmwater fishery, gravel pits. Trying to start a warmwater fishery. Rules will help get a good size fish. Vote: 6 support and none oppose. 273 East Salish Pond, daily crappie limit, 1 per day no size limit. Comment: none Vote: 6 support and none oppose. 56S Willamette River, splint section into two reaches, mouth to Willamette Falls and Falls to Albany Bridge Comment: X – Helps with coho salmon regulation. Vote: 6 support and none oppose. 159P Canby Pond, restrict angling to youth and Disabled angler fishery. Comment: none Vote: 5 support and none oppose Review of Statewide Angling Regulation Proposals 108P require anglers to return in Hatchery Harvest Card Rule #108P X - Too difficult and many questions about requirements Jeff Uebel what is retailer response? Bud Hartman: larger retailers don’t take them will need training. Bill Egan: WA got rid of mandatory requirements to turn in tags. Would support it if ODFW can work out the kinks. Vote:2 support and 2 oppose. 5S Ban use of live crayfish as bait. Comments: Al Smith, good rule. We have Ozark crayfish in the Rogue Basin. Vote: Most supported, none opposed.


9S Disposal of fish carcasses. Comments: X – Fish Drano Lake all the time. Lots of people put carcasses in water. See small smolts feeding off the carcasses. Carcasses don’t cause a smell. Regulating by species and time of year can get too confusing and hard to enforce. Either allow or ban. X – Sturgeon carcasses now laying on docks and people are dumping carcasses in water. Hard to enforce a 100 yard boundary. Would rather see them put carcasses in the river than in the trash can next to rivers. Vote: Most supported pursuing rules to all carcasses disposal but recognized need to have some level of regulation. 135S Change in bass catch limits, 5/day, no minimum size, 12-17 slot limit, one over 17. Comments: Bob Judkins, there are bodies of water where fish are not fit to eat. This rule would encourage people to harvest smaller fish, leave the big ones for reproduction and to prey on other panfish. Trying to get rules in place to prevent warmwater fishery declines. X – All these fish are non-native and should be managed like the Northern Pikeminnow Program. Vote: 3 support and 3 oppose. 136P Channel Catfish limits, 10 per day. Comments. X -Egan. Fish have no protection. People can fill coolers with the trophy fish. The current rules are just asking people to wipe out fish. Vote: 3 support and 2 oppose 138P Crappie catch limits, 50 per day Comments: Bill Egan. Over ½ of the waters in the state will not support trout. With crappie, don’t need to stock. Good anglers can keep p to 300 fish per day. X – When fish come to the bank, one anglers can catch them. People come with waterbodies with multiple 100 quart coolers, fish day and night. Crappie are one of the most sought after panfish in the state. Vote: 3 support and 2 oppose. 10S Ban the harvest of freshwater mussels and clams. Comment: Al Smith. Very few species of native mussels in Oregon and little is known about these species. Eastern states have many species of mussels that are declining to some extent. Mainly due to habitat degradation and we are seeing the same type of habitat degradation here in Oregon. There is little use now so it would be a good time to shut down harvest. Mussels and clams are filter feeders and take in toxins. They concentrate toxins and can be harmful to humans if consumed. Vote: 6 support and none oppose. Comments on other angling regulation proposals


336P Ban vertical jigging on Columbia River. (Note: John North will be presenting this proposal at the Portland meeting). Comments: Ken Schleicher (Guide, and one of the proposal sponsors). Stop vertical jigging at the mouth of tributaries on the Columbia River. Fish are snagged and there are a lot of endangered winter steelhead in this area, also fall Chinook salmon. It takes a lot of energy out of the fish especially with the warmer water temperatures in this area, 72-74˚ F. Many mortalities of snagged and released fish. Many Enforcement officers are in support of this rule. It is hard for OSP to see if hooks are gig, or if fish are foul hooked. Anglers are able to hide foul hooked fish with boat. If a fish if foul hooked, they motor their boat out of the pack and land the fish on the side of the boat away from shore or other boats. 241P, 242P, 246P and 248P Harvest of wild steelhead on the Umpqua River. Comments: William – Opposes reopening up the mainstem and North Fork Umpqua to wild steelhead harvest. Keep the run healthy and error on the side of caution. Lot of variables need to be contended with. Need better science before we consider harvest. No set level of escapement, need to determine this. If the Umpqua is one of the only wild areas where wild harvest is allowed it will attract high numbers of anglers and too many fish will be harvested. Consider harvest after a management plan is in place.


Portland 2009 Angling Regulations Proposals Public Meeting May 27, 2008 Sunnybrook Service Center Attendees: ODFW staff: Rhine Messmer, Tom Murtagh, Todd Alsbury, John North, Danette Ehlers, Jessica Sall, Jeff Boechler OSP Staff: s Regulations Review Board: Bob Judkins Public attendance12. See sign-in sheet. Tom Murtagh presented proposals for the Coast Range Unit. Northwest Zone Streams, Coast Range Unit. 13S Beaver Creek, allow the harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho salmon and consistent fall chinook salmon regulations. Comment: Bud Hartman, Chinook fishery also clipped, not now. 2006 release will be 100% marked in the lower Columbia River. Vote: 6 support and none oppose. 14S Clatskanie River, allow the harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho salmon and consistent fall Chinook salmon regulations. Comment. Bud Hartman, maybe next time we specify marked fall Chinook? Vote: 6 support and none oppose. 73S Clatskanie River, move angling deadline down to Sweedtown to protect spawning fish. Comment: Bill Bakke – How will regulation project juvenile fish? ODFW, reduce steelhead and chinook pressure on a healthy cutthroat population. Regulation below is adequate to protect juvenile steelhead in the system and trout season does not start until late May) Vote: 4 support and none oppose. Willamette Zone waterbodies, Coast Range Unit. 264P Commonwealth Pond, create a youth only fishery. Comments. Tom Wolf – Is the intent to keep this regulation in place for 4 years then evaluate. ODFW, yes the cycle is for 4 years but we could change earlier if needed. Bob – Why the statute for youth angler?


Rich Berry – I have resided in the Cedar Hills area for 31 years (Note: letter and photographs submitted at meeting and also mailed into ODFW). 1. Commonwealth Pond is the only urban fishing site in the Westside of the Portland metro. This would be a huge restriction of uses. The area is heavily fished by families and Senior Citizens as well as having handicapped access sites. The pond is designated for Family Use Activities, and with youth only use would drop-off. Many young kids ages 5, 6, 7 and 8 come fishing with their parents and grandparents. There is an estimated 6,000 angling hours at the lake. There are Youth Angling Events in this site. 2. Studies need to take place in urban areas on youth angling. Primary reason people go fishing is to be with family and friends. Studies show youth value being with family during fishing experience. This is a short term fishery, pulsed by the stocking of hatchery trout. Bruce – Manage Commonwealth Lake like so all people can fish the lake. This proposed rule would prevent ADA access. Bill Egan (OBPC) - Supports proposal, pond is unavailable to kids because of adults “slaughtering” everything. OBPC cannot stock enough to support fishing by general public, could stock enough to support youth angling Bud J. Supports proposal. If a parent fishes the kids get bored -- to really teach kids you can’t fish yourself. Vote: none support and 7 oppose. 265P Commonwealth Pond, bass limits 1 per day. Comments: X – Bass reproduce for free. Does not take much to fish out adults. Bruce B, Tualatin parks - Opposes proposal, concerns about a non-native invasive fish getting into local streams – don’t want to eliminate fish that are there, but don’t want to encourage them. Rick - Appears the warmwater fishery is maintained through stocking. Does ODFW intend to continue stocking? ODFW will discuss further with Tualatin Parks. Vote: 6 support and 6 oppose. 266P Commonwealth Pond, crappie limit of 10 fish per day. Comments. Bill Egan. Pond did produce 11/2 pound crappie. Vote: 5 support and 2 oppose. 29S Commonwealth Pond, create a youth only angling season from April 1 – August 31. Comments: Vote:? support and ? opposed.


60S South Fork Yamhill, create an adipose fin-marked trout fishery (stocking of triploid trout). Comments: Tom Wolf: What kind of numbers of monitoring? Russell, NFS. How many trout per year will be stocked. ODFW, Tom Murtagh. 1,000 sterile triploid rainbow trout per year in approximately three stockings in the Spring. Bud – Is this the Valley Junction Section, had steelhead. This is a terrific stream for trout fishing. Bill Bakke – What has changed? ODFW, NOAA Fisheries designation of critical habitat for winter steelhead. Area no longer designated as critical habitat, ODFW looking to reinstate some level of trout stocking. Cindy – What is the induction rate for triploid trout? ODFW, would like to get 100%. Some processes routinely obtain 100%, ODFW working with Hatchery Research Center to refine our triploid process, also have availability of heat and pressure shocking treatments. X – What is the size of the steelhead run? ODFW, some monitoring, thought to be around 200-300. Tom Wolf – What is the timeline for the evaluation, 4 years or shorter? Tom, hopefully shorter. Vote: 6 support and 4 opposed. 287P South Fork Yamhill River, expand coho salmon opportunities by moving angling deadline. Comments: Tom Wolf – How big is the coho salmon run in the South Yamhill River. ODFW, varies based on how big the run is in the Willamette. Bill Bakke: Can ODFW guarantee it won’t go start a coho stocking program once they’ve create a demand? Vote: 1 support and 1 oppose. Todd Alsbury, Clackamas Fish District, presented angling regulation proposals for his District. 27S Clackamas River, allow harvest of residual steelhead and fall back hatchery trout. Comment: None Vote: 4 support and none oppose. 28S Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. Allow additional trout harvest opportunities. Comments: None Vote: 3 support none oppose.


31S Johnson Creek, create a consumptive youth angling fishery on native cutthroat trout. Comments: X – What species of fish are in Johnson Creek? ODFW, Todd Alsbury – Cutthroat trout, coho salmon, and steelhead. Don’t have Chinook salmon. Jeff – Species of trout or salmon all listed or proposed for listing. We have a fair idea of the composition of fish species based on our (Johnson Creek Watershed Council) sampling. They are mostly native fish, dominated by the warmwater and pollution tolerant species. Salmonids have blackspot and are generally highly stressed. Any additional stress or incidental or directed mortality would have too high of impact on fish populations. There has been a lot of sweat equity put into Johnson Creek and the system can not take any more pressure on its fishery resources. Proposal would retard the recovery of fish. Bud – Is the proposal for the entire length of creek? ODFW, yes. The intent is to allow access by the Greenway that runs along the entire creek. Russell - how many kids 17 and younger could tell the difference between an 8” trout and a smolt. This appeared to be a concern with many X – What is more attractive to harvest or catch-and-release? Kaitlyn - why don’t kids take advantage of current catch and release opportunities ? Cindy - Most 8 inch fish will be cutthroat trout, but will kids be able to distinguish between a cutthroat and a rainbow trout. Would these fish be included in the catch? ODFW, yes these would be the fish the kids could keep. Creek is critical habitat for chinook and steelhead. Bill – The juvenile fishery would put less fishing pressure on the creek than the existing fishery open to all anglers. Dave Moskowitz - while urban fishing opportunity is great, it’s huge news when a spawning steelhead or chinook comes to spawn – shouldn’t risk a smolt being taken by mistake Jeff – Johnson Creek is currently open to all anglers but is a low-key fishery. We would like to see it that way. Concern is that the youth fishery would be promoted. Worried that the creek can not take any increased pressure. Maggie, Johnson Creek Watershed council. Curious, what type of fishery were we thinking would occur. Where will fishing occur? Public Parks? Limited access to good fishing spots, private landowners are not welcoming. Johnson Creek is not the most hospitable place for kids to be wondering about. Jeff – There is also some concern about toxin built-up in Johnson Creek and in its fish species. Vote: 0 support and 11 oppose. 34S Mt. Hood Pond, create a youth only angling season. Comments:


Tom – are there problems with Disabled Anglers being limited? X – Why not make it family fishing only? ODFW, Statute does not allow us to set regulations for families. Just Youth under 17 and adults over 65. Vote: 7 support and 3 oppose. 40S Molalla River, allow harvest of naturally produced summer steelhead: Comments. X – How many summer steelhead are in the basin? ODFW, 50-200 naturally produced steelhead have returned to the Molalla River annually over the last few years. Jeff A. Oregon State Youth Director of BASS. Don’t understand harvest of native steelhead. ODFW, these are not native steelhead. These runs were derived from offspring of hatchery fish that have spawned naturally. Bill – Can you use bait? Russell – You have the potential to harvest a wild winter steelhead. Not convinced there is a viable population of summer steelhead. Bud - goal is to wipeout non-native summer steelhead by allowing retention? Bill B. – What is the impact of the fishery wit the use of bait and barbed hooks. Should not increase existing fishery. Would allow incidental catch. Change terminal tackle to be consistent wit trout gear. Vote: 1 support and 7 against. 271P Molalla River, new angling deadline, hook restrictions, and no limit on bass taken. Note: this proposal did not pass the Review Board, but additional information was submitted to the Angling Regulations Coordinator which would have enabled this proposal to pass the Review Board. ODFW will support this proposal being reconsidered by the Review Board, therefore it is being presented at public meetings to get public comment. Comments: Russell – Proposal is supported by Todd Alsbury, NOAA Fisheries and OSP. Would really help winter steelhead without restricting angling opportunities. Is this an all or nothing proposal? (referring to the lack of support by ODFW for barbless hooks)? ODFW, No. Russell – Would give up barbless hooks to keep the rest. Mark – This has been an interesting year. With the high water steelhead are spawning lower in the river. Currently, fish are not protected. Lowering the deadline would protect the fish. Bill B: would not give up barbless hooks. Fish in area already being harvested outside of basin, Molalla is in recovery plan and additional restrictions would help fish. Vote: 8 support and 0 oppose.


44S St. Louis Ponds, Allow angling from a floating device in some ponds. Comments: None Vote: 8 support and none oppose. 45S Sandy River, open mainstem and tributaries upstream of Salmon River angling for naturalized summer steelhead, with hook restrictions. Comments: Bill Egan, Same comments as last night. In the 1960’s and 1970’ s runs of fish in ZigZag. ODFW has yet to show us these are not wild fish. If they show us there are hatchery and not wild fish, OK. If not should not gear up to harvest. Cindy – Is this portion a wild fish sanctuary. ODFW, Todd Alsbury – Yes. The idea of the proposed rule is to protect winter steelhead by removing naturalized summer steelhead and summer steelhead strays. Bill B - Stray rate above Cedar Creek? (5-10%). Is this an attempt to eliminate strays? (yes) Kathryn – How many at Marmot Dam. ODFW, last complete count was 350 unmarked and 750 marked. Vote: 5 support and 2 opposed. 278 Sandy River smelt harvest. Comments: Bob Judkins. When the smelt runs come back, they should be left alone to spawn. When he was a kid, would be lots of fish. Smelt are food fish for more than humans. Bill B: is smelt being proposed for listing by Cowlitz (sp?) ODFW, John North, yes. Are they commercially harvested in mainstem? ODFW, yes. What, then, does this proposal buy us? Vote: 11 support and1 oppose. 272 East Salish Pond, daily bass limit, 1 per day no size limit. Comment: None Vote: 11 support and none oppose. 273 East Salish Pond, daily crappie limit, 1 per day no size limit. Comment: None Vote: 11 support and none oppose. 56S Willamette River, splint section into two reaches, mouth to Willamette Falls and Falls to Albany Bridge Comment: None Vote: 11support and none oppose. 159P Canby Pond, restrict angling to youth and Disabled angler fishery.


Comment: Bill Egan - there is a huge number of Bluegill in the pond and it would be good to harvest some. Kathy - Does pond have an outlet? ODFW, yes but it’s being screened and maintained by volunteers. Vote: 6 support and none oppose 336P Ban vertical jigging on Columbia River. (Note: John North will be presenting this proposal at the Portland meeting). Comments: Ken Schleicher (Guide, and one of the proposal sponsors). Stop vertical jigging at the mouth of tributaries on the Columbia River. Fish are snagged and there are a lot of endangered winter steelhead in this area, also fall Chinook salmon. It takes a lot of energy out of the fish especially with the warmer water temperatures in this area, 72-74˚ F. Many mortalities of snagged and released fish. Many Enforcement officers are in support of this rule. It is hard for OSP to see if hooks are gig, or if fish are foul hooked. Anglers are able to hide foul hooked fish with boat. If a fish if foul hooked, they motor their boat out of the pack and land the fish on the side of the boat away from shore or other boats. Vote: 9 support and none opposed. 357P Restrict walleye bag limits on the Columbia Bud – Not saying salmon and steelhead are not important but with all of the changing and closing of salmon and steelhead seasons walleye can provide a viable alternative for anglers. Walleye predation factor minimal compared with impacts from other fish and the Dams on the rivers. Don’t have a history of really good productive years for walleye. Every 4-5 there is a successful spawn. No consecutive successful walleye spawning. This last winter, there were a bunch of fish 8-11 inches. We need to protect these fish to allow them to grow up. Vote: 9 support and 4 oppose. 8S Sturgeon Fork Lengths. Comments: Are the fork lengths the same fish that would be harvested under current total lengths? ODFW, John North, Basically yes but the conversion is slightly more conservative than the current lengths due to rounding errors. The advantage with fork length is that you don’t get the tail-flop error in the measurement. Fork lengths used for commercial fishery and research, and would make it easier to manage if sport, commercial and research all used the fork length, the most accurate measurement. Vote: 11 support and none oppose. Other Columbia Concurrent Proposals Being Considered. Complete development on final concurrent rules will be completed in July and presented as part of the August Commission Packet. 1. Daily limits for Salmon and Trout

Currently non-concurrent;


• OR 2 salmon or steelhead plus 5 jacks (coho 15-20 inches; other 15-24 inches); recording jacks not required.

• Washington 6 salmon only 2 adults plus 2 steelhead; coho jacks less than 20 inches, Chinook jacks less than 24 inches; recording jacks required

Enforcement requests consistent bag and lengths. Washington will modify regulations similar to Oregon as part of minor year cycle (May 2009).

• 2 adult salmon or STH in aggregate and 6 total • Close trout retention at B10 and from I-5 upstream

OR will change minimum size limit for salmon/steelhead to 12” from TP to I-5. No proposed changes on recording of jacks

2. Non-buoyant Lures

• Rules in place to reduce snagging. Currently non-concurrent; • Washington nonbuoyant lure restriction in place for all species from Bonneville to

The Dalles Dam 8/1-10/15; 1 single point hook w/ ¾ inch gap. • Oregon; Statewide rule when fishing for salmon/steelhead - for single point hook with

greater than 1 inch gap or treble with larger than 9/16 inch gap are prohibited. Bonneville to McNary Dam – single point hook required for non-buoyant

lures year-round when angling for salmonids Enforcement requests consistency and WA hook size Intent is to require ¾” max gap single point for salmonid fishing from

Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam John North; this rule is less restrictive than the vertical jigging proposal (357P). Hard to classify what Vertical Jigging is. There is potential to blend proposals; 357P and OR/WA Non-buoyant lure proposed rules. 3. Night fishing above McNary Dam

Currently non-concurrent; • WA – Angling for salmon and STH allowed 24-h/day except closed for all species

Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam 8/1-10/15 • OR – Statewide night closure for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon

Enforcement requesting consistency in time, area, and species Currently legitimate fishery above McNary Dam on Washington side only Proposal is for Oregon to allow night fishing for salmon and steelhead

above McNary Dam, allows launching from Oregon 4. Definition of Snagging

Currently non-concurrent; • WA – Retention allowed when hooked anywhere ahead of gill plate • OR – Salmon and steelhead must be hooked inside mouth

Enforcement supports Oregon definition WA intends to adopt Oregon definition as part of minor year cycle (May

2009) 5. Upper Buoy 10 Deadline

• Current definition in WA does not match OR WA – TP/RP line


OR – references Buoy 44 and navigation light WA recently adopted OR language as part of NOF

6. Use of bait in Bonneville sturgeon sanctuary • Sturgeon fishing sanctuary from Marker 85 to Bonneville Dam during May-July • Some oversize sturgeon being handled with baited lures • Could consider bait-ban during May-July (artificial lures only) • Intend to obtain input from CRRAG • No changes for 2008

7. Summer Chinook jacks

• Has been non-concurrent in recent years OR – ad clipped jacks only June 16-July 31 WA – any jack

• OR has already adopted any jack rule during summer season as part of NOF 8. License requirements for Columbia River Zone

• OR has specific language that allows OR/WA residents to launch/take out in either state when fishing the Columbia river

• WA does not have same language • WA will pursue similar language as part of Jan 2009 process

9. Marine Fish • Many inconsistencies between states • More work needed via PFMC process

Statewide Angling Regulation Proposals Rule # 1S No comment Rule #2S No comment Rule #3S No comment Rule #4S No comment Rule #5S No Comment Rule #72S No comment Rule #6S No comment


Rule #7S No comment Rule #115P No comment Rule #9S No comment Rule #226P Bud: why a lake ban? (not current to disperse carcasses) Rule #135P New statewide bass regulations. Bob: Washington has this rule for waters where you don’t want people to eat big fish 8 for; 2 against Rule #136P Daily limit for channel catfish 10/day Bill E: John Day is getting hammered and needs to be protected 5 for; 2 against Rule #138P Daily limit for crappie 50/day Bill E: easy to catch when they come to the bank; none left from last year’s stocking 9 for; 0 against Rule #10S No comment Rules #127P, 140P, 141P and 142P – Multiple Rod concept, ODFW Budget Option Bill E: why not for salmon/steelhead/sturgeon as well (too controversial, no consensus) ???: why have two rods (public has requested this change) Bill B: pay for second carp rod? (no, carp is not a game fish) TU Tom: bag limits stay the same (yes) Bud: admin rule now, must be a legislative concept to attach a fee David Moskowitz Problem with the process: page 4 says the staff would be available to discuss rejected and out-of-zone proposals but meeting ran out of time. After meeting comments on other proposals. Rule #257P Tenmile Lakes, eliminate protective bass rule (C&R for bass 15” and over) Jeff from Bass Federation – Opposed

• would like to maintain current fishing opportunity and encourage a trophy fish fishery • 9 other members present support this view • A petition from Oregon anglers is ready to be submitted


Process: Bill Bakke: if a proposal is not considered in front of a group for a vote, you don’t see the additional support on top of the original comment – leads to uneven weight given to proposals (ODFW, not correct, additional comments on proposals not presented at public meetings are recorded in meeting minutes and are added into the total sum of comments for consideration of classifications). 29P John Day River bait ban for steelhead angling Bill Bakke; proposes an amendment to #329P, has been discussed with district biologist who concurs. From 9/1 to 12/31 no bait, barbless hooks only, Cottonwood Bridge to Mouth 31P Bill Bakke: comment in support of 298P Bill Bakke: comment in support of 131P Bill Bakke: comment in opposition to; keep current regulations Rule 150P; Proposal for limited harvest of North Coast cutthroat trout. Bill Bakke: comment in opposition to any harvest of coastal cutthroats.