ODFW braces for drought: Fish stocking changes and possible emergency regulations are expected

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us

SALEM, Ore.—March and April of 2021 were among the driest spring months since the 1890s. Many streams are already at 25 percent of the flow that is typical for this time of year, with flows usually seen in early summer observed in April on some southern Oregon streams

ODFW is bracing for a serious drought as summer arrives, with the entire state being impacted. Currently, 72 percent of the state is in severe or extreme drought status according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

"Unfortunately, we are likely looking at a very tough summer and fall ahead for fish," Shaun Clements, ODFW Deputy Administrator for Inland Fisheries. "It's possible that ODFW may have to take emergency actions to protect native fish populations due to the drought."

"Please try to be flexible with your fishing plans this summer as we get through this drought," continued Clements. "Our weekly Recreation Report is the best source of information on conditions and any emergency regulation changes due to drought."

Some of the emergency actions that could occur are:

  • Trout stocking changes. The stocking schedule may change at short notice due to water conditions. Changes may not show up in the stocking schedule so see the Recreation Report for the latest information.
  • Early release of fish: Low flows/high temps at hatcheries may force early release of salmon, steelhead and trout being raised.
  • Emergency closures/regulation changes: Certain areas may be closed to angling to reduce stress on vulnerable fish populations already struggling due to drought; bag limits could be reduced or seasons shortened; "hoot owl" regulations may close fishing earlier in the day.
  • Bag limits may be removed: In areas without sensitive fish populations, bag limits may be removed so surviving fish can be harvested rather than left to die in low water.
  • Fish relocation: While rare, it's possible ODFW will salvage fish and move them to a different waterbody.

Any regulation changes will be posted in the Recreation Report / Fishing Report by fishing zone, so don't forget to always check the for the latest regulation change report before fishing.

On days when temperatures soar, anglers can do their part to reduce the stress fish are under:

  • Fish early in day when water temperatures are cooler.
  • Look for trout in deep, high elevation lakes or shaded streams near headwaters. These places are often cooler.
  • Use barbless hooks so you can release fish easily and land fish quickly. The longer the fight, the less likely the fish will survive if released.
  • Keep the fish in the water when you unhook it and cradle the fish upright until it revives enough to swim away.
  • Use your judgement. If conditions where you want to fish seems especially severe (low, hot water), consider fishing somewhere else where water conditions are better.

Due to climate change, droughts are expected to become more frequent and more severe. ODFW scientists are working to identify coldwater refuges, support flow restoration projects and improve habitat where possible to mitigate the effects of climate change on fish. For more information, see the agency's climate change policy.

"There are things we can do to help ensure our iconic species can weather these droughts," Clements said. "By protecting and restoring the most important habitats to provide cool, clean water, we give them a fighting chance."


U.S. Drought Monitor map of Oregon, May 27, 2021

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OR

 

Hyatt Lake main boat ramp during a past drought (April 2015). Again this year, flows usually seen in early summer have been observed in April on some southern Oregon streams and 72 percent of the state is in severe or extreme drought status.

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/images/2021/060221_Hyatt%20main%20ramp.JPG

 

More Reports


OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Green's Bridge gate to close and require key access; beware of obstructions on lower Santiam River
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Nestucca River: Spring Chinook Fishing is Slow
Campbell Reservoir: Campbell Reservoir Report
Gerber Reservoir: Water Temps Are Increasing Fast
Siltcoos Lake: Warm Weather and Summer-Like Conditions Have the Warmwater Fisheries in the Mid-Coast at Full Swing
Holbrook Reservoir: Stocked Recently
Siletz River: A Few Summer Steelhead and Spring Chinook are Starting To Show up
John C Boyle Reservoir: Water Temps Have Warmed to 70 Degrees
Tillamook Bay: Spring Chinook Fishing Slowed This Weekend
Upper Klamath Lake: Water Clarity Continues to Improve
Trask River: The Trask Continued to Be Fair For Spring Chinook
Wilson River: Fishing on The Wilson Remains Slow
Lofton Reservoir: Stocked Recently
Alton Baker Canoe Canal: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 1,000 Legal-Size and 200 Pound Size Rainbow Trout
Sprague River: Fishing is fair for redband trout with an occasional brown trout
Blue River: Was Last Stocked The Week of May 24 With 1,100 Rainbow Trout
Wood River: Flows Are A Little High
Coast Fork Willamette River: Was Last Stocked the Week of May 17 With 1,000 Legal-Size Rainbow Trout
Grande Ronde River: Flows Have Been Good
Detroit Reservoir: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 4,200 Hatchery Trout
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The Pond Will be Stocked for a Final Time This Week With About 850 Hatchery Trout
John Day River: Flows Are Unusually Low
Fall Creek: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 1,300 Legal-Size Trout
Fern Ridge Reservoir: The Reservoir is Done Filling and All Boat Ramps are Currently Available
Foster Reservoir: The Reservoir Was Stocked Last Week With About 2,700 Trout
Bradley Lake: Stocked With Trophy Trout Last Month
Gold Lake: Gold Lake is Now Open For The Season!!
Chetco River: Chetco River Report
Green Peter Reservoir: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 7,700 Trout
Cooper Creek Reservoir: Scheduled to Be Stock This Week
Junction City Pond: Pond Will Be Stocked This Week for The Last Time This Season With About 1,000 Hatchery Trout
Diamond Lake: Producing Some Nice Trout
Elk River: Trout season opened May 22
McKenzie River: Was Last Stocked The Week of May 24 With 3,800 Legal-Size Rainbow Trout
Middle Fork Willamette: Spring Chinook Are Still Coming Over the Falls
Quartzville Creek: Will Be Stocked Again This Week With 1,200 Legal-Size Trout
Empire Lake Lower: Empire Lakes Fishing Report
Floras Lake: Floras Lake Report
Garrison Lake: Fishing Conditions Are Prime
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: The Highway Along the Upper North Santiam has Re-Opened
Santiam River (South Fork): A Few Summer Steelhead Have Already Shown Up
Howard Prairie Reservoir: Draining Quickly
Walling Pond: About 1,500 Trout Are Going to be Stocked in Walling This Week
Hyatt Lake: Stocked Recently
Illinois River: Open Again For Trout Fishing
Lemolo Lake: Fishing Should Be Great
Snake River (Clearwater River to Hells Canyon Dam): Spring Chinook Have Arrived and Catch Rates Have Been Modest
Rogue River- Lower: Bank Anglers Still Having Success
Rogue River - Middle: Middle Rogue River Report
Rogue River- Upper: Anglers Are Mostly Targeting Spring Chinook
Sixes River: Trout Season Began May 22
Tenmile Lakes: Water Temps Were in the Mid-Upper 60s
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Fishing Report
Hood River closes to spring Chinook fishing on June 1
Hood River

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

Report Date:

THE DALLES, Ore.—ODFW is closing the spring Chinook fishery originally set to go through June 30 on the Hood River......

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