What doesn't ODFW stock the streams anymore?

[Jeb]

I'd really like to know why ODFW doesn't stock the rivers anymore. For example, some of the places I really enjoyed fishing as a kid when growing up was the Collowash,the upper Clackamas and Eagle Creek.

Back when they first stopped stocking, one of the Bio's said it was because of competition for food with the native fish.

I really think that is hogwash...given that any of these rivers that are around the Portland Metro area get fished out anyway in a short period of time. There might be a few left overs after the fall...but for the most part, they all get fished out.

Is there any bio's that view this forum? Why, why, why don't they stock the creeks/rivers here?

-J

[Trout Tako]

Jeb,

My best guess is that they pose a risk to native fish on several fronts--- They compete for food, pose a risk of introducing disease into the system, increase human pressure on the river, and increase smolt mortality as trout angelers are targeting fish with similar habits & end up harvesting them.

That said I do have fond memories from when I was a grade schooler when my dad would cut out of work early and take me to the Upper Clack to chase trout in the summer. And it seems like in the 20 years since, fishing opportunities for cold water species within close proximity of the Portland area have been on a steady decline. I mean they used to stock the Molalla with steelhead & if my memory serves me correctly they even used to stock Johonson Creek with trout.

I understand the need to protect the native fish in rivers like the clack and sandy, however I really wish they would expand other opportunities in the Portland area. I think there is some real potential to do something with a metro waterway like johonson creek. It could be a first class metro fishing stream if they were to stock the holey heck out of it – trout, steelhead, Chinook, coho….. the whole shebag. Creating a thriving fishery on that type of water body would generate interest in its health and expedite it’s recovery, not to mention provide a close in spot for everyone to wet a line!

[Wild Chrome]

I really think that is hogwash...given that any of these rivers that are around the Portland Metro area get fished out anyway in a short period of time. There might be a few left overs after the fall...but for the most part, they all get fished out.

-J

I don't understand what you mean by fished out? The upper Clack has been catch and release for years. Who's fishing it out?

[Jeb]

Ya now it is.

I remember the days when it was 10 per person limits...then they dropped it 5 per person.

People were keeping the hatchery fish...and it would get at least 95% fished out. There might be 5% left over...but for the most part people would harvest the fish. It was that way for years.

Now its just c&r - except Estacada lake.

They stock some streams in Washington state. But not here. So does it mean that Washington Bio's have a different opinion? Is it just a way for ODFW to save money by only stocking lakes. (Estacada Lake is kind of a joke, since its really the Clackamas dammed up;so its really part of the mainstem of the river; thus the argument of river contamination of hatchery fish competting with native is really not a valid argument).

[PaPa Jon]

I was under the impression that it was to protect the once endangered Cutthroat and to protect the Salmon Smolts, also the reason for a late opening at North Fork Res.
I also miss stream fishing for Trout. On Salmon Creek down by Oakridge is one of the few that is still stocked for bait fishing.
Quartz's Creek above Green Peter is open but I am not sure if it's stocked.

[Wild Chrome]

Jeb,
It sounds like you've already had your question answered (but don't like the answer).

As I understand it, ODFW stopped stocking the upper Clackamas with trout in the 90's b/c the wild steelhead run was crashing and they believed the trout were competing with wild smolts and trout, possibly interbreeding with native trout or displacing native trout from spawning sites, and that the catch-and-keep trout angling was leading to significant smolt injury or death. That's what I remember.

Historically, the Clack had enormous wild trout and salmonid populations. The best fishing in the Clack, as I've heard from old timers, was long before the hatchery trout were put in. ODFW is in a slow period of trying to restore the Clack. The watershed is so badly damaged, that it will take decades. They were supposed to be stocking more fish in other waters to make up for lost fishing opportunities, as I remember.

[Wild Chrome]

Actually, the forest service had a lot to do with policy too, now that I think about it. After all, the upper Clack is mostly in MHNF.

[wapiteaser]

Several years ago, Oregon adopted a wild fish policy in all their streams. Several hatcheries had major disease problems with trout and the fear of passing these diseases on to native fish was the major factor in starting that policy.

[coupes_FTW]

the reson I wouldnt stock streams would be because there would be an increase of people fishing these streams which in turn will decrease the native population.

[lost_sailor]

I used to hit the upper Clack regularly for my 5 hatchery trout, but if there's any chance of restoring the wild populations I'm all for it.

[Schmitty]

They stopped stocking most rivers and streams due to the wild fish policy. To reduce the risk of hatchery trout out competing and breeding with both native trout and other species. There was also a fear that diseases found in some watersheds in which hatchery trout where being reared could be spread to other water bodies. They also wanted to eliminate the ability for those fish stocked in moving waterbodies to migrate into other tributaries within the system.

They also looked into planting those locations with triploids, but triploids still pose a threat to native fish species. They will compete for food, they are less disease resistant, and males still show spawning behavior (develop gamates, compete for spawning rights, attempt to spawn, produce non-productive sperm, etc...)

I do agree that you could find streams that would be acceptable to stock. I love creek fishing and I think it would open up a lot of opportunity for people. Hopefully ODFW will look into stocking some of those streams one day...

[JustCallMeDave]

Some of my fondest memories of fishing were on the upper Clack in September after Labor Day through October. The river would be mostly devoid of anglers who had since wandered into the forests to target deer, so I'd get my pick of my favorite drifts. Those remaining hatchery trout were feeding heavily in anticipation for the colder months, and I'd have a field day up there. Not to mention the colors of the changing leaves were absolutely extraordinary. I miss those times. :(

[N7cgi]

Awhhh! You guys.... the memories. I fished the clackamas when the road ended at roaring river in the fifties. Kept fishing it 'till the road ended at Austin Hot Springs. Never was skunked! When the road went through, more fishermen came....I grew old and started slipping on rocks. Now boat fish on lakes and lovin it. Thanks for the memories. Lon

[uhmw]

Jeb if they were to stock streams that would cost odfw money and the department needs money to fund studies to see if studys may indeed be needed. If this doesnt make sense to you they have a very sicentific theory that they can explain to you about how they are spending your ever increasing licence dollars while decreasing fishing oppertunity for all. Its quite simple really.

[STGRule]

Two reasons. Wild fish policy and the fact that too many "anglers" were filling their stringers with smolts.

[Quick Fish]

I also miss fishing for trout in our streams. Having a trout slam a small spinner in a creek is an angling thrill that shouldn't be missed. No, I don't want to catch smolts so time the open seasons so the smolts have already out migrated. Yes, I understand the current management policies and goals. Should all of the small streams and creeks be managed the same way? Have the changes in management policies resulted in the goals being met? There are a lot of "what ifs" being worried about but are these issues reality or "could happens"?

I also really miss opening day. For me, I looked forward to this as much as Christmas. It was a time to get back out to the out of doors at a time when spring was well underway and reconnect with nature. Fishing from a boat just doesn't give me the same connection.

Could it be possible to reopen some streams to this type of fishing?