Pete
07-11-2002, 08:19 PM
PORTLAND - Oregon and Washington fishery managers today decided to maintain current ocean sport salmon seasons, but will again evaluate catch and potential regulation changes next week.
Calm seas on Sunday, July 7, led to high participation levels and excellent fishing conditions off the Oregon coast for the opening day of coho fishing, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. With a two salmon bag limit, anglers retained 1.26 salmon on average between Cape Falcon and Humbug Moutain. Seas turned rougher this week and angler participation dropped, but harvest rates continued to be near one salmon per angler.
The ocean sport salmon fishery between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain is managed using a coho quota to protect wild stocks. Through Wednesday, anglers had harvested 23 percent of the 22,500 coho quota. Fishery managers will meet Monday, July 15, to discuss potential changes. The current rules allow anglers to harvest two salmon per day. All harvested coho must be marked with a missing adipose fin. Once the coho quota is met, chinook fishing may continue but all coho must be released carefully unharmed.
The sport fishery from Leadbetter Point, Wash. south to Cape Falcon is managed based on a 55,700 coho quota and an 11,200 chinook guideline. Sunday's opener also saw excellent fishing conditions along the north coast and near the mouth of the Columbia River. Anglers harvested 11 percent of the chinook guideline and 4 percent of the coho quota. The current rules allow the harvest of two salmon per day, Sunday - Thursday, through Aug. 15. All harvested coho must be marked with a missing adipose fin. Fishery managers will consider changes to the Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon season early next week.
Anglers are reminded that all coho shorter than 16 inches must be released. Chinook must be released if they are landed south of Cape Falcon and shorter than 20 inches or they are landed north of Cape Falcon and shorter than 24 inches.
Salmon anglers are required to use single-point, single-shank barbless hooks when fishing in the ocean.
Anglers are urged to use caution when ocean salmon fishing and to check tidal, bar, weather and ocean conditions before leaving port.
Calm seas on Sunday, July 7, led to high participation levels and excellent fishing conditions off the Oregon coast for the opening day of coho fishing, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. With a two salmon bag limit, anglers retained 1.26 salmon on average between Cape Falcon and Humbug Moutain. Seas turned rougher this week and angler participation dropped, but harvest rates continued to be near one salmon per angler.
The ocean sport salmon fishery between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain is managed using a coho quota to protect wild stocks. Through Wednesday, anglers had harvested 23 percent of the 22,500 coho quota. Fishery managers will meet Monday, July 15, to discuss potential changes. The current rules allow anglers to harvest two salmon per day. All harvested coho must be marked with a missing adipose fin. Once the coho quota is met, chinook fishing may continue but all coho must be released carefully unharmed.
The sport fishery from Leadbetter Point, Wash. south to Cape Falcon is managed based on a 55,700 coho quota and an 11,200 chinook guideline. Sunday's opener also saw excellent fishing conditions along the north coast and near the mouth of the Columbia River. Anglers harvested 11 percent of the chinook guideline and 4 percent of the coho quota. The current rules allow the harvest of two salmon per day, Sunday - Thursday, through Aug. 15. All harvested coho must be marked with a missing adipose fin. Fishery managers will consider changes to the Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon season early next week.
Anglers are reminded that all coho shorter than 16 inches must be released. Chinook must be released if they are landed south of Cape Falcon and shorter than 20 inches or they are landed north of Cape Falcon and shorter than 24 inches.
Salmon anglers are required to use single-point, single-shank barbless hooks when fishing in the ocean.
Anglers are urged to use caution when ocean salmon fishing and to check tidal, bar, weather and ocean conditions before leaving port.