Keeping unclipped spring chinook

David Johnson · 02-18-2002, 10:18 PM

For the last couple of years you could keep unclipped spring chinook from the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers up til the 15th of March.

The bio's resoning was that there were not going to be enough fish caught durring the early part of the season to damege the run.

I'm thinking that this year you can keep any springer up until the 15th of March to but I might be wrong. I'll try and find out for sure tomorrow.

That sucks for some guys as I've already heard of some fish released.

finner · 02-19-2002, 06:58 AM

I know that was the case last year, but wasn't sure this year. Would certainly like to know the regs. this year. Thanks for looking into this..

SureSet · 02-19-2002, 07:17 AM

From everything I've seen, it appears that the 2002 regs are changed to allow only clipped Salmon and Steelhead from the Willamette.

If you find that they do allow it, I'd be real surprised.

SureSet

Hoosier Daddy · 02-19-2002, 07:32 AM

Aren't the majority of returning fish this year supposed to be clipped, versus previous years when they only clipped a percentage of smolts released?

Chris Sessions · 02-19-2002, 07:40 AM

All springers with adipose are to be immediately released according to the WDFW as of last week.
Also this year the g-netters have a reviving tub on board to help limit mortality and no more tossing wild fish to release. Fished near Astoria on Sunday morning 3 hrs for 2 bites and 1 18lb clipped springer. Also witnessed a few seals get lucky.
Chris
Forgot to add that this is for the Columbia River, don't know about the Wil and Clack.

[ 02-19-2002, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: Salmon Shark ]

Fish Hunter · 02-19-2002, 07:53 AM

We lost the retention of non-clipped salmon on the Willamette and Clackamas during the early Springer season. It changed from last year.