ODFW PRESS RELEASE: Umatilla River Chinook Closes

[Pete]

For Immediate Release May 24, 2002

Spring Chinook Fishery to close on the Umatilla River

PENDLETON - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today that spring chinook angling will close Saturday evening on portions of the Umatilla River because the quota will be reached.

The lower reach from the Highway 730 Bridge at the mouth upstream to Mud Spring Canyon Road Bridge closes after the Saturday, May 25 fishing day. The boundary, known as Yoakum Bridge, is about 15 miles below Pendleton. The upper reach will close after the Friday, June 7 fishing day from Yoakum Bridge upstream to the boundary of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation above Pendleton.

The Umatilla spring chinook fishery is co-managed by the Department and the Umatilla Tribe. The non-Indian harvest quota for this year for the Umatilla River is 750 fish based on a run size expectation of 5,600 fish. About 550 fish have been caught so far and nearly all were caught in the lower four miles of the river because of the late arrival of the run and a slow start in the upper reach.

To give upriver anglers in the Pendleton area opportunity to harvest some of the available fish, the lower reach is closed early. Managers expect the upper reach catch through June 7 will bring the total to 750 fish, the 2002 management goal.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact:Anne Pressentin (503) 872-5264 x5356
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax (503) 872-5700