McKenzie Steelhead

[Cutthroat_Behavior]

I know the McKenzie has a decent summer run but what is up with the winter run? Anyone fish for these fish?
:whazzup:

[oregonwrestler]

didnt know the mckenzie had a winter run...the Register Guard (Eugene paper) last week did say they were still catching summers below leaburg though.

oregonwrestler

[Green Machine]

That's my old stomping grounds. Never heard of significant winter fish. Maybe a few straglers?

Green Machine

[Grantspastor]

I grew up in Springfield...fished the McKenzie for years and have never heard of a winter run. Of course the river used to be closed to fishing in the winter anyway

[willierower]

The McKenzie doesnt have winter steelhead. The Calapoia(sp) is the highest tributary to the Willamette that had winters.

[Cutthroat_Behavior]

So is that the general feeling from everyone? That the McKenzie has no winter steelhead. Ouch, too bad.

[UmpquaSpecial]

The McKenzie never did have a native summer or winter run steelhead run. The reason for no winter run is unclear because there's plenty of habitat and winters are common in other tributaries of the Willamette downstream. There are summers in most of the eastside tribs, including the McKenzie, but they weren't there historically because of passage problems during summer and fall at Willamette Falls. The only native anadromous fish above Willamette Falls are winter steelhead, spring chinook and Pacific lamprey.
-Chris