THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Anglers can use their two-rod validation on the Willamette River this year for hatchery spring Chinook and all other fish except sturgeon, beginning March 1 below Willamette Falls and May 1 above Willamette Falls.
“Will two rods be allowed on the Willamette this year?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we get from anglers early in the new year,” said John North, ODFW’s deputy fish division administrator.
Since the two rods were first authorized in 2016, ODFW creel survey data show their use has increased from about 25 to 40 percent by lower Willamette River spring Chinook anglers. As a result, the total fishery yield rate associated with the two-rod allowance has also increased to a level that may affect ODFW’s ability to meet overall hatchery escapement needs in low-income years.
A recent review by ODFW staff indicates that the return of Willamette River spring Chinook of 34,000 hatchery-origin adults to the mouth of the Columbia River generally results in meeting overall broodstock needs for the basin.
Using this measure, two-rod validation will be allowed in the Willamette River when at least 34,000 adult Willamette hatchery spring Chinook are expected to return to the mouth of the Columbia River.
The spring Chinook forecast is usually published on ODFW’s Columbia River page in December, meaning next year, anglers should know the status of the two-rod allowance for the 2025 season by December 2024.
Forecasts in 12 of the last 15 years (including this year) have been sufficient to allow two rods to be certified under this standard, so ODFW expects to allow two rods in most years.
“We want to be transparent and let anglers know about the two rods as early as possible in the year, so they can decide if they want to buy the certification or not,” North continued. “We are comfortable that this approach will provide additional opportunities for anglers when there is sufficient excess hatchery fish, while ensuring our ability to meet the hatchery returns necessary to sustain these programs.”
The 2024 Columbia River spring-summer forecast projects 48,800 adult Willamette-origin spring Chinook will return to the mouth of the Columbia River this year. Of the total Willamette adult returns, approximately 39,300 are expected to be hatchery-origin fish.
Above Willamette Falls, the two-rod allowance begins later to protect ESA-listed winter steelhead. “Typically, 90 percent of the winter steelhead run will make it past the Falls by May 1 while only a small percentage of the spring Chinook run will—on average less than 15 percent,” said Elise Kelley, ODFW district fish biologist for the South Willamette. “The May 1 date protects most of the steelhead running above the Falls.”
The regulation of the two shafts follows:
Place: The Lower Willamette River below Willamette Falls (including the Multnomah Channel), and that portion of the Clackamas River below the Highway 99 Bridge (just above the confluence with the Willamette)
Species: Applies to all game and non-game fish (except sturgeon) when angling is open to hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, trout, or warmwater game fish
Date: March 1-Aug. 15, 2024
Place: Willamette River above Willamette Falls, including tributaries
Species: Applies to all game and non-game fish (except sturgeon) when angling is open to hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, trout, or warmwater game fish
Date: May 1-July 31, 2024
Two-stone authentication costs $28 for both residents and non-residents. Licensed anglers who have purchased a validation can use two rods where regulations allow them, which is mainly in ponds and lakes.
Children under 12 years of age do not need validation to use a second rod in areas where two rods are authorized.
Anglers should always check for any seasonal changes to permanent regulations by visiting the Recreation Report / Fishing Report for their zone and clicking on the Regulation Updates tab, https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/ fishing-report/willamette-zone #Regulation-Updates
