For the first time in decades, salmon have returned to the Klamath River Basin. Recent dam removals have reopened hundreds of miles of historic spawning grounds, allowing salmon to migrate freely for the first time in generations. But unfortunately, some of them met a snag hook in a closed area.
A Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Trooper cited an angler for illegally taking Chinook salmon from Spencer Creek, marking the first criminal salmon case in the area since salmon returned to the Klamath Basin.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) tipped off troopers after witnesses reported an individual actively fishing and provided photos showing the unlawful harvest. Although the angler had fled the scene before officers arrived, sharp-eyed witnesses supplied a vehicle license plate that led troopers straight to the suspect on Highway 66.
During the stop, the passenger admitted to fishing. He told the officers he didn’t think wardens would be working due to the federal government shutdown. That gamble didn’t pay off. He surrendered two Chinook salmon along with his rod and reel, and was criminally cited on the spot. The fish were turned over to ODFW, while the driver received a warning for aiding the offense.
Infractions Aplenty During Oregon’s Salmon Season
Oregon’s fall salmon fisheries draw anglers from across the Northwest, offering the chance to connect with some of the state’s most iconic fish. But not everyone plays by the rules, as seen with the spate of enforcement actions by Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Troopers.
Closed Waters and Repeat Offenders: Eagle Creek
At Eagle Creek near Portland, a Fish and Wildlife Trooper observed three subjects fishing in an area closed to angling. Two of the individuals were actively attempting to snag Coho salmon. Both had already been warned earlier in the year for fishing in a closed stream on nearby Tanner Creek.
This time, the consequences were more serious. The two repeat offenders were issued criminal citations for Fishing in a Closed Area and Snagging. The third subject received a violation citation. Two rod-and-reel setups were seized as evidence.
Prohibited Gear and Over-Limits: Eagle Creek Mouth, Columbia River Zone
Fish and Wildlife Troopers from The Dalles responded to reports of snagging and anglers exceeding daily limits at the mouth of Eagle Creek within the Columbia River Zone. Upon arrival, troopers observed two individuals fishing with prohibited gear, treble hooks attached to non-buoyant lures, commonly associated with “twitching” techniques that can result in foul-hooked fish.
When contacted, one angler was found in possession of three adult hatchery Coho salmon, including one measuring 21 inches, while the second had retained one adult wild Coho. Both admitted the fish had been hooked in the gill plate rather than the mouth, though they denied intentionally snagging them. None of the four Coho had been properly tagged, and all were taken using illegal gear.
The fish were seized and later donated to the Salvation Army Food Pantry. One subject was cited for take and possession of snagged game fish, exceeding the daily catch limit, and failure to immediately validate a harvest card, along with receiving five additional warnings. The second subject was cited for take and possession of snagged game fish and for take and possession of a non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) Coho, and received three additional warnings.
Rogue River Report Leads to Citation: Finley Bend
On the Rogue River at Finley Bend, a Central Point Fish and Wildlife Sergeant responded to reports of multiple anglers snagging fish, including one individual clearly documented on video repeatedly foul-hooking salmon. After conducting surveillance, the Sergeant contacted the angler and personally observed a salmon being brought to shore tail-first, a strong indicator of snagging.
The subject retained the fish and failed to immediately validate his harvest card. As a result, he was cited for angling by a prohibited method and for retaining a foul-hooked fish. The seized salmon was later donated to Wildlife Images for educational use.
“We Didn’t Know It Was Closed”
In another Eagle Creek incident, a trooper from The Dalles contacted two subjects angling at the mouth of the creek within the Columbia River Zone, which was closed to all salmon angling at the time. The anglers stated they were unaware of the closure and reported catching and tagging what they believed was a hatchery Chinook salmon. The fish was later identified as a hatchery Coho, not a Chinook.
One subject was cited for Angling Closed Season [sic] and warned for Take/Possession of Fish Closed Season and Fail to Properly Validate Harvest Card [sic]. The second subject received a warning for Angling Closed Season. The seized salmon was donated to the Hood River FISH Food Bank.
Few Issues on the Lower Siletz River
During a boat patrol on the lower Siletz River, a Newport Fish and Wildlife Sergeant and an Albany Fish and Wildlife Trooper contacted 88 salmon anglers amid high catch rates and found the majority to be compliant and cooperative. Only three citations were issued; one for exceeding the daily bag limit of wild Coho salmon and two for failing to properly validate harvest cards after retaining wild Coho, including leaving the species code blank. In addition, 14 warnings were issued for various license and tagging violations. One Coho salmon was seized during the patrol and later donated to a local senior center.
