Clackamas, Ore — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife would like to notify anglers of a new fishing deadline (or boundary) on the Sandy River.  Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the new deadline will be located at the mouth of the Salmon River (near Brightwood). The new sport-fishing regulation was recently adopted by The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.

All current fishing regulations in the lower river will also apply to the newly extended area. The changes are the result of the removal of Marmot Dam, which made the previous angling deadline of “200 feet below the dam” obsolete. ODFW has posted signs marking the new deadline.

“The fishery has the same regulations as last year in the lower river below Marmot Dam. The only difference is that the deadline has moved upstream, giving anglers seven more miles of fishing opportunities,” said Todd Alsbury, District Fish Biologist.  “We think anglers will be excited to take advantage of this extended area.  There will be good opportunity to harvest hatchery salmon and steelhead, particularly spring chinook, that migrate past our hatchery at Cedar Creek before they can reach wild fish spawning areas in the upper basin.”

Beginning Jan. 1, the Sandy River up to the markers at the mouth of Salmon River will be open for retention of adipose fin-clipped steelhead year round. This area will be open for the retention of adipose fin-clipped chinook from Feb. 1-Oct. 1 and adipose fin-clipped coho from Aug. 1-Oct. 31.

Anglers can find the latest fishing regulations and information regarding closures on the ODFW website at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/ or by calling the ODFW telephone hotline at 1-503-947-6000.