ASTORIA, Ore. – Due to expected low returns of adult fall chinook salmon to Big Creek Hatchery, Big Creek is closed to angling from the hatchery downstream to the mouth (including the railroad trestle) from August 15 through September 30, 2007. The extended closure is necessary so Big Creek Hatchery will have enough healthy adults to complete their annual broodstock program.

“Big Creek is typically closed during September to protect adult fall chinook returning to the hatchery,” said Chris Kern, Assistant Columbia River Fisheries Manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  “Expansion of the closure to include part of August is intended to provide additional protection for early returning adults. The predicted return is below broodstock needs at Big Creek Hatchery, so we will need all the returning adults we can get this year to spawn the next generation of fall chinook.”