ROSEBURG, Ore — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff will host a public meeting July 19 to discuss proposed angling regulation changes for the Umpqua River wild winter steelhead fishery.  The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the ODFW office, 4192 N. Umpqua Highway.

Currently there are two proposals to eliminate the harvest of wild winter steelhead.  One proposal seeks to eliminate the harvest of wild winter steelhead in the mainstem Umpqua River.  The other proposal seeks to eliminate the harvest of wild winter steelhead in the mainstem Umpqua and the North Fork Umpqua River.

At the meeing, department staff will share information on an updated biological assessment and give results of a two-year creel survey. The public will have the opportunity to give testimony regarding the proposed angling changes. 

Public comments will be recorded and presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission at the August 3 commission meeting.  The Commission will then make a decision to accept or reject the proposed angling changes.

In January 2005, ODFW had changed the angling regulations to allow the harvest of one wild steelhead per day and 5 per year in the mainstem Umpqua River from December 1-April 30. This change was supported by ODFW through a biological assessment that predicted the wild winter steelhead population could sustain a harvest from the fishery.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.