Roseburg, Ore.--Because of the increasing success of Oregon’s wild coastal coho population, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering opening new opportunities this year to fish for wild coastal coho salmon in Coos and Coquille Rivers and potentially the Tenmile Lakes.

A public meeting will be held July 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Southwestern Oregon Community College, 1988 Newmark Avenue, Eden Hall Room #1 in Coos Bay.  Department staff will present proposals and hear comments from the public regarding expansion of coho salmon fisheries.  Topics discussed will include open areas, open seasons and bag limits.  Using public testimony, the Director will make a decision to accept under temporary rule or reject the proposed angling changes.

Based on the 2005 Coho Assessment and the more recent State of Oregon Coho Conservation Plan, the Coos, Coquille and Tenmile coho populations are healthy enough to sustain a conservative fishery.    “Having a conservative, monitored fishery on these populations is consistent with the Coho Conservation Plan,” says Mike Gray, District Fish Biologist.  “The conservation efforts of local watershed councils and private land owners, in conjunction with ODFW staff, have protected and restored habitat for wild coho, bringing the fisheries back.” 

The department will look at expanding these coho fisheries in other areas in coming years.  “The entire Oregon coast is doing well, but some areas are doing better than others,” says Bob Buckman, District Fish Biologist.  “We see opportunities in the future for fisheries in the Yaquina River, Siuslaw River and other mid and north coast basins once they have more consistent strong returns.”