ODFW extends Three Rivers fishing season

TILLAMOOK, Ore. – With good numbers of hatchery spring chinook returning to the Nestucca basin, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has decided to extend the fishing season in Three Rivers.

Three Rivers is a tributary of the Nestucca River near Hebo. Biologists recommended the change because the chinook salmon run appears to be large enough that fish surplus to hatchery brood stock needs will be available for harvest.

Three Rivers downstream from the Cedar Creek Hatchery weir was previously scheduled to close June 30. With the extension, the season for adipose fin-clipped spring chinook, adipose fin-clipped summer steelhead and cutthroat will now be open through July 11.

“All signs are pointing to a robust return of hatchery spring chinook.,” said Chris Knutsen, district fish biologist for ODFW’s North Coast Watershed. “This will give anglers two additional weekends, including the Fourth of July holiday, to take advantage of this opportunity.”

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