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May 22, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Catherine Creek, a tributary to the Grande Ronde River, will open to fishing for hatchery spring chinook Saturday, May 26. The open area is from the Miller Lane Bridge below Union upstream to the Highway 203 Bridge upstream of Catherine Creek State Park. The fishery will remain open until the harvest quota is reached, anticipated to be early July. Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will monitor the harvest on a weekly basis.
“This is the first time a spring chinook fishery has been opened on Catherine Creek since 1978,” said Tim Bailey, ODFW district fish biologist in La Grande. “This year’s fishing opportunity is due largely to a successful hatchery program and ongoing habitat improvements in the Catherine Creek Watershed. This year’s run is expected to be around 1,000 fish, the majority being hatchery fish.”
Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped chinook adults and five adipose fin-clipped jacks per day, with two daily limits in possession. Jack salmon are less than 24 inches in length. Anglers do not need to record jack catch on their combined angling tags, but it is illegal to continue fishing for jack chinook once the adult bag limit is met. Unmarked (wild) fish must be released carefully and unharmed.
Private lands border Catherine Creek through much of the fishery open area. Anglers are reminded to ask first before entering private land.
For more information Contact the ODFW Northeast Region Office in La Grande at (541) 963-2138.
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