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Aug. 28, 2015
CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The Youngs River and its tributaries will close to retention of non-adipose fin-clipped fall Chinook effective Tuesday, Sept. 1. Biologists at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the closure in order to protect broodstock fish destined for the basin’s hatcheries.
The areas covered by the closure include:
- Youngs Bay/River from the commercial fishing deadline at Battle Creek Slough upstream to Young River Falls, and
- Klaskanine River from its confluence with Youngs River upstream to the Youngs River Loop Bridge (Tidewater Bridge).
According to Chris Kern, ODFW fish division deputy administrator, very few Select Area Bright fall Chinook have returned to Youngs Bay and the Youngs River Basin so far this year. Biologists speculate the fish could be holding in the mainstem and not moving into Youngs Bay because of low river levels caused by a lack of rain.
“Based on the poor returns so far this year, we are concerned about reaching hatchery broodstock needs,” he said.
The agency also has curtailed commercial fishing in the Youngs Bay area in order to limit harvest of the select area bright fall Chinook.
The retention closures of the recreational fall Chinook fisheries on the Youngs and Klaskanine rivers are in effect through Oct. 15.
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