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May 19, 2015
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Lookingglass Creek, a tributary to the Grande Ronde River at Palmer Junction, will open to fishing for hatchery spring chinook Saturday, May 23. The river will be open for salmon from the Moses Creek Lane Bridge (County Road 42) upstream to the confluence of Jarboe Creek, and will remain open until the harvest quota is reached.
“A fair run is predicted for Lookingglass Creek”, said Tim Bailey, ODFW district fish biologist in La Grande. “This year’s fishing opportunity opens a few weeks earlier than in recent years as Columbia River dam counts indicate the fish are returning earlier. This year’s run is expected to be around 1,100 adult Chinook, the majority being hatchery fish.”
Bailey predicts the season will be open two to three weeks before the harvest quota is met. Biologists from the ODFW will be monitoring the harvest on a weekly basis.
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 long. 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.
As with the trout fishery that also opens on Lookingglass Creek on May 23, anglers are restricted to artificial flies and lures while fishing for salmon―no bait is allowed.
"There are bull trout in Lookingglass Creek, and bait fishing could pose a threat to them, so all fishing in the creek is restricted to artificial flies and lures," Bailey said.
Private timberlands owned by Forest Capital and open to public access border the area open to sport fishing. Anglers are reminded to respect private property by picking up trash when leaving.
A Columbia River Basin Endorsement is required to fish for salmon in Lookingglass Creek.
For more information, contact the ODFW Northeast Region Office in La Grande at (541) 963-2138.
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