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January 15, 2021
SALEM, Ore.—The Commission decided to delay adoption of any Non-Native Gamefish Management Policy to allow for more engagement and discussion with all stakeholder groups.
The policy will provide direction on the management of non-native game fish to ensure the Department’s actions to establish, maintain, enhance, or constrain non-native game species areconsistent both with the conservation of native fish and wildlife and providing quality recreational fisheries.
In other business today, the Commission:
- Amended rules to update existing food fish species market values that will be used to access damages resulting from commercial fishing violations.
- Approved Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee’s recommendations to fund projects from the Conservation and Recreation Fund, including a beaver survey in central coast estuaries, a study of Western pond turtle distribution in Yamhill County using community science volunteers, and a series of projects connecting Oregon’s youth with outdoor recreation opportunities.
A taped version of the meeting is available on ODFW’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huyxImk1BAA
Two-rod allowance on the lower Willamette River
The Commission also passed a temporary rule in a 5-1 vote that allows the use of two rods on the lower Willamette River from March 1-Aug. 15.
Anglers with the 2021 two-rod validation will be able to use two rods while fishing for all species except sturgeon (so hatchery salmon, hatchery steelhead, trout and warmwater species including shad) in the lower Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including Multnomah Channel).
Two rods will also be allowed in the Clackamas River downstream of the Highway 99 bridge (just upstream of the confluence with the Willamette), also from March 1-Aug. 15, 2021.
The rule applies only to waters open to fishing and all other Willamette Zone rules and regulations remain in effect. See the permanent regulations at http://www.eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/ Remember to always check for in-season changes before fishing by checking the Recreation Report Fishing Report for your zone, https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/willamette-zone
The two-rod validation costs $28 and is also valid in most ponds and lakes in the state. Youth anglers under age 12 may use two rods in waterbodies where they are allowed without purchasing the validation.
As a reminder, anglers remain limited to one rod at all times when fishing in the Columbia River.
A decision on whether to allow two rods upstream of Willamette Falls will be made at a later date.
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