Oregon’s Cole River “Hatchery Hole” will be closed beginning May 15!

Oregon’s Cole River “Hatchery Hole” will be closed beginning May 15.  This emergency closure will be in place to help biologists work to maintain the local Chinook population.  Fish and Wildlife agencies across the country try and balance all aspects of local fisheries and wildlife habitat in order to develop and protect species.  This is not always an easy or pleasant decision making process.  Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife agency also works to balance good fish releases so anglers will have productive seasons.  Seasons and limits are vital for good fishing and it sounds like Oregon is working to keep top notch Chinook  fisheries!

“An emergency angling closure at the “Hatchery Hole” at Cole Rivers Hatchery Dam begins Monday, May 15 through July 31, 2017.”

“Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists need to protect hatchery spring Chinook broodstock collection and maximize future angler benefit throughout the Rogue River.”

“Russ Stauff, ODFW’s Rogue Watershed Manager said Cole Rivers Hatchery’s spring Chinook program is very successful, particularly when compared to other hatchery springer programs with similar ocean distribution. These include the Trinity River Hatchery on the Klamath River and Rock Creek Hatchery on the North Umpqua River.”

“The Hatchery Hole was opened in 2002 as a new opportunity for anglers to harvest a then overabundance of returning adult hatchery fish.”

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