ROSEBURG, Ore – Wild fall chinook temporary restrictions begin October 1 on some South Coast rivers, while bag limit reductions began August 1 for the Coos, Coquille, Elk, and Sixes. It’s important for anglers to note the Elk and Sixes rivers are now included with the Coos and Coquille river basins for the wild fish aggregate bag limit.
The Rogue River is not included in these temporary regulations.
Anglers should carefully check the SW Zone regulations: https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/southwest-zone
Restrictions were set due to poor wild chinook escapement in 2018 and low forecasted returns this year. Poor ocean conditions in recent years is the likely cause for low wild chinook salmon runs.
Based on public input, some low flow closure angling boundaries were changed. For example, the Sixes boundary was moved from the mouth to Hughes House Boat Ramp. Low flow closures will be lifted once fall rains arrive and flows are expected to remain high enough for chinook to freely migrate upstream.
Low flow closure maps:
Chetco River: https://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2019-09/Chetco_low_Closure.pdf
Elk River: https://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2019-09/Elk_low_Closure.pdf
Sixes River: https://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2019-09/Sixes_low_Closure.pdf
Winchuck River: https://myodfw.com/sites/default/files/2019-09/Winchuck_low_Closure.pdf
Lower South Coast river restrictions won’t begin until October 1 to keep trout fishing open as long as possible and so anglers who catch a wild chinook before October 1 won’t have to count it toward the reduced bag. Anglers can still keep five wild jacks per Zone regulations.
These temporary restrictions are conservation measure in line with actions developed through the 2014 Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan for addressing wild fall chinook abundance and in the 2013 Rogue Fall Chinook Conservation Plan.
