Gear restrictions extended on Chetco, Winchuck rivers

Chetco River - Brookings, OR (Curry County)


by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
11-2-2022
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GOLD BEACH, Ore – Chetco and Winchuck angling gear restrictions are extended through 11:59 p.m., Nov. 15 due to low water levels. The gear restriction extension is also a conservative approach to help lower harvest levels of older aged chinook salmon.

Angling is restricted to fly fishing (must include a strike indicator) or bobber fishing in both rivers. The Chetco restriction applies from River Mile 2.2 to Nook Creek, and from the mouth to Wheeler Creek in the Winchuck River.

Based on historical flow regimes, gear restrictions are typically in place Sept. 1 – Nov. 3 each year to eliminate snagging. As in 2018, this year is an exception with abnormally low flows and no significant October rains. With rain forecasted beginning this week, the gear restriction will lift at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 16.

ODFW biologists expect good numbers of chinook to return to the Chetco and some are already holding in the lower river. Maintaining a fishing opportunity for Chetco bank anglers is important and this is also a good time of year to harvest returning hatchery fish.




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OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, October 27th, 2022

: ODFW Recreation Report
Ana Reservoir: Ana Reservoir Report
Applegate Reservoir: The low water ramp at French Gulch is available and being used now
Chetco River: Salmon fishing has been good for boat anglers in the estuary
Coos River: Anglers can catch rockfish around the jetties in the lower Coos Bay
Coquille River: Most smallmouth bass are in deep pools for the winter
Elk River: Anglers are picking up a few Chinook in the lower river
Garrison Lake: Cooler weather has improved fishing conditions
Lake Selmac: Trout fishing should pick up with cooler temperatures
Rogue River- Lower: Fishing has been slow in the lower river
Rogue River - Middle: Flow remains around 1190 cfs
Rogue River- Upper: Reservoir releases have dropped to their typical October levels
Sixes River: Sixes River Report
Winchuck River: Gear restrictions are in place until Nov. 3
Alsea River: Fall Chinook fishing continues to be slow on the Alsea
Necanicum River: Fall Chinook are available in the Necanicum basin
Nehalem River: Fall Chinook fishing had slowed on the bay
Nehalem River- North Fork: North Fork Nehalem River Report
Nestucca River: No retention of wild coho allowed for the remainder of 2022
Salmon River: Fall Chinook fishing has picked up on the Salmon River
Siletz River: Fall Chinook fishing continues to be slow on the Siletz
Siltcoos Lake: Coho fishing should start to pick up
Trask River: The Trask is closed to the retention of wild Chinook this year
Yaquina River: Fall Chinook fishing continues to be slow on the Yaquina
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter Reservoir Report
Quartzville Creek: After recent rains the river is up to 175 cfs
Santiam River ( North Fork) : Counts at Stayton show over 870 summer steelhead have entered the upper river
Santiam River ( North Fork) Above Detroit Lake: Flows are still in excellent shape and the summer crowds are gone
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Anglers report good fishing Crane Prairie
Lake Billy Chinook: Anglers report good kokanee fishing at Lake Billy Chinook
Metolius River: The Metolius River continues to fish well
Wickiup Reservoir: The reservoir is very low at 9 percent
Imnaha River: Steelhead fishing has begun to pick up
Wallowa Lake : Wallowa Lake was stocked with rainbow trout throughout the year
Snake River- Below Hells Canyon Reservoir: Some steelhead have also been caught throughout Hells Canyon