April 16, 2024 3:30 a.m.

Later this month, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Umpqua Fish District biologists will begin a project to monitor spring Chinook salmon migrating up the North Umpqua River.

An ODFW release said throughout June, biologists will trap and radio tag spring Chinook at Winchester Dam. Biologists will tag 100 each of wild and hatchery spring Chinook. Evan Leonetti said the goal of the project is to gather information on the rate of fish movement upstream, identify where these fish hold during summer, what habitat types are used, and spawning locations. Leonetti said tagged fish will be tracked using telemetry through October.

The release said although not a broadscale, multi-year research project, this work will provide specific information on hatchery and wild Umpqua spring Chinook behavior, which will better inform spring Chinook management in the Umpqua district.

Anglers are reminded that all radio-tagged fish must be immediately released unharmed.

Call ODFW at 464-2175 for more information.