August 6, 2019 3:30 a.m.
An emergency regulation is now in effect to protect wild summer steelhead and early returning fall chinook on the mainstem Umpqua River.
A release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said through September 30th, angling is prohibited within 200 feet of all tributaries in the Umpqua River and in the tributaries themselves from the mouth to 200 feet upstream.
The release said the regulation protects wild summer steelhead and fall Chinook Salmon that hold in and around tributaries looking for colder water. Currently the Umpqua River has abnormally low flows and high water temperatures.
Greg Huchko, Umpqua District fisheries biologist said the Umpqua River in Elkton was recently 79 degrees in the morning and temperatures are higher in the early evening so the agency needs to protect the native fish.  He said salmon and steelhead have a tough time when water temperatures are over 68. He said no cooling trend is being seen anytime in the near future.
Huchko said the regulation was also in effect in late June of 2015 and in 2018 to protect salmon and steelhead.
The release offers some tips for hot weather fishing:
*Fish during the cooler early mornings.
*Land the fish quickly to help increase survival rates.
*Keep the fish in at least 6 inches of water while releasing it.
*Revive the fish before release. Keep the fish upright facing into the current. If the current is too slow, move the fish back and forth slowly to help oxygenate the gills.
For more information on fishing opportunities and regulations in the southwest zone go to https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/southwest-zone.