June 3, 2020 10:15 a.m.
An emergency angling closure at the “Hatchery Hole” at Cole Rivers Hatchery dam is in place and extends through the end of July.
A release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the closure will help meet hatchery spring Chinook broodstock collection needs.
The release said the closure encompasses the Rogue River reach known as “ODFW markers 1,200 feet below fish ladder entrance markers to Cole Rivers Hatchery Dam”. The closure protects fish returning to the area for broodstock needs while allowing angling opportunities throughout the rest of the Rogue River Chinook fishery.
The release said hatchery spring Chinook returns are extremely low, and if the current pace continues, broodstock needs for this mitigation program may not be met.
Cole Rivers Hatchery produces about 1.6 million spring Chinook salmon for release into the Rogue River, and has a broodstock collection goal of 1,600 returning spring Chinook.
Contact the Roseburg office of ODFW for more information.