January 5, 2022 3:40 a.m.

Hatchery winter steelhead fishing in the Umpqua Basin might net anglers a reward.

Staff with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are asking anglers who harvest winter steelhead to put the snout in specially marked collection barrels. If the fish is wire tagged, anglers might win a gift card.

A release said bags for the snouts and tags with date and location of harvest are in the barrels. Anglers must include this information with the snout.

Collection barrels are at popular boat ramps around the Umpqua Basin, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Roseburg, and outside the ODFW office on North Umpqua Highway.

The release said this is the 4th year of a study to refine hatchery release timing.

Harvest winter steelhead are coded wire tagged and released in groups at different times in Canyonville acclimation sites. Tags contain the release date and group. This information shows which release timing is most beneficial to anglers, especially those fishing the South Umpqua River.