July 6, 2023 10:40 a.m. 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be proposing several changes for next year’s Sport Fishing Regulations at the August 4th Commission meeting in Salem.

An ODFW release said the majority of the proposed changes are categorized as new angling opportunities, housekeeping corrections, changes to simplify regulations or changes to serve a conservation need.

The planned removal of four dams on the Klamath River in 2024 will allow anadromous fish to migrate into the upper Klamath Basin, requiring some regulation changes for the Klamath River to conserve salmon and steelhead. Other proposals include: Increasing bag limits for kokanee in multiple Cascade lakes, making permanent thermal sanctuaries in the Umpqua River, and making permanent regulations allowing the harvest of hatchery spring Chinook in the Hood River and in the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam.

Anglers and others can review potential changes and send comments via email. The proposed changes can be seen: https://myodfw.com/articles/2024-fishing-regulations’ Contact the commission at: odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov

The release said while no new regulation proposals are being accepted for 2024, ODFW takes suggestions throughout the year. Anglers and other should contact their local district fish biologist to discuss or propose regulation changes.