"Hoot Owl" Regulations Lifted on LDR, Despite High Temperatures

On August 9, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) lifted the “hoot owl” regulations it had instituted earlier this summer. Ahead of a region-wide heat wave and with water temperatures still exceeding the state water quality standards, the regulations are still desperately needed to protect the lower Deschutes River’s (LDR) native fish species.

DRA sent a letter objecting to ODFW lifting these protective regulations and calling for them to be reinstituted for the remainder of the summer season. Our letter can be read in full here.

The hoot owl regulations were aimed at protecting the lower Deschutes River’s native fish species from the increased possibility of angling-related mortality caused by high water temperatures. Restricting fishing to cooler times of day reduces the stress caused by high midday water temperatures.

By lifting these regulations, ODFW will further stress the LDR’s fish species – including the beginning of the summer steelhead and fall Chinook runs – who already are exposed to harmful river temperatures and pH levels.

This decision comes at an especially dangerous time. River temperatures in the LDR over the last month have consistently exceeded the state temperatures standards for that stretch of the LDR and have regularly topped 70^°F. On top of this, a heat wave throughout much of the state and including the whole length of the lower Deschutes has been forecasted, requiring an “Excessive Heat Warning” to be issued. This will undoubtedly further increase surface water temperatures in the lowest stretches of the LDR.

There is a simple solution to lowering water temperatures in the lower Deschutes. Portland General Electric can significantly lower temperatures by increasing the amount of cold water it releases from the Pelton Round Butte Project. We continue to call on the dam operator to take this simple step to bring the river back into compliance with temperature standards, rather than place the full burden on anglers.

ODFW’s lifting decision also comes as it decided to close other river basins to all angling. Both the North Umpqua River and the Youngs River Basin were closed in this last week, with ODFW citing drought conditions, high temperatures, and low fish return numbers. All of these conditions also exist in the lower Deschutes. The LDR deserve the same protections that other Oregon rivers are receiving during these difficult water quality times.

We hope that through our letter, ODFW takes its conservation duties seriously and reinstates hoot owl regulations in the lower Deschutes for the remainder of the summer season.

In the meantime, we urge anglers to continue restricting their fishing in the lowest stretches of the LDR to cooler times of day and to take steps to reduce angling-related stress:

• Use appropriate gear and land fish quickly. The longer the fight, the less likely the fish will survive.
• Avoid removing the fish from the water. 
• If taking a photo, cradle the fish at water level and quickly take the picture.
• Remove hooks quickly and gently while keeping the fish under water.
• Use long-nosed pliers or hemostats to back out a hook.
• If a fish is hooked deeply, cut the line near the hook.
• Revive fish (point them into slow current or move them back and forth until gills are working).
• When possible, let the fish swim out of your hands.