Sport Angling Is Not the Real Threat to Fish

“The fact that we are having to make these restrictions underlines the urgency in addressing the factors that are ultimately causing these declines [in steelhead returns], notably addressing issues with the Columbia River Hydrosystem and protecting/restoring habitat in the tributaries. It is only by addressing these factors that we will really move the needle on recovery.”

• Shaun Clements, ODFW deputy director for Fish Division.

Late in the day on Friday, August 28, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced the closure of steelhead fishing on the lower Deschutes River from the mouth upstream to Sherars Fall for the month of September. This was in response to anticipated low steelhead returns to the Deschutes and it is far too small an action to increase fish returns in the river.

Recreational angler hooking mortality does not drive wild steelhead populations in the Deschutes River. The issues truly affecting steelhead populations are region wide in nature and extend far beyond the lower Deschutes. However, some readily available changes can be made in the lower Deschutes River that won’t restrict angling and will help steelhead, as well as all other fish that use the river. We would like to take a moment to look at what ODFW can do on the lower Deschutes to have an impact.

Angling restrictions, particularly on the Deschutes which is already highly regulated for the protection of wild steelhead, are ultimately a short-term solution and will have limited to no impact on the overall health of the population. They shift the burden of protecting fish from those who can affect major change to the users who rely on the river for their recreation, relaxation, and their livelihoods.

On the lower Deschutes, that burden must shift from anglers to the operators of the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project (PRB). With simple operational changes at the Project, the water quality of the entire length of the lower river would immediately improve. As a member of PRB’s Fish Committee, ODFW can and must address poor water quality as one of the root causes of declining steelhead populations in the Deschutes rather than rely on short-term measures that unfairly burden recreational users of the Deschutes. In a letter to ODFW sent Friday afternoon, we made the argument for ODFW to advocate for water quality improvements in the lower Deschutes River.

It is time for Director Curt Melcher and ODFW to have the courage to do what is right in the lower Deschutes River. ODFW cannot stand idly by as its sister agency lets river conditions continue to harm these long-suffering fish and then pass the buck to sport anglers. ODFW should immediately advocate for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to fulfill its duties and begin enforcing the current water quality regulations contained in PRB’s operational licensing and the state regulations. This will truly make a positive difference for Deschutes River wild steelhead and the other fishes that depend on a cold, clean river year around.