Fall Chinook Salmon Fishing Closure Announced for Umpqua River

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Fishing for fall Chinook salmon (hatchery and wild) closes at 12:01 a.m., Aug. 19 on the Umpqua, Smith, and North Fork Smith rivers because the quota of 500 wild fall Chinook has been reached. With forecasted low returns of wild fall Chinook salmon in the Umpqua, Smith and North Fork Smith rivers, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted this limited fishery at their June meeting. Umpqua District Fish Biologist Evan Leonetti said the Chinook fishery began slowly with just 30 percent of the quota harvested in July. "We typically see low catch rates in July as fall Chinook are beginning to move into the bay. Angler harvest increased in August, and the quota was met on Aug. 16. Although limited, we were pleased to be able to provide some opportunity for harvest this year." Leonetti said. Many wild fall Chinook spawn in the South Umpqua River and a large portion spawn in the Smith, North Fork Smith rivers and other tributaries. Low returns to the Umpqua Basin in 2024 was a catalyst for the Commission to adopt this cautious, quota based approach to this season's wild fall Chinook fishery. ODFW will be closely monitoring this year's return to the spawning grounds to ensure healthy future runs and sustainable fisheries. Anglers looking for other fishing opportunities may want to look at smallmouth bass or striped bass fishing. Harvest of these non-native predators may also help future salmon runs. Steelhead fishing remains open under permanent rules and will pick up as we move into the fall. Also, hatchery coho angling in the Umpqua will remain open while the mark-select (fin-clipped) ocean fishery is open (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain). Angling for mark-select coho is open through Sunday, Aug. 24 or when the quota is met, whichever happens first. Via ODFW