ODFW backs off new Wickiup Reservoir fishing rules

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Monday it has rescinded two emergency rules that would have removed the kokanee “bonus bag” on Wickiup Reservoir and closed the Deschutes River arm of the reservoir a month earlier in late summer.

The rules announced recently were intended to protect natural reproduction in the reservoir under new water management rules, tied to a court settlement in the Oregon spotted frog case, that could affect key spawning grounds. But they sparked some debate among anglers.

“We’re going to take a step back to do some additional monitoring and to engage the angling community in a discussion of what the fish management options are for Wickiup under the new water regime,” said Brett Hodgson, ODFW fish manager.

The first rule change would have eliminated the kokanee “bonus bag” that allows anglers to keep up to 25 kokanee, in addition to the regular five-fish trout limit. Anglers would have had to include kokanee within the five-fish trout limit.

The second rule change would have closed fishing in the Deschutes River arm of the reservoir one month earlier, from Sept. 30 to Aug. 31, and moved the boundary from the West South Twin boat ramp to Gull Point.

Instead, Wickiup Reservoir will open to fishing on Saturday under the regulations printed in the 2017 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.