PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted a temporary rule last week to allow anglers to fish for hatchery spring chinook in the Hood River from June 1 to July 31, 2001.

The rule change was allowed because the spring chinook returns will exceed those necessary for hatchery broodstock, natural reproduction and tribal programs.

Starting today, anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped adult spring chinook and five adipose fin-clipped jack salmon (24 inches or shorter) from the mouth of the Hood River to Powerdale Dam. Anglers may not continue to angle for jacks once they have retained their limit for adults. All unmarked chinook must be released carefully unharmed to the river. All other regulations printed in the 2001 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations remain unchanged.

The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs will open a concurrent season on the Hood River.

The ODFW has also opened a stretch of the Rogue River historically closed to fishing to allow bank anglers to target a healthy run of hatchery spring chinook returning to Cole Rivers Hatchery.

The ODFW adopted the temporary rule last week after discussions with Oregon State Police wildlife enforcement division and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agencies are concerned about the potential for conflicts between the many Rogue River users.

"This is an excellent opportunity for anglers to harvest abundant hatchery fish," said Mike Evenson, ODFW district fish biologist in Central Point. "But the success and future of this fishery depends on how anglers conduct themselves and share the area."

From May 29 through July 31, 2001, bank anglers may fish from the historic deadline markers near Cole Rivers Hatchery upstream 1,150 feet to a new ODFW marker located at the concrete wall of the Cole Rivers Hatchery and across the river to a ODFW marker approximately 50 feet downstream from the McGregor Boat Ramp. Angling from a floating device is not allowed in this newly opened area.

Fish concentrate in front of the hatchery and biologists expect many will be caught.

ODFW held two public meetings this spring to gain public input on ideas for management of the large run of fish.? This input was used to make a decision on the new rule.

All daily bag limits, gear and bait restrictions remain unchanged from the 2001 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations: Two adult spring chinook (longer than 24 inches), five jack chinook, two adipose fin-clipped steelhead (16 inches or longer), two adipose fin-clipped trout longer than 8 inches. Bait is allowed using single point hooks No. 1 or larger (7/16-inch gap), or multiple hooks No. 4 or larger (3/8-inch gap).

Enforcement officials and resource managers expressed concern about potential congestion and user-group conflicts. Anglers are asked to park in designated areas at Cole Rivers Hatchery and downstream of the boat ramp in McGregor Park.

"This area is being opened on a trial basis at the request of the anglers," said John Thiebes, Rogue Watershed Manager for ODFW.? "Anglers need to avoid conflicts and obey all angling rules and assist in maintaining the area if this opportunity is to continue in the future."