Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 3, March 1, 2024
In addition to the three broad management options in OAR
635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy) the following six management alternatives,
their criteria and guidelines, will be used in the management of trout:
(1) Wild Fish -- Management under the wild
fish alternative is exclusively for wild fish Option (1)(a) of OAR 635-007-0525
(Wild Fish Policy). These fish may have significant genetic value and some
populations will be recognized specifically for their uniqueness. Guidelines
which apply are:
(a) No hatchery-reared trout
will be released in these waters;
(b) Although ODFW does not have regulatory
authority over most activities that affect aquatic habitat, it will actively
pursue and promote habitat protection and enhancement. Habitat must be
protected or enhanced, using a subbasin-wide approach, to maximize the
productivity of the stock, conserve stock fitness and life history
characteristics, and to maintain healthy trout populations with multiple-age
classes. Specific coordination activities will be coordinated with land
management agencies;
(c)
Consumptive and nonconsumptive fisheries are encouraged. However, special
regulations may be necessary to protect stock fitness and life history
characteristics and to maintain healthy trout populations with multiple age
classes;
(d) No new introductions
of hatchery or wild species will be made unless proposed in a management plan,
evaluated to determine impact on wild trout stocks, and approved by the
Commission;
(e) The productive
capacity of waters in this alternative will be maintained or enhanced so no net
loss of natural fish production occurs;
(f) Unique native populations may require
additional recognition for protection.
(2) Featured Species and Waters -- Management
under this alternative emphasizes species or stocks that are uncommon or unique
and waters that have historical benefit or potential for unique natural beauty,
water quality, aesthetics or recreational capabilities. Species, stocks, or
waters under this alternative can be managed as Options (1)(a), (b) or (c) of
OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). Guidelines which apply are:
(a) Habitat must be protected or enhanced to
maintain and preserve the uniqueness of these stocks, species, or waters.
Protection or enhancement activities will include a subbasin-wide approach via
land management agencies to preserve unique natural beauty, water quality and
volume, and aesthetic or recreational capabilities;
(b) The productive capacity of waters in this
alternative will be maintained or enhanced so that no net loss of natural fish
production occurs;
(c) Featured
species or stocks will be managed to maintain their genetic diversity, stock
fitness, and resulting life history characteristics;
(d) Special regulations may be necessary to
protect the uniqueness of the featured stock, species, or waters. Consumptive
and non-consumptive fisheries are encouraged;
(e) No new introduction of hatchery or wild
species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to
determine effects on wild trout stocks, and approved by the
Commission.
(3) Trophy
Fish -- Certain waters are capable of producing large "bragging-size" trout.
This alternative does not include publicizing all trophy trout waters in the
state. Many anglers fish secret and favorite waters that produce some trophy
trout. Waters that have limited access or capability to produce large fish
without special habitat protection, regulation, or stocking procedures will be
placed in other alternatives to preserve angler diversity. Management Options
may be (1)(a), (b) or (c) of OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). Guidelines
which apply are:
(a) Habitat must be
protected, restored, or enhanced to produce large trout;
(b) Species or stocks known to produce large
trout will be managed to maintain genetic diversity, stock fitness, and
resulting life history characteristics;
(c) Nonconsumptive fisheries are encouraged.
Special regulations (catch limits, size restrictions, catch and release, and
gear restrictions) may be necessary to protect these large fish and insure the
population health and size diversity;
(d) Release of fingerling trout will be
reduced below carrying capacity in some waters to produce large, naturally
reared trout;
(e) The productive
capacity of waters in this alternative will be maintained or enhanced so that
no net loss of natural fish production occurs;
(f) No new introduction of hatchery or wild
species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to
determine impact on wild trout stocks, and approved by the
Commission.
(4) Basic
Yield -- These waters are managed under Options (1)(a), (b), or (c) of OAR
635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy) to use their natural productivity and grow
trout to a harvestable size with or without the addition of fingerling or
yearling hatchery trout. Although trophy trout and unique fish species may be
available, the major fisheries are of a general, consumptive nature without
special regulations. Most of the trout available to the angler are from either
naturally produced or from releases of hatchery fingerlings. Other species may
be present and have fishery values equal to or greater than trout. Guidelines
which apply are:
(a) Habitat must be protected
and enhanced to optimize natural production potential of wild stocks and
natural rearing capability from fingerling stocking;
(b) The productive capacity of waters in this
alternative will be maintained or enhanced so that no net loss of natural fish
production occurs. Problem waters can be transferred into a higher priority
alternative;
(c) General
regulations will be used to produce consumptive fisheries unless special
regulations are needed to enhance trophy-sized fish or unique species or stocks
without seriously restricting the major fisheries;
(d) Natural reproduction and fingerling
stocking will provide he major fish production in this alternative. Stocking of
yearling hatchery rainbow trout may also be used in some waters;
(e) Other species may have equal or priority
status for some waters listed in this alternative;
(f) No new introduction of hatchery or wild
species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to
determine effects on wild trout stocks, and approved by the
Commission.
(5)
Intensive Use -- These waters are managed under Options (1)(a), (b) or (c) of
OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). Waters managed for this alternative are
apt to be near large population centers or attract intensive angler use because
of easy accessibility or location of other water-oriented recreational
facilities. Many of these waters can be used heavily by anglers for short
periods (April, May, and June) and afterwards be used for sailboating, water
skiing, swimming, and camping. Other waters can support fisheries year-round.
Some of these water are stocked with yearling rainbow trout on a regular basis.
Guidelines which apply are:
(a) Even with a
consumptive fishery to large numbers of anglers, natural production
supplemented with fingerling hatchery trout is the least expensive management
program;
(b) Habitat protection and
enhancement projects are necessary because of the intensive use and large
number of recreation days provided. Year round protection is necessary in
waters with natural rearing or natural production. Waters with marginal water
quality and quality are still critically important to maintain these fisheries
even for 2- or 3-month periods;
(c)
General regulations will be used to produce consumptive fisheries but special
regulations may be needed to protect wild trout under Option (1)(a) or (b) of
OAR 635-007-0525;
(d) ODFW will
continue to coordinate with other state and federal agencies to prevent
conflicts with other water-related recreational activities.
(6) Private Waters and
Reservations -- ODFW generally does not participate in the direct management of
these waters except regarding the enforcement of applicable state statutes,
policies, and administrative rules pertaining to stocking permits, fish
diseases, prohibited species, and other factors that may affect the welfare of
the state's natural resources.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 496 & ORS 506
Stats. Implemented: ORS 496 & ORS
506
