Portion of McKenzie River will close to salmon angling

Due to concerns about protecting wild Chinook salmon that are holding in the McKenzie River near Leaburg Dam and meeting broodstock needs for hatchery production, a portion of the McKenzie River will close to salmon angling effective July 15th.

The closure will be in effect from July 15th through December 31st in the mainstem McKenzie River from Leaburg Dam downstream approximately one mile - to the mouth of Trout Creek.

Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife officials say angling is impacting a small run of wild Chinook this year because few hatchery Chinook are returning to the McKenzie River basin. The shortage of hatchery Chinook is attributed to the poor survival of juvenile fish that were released at a small size from the Leaburg Hatchery during the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020. In addition, returning wild and hatchery Chinook were subjected to poor ocean conditions that further compromised survival.