Fishing restricted on Rogue

MEDFORD, Ore. – The early run of prized Rogue River spring chinook salmon is low, so beginning Monday anglers will have to release those they catch.

With that restriction and others, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hopes to encourage anglers on the Rogue to go after hatchery-raised chinook and wild fall chinook.

Through Wednesday, the salmon count at Gold Ray Dam was 3,245 – the lowest since disease hit the run in 1992 and 22 percent of the 10-year average of 14,680 fish.

Under the new rules, sport harvest of wild spring chinook on the Rogue will be banned through July 14.

The entire upper Rogue closes to chinook angling Aug. 1 through October.