The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Friday announced on several Columbia River tributaries.
Starting Sept. 1, steelhead fisheries on large stretches of the Deschutes, Umatilla, John Day and Walla Walla rivers will be closed through the end of the year.
That鈥檚 because the number of Columbia River steelhead, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, is the lowest it鈥檚 been at this point in the year since recording began in 1938. About as have the past five years.
ODFW鈥檚 decision came just hours after a meeting between fish and wildlife commissioners from Washington and Oregon.
Find a full list of Columbia Basin fishing closures and restrictions in Oregon .
鈥淲e know these actions are going to negatively affect anglers this year and we don鈥檛 take that lightly,鈥� said ODFW Fish Division Deputy Administrator Shaun Clements in a news release. 鈥淏ut they are unfortunately necessary at this time to give the fish the best chance to rebound and ensure the populations can support fisheries in future years.鈥�
A coalition of conservation and fishing organizations had earlier .
Washington had not announced additional closures as of Saturday morning. ODFW said the agency will continue to monitor steelhead returns to determine if some steelhead fisheries can reopen.
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