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May 22, 2012
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Lookingglass Creek, a tributary to the Grande Ronde River at Palmer Junction, will open to fishing for hatchery spring chinook Saturday, May 26. The open area is from the Moses Creek Lane Bridge (County Road 42) upstream to the confluence of Jarboe Creek. The fishery will remain open until the harvest quota is reached, anticipated to be early July. Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will monitor the harvest on a weekly basis.
“As in 2011, another good run is predicted for Lookingglass Creek”, said Tim Bailey, ODFW district fish biologist in La Grande. “This year’s fishing opportunity is due largely to a revamped hatchery program for Lookingglass Creek that should provide more consistent fishing opportunities in the future. This year’s run is expected to be around 1,000 fish, the majority being hatchery fish.”
Anglers may retain two adipose fin-clipped chinook adults and five adipose fin-clipped jacks per day, with two daily limits in possession. Jack salmon are less than 24 inches in length. Anglers do not need to record jack catch on their combined angling tags, but it is illegal to continue fishing for jack chinook once the adult bag limit is met. Unmarked (wild) fish must be released carefully and unharmed.
As with the trout fishery that opens on Lookingglass Creek on May 26, anglers are restricted to artificial flies and lures while fishing for salmon―no bait. "There are bull trout in Lookingglass Creek, and bait fishing could pose a threat to them, so all angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures in the creek," Bailey said.
Private timberlands owned by Forest Capital and open to public access border the area open to sport fishing. Anglers are reminded to respect private property by picking up trash when leaving.
For more information, contact the ODFW Northeast Region Office in La Grande at (541) 963-2138.
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