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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, April 12, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 1, 2004 ODFW hopes closure curbs behavior around Hatchery Hole By MARK FREEMAN Mail Tribune A mile-long stretch of the upper Rogue River closes to all angling at 7 p.m. beginning today as part of a new effort to crack down against illegal angling and drunken lawlessness that has tarnished the upper Rogue’s most productive salmon-fishing holes. The 7 p.m. closure is the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s answer to problems seen in recent years among spring chinook salmon anglers in and around the popular Hatchery Hole. The Hatchery Hole is along the Cole Rivers Hatchery dike just shy of the raceway used by salmon to enter the hatchery. It extends down to the Highway 62 bridge just upstream of Casey State Park. And anglers there have no one to blame but themselves. After being closed for almost 30 years because it normally is chock-full of salmon waiting to enter the hatchery, the area was open to fishing as a way to get first-time anglers and families a good shot at getting one of these tough-to-get spring chinook. But almost instantly, there area has been awash in rampant angling violations, public drunkenness, fighting and other illegal behavior. Advertisement The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the McGregor Park near the area, as well as the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife warned Hatchery Hole anglers to shape up their behavior or face sanctions, but that didn’t solve the problems. Problems occurred more often in the evening when an influx of anglers headed to the Hatchery Hole after work to fish until the legal end of the salmon- fishing day — one hour after sunset. "We hope the change in hours will curb illegal behavior that occurs on this stretch of river more often in the evenings," says Dan Van Dyke, the ODFW’s Rogue District fish biologist. "We want to provide a good experience for first-time anglers and families." The commission approved the changes during last August’s meeting. Anglers can still begin fishing one hour before sunrise, but they must be gone by 7 p.m. or face citations. The area and the time deadline have been enforced by the Oregon State Police. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times