OAR 635-500-0115: Management Alternatives

In addition to the three broad management options in OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy) the following six management alternatives, their criteria and guidelines, will be used in the management of trout: (1) Wild Fish — Management under the wild fish alternative is exclusively for wild fish Option (1)(a) of OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). These fish may have significant genetic value and some populations will be recognized specifically for their uniqueness. Guidelines which apply are: (a) No hatchery-reared trout will be released in these waters; (b) Although ODFW does not have regulatory authority over most activities that affect aquatic habitat, it will actively pursue and promote habitat protection and enhancement. Habitat must be protected or enhanced, using a subbasin-wide approach, to maximize the productivity of the stock, conserve stock fitness and life history characteristics, and to maintain healthy trout populations with multiple-age classes. Specific coordination activities will be coordinated with land management agencies; (c) Consumptive and nonconsumptive fisheries are encouraged. However, special regulations may be necessary to protect stock fitness and life history characteristics and to maintain healthy trout populations with multiple age classes; (d) No new introductions of hatchery or wild species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to determine impact on wild trout stocks, and approved by the Commission; (e) The productive capacity of waters in this alternative will be maintained or enhanced so no net loss of natural fish production occurs; (f) Unique native populations may require additional recognition for protection. (2) Featured Species and Waters — Management under this alternative emphasizes species or stocks that are uncommon or unique and waters that have historical benefit or potential for unique natural beauty, water quality, aesthetics or recreational capabilities. Species, stocks, or waters under this alternative can be managed as Options (1)(a), (b), or (c) of OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). Guidelines which apply are: (a) Habitat must be protected or enhanced to maintain and preserve the uniqueness of these stocks, species, or waters. Protection or enhancement activities will include a subbasin-wide approach via land management agencies to preserve unique natural beauty, water quality and volume, and aesthetic or recreational capabilities; (b) The productive capacity of waters in this alternative will be maintained or enhanced so that no net loss of natural fish production occurs; (c) Featured species or stocks will be managed to maintain their genetic diversity, stock fitness, and resulting life history characteristics; (d) Special regulations may be necessary to protect the uniqueness of the featured stock, species, or waters. Consumptive and non-consumptive fisheries are encouraged; (e) No new introduction of hatchery or wild species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to determine effects on wild trout stocks, and approved by the Commission. (3) Trophy Fish — Certain waters are capable of producing large “bragging-size” trout. This alternative does not include publicizing all trophy trout waters in the state. Many anglers fish secret and favorite waters that produce some trophy trout. Waters that have limited access or capability to produce large fish without special habitat protection, regulation, or stocking procedures will be placed in other alternatives to preserve angler diversity. Management Options may be (1)(a), (b), or (c) of OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). Guidelines which apply are: (a) Habitat must be protected, restored, or enhanced to produce large trout; (b) Species or stocks known to produce large trout will be managed to maintain genetic diversity, stock fitness, and resulting life history characteristics; (c) Nonconsumptive fisheries are encouraged. Special regulations (catch limits, size restrictions, catch and release, and gear restrictions) may be necessary to protect these large fish and insure the population health and size diversity; (d) Release of fingerling trout will be reduced below carrying capacity in some waters to produce large, naturally reared trout; (e) The productive capacity of waters in this alternative will be maintained or enhanced so that no net loss of natural fish production occurs; (f) No new introduction of hatchery or wild species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to determine impact on wild trout stocks, and approved by the Commission. (4) Basic Yield — These waters are managed under Options (1)(a), (b), or (c) of OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy) to use their natural productivity and grow trout to a harvestable size with or without the addition of fingerling or yearling hatchery trout. Although trophy trout and unique fish species may be available, the major fisheries are of a general, consumptive nature without special regulations. Most of the trout available to the angler are from either naturally produced or from releases of hatchery fingerlings. Other species may be present and have fishery values equal to or greater than trout. Guidelines which apply are: (a) Habitat must be protected and enhanced to optimize natural production potential of wild stocks and natural rearing capability from fingerling stocking; (b) The productive capacity of waters in this alternative will be maintained or enhanced so that no net loss of natural fish production occurs. Problem waters can be transferred into a higher priority alternative; (c) General regulations will be used to produce consumptive fisheries unless special regulations are needed to enhance trophy-sized fish or unique species or stocks without seriously restricting the major fisheries; (d) Natural reproduction and fingerling stocking will provide he major fish production in this alternative. Stocking of yearling hatchery rainbow trout may also be used in some waters; (e) Other species may have equal or priority status for some waters listed in this alternative; (f) No new introduction of hatchery or wild species will be made unless proposed in a management plan, evaluated to determine effects on wild trout stocks, and approved by the Commission. (5) Intensive Use — These waters are managed under Options (1)(a), (b), or (c) of OAR 635-007-0525 (Wild Fish Policy). Waters managed for this alternative are apt to be near large population centers or attract intensive angler use because of easy accessibility or location of other water-oriented recreational facilities. Many of these waters can be used heavily by anglers for short periods (April, May, and June) and afterwards be used for sailboating, water skiing, swimming, and camping. Other waters can support fisheries year-round. Some of these water are stocked with yearling rainbow trout on a regular basis. Guidelines which apply are: (a) Even with a consumptive fishery to large numbers of anglers, natural production supplemented with fingerling hatchery trout is the least expensive management program; (b) Habitat protection and enhancement projects are necessary because of the intensive use and large number of recreation days provided. Year round protection is necessary in waters with natural rearing or natural production. Waters with marginal water quality and quality are still critically important to maintain these fisheries even for 2- or 3-month periods; (c) General regulations will be used to produce consumptive fisheries but special regulations may be needed to protect wild trout under Option (1)(a) or (b) of OAR 635-007-0525; (d) ODFW will continue to coordinate with other state and federal agencies to prevent conflicts with other water-related recreational activities. (6) Private Waters and Reservations — ODFW generally does not participate in the direct management of these waters except regarding the enforcement of applicable state statutes, policies, and administrative rules pertaining to stocking permits, fish diseases, prohibited species, and other factors that may affect the welfare of the state’s natural resources.