OAR 635-500-0305: Malheur River Headwaters and Tributaries

(1) The following operating principles apply to the Malheur River headwaters and tributaries: (a) The North Fork Malheur River above Beulah Reservoir, Middle Fork Malheur River above RM 168, and headwater streams and tributaries of the Middle Fork, North Fork, South Fork, and mainstem Malheur River shall be managed for natural production of indigenous populations of wild trout, mountain whitefish, and nongame species with the exception of those areas identified in subsection (b) of this section; (b) The following areas shall be managed for natural production of indigenous populations and harvest of introduced hatchery rainbow trout: (A) Dollar Basin Campground at RM 184 on the Middle Fork Malheur River; (B) North Fork Campground at RM 47.5 on the North Fork Malheur River; (C) Little Malheur River at RM 18 near Forest Service Road 16. (c) Stocking of hatchery fish shall not exceed a maximum of 3,000 fish per year for all three areas described in subsection (b) of this section; (d) Trout management in streams identified in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be guided by the statewide Trout Plan under the basic yield alternative except for bull trout which shall be managed as a featured species; (e) The stocking program shall be curtailed if there is evidence it adversely affects redband or bull trout. (2) In accordance with these operating principles, it is the objective of the Department to: (a) Maintain population health (i.e, high abundance, multiple age classes, and genetic fitness) of bull trout and redband trout; (b) Provide a consumptive fishery on hatchery trout at high use areas identified in subsection (1)(b) of this rule.