Changes, some significant, are in store for hunting and angling in Oregon next year, but anglers want the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission to take a special look at perhaps the biggest, as-yet undone policy shift in salmon-fishing.
...A return to anglers’ choice for barbed/barbless hooks on the Columbia River.
Fishing on the river’s jointly managed waters from the mouth to the Washington state line upriver from McNary Dam requires the use of barbless hooks for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon (sturgeon during all retention and catch-and-release seasons).
Sturgeon rules aren’t an issue, just salmon and steelhead on the river, and not in the ocean (where barbless is also the law) or any other state waters. Barbed hooks are allowed on the Willamette River and other Columbia tributaries in Oregon and on numerous tributaries in Washington.
Mark Labhart, a commission member from Sisters whose term expires in 2027, would like to see a Columbia River hook discussion between policymakers in both states, beginning as soon as possible in the approaching year.
On Friday, Dec. 12, during its regular monthly meeting, the commission has scheduled an information-only session on current regulations, during which Labhart says he will ask fellow commissioners to have the state’s Fish and Wildlife Department launch a comprehensive and updated review of the barbed/barbless rule.
No angling decisions will be made Friday, so no public testimony will be taken. The commission may, however, issue directions to its staff, typically the first step in rulemaking.
Even without public testimony during the information session, there is an opportunity for the public to personally weigh in.
The commission sets aside time for a public forum, during which anyone can speak to the commission about any issue, usually limited to three minutes in the interests of time.
The forum is open to anyone and presentations can be delivered remotely or in person in Salem. However, those wishing to speak must pre-register with the director’s office before 8 a.m. Wednesday, either by phone or using an online form linked here. Anglers can also email the commission at odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov
So far, three people are signed up to talk about barbless hooks.
The Association of Northwest Steelheaders has also begun a petition drive to urge the commission to take the action Labhart is requesting — a comprehensive review.
For more than a decade, the barbless hook issue has been like a tennis match between Oregon and Washington, with each state sometimes going to the net, only to back off since neither wants to face the management and enforcement nightmares of non-concurrent regulations on the Columbia.
Both states even returned to the use of barbed hooks for several months in 2019 before restoring the restriction.
Numerous research studies in Oregon, other states and Canada say the major danger to the survival of a hooked fish slated for release isn’t whether the hook is barbed, but rather where the fish is hooked, with significantly higher post-release deaths in fish hooked deep in the throat, tongue and gills (inside) than in those hooked in the jaw.
Salmon managers use seasons and bag limits to compensate for incidental deaths resulting from the handling and release of salmon and steelhead. But despite the research, they use greater leeway in the number of incidental deaths with barbless hooks than with barbed.
Loss of that extra wiggle room, they warn, could shorten some fishing seasons, especially for fall chinook and coho salmon.
Barbless hook rules were enacted before rotating flash boards with fins became the go-to for salmon anglers, which may be causing some of the angst about barbless hooks.
The flashers (nicknamed “skateboards” by some) rotate, giving the lure or bait a skipping action back and forth that’s proven to entice salmon to strike.
But they also require the use of heavy weights and many anglers say that when a fish strikes the lure, the actions of the large board, coupled with the weight swinging around in different directions than the hooked fish, result in greater numbers of lost fish with barbless hooks. Those encounters may result in additional losses from exhaustion.
Compliance with barbless rules is reportedly greater than 90 percent, although Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division troopers typically record numerous barbed hook infractions when they make angler checks.
Dissatisfaction with the rule is exponentially amplified by social media’s persistent squeaking wheels.
Hopefully, if the commission does opt for a review (and it should), the findings will include a more accurate assessment of angler feelings across a broad spectrum – sans social media.
The Steelheaders’ petition includes all the salient points they and Labhart are asking about and ends with a succinct, compelling statement:
“Recreational anglers care deeply about the health of Columbia River salmon and steelhead populations and support regulations rooted in strong science and fair, collaborative management. A comprehensive and updated study would ensure that Oregon’s barbless hook requirement continues to serve the best interests of fish, fisheries managers, recreational anglers, and tribal and non-tribal co-managers alike.”
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