NO Regulation Change on the Lower Deschutes

The Lower Deschutes river is world famous fishery, noted among anglers for the heartiness of the wild rainbow trout and summer steelhead that inhabit its waters. The proposed regulation changes threaten to degrade and possibly destroy this treasured resource. 

Retention of 2 trout over 8 inches will harm spawning adult trout and juvenile steelhead. The current regulation protects both fish from being harvested. Please leave the slot limit as is, the 10-13 inch limit protects both the mature spawning trout and juvenile steelhead smolt.

Additionally, the current regulation of keeping the river closed, along the Warmsprings Reservation, from January 1st through the last Saturday in April, is also needed protection for adult rainbow trout and spawning steelhead. Please DO NOT allow the entire river to be open to fishing year round.