Anglers speak out to ban bait on the McKenzie River

mstansberry — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:00:08 +0000

Just five hours ago, we launched an online petition to ban bait on the McKenzie River for trout fishing, and we’ve already got 50 signatures. Here are some of the comments for ODFW:

I was born in Eugene in 1950. I have fished the mckenzie since childhood using all forms of tackle. Now is the time to ban bait.

McKenzie River redband trout are a pristine resource that should be protected to ensure that they survive. There are plenty of other “put and take” fisheries around to attract the public. There is no need to endanger wild fish when there are opportunities to harvest fish in sterile lakes nearby.

The notion of allowing use of bait on a trout fishery that is managed for wild fish, with catch and release regulations in effect, is ridiculous. ODFW needs to provide at least this minimal protection for the McKenzie wild trout.

It is about time! This magnificent river is being “managed” into oblivion. Their are myriad places for bait people to catch planters. Poachers are having their way with the McKenzie, Middle Fork Willamette, and other rivers. This would be a wonderful start to save these magnificent fisheries. Yes! There should be no question about this.

By protecting native fish plus catch and release it would bring in more funds and make it possible to better regulate other rivers.

I’d love to see the River managed for wild fish, like the Metolius.

Fishing with bait kills fish. Catch and release fishing is intended to preserve wild fish. A fish caught by swallowing a baited hook, damaging vital organs, will die after being released. Therefore, through simple logic our fishery will be enhanced for all to enjoy if bait is banned.

The use of bait and the resulting high levels of mortality are inconsistent with the protection of wild fish. ODFW’s mission statement to enhance and protect Oregon’s resources would be better served by a bans on bait and the use of hatchery stocks. Banning bait would be an excellent way to protect ESA listed bull trout in the watershed as well. Please take this petition and other conservation efforts aimed at protecting the McKenzie very seriously.

This bait ban should have been done a long time ago. Why hasn’t ODFW taken the lead on this in the past? Present policies will eliminate wild fish in Oregon.

I frequently make the drive from my home in Tualatin to the southern Willamette Valley to fish for trout. I sometimes go to the Mckenzie but I usually drive past it to the Middle Fork Willamette where bait is banned and I believe catch and release fishing for native rainbow trout is better. My main motivation in where I go fishing is being able to catch and release lots of large, healthy and wild trout. Putting regulations in place to help the wild trout on the Mckenzie would make me visit the river more often. Also, I personally believe the easiest way for a beginner to catch trout in a river is with an artificial lure such as a spinner rather than bait, so I do not believe that should be used as justification for keeping bait legal on the Mckenzie. Anytime I am teaching a friend to fish they almost always have better luck with a spinner than they do using bait.

Although I live in SW Portland, I consider the McKenzie my home stream, and fish an average of 60 days per year there. I intend to retire there in a few years and would appreciate it if there were still wild redsides to catch and release when I do.

This is an absolutely great measure. Many streams have banned bait, and they’re wild trout populations benefited greatly.

The McKenzie is a tremendous resource, however being so close to major population centers (Eugene and Springfield) produces an incredible strain on native fish populations. Bait is a bad idea on any river being managed as a wild fishery, and as such I would strongly support banning all bait on the McKenzie River. Thank you.

I think this would turn the already fabulous McKenzie into a world class destination.

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McKenzie River Bait Ban Coalition

Anglers speak out to ban bait on the McKenzie River