1800 RIVERS
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Information about the Sandy
River in Oregon:
The Sandy River is home to migrating Salmon and steelhead virtually
year-round. The chart below shows typical migration patterns and the
months when runs peak – the best time to schedule a fishing trip on
the Sandy.
Spring Chinook
Spring Chinook Salmon are native to the Sandy River, although in the
1960s the run had diminished to an average of less than 200 fish.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife began releasing
Willamette stock spring Chinook into the Sandy in 1975, with the
first adults returning in 1977. With the decommissioning of Marmot
Dam, a new brood stock was created in 2002 using native, wild fish.
The conversion to a native stock should be complete by 2007 with the
release of 300,000 smolts in the lower river.
Fall Chinook
The Sandy River’s fall Chinook spawn in the main stem of the lower
river below where Marmot Dam once stood. These fish are in the Sandy
from September through January. A substantial number of strays from
the Columbia spawn in the Sandy. There are two main stocks: the
early returning tule stock and a late bright stock that is in the
river from November through January.
Coho Salmon
Although there is considerable natural reproduction of Coho Salmon
in the Sandy system, the bulk of the run comes from the Sandy River
Salmon hatchery located on Cedar Creek. These hatchery Coho are the
early returning variety, with peak activity in September and
October. A late returning stock can arrive as late as February.
Summer Steelhead
Summer steelhead were introduced into the Sandy River from the
Washougal River’s Skamania stock in 1975. This is the same stock
that is used on the Clackamas River. Most of the fish return to the
Sandy River.
Winter Steelhead
There are two stocks of winter steelhead in the Sandy River. An
early run stock of hatchery origin is supported by annual stocking.
The native winter run arrives from December through March and spawns
from March through May. The Marmot Dam decommissioning has also
initiated a conversion of this stock in 2001 to a native brood
stock. Currently, 160,000 smolts are being released in the lower
river.
Sea-run cutthroat trout
Sea-run cutthroat trout are in the Sandy from September through
December.
Thanks
to the PGE Website and NW Oregon Rivers Website for the info
above. |