Montana Fish Report

Anglers with the two-rod validation will be able to use two rods in Tillamook Bay and Nestucca River basins and the upper Willamette River beginning on May 1, under a temporary rule adopted by ODFW this month.

Effective May 1-July 31, anglers who have a 2018 two-rod validation will be able to use two rods while fishing for spring Chinook or hatchery steelhead when fishing is open in Tillamook Bay, Tillamook, Kilchis, Miami, Trask, and Wilson rivers, the Nestucca River and Bay, and the Little Nestucca River. Only one rod may be used when angling for other species in these areas.

Also effective May 1 through Aug. 15 for anglers with the validation, two rods can be used in all areas of the Willamette River above Willamette Falls, including the tributaries, when they are open to fishing for hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, trout, warmwater gamefish or all non-game fish except sturgeon. Fishing for sturgeon remains restricted to the use of one rod per angler. The lower Willamette River is already open to the two rod validation (from March 1-Aug. 15).

Two-rod validations cost $24.50 for both residents and non-residents. Licensed anglers who purchase the validation can use two rods wherever regulations allow them, which is primarily in ponds and lakes. When possible, ODFW extends the validations to specific streams like it did under this temporary rule. Kids under the age of 12 do not need a validation to use a second rod.

For the latest fishing regulations, see the Fishing Report in ODFW’s Recreation Report at www.myodfw.com