Illegal Angling Columbia River

Oregon State Police

The Oregon State Police had received several complaints of a group of salmon anglers fishing in the Columbia River, in an area currently closed to salmon angling, beyond the deadline at the mouth of the Sandy River. The anglers were wading into the Columbia River, at the mouth of the Sandy River, and casting further out into the Columbia River to catch salmon.

After receiving the complaints, Oregon State Troopers were able to locate and observe a large group of anglers outside the mouth of the Sandy River standing in waist-deep water and casting further into the Columbia River. The Troopers were able to make contact with the anglers, who knew the Columbia River was closed in that area for salmon angling. The anglers were also using barbed hooks and they had retained four hatchery Coho salmon. The anglers were cited for unlawful take salmon and angling in a closed stream. All anglers were warned for the use of barbed hooks and the Coho salmon were seized and donated to charity.

The Oregon State Police worked with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with placing new signage at the mouth of the Sandy River.