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Lamprey Harvest

Willamette River Pacific Lamprey Fishery Regulations

The Willamette River Pacific lamprey fishery is not coordinated among the four CRITFC member tribes. Each tribe has its own fishery regulations that apply to their tribal members. The current 2023 regulations from each tribe are included below, along with contact information for each tribe’s Fish & Wildlife Committee. This information is presented for informational purposes only.

Pursuant to authorization by the 32.14 of the Revised Law and Order Code of 2008 the Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife/Law and Order Committee hereby authorizes the enrolled members listed above to collect lamprey in the Willamette River subject to the following regulations.

  • TIMES: 5 AM to 6 PM, Fridays, through Mondays, June 09 through July 31, 2023.
  • AREA: Fishing may be conducted in the vicinity of Willamette Falls east of a boundary marker near the apex of the falls horseshoe as shown on the attached map. The apex and west side of the Falls including fishway ladder entrances are specifically closed to protect passage of salmon and steelhead.
  • GEAR: Lamprey may be collected using traditional methods, including hand, small-mesh dipnets, and gaffing hooks. All such gear must be attended at all times. Any other methods are prohibited.
  • USE OF CATCH: Only lamprey may be collected during this fishery and may be used for ceremonial or subsistence purposes only.
  • ALLOCATION: No per person bag limit.
  • CATCH REPORTING: Catch will be reported to the tribal fisheries office by the following Friday. Call or text Asst. Harvest Coordinator Megan Heinrich at 509-945-4394
  • OTHER CONDITIONS: Participants in this fishery shall have in their possession a Yakama tribal enrollment card.

Click here to download the YN Willamette Falls Lamprey Collection Fishing Permit Application.

YN Fisheries Lamprey Harvest website.

Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Fish and Wildlife Code of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to establish emergency regulations for Umatilla ceremonial, subsistence, and commercial fisheries. Pursuant to that authority, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following regulations.

  • Area: Willamette River (see specifications below). Fishing may be occur at Willamette Falls (Falls) east of the boundary marker near the apex falls horseshoe. The apex and west side of the Falls including fishway ladder entrances are specifically closed to protect passage of salmon and steelhead.
  • Dates: Thursday through Tuesday Fishing Only, 5AM-12AM:
    • June 15-20, 22-27, June 29-July 4
    • July 6-11, 13-18, 20-25, 27- August 1,
    • August 3-8, 10-15, 17-22, Aug. 24-29;
    • *plus the entire week of flashboard installation (potentially the week of June 19th)
  • Gear: Hand tools fished from the bank or rocks only and occupied at all times. No mesh restriction.
  • Restrictions: No per person bag limit. Ceremonial and subsistence purposes only.
  • Reporting: Fisher(s) are required to report with the Fisheries Program the dates of harvest and total catch within 72 hours. Catch report may be given by contacting Preston Bronson at (541) 429-7277 or Clifford Stanger at (541) 429-7249.

Any person, who is a CTUIR tribal member that exercises off-reservation treaty rights shall have in his or her possession a CTUIR tribal identification card.

CTUIR webpage for 2023 Willamette River Pacific Lamprey Fishery

Pursuant to the Nez Perce Tribal Code Section 3-1-11, the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to promulgate annual and seasonal hunting and fishing regulations and prescribe the manner and methods which may be used in taking fish and wildlife. Pursuant to that authority, the Nez Perce Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following fishing regulation for the Nez Perce Tribe.

Nez Perce Tribe Fishing Season Regulation NPTFWC 23-164 Willamette Falls Lamprey Fishery Opening

  • DATE: Effective 6AM June 15 through 6PM July 31
  • AREA: Willamette River at Willamette Falls on the east side of the falls only, excluding Horseshoe Area at the peak of the falls. Oregon City, Oregon.
  • SEASON: Fridays through Mondays from June 1 through July 31, during hours of 7AM to 6PM
  • GEAR: Hand or hand-powered tools only.
  • BAG LIMIT: No daily or seasonal bag limit.
  • REPORT REQUIRED: A verbal and/or written report must be submitted to the NPTFWC at 208-843-9376 by 4PM, August 15, 2023.

THIS REGULATION ALSO SERVES AS A LAMPREY FISHIG PERMIT FOR NEZ PERCE FISHERS.

Fishers are required to have a copy of this regulation/permit & Tribal I.D. while fishing for lamprey at Willamette Falls.
All Nez Perce fishing regulations and sections of the Nez Perce Tribal Code pertaining to this fishery remain in effect. Not complying with these regulations may be cause for civil or criminal penalties per the Nez Perce Tribal Code.
For additional information on Nez Perce Tribe fishing regulations, please contact Nancy McAllaster at the NPTFWC office at 208- 843-9376.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council has approved the Willamette Falls eel resolution. [dated June 13, 2023]

Tribal members interested in harvesting Eels contact the Fisheries Department (541) 553-2042.

  1. Tribal members wishing to take eels for ceremonial and subsistence purposes must carry tribal enrollment cards to fish under the claim of treaty rights. Enrollment cards must be in possession while fishing.
  2. Harvest is allowed from June 1 through August 15.
  3. Harvest is allowed at Willamette Falls by hand or with hand-powered tools.
  4. Harvest is open 7 days per week of each month unless limited for conservation measures.
  5. Fishing hours are sunrise to sunset.
  6. This is a subsistence fishery as defined by Tribal Code 340.100.
  7. BNR personnel shall monitor and enforce the fishery with regard to Warm Springs members participating in the 2023 fishing season at Willamette Falls;
  8. Harvesters will allow Warm Springs BNR personnel to creel lamprey catch.
  9. BNR will offer creel data collected to ODFW at the end of the harvest season.
  10. Incidental harvest of salmon, steelhead, or trout may be kept for ceremonial or subsistence use.

Warm Springs Tribal Fisheries will be able to transport members to the falls this week and next week on selective days. Please call and coordinate the days the tribes will be at falls.

The tentative days are Thursday, June 15th, 2023, and June 20th, 2023.

-BNR staff