BEND, Ore. (AP) — Above-average temperatures on the Lower Deschutes this summer have steelhead fishermen concerned about the overall health of its hard-fighting, oceangoing rainbow trout.
But biologists say the Lower Deschutes is cooling down and that this year’s steelhead run could be even bigger than last year’s enormous run of 600,000 steelhead returning to the Columbia River.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife does not make specific forecasts for the Deschutes. But steelhead must pass through Bonneville Dam and The Dalles Dam on the Columbia before they can turn south into the Deschutes.
Biologists told The Bulletin in Bend that early numbers are higher than last year, indicating a strong run.
