Fish Report for 2-1-2024

Photo Credit: Photo by IDFG, 2024

Pneumonia hits Hells Canyon bighorn sheep, ODFW and neighboring states monitoring the effects

2-1-2024
OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff

LA GRANDE, Ore. – A pneumonia outbreak was detected in bighorn sheep in northern Hells Canyon in mid-December and is ongoing. Potentially affected bighorn sheep populations are located along the Snake River and tributaries.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and ODFW are working together to monitor and address this situation. Please contact state fish and wildlife agencies to report observations of dead or sick bighorn sheep. 

The bacterium responsible for the pneumonia outbreak is Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, commonly referred to as “Movi.” Exposure of bighorn sheep populations to Movi is usually followed by a die-off. The severity of these die-offs can vary, with population declines ranging from 5 to 100 percent. On average, about 50 percent of the population survives the initial die-off. More information is being gathered to understand the severity of the die-off.

This is one of several pneumonia outbreaks in bighorn sheep that have occurred over the past century in the Hells Canyon area.

“Unfortunately, there is no way to treat animals to slow the spread of disease or reduce deaths,” said Frances Cassirer, Senior Wildlife Research Biologist, IDFG. “Our best option is to let the disease run its course over the next several months and then reassess the situation. At that point our objectives are to restore the health of those populations that are affected and prevent further spread among the interconnected populations throughout Hells Canyon and the surrounding area,” added Cassirer.

The Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Wild Sheep Foundation Chapters and the National Wild Sheep Foundation are providing support for the states’ efforts. The states and the Wild Sheep Foundation along with other participants of the Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Initiative including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Nez Perce Tribe and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation will continue to work together moving forward.



< Previous Report Next Report >





More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, February 1st

Poacher drops Oregon moose population by one.
ODFW Recreation Report

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, January 31st
Willamette River: ODFW sets minimum Willamette forecast for allowing two rods at 34,000 adult hatchery spring Chinook
Kilchis River: The Kilchis is dropping into shape
Necanicum River: The Necanicum River should be dropping into shape and will probably fish through the week
Nehalem River: The Nehalem remains big and brown and will likely be high and off color for the week
Nehalem River- North Fork: The North Fork Nehalem is just coming into shape today
Nestucca River: The Nestucca remains high and probably will be through the weekend
Trask River: The Trask River is on the drop and should fish by the weekend
Wilson River: The Wilson River is on the drop and may be in prime condition by the weekend
Applegate River: Reservoir outflow should stabilize around this number and begin to decrease next week
Diamond Lake: Diamond is starting to freeze over and likely is not fishable
Galesville Reservoir: Trout fishing has been good from the shore
Garrison Lake: The lake is pretty high, but conditions are good for finding some trout cruising the weed lines
Illinois River: The Illinois is dropping into great shape but rain in the forecast will likely blow it out again
Lake Marie: Holdover trout should be of good sizee
Rogue River- Lower: Lower Rogue River Report
Rogue River - Middle: The Rogue is currently a little off color but expect it to start clearing and dropping after the rain
Umpqua River: Should still be good winter steelhead fishing towards the upper end of the mainstem
North Umpqua River: Anglers have reported good success on the North over the last week
South Umpqua River : Anglers have reported good success on the South over the last week
Blue River: Will be stocked again in spring of 2024
Blue River Reservoir: Will be stocked again the week of March 11
Dexter Reservoir: Dexter Reservoir Report
EE Wilson Angling Pond: The pond is stocked with trout from February through May
Gold Lake: Gold Lake fishing will open around May 22, 2024
Hills Creek Reservoir: Hills Creek Reservoir Report
McKenzie River: Will be stocked later this spring
Middle Fork Willamette: Middle Fork Willamette Fishing Report
Santiam River ( North Fork) : This time of year is slow for fishing as there is not much currently in the river worth targeting
Crooked River: High flows will likely affect water clarity and fishing
Ochoco Reservoir: The reservoir is 45 percent full
Prinevile Reservoir: Prineville Reservoir at 74 percent full
Campbell Reservoir: The reservoir is not frozen and is filling fast
Gerber Reservoir: The reservoir is not frozen
Upper Klamath Lake: The lake is mostly ice-free
Klamath River - Upper - OR: Klamath River Report
Lake Of The Woods: The lake has a very thin layer of ice
Lost River: The river near Big Springs in Bonanza is very slow
Phillips Reservoir: Ice conditions are unsuitable for ice fishing
Pilcher Reservoir: We have not received any recent reports
Thief Valley Reservoir: We have not received any recent reports of ice conditions
Unity Reservoir: With mild weather, ice conditions are likely poor at Unity Reservoir