GOLD BEACH, Ore – ODFW is looking for volunteers to help with fish projects in the south coast area. The data collected helps biologists manage salmon and is also a high priority in the Rogue Fall Chinook SMU Conservation Plan.

People interested in volunteering for any of the following projects should call John Weber at 541-247-7605.

All volunteers must complete a volunteer application and safety certification at the Gold Beach Field Office, 29907 Airport Way.

Winchuck River smolt trap: Weekdays June 1 – August 31.

• Count juvenile fall chinook caught in a smolt trap and report data daily.
• Measure and fin-clip a portion of fish caught.
• Training is provided on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Huntley Park seining: Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, July 15 – October 31.

• Help ODFW staff set and pull in a seine net on the Rogue River to count adult salmon.
• 15 seine net sets per day.

Chetco River scale collection: Weekly November 15 – January 31.

• Float the Chetco River or walk the banks to collect scale samples from spawned adult fall chinook carcasses.
• Volunteers typically work in three-person crews from drift boats and can use their own boats or ODFW will assign helpers to other boats.
• Training is provided in early November at the STEP Indian Creek Hatchery.