TILLAMOOK, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today announced that it will eliminate the bag and size limits on trout caught at Hebo Lake in conjunction with plans to drain the lake this spring.

Effective April 25 – May 2, anglers will be permitted to retain as many trout as they can catch at the three-acre lake located approximately 16 miles southeast of Tillamook on the Siuslaw National Forest. In addition, there is no restriction on the size of the fish that anglers will be allowed to keep during this eight-day period. All other angling regulations will continue to apply.

ODFW adopted the temporary rule to complement a lake improvement plan initiated by the U.S. Forest Service. The plan calls for draining and deepening portions of the lake by up to an additional 4 ft. before it is refilled later in the year. The project will increase storage capacity and angling access within the lake. Fish habitat will be improved by increasing the depth and reducing non-native surface vegetation.

“We’d like to see these fish caught in order to reduce the number that need to be removed from the lake during the restoration project,” said Robert Bradley, ODFW fish biologist. “This is a unique opportunity for people to get out and catch a lot of fish.”

Beginning May 2, at 6 p.m., public access to the lake will be closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to last until early fall. By mid-May, the lake will be drained. The USFS and ODFW plan to salvage the remaining trout, which will be re-stocked at other nearby lakes.

Hebo Lake is located 3 ½ miles east of the Hebo Ranger Station on the Hebo Mountain Road. From Hebo, take Hwy. 22 ¼ miles east, then turn left onto Forest Road 14.