Harvest of wild winter steelhead on the North Umpqua and mainstem Umpqua rivers will come to a close Jan. 1, due to new fishing regulations adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Fishing and harvest of hatchery fish -- adipose fin-clipped steelhead -- will remain open year-round.

In August, the commission adopted the new regulation after a public meeting in Roseburg.

Before the meeting, various fishing groups publicly testified to the commission that harvesting wild steelhead hurt the fishery.

Since Jan. 1, 2005, fishermen have been allowed to keep one wild winter steelhead a day, five per year. The season for winter steelhead traditionally begins Dec. 1. In the North Umpqua River, from its confluence with the South Umpqua River to the fly fishing boundary, harvest of adipose fin-clipped steelhead and all chinook salmon is allowed.

The fly fishing area, from Rock Creek to Soda Springs Dam, is open to fly fishing for fin-clipped steelhead. The South Umpqua River is open to fishing for adipose fin-clipped steelhead through April 30. Anglers should check the 2008 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing regulations for more details.

Information: www.dfw.state.or.us or 440-3353.