Join us in Making a Difference!
How is Gardiner, Reedsport Winchester Bay STEP Funded?
- Membership Dues
- Annual Labor Day Weekend Salmon Derby
- Special Project Grants
- Local Business Support
- The Generosity of our Community
- Your Donations (Greatly appreciated and wisely spent)
Make checks payable to:
GRWB STEP Program P.O. Box 235 Reedsport, Oregon 97467
Umpqua River Wild Fall Chinook Salmon Populations are in Danger
Responsible management of hatchery spawned salmon will lessen harvest pressure on returning wild stocks and give sports anglers a target fishery designed for harvest. STEP raised salmon create a “terminal” run of fish. Returning STEP salmon do not swim upstream to spawn. Instead, they return to a predetermined location in the lower river and are either harvested by anglers or captured as brood stock for the STEP program.
GRWB began in the early 1990’s with the capture of adult fall Chinook Salmon returning to the Umpqua River. These fish (brood stock) are held at the GRWB hatchery facility until they are ripe and ready to spawn. The eggs and sperm are collected and mixed to fertilize the eggs. Eggs are held in hatch boxes until they hatch out as “fry”. They are raised, in holding ponds, until they reach the life stages of “pre-smolt” and “smolt.” They are now ready to be acclimated to the STEP return site in Winchester Bay.
When the salmon return as adults in 3 to 4 years their instinct will be to return to the acclimation site and not swim upriver to spawn. By doing so they do not compete with wild salmon on spawning beds. This aids in the restoration of wild Chinook salmon runs in the Umpqua River.
Your help is needed!
Supporting responsibly raised and managed hatchery salmon helps rebuild wild salmon runs.
Gardiner, Reedsport, Winchester Bay STEP is a registered 501 (c) non-profit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible.
Gardiner, Reedsport, Winchester Bay STEP
Mailing address: PO Box 235; Reedsport, Oregon 97467
Office address: 1877 Winchester Ave.; Reedsport, Oregon 97467
Telephone: 541-662-5505
Email: grwbstep@gmail.com
Office hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm; Monday through Friday
