Sturgeon anglers flood Oneida Road boat launch

The start of a three-day opening for a sport sturgeon fishery resulted in traffic chaos on Oneida Road, area residents told the county board of commissioners Tuesday.

Anglers flocked to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) boat launch Monday morning and overwhelmed the site, said Oneida Road resident Corbett McMasters.

McMasters said vehicles and trailers were parked along the narrow road, partially blocking the lane of travel and making it difficult if not impossible for residents or emergency vehicles to pass through.

"The boat launch is a disaster," he said. There is no maintenance of the site; no parking area, and no enforcement of parking, he added. "The state needs to do something."

A county road crew employee inspected the situation and said that even though the area was very congested, vehicles could get through, and people were trying to be courteous.

Public Works Department Director Chuck Beyer said they'd speak with WDFW officials.

"We've got to have enforcement of some kind," Beyer said.

The sturgeon angling season is the first in several years, McMasters said, and the Oneida launch is the only one in the area, so it is very popular.

A second three-day opening will take place next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.