Origins of Oregon State Game Management
“1892 – Sturgeon fishery peaks with about 35,000 fish landed.
1893 – First combined fish and game administration in the state’s history when the Legislature appointed Hollister McGuire as the State Game and Fish Protector. McGuire initiated the first fish marking program in 1895 by clipping the adipose fin on 5,000 Clackamas Hatchery salmon (32 returned). He also enforced several new game laws, including a limit of 20 game birds which could be sold during the season.
1898 – McGuire released the first ever fin-clipped salmon in Oregon. McGuire drowned on the Umpqua River while in search of a hatchery site this same year. In his report to the Governor, he cites concerns about the lack of protection for salmon, particularly on the upper Columbia and Snake, and recommended several actions to be taken by the Legislature.”

