ACTION TAKEN (no action): The planned recreational ocean Chinook salmon season (all-salmon-except coho) will open as scheduled from Cape Falcon to the OREGON/CALIFORNIA BORDER from March 15 through May 15. The bag limit will be two salmon, except closed…
Category: Explore Nature
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE ACTION NOTICE 3/9/26: Commercial Troll Salmon to Remain Closed
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, the State of California, and advisory body members met today, March 9, 2026, and…
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE: Smelt fishery on Sandy River opens 12-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 11
(SALEM, Or) – Recreational harvest of eulachon smelt on the Sandy River will be open from 12-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11 only. Regulations: Open area: From the mouth of the Sandy…
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE: Herring in Yaquina Bay; Limit for herring, anchovy and other bait fish 25 lbs. per day
One of Oregon’s many annual natural wonders—the annual herring run! Herring come into bays and estuaries to spawn between Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Day. Nice weather and the first pulse of…
WORDS OF WISDOM: Filling the Bird Feeder
By Neal Lemery One of the satisfying domestic chores at my house is the filling of the bird feeder. There’s instant gratification in watching the feeder suddenly be filled with dozens of…
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE (ODFW): Commission denies crab petition, urges ODFW to continue rulemaking process, Conservation Plan development to address whale entanglement
(SPRINGFIELD, OR)— Today, February 20, 2026, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission voted 6-1 to deny a petition that requested crab fishery rules be modified to further reduce the risk…
Oregon Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Oppose Initiative Petition 28; IP28 would criminalize lawful hunting, fishing, and trapping, severely damage wildlife conservation.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Have you been hearing about IP28? The Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Hunting Association, and multiple other organizations and influencers have been sharing information about this attack on agriculture, hunting, fishing…
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE: Initial Columbia River spring Chinook seasons set; Sturgeon retention days added in The Dalles Pool, Feb. 22 & Feb. 26
(CLACKAMAS, OR)—Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington adopted initial recreational spring Chinook seasons on the Columbia River during a joint state hearing today, February 19, 2026. Effective March 1 (downstream of Bonneville Dam) and April 1 (upstream…
OREGON DEPT. OF FISH & WILDLIFE: Commission meeting Feb 20 in Springfield will consider a petition to modify commercial Dungeness crab fishery rules; Public comment period open; comment via online form
SALEM, Ore.—Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Feb. 20 at the Lane County Armed Forces Readiness Center, 3106 Pierce Parkway in Springfield. The meeting starts at 8 am and will be livestreamed on the meeting…
CALL TO ACTION: Tillamook County Commissioner Mary Faith Bell Letter to ODFW Opposing Petition that Impacts Dungeness Crab Fishing, Calls for Community to Testify
The Oregon crabbing industry is facing an imminent threat. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is in receipt of a petition demanding drastic changes to commercial crabbing rules that have the very…