The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the States of Oregon and Washington, and fishery representatives met today August 31, 2026, via conference call and have taken the following in-season management action related to the recreational ocean salmon fishery in the area from Leadbetter Point, Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon:
ACTIONS TAKEN:
- Effective 12:01 AM Friday, September 4, 2026, the ocean recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is open to fishing for salmon. Two salmon per day. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip. Chinook may not be retained. Possession of Chinook onboard a vessel is prohibited. Columbia River Control Zone is closed. That portion of the Columbia River ocean subarea north of 46o 15’ N and east of 124o667’ W is closed to fishing for salmon (map available here).
- Effective 11:59 PM Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the ocean recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is closed to fishing for salmon. Possession of salmon on board a vessel is prohibited in the Columbia River Subarea.
RATIONALE: The recreational ocean salmon fishery from Cape Falcon to the U.S./Canada border was closed on August 24, as it was anticipated that the coho quota would be reached. Catch estimates through the 24th show 93.1% of the coho quota taken, leaving 4,132 coho remaining. The decision was made to reopen the fishery for five additional days of fishing to allow access to the remaining quota.
The closure of the Columbia River subarea north of 46o 15’ N and east of 124o 08.667’ W (map available here) is in place to minimize impacts on Chinook which are not allowed to be retained.
