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 to retention of coho, with minimum size limits of 24” for Chinook and 20” for steelhead.
RATIONALE: The recreational ocean salmon fishery off Oregon in March, April, and early May typically has very low effort and Chinook catch. Fishery managers and industry representatives agreed that this opening would not create any difficulty in developing the remainder of the ocean seasons for the 2026 fishing year. Seasons from May 16, 2026 through May 15, 2027 are currently being developed. Season alternatives will be reviewed and a final season recommendation made at the Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting in Portland, OR from April 7-12, 2026. Interested members of the public should visit www.pcouncil.org for information on how to participate in the April meeting.
Visit www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/ for more information on Oregon’s ocean salmon seasons and fisheries.