The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the State of Oregon, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, and fishery representatives met September 17, 2026 via conference call and have taken the following in-season management action related to the ocean recreational non-mark-selective coho salmon season from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain:
ACTIONS TAKEN:
- Effective Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12:01 a.m. through September 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., for the ocean recreational fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, retention of coho salmon is allowed, with a daily bag limit of two salmon (no fin clip requirement). Beginning Monday, September 21, 2026, the season remains open through September 25, 2026, all salmon, except coho salmon, with a daily bag limit of two salmon.
- Effective Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:01 a.m. through September 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., for the ocean recreational fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, retention of coho salmon is allowed, with a daily bag limit of two salmon (no fin clip requirement). Beginning Sunday, September 27, 2026, the season remains open through October 31, 2026, all salmon, except coho salmon, with a daily bag limit of two salmon
The minimum size for kept Chinook salmon is 24 inches in total length.
A follow-up conference call has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2026, to consider if sufficient quota remains following the Sunday, September 20, opening. Factors that will be considered are adequate quota remaining, predicted effort and weather conditions.
RATIONALE: The Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain non-mark-selective (no fin-clip required) coho fishery opened on Tuesday September 1, 2026, with a quota of 25,700 coho salmon and was closed at the end of day on Saturday September 12 when it was forecast that the quota would be met. Estimated total catch for the fishery is 20,939 coho (or 81.5% of the quota), leaving 4,761 coho remaining.
Managers agree that there is sufficient quota remaining to open the fishery for coho salmon retention for an additional two days, Sunday September 20, and Saturday, September 26, 2026. On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, fishery managers will review remaining quota after the first fishing day with coho retention, predicted effort for the second day of coho retention (Saturday, 9/26), as well as projected weather conditions to ensure that the quota will not be exceeded. The mid-week review may result in a modification to the current regulations such as canceling the second opener or moving it to another weekday prior to October 1, 2026.
For the time periods of Monday, September 21, through Friday, September 25, and again from Sunday, September 27, through October 31, 2026, anglers are reminded that the fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain remains open for all salmon except coho, with a two salmon daily bag limit, and the minimum size limit for Chinook is 24”.
Visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/ for more information on Oregon’s ocean salmon seasons and fisheries.
