Welcome to the Ocean Salmon Management Program
(commercial troll salmon and ocean recreational salmon fisheries)

• Summary of the Ocean Sampling Project and the Ocean Salmon Management Program
• Sampling design for estimation of effort and catch in the ocean sport fishery (updated 6-1-2021; 2.13 mb PDF)
• Current year management action notices and updates
  • Action notices and updates page
  • Archived older action notices and updates
  • Sign up for the ocean salmon e-mail/text notification service
  • Commercial troll salmon weekly landing limit in the Columbia River Area increased to 80 Chinook per week (Thurs-Wed) effective 12:01 AM May 25.

Recreational ocean salmon regulations:

• 2023 Oregon ocean recreational salmon seasons (PDF updated 4/21/2023; Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted on 4/21/2023)
  
  
• 2023 Oregon ocean recreational salmon seasons in time area graphic view (PDF updated 4/21/2023; Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted on 4/21/2023)
  
  
• 2023 PFMC adopted ocean recreational salmon regulation table (full details) (PDF)
  
  
• Current year management action notices and updates
  

State waters only fall Chinook terminal area seasons:

• Will be under consideration for 2023
  
  

Commercial ocean troll salmon regulations:

• 2023 Oregon ocean commercial troll salmon seasons (Action taken on 5/24/2023 to adjust landing limits in Westport and Columbia River Areas)
  
  
• 2023 PFMC adopted ocean commercial troll salmon regulation table (full details) (PDF)
  
  
• Current year management action notices and updates

 

State waters only fall Chinook terminal area seasons:

• Will be under consideration for 2023
  
  

Other regulation information:

• Regulatory landmark locations for ocean salmon
• Columbia River Control Zone graphic (pdf)
• Salmon management areas graphic (boundary between Newport and Coos Bay catch areas redefined in 2018)
• NOAA Fisheries: Federal Regulations for West Coast Salmon Fisheries
• ODFW Sportfishing Regulations (other than ocean salmon and Pacific halibut)
• Waypoints for 40 fathom regulatory line
• Chart of Leadbetter Pt. to Columbia River nearshore salmon angling closure effective beginning Saturday, July 16, 2022 through August 22, 2022

Related links:

• About your Coded Wire Tagged salmon (updated with 2022 recovery information)
• Common marine fish identification guide and ocean salmon ID tutorial
• Ocean sport albacore page
• Marine Resources Program home

Catch and quota updates:

Last updated: December 16, 2022 (2022 updates made to all historical charts and tables)

Updated through September 30, 2022 (pdf) - last updated October 6, 2022 Closed to all salmon fishing for the remainder of 2022.

Updated through October 31, 2022 (pdf) - last updated November 7, 2022 (all seasons closed as of October 31, 2022)

(updated December 7, 2022)

May 24, 2023 COMMERCIAL TROLL SALMON ACTION NOTICE: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, the State of Washington, and fishery representatives met today via conference call and have taken the following in-season management action related to the commercial troll salmon season from the US/Canada border to Cape Falcon:

ACTIONS TAKEN:

• Modified the landing limit and possession limit in the area between the Queets River and Leadbetter Point from 150 to 200 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday-Wednesday) from May 25 to June 21, and for the period of June 22-29 (Note that this is also the weekly maximum for all open areas combined).
• Modified the landing limit and possession limit in the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon from 60 to 80 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday-Wednesday) from May 25 to June 21, and for the period of June 22-29  .

RATIONALE:  Through May 24, total harvest on the May-June quota is projected to total 7,326 Chinook out of the 26,000 Chinook quota, with 323 coming in the Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon area.  Due to lower than anticipated harvest rates in the areas south of the Queets River, landing week limitations were relaxed to provide the fishery better opportunity to harvest the quota while still keeping the fishery open for more days through the May-June early season.  Additional regulations that apply to vessels fishing out of Oregon North of Cape Falcon that apply to the 2023 seasons include:

• Vessels landing in Oregon are limited to only fishing between Leadbetter Pt., WA and Cape Falcon, OR.
• Vessels landing into Oregon must possess a valid commercial license and a valid troll salmon permit.
• Vessels landing into Oregon are limited to locations on the Oregon side of the Columbia River upstream as far as Tongue Pt., the beaches at Gearhart/Seaside and Cannon Beach, or into Garibaldi.
• Fishers may not possess Chinook salmon South of Cape Falcon, OR that are less than 28” total length, except that fishers may possess and land Chinook salmon that meet the minimum length of 27” total length on those dates when the troll salmon season has been closed South of Cape Falcon for 48 hours or more (those dates for the 2023 May through September seasons are anticipated to be May 1 through August 31).
• All salmon must be delivered during the open period or landing week or they will also apply against the week in which they are possessed and delivered.
• Vessels landing salmon in Oregon from any season North of Cape Falcon are required to notify ODFW within one hour of delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either calling 541-857-2546 or sending notification via e-mail to nfalcon.trollreport@odfw.oregon.gov Notification shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery.

Visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/ for more information on Oregon's ocean salmon seasons and fisheries.

April 18, 2023 COMMERCIAL TROLL SALMON ACTION NOTICE: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, the State of Washington, and fishery representatives met today via conference call and have taken the following in-season management action related to the commercial troll salmon season from the US/Canada border to Cape Falcon:

ACTIONS TAKEN:

• Modified the quota for the May-June North of Falcon commercial ocean salmon troll fishery that opens May 1, 2023 to 26,000 Chinook, no more than 6,890 of which may be caught in the area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River, and no more than 6,040 of which may be caught in the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon.
• Modified the landing limit and possession limit in the area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River to 105 Chinook per vessel for the period May 1 through May 10, and 70 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday-Wednesday) beginning May 11.
• Modified the landing limit and possession limit in the area between the Queets River and Leadbetter Point to 200 Chinook per vessel for the period May 1 through May 10, and 150 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday-Wednesday) beginning May 11.
• Modified the landing limit and possession limit in the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon to 90 Chinook per vessel for the period May 1 through May 10, and 60 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday-Wednesday) beginning May 11.
• Vessels may not land fish east of the Sekiu River or east of Tongue Point, Oregon.

RATIONALE:  These actions will bring the adopted seasons from 2022 into compliance with the recently adopted seasons for 2023 which encompasses salmon seasons for the period of May 16, 2023 through May 15, 2024.  In addition, because May 1 is on a Monday and would have resulted in a three day week, those three days were added to the full week starting on May 4 and increased landing limits for the 10 day period was adopted to account for the extra days within the initial period.  Additional regulations that apply to vessels fishing out of Oregon North of Cape Falcon that apply to the 2023 seasons include:

• Vessels landing in Oregon are limited to only fishing between Leadbetter Pt., WA and Cape Falcon, OR.
• Vessels landing into Oregon must possess a valid commercial license and a valid troll salmon permit.
• Vessels landing into Oregon are limited to locations on the Oregon side of the Columbia River upstream as far as Tongue Pt., the beaches at Gearhart/Seaside and Cannon Beach, or into Garibaldi.
• Fishers may not possess Chinook salmon South of Cape Falcon, OR that are less than 28” total length, except that fishers may possess and land Chinook salmon that meet the minimum length of 27” total length on those dates when the troll salmon season has been closed South of Cape Falcon for 48 hours or more (those dates for the 2023 May through September seasons are anticipated to be May 1 through August 31.
• All salmon must be delivered during the open period or landing week or they will also apply against the week in which they are possessed and delivered.
• Vessels landing salmon in Oregon from any season North of Cape Falcon are required to notify ODFW within one hour of delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either calling 541-857-2546 or sending notification via e-mail to nfalcon.trollreport@odfw.oregon.gov Notification shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery.

4/6/2023 OCEAN SALMON ACTION NOTICE: The Pacific Fishery Management Council finalized their recommendations for 2023 ocean salmon seasons on Thursday, April 6.  Copies of the adopted seasons will be available at the PMFC’s website soon (www.pcouncil.org) in Preseason Report III. Graphics of the recreational and commercial troll seasons have already been made available on www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/salmon/.  Seasons from May 16 on are not official until final approval by the Secretary of Commerce, and after adoption by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for waters within 3 nautical miles of shore.

Sacramento River fall Chinook and Klamath River fall Chinook salmon stocks are severely constraining all seasons from Cape Falcon through California.  The primary drivers affecting these populations of Chinook salmon are the direct result of the severe drought in California.  To address the critically low abundances of these two stocks, the Council has recommended a complete shutdown of all salmon seasons in California, and all Chinook salmon seasons in Oregon south of Cape Falcon prior to September 1.  By September 1 most of these stocks have left the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. and Oregon’s coastal fall Chinook have begun  staging near the coast where they will comprise majority of the catch. 

This year’s forecast for Columbia Basin hatchery coho salmon represents the third consecutive year of strong abundance in as many years, and recreational coho quotas and seasons reflect this trend.  North of Cape Falcon, Chinook quotas were most restricted by tule fall Chinook from the Columbia River, while the most constraining coho were various stocks in Puget Sound.  The limiting coho stock for fisheries south of Cape Falcon is the Oregon Coastal Natural coho again this year, and for Chinook it is both Sacramento River fall Chinook and Klamath River fall Chinook.

Recreational Season Summary:
Ocean waters off the Columbia River from Leadbetter Pt., Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon will be open for an all-salmon season North of Cape Falcon beginning June 24 and continue through the earlier of September 30, or quota with a hatchery mark selective coho quota of 79,800.  There is also a Chinook guideline in this area of 11,490.  The daily bag limit will be two salmon, but no more than one Chinook and all coho must have a healed adipose fin clip.  Minimum length for Chinook is 22” and the coho minimum length is 16”.

The recreational hatchery mark selective coho salmon season from Cape Falcon to the OR/CA Border will open on June 17 and continue through the earlier of August 31 or the quota of 110,000 adipose fin-clipped coho.  Chinook retention is prohibited through the end of August. 

There will be a non-selective coho season from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. opening on September 1, and will be open seven days per week through the earlier of September 30 or the quota of 25,000 non-mark selective coho.  The daily bag limit is two fish, only one of which may be a Chinook.  The open days in September may be adjusted in season.  Coho minimum length of 16” and Chinook minimum length of 24”.  

Retention of one Chinook salmon per day will be allowed beginning September 1 and continue through October 31 in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.  The season will only be open inside of the 40-fathom management line from October 1-31.  Chinook minimum length of 24”.

All recreational anglers are limited to no more than 2 single point barbless hook per line when fishing for salmon, and for any species if  salmon are on board the vessel.

Commercial Troll Season Summary:
The commercial troll salmon seasons north of Cape Falcon will have limited Chinook quotas again this year.  The fishery will be managed by quotas, season length, and vessel landing week (Thurs.-Weds.) limits.  The early all salmon except coho season opens May 1 and will continue through the earlier of June 29 or the overall quota of 26,000 Chinook salmon, or the Leadbetter Pt. to Cape Falcon subarea cap of 6,040 Chinook.  The early season will have a 60 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thurs-Wed) limit. Chinook minimum length of 27”.

The summer all salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon will open on July 1 and continue through the earlier of the overall Chinook quota of 13,000 Chinook or quota of 30,400 fin-clipped coho.  Landing week (Thurs-Wed) limit of 150 adipose fin-clipped coho per vessel.  Minimum lengths are 27” for Chinook, and 16” for coho. 

Vessels must land in this area or into Garibaldi.  Mandatory call-in requirements within an hour of landing are in place for all troll salmon seasons in this area.  Vessels must call in to (541)857-2546 with vessel name, vessel number, number of harvested salmon by species, port of landing, destination of fish, and estimated time of delivery.  The mandatory report can also be made by email to nfalcon.trollreport@odfw.oregon.gov.  Oregon licensed vessels may only fish south of Leadbetter Pt., Washington.

NOTE:  Any boats fishing in the area north of Cape Falcon and retaining Chinook that are greater than 27” but less than 28” must land all salmon into ports north of Cape Falcon.  Boats may only land Chinook in this size range into Garibaldi if the season south of Cape Falcon has been closed more than 48 hours.

In the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. seasons will not open until September 1.  Beginning September 1 and continuing through October 31, this area will be open for Chinook salmon with a landing week (Thurs-Wed) limit of 75 Chinook per vessel.  For the period of October 1-31, the open area will be limited to shoreward of the 40-fathom management line.  This area will also be open for non-mark selective coho from September 1 through the earlier of September 30, or a non-mark selective quota of 10,000 coho with a landing week (Thurs-Wed) limit of 75 coho per vessel. Minimum lengths are 28” for Chinook, and 16” for coho. 

Other Information:
Both commercial troll salmon fishermen and recreational anglers should review the full regulations prior to participating in the ocean salmon fisheries.  Single point barbless hooks are required in all ocean salmon seasons.  Commercial salmon trollers are reminded that they are restricted to no more than 4 spreads per wire for all seasons from Cape Falcon to the OR/CA border.

March 11, 2023 UPDATE: Ocean Salmon Season Alternatives Posted

On Friday, March 10 the Pacific Fishery Management Council concluded the development of the range of ocean salmon season options that will go out for additional public input before finalizing a single set of season proprosals to the US Dept. of Commerce at the April 1-7 PFMC meeting in Foster City, California.

• PFMC Press Release
• Table 1. Commercial Troll Salmon Alternatives 2023
• Table 2. Recreational Ocean Salmon Alternatives 2023
• Graphic summary of the PFMC adopted range of alternatives off Oregon for 2023

March 9, 2023 COMMERCIAL TROLL SALMON ACTION NOTICE (1 of 2): The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, and the State of California met today via a blended conference call and in person meeting and have taken the following in-season management action related to the scheduled March 15 commercial troll Chinook salmon openings off Oregon:

ACTION TAKEN:
The commercial ocean troll salmon fishery seasons scheduled to be open between March 15 and May 15 in ALL areas from Cape Falcon to the Oregon California Border are canceled for 2023.

RATIONALE:  Multiple stocks of California Chinook Salmon are at extremely low abundance and are projected to potentially fall below target spawning escapements.  Guidance from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for 2023 ocean salmon seasons for Sacramento River fall Chinook was that “extraordinary measures are needed in 2023 to address these circumstances and to ensure that fishery management is not a contributing factor.”  For Klamath River fall Chinook the NMFS guidance is “that a precautionary approach is warranted and underscores the need to carefully consider the factors described in the FMP in setting the ER (exploitation rate). Given the extremely low abundance forecast and resulting low level of allowable fishing mortality, NMFS anticipates harvest opportunity will be substantially constrained in the region between Cape Falcon, Oregon, and Point Sur, California.”  Oregon fisheries typically intercept these stocks throughout the entire area to the South of Cape Falcon, and these stocks are very important contributors to Oregon’s spring and summer fisheries.

Seasons from May 16, 2023 through early May 15, 2024 are currently being developed. Season alternatives will be reviewed, and a final season recommendation will be made at the April Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting.  Interested members of the public should visit www.pcouncil.org for information on how to participate in the April meeting.

March 9, 2023 RECREATIONAL TROLL SALMON ACTION NOTICE (2 of 2): The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, and the State of California met today via a blended conference call and in person meeting and have taken the following in-season management action related to the scheduled March 15 recreational Chinook salmon openings off Oregon between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt.:

ACTION TAKEN:
The recreational ocean salmon fishery scheduled to open on March 15 and continue through May 15 in ocean waters between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt. off Oregon is canceled for 2023.

RATIONALE:  Multiple stocks of California Chinook Salmon are at extremely low abundance and are projected to potentially fall below target spawning escapements.  Guidance from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for 2023 ocean salmon seasons for Sacramento River fall Chinook was that.  Guidance from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for 2023 ocean salmon seasons that include contacts with Sacramento River fall Chinook was that “extraordinary measures are needed in 2023 to address these circumstances and to ensure that fishery management is not a contributing factor.”  For Klamath River fall Chinook the NMFS guidance is “that a precautionary approach is warranted and underscores the need to carefully consider the factors described in the FMP in setting the ER (exploitation rate). Given the extremely low abundance forecast and resulting low level of allowable fishing mortality, NMFS anticipates harvest opportunity will be substantially constrained in the region between Cape Falcon, Oregon, and Point Sur, California.”  Oregon fisheries typically intercept these stocks throughout the entire area to the South of Cape Falcon, and these stocks are very important contributors to Oregon’s spring and summer fisheries.

Seasons from May 16, 2023 through early May 15, 2024 are currently being developed. Season alternatives will be reviewed, and a final season recommendation will be made at the April Pacific Fishery Management Council public meeting.  Interested members of the public should visit www.pcouncil.org for information on how to participate in the April meeting.

OCEAN SALMON INDUSTRY GROUP MEETING NOTICE: The meeting will be held in the OSU Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building on the Hatfield Marine Science Center's campus in Newport, Oregon.

The 2023 Ocean Salmon Industry Group Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023. This meeting will provide a review of the 2022 seasons, take a first look at the 2023 salmon forecasts, and begin the development of Oregon preferred recreational and commercial ocean salmon season concepts via public input to take forward through the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) regulation setting process. The meeting will be held both in person and virtually this year (see details below).

This meeting is open to all ocean sport fishing anglers and charter operators, commercial salmon troll fishers, and any others interested in participating in the development of the 2023 ocean salmon seasons. Staff from ODFW will provide background materials and presentations and then work with meeting attendees to develop preferred season alternatives to use as guidance moving forward through the Pacific Fishery Management Council's season setting process. The meeting is planned to start at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 27. It is recommended that participants attending on-line, test their system prior to the meeting to iron out any technical problems they may have.

There is also an option available to call in by phone.  There will be a lunch break between approximately 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM that will also provide participants time to formulate concepts for proposals.

Links to the agenda and briefing materials for the meeting will be posted below as they come available in January and February.

Please visit the PFMC’s website at https://www.pcouncil.org/  for details on their March and April meetings. 

For those attending in person, the meeting will be held in the auditorium of the OSU Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building on the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. No food or drink is allowed in the auditorium, so please plan accordingly.

Topic: 2023 Ocean Salmon Industry Group Meeting
Time: Feb 27, 2023; 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting Materials: (will be posted here as they come available):

• Meeting guidance and contact information
• Agenda for meeting
• Copy of the printed packet available at the meeting (corrected version 2/27/2023)
• Catch and effort summary table 2020-22 and 2012-21 averages
• Summary of 2022 Ocean Salmon Seasons (updated 2/27/2023)
• Escapements 2022 and Forecasts for 2023 (updated 2/27/2023)
• Season Guidelines (updated 2/26/2023)
• Meeting Notes (posted 2/27/2023)
• Meeting Recording - Morning Session (posted 2/28/2023)
• Meeting Recording - Afternoon Session (posted 2/28/2023)