Rulemaking at ODFW

Temporary Rules

Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Filing Notice Effective Dates Rulemaking Contact
Amend rules to Modify Controlled Hunt Permit Numbers for 2026 Oregon Sage-grouse Hunting Season

OAR 635-053-0000
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 8/7/26 through 10/01/26 Roxie Borisch
Summary: OAR 635-053-0000 states in part that restrictions for hunting upland game birds are described in the “2026-2027 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations” and are adopted and incorporated into OAR Chapter 635, by reference. Sage-grouse are a species of upland game bird with the number of controlled hunt permits available for each sage-grouse hunt area adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission (Commission) and printed in the “2026-27 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations.” Recent sage-grouse survey results and a change in habitat conditions necessitate a modification of permits for five hunt areas.


Authorize Sales in Treaty Commercial Fisheries Downstream of Bonneville Dam

OAR 635-041-0045
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/01/2026 THROUGH 10/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule authorizes the sale of fish caught in Treaty Indian commercial platform and hook-and-line fisheries downstream of Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River starting on August 1, 2026.


Allow Use of Two-Rod Validation Upstream of Willamette Falls in Certain Areas

OAR 635-017-0090
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/01/2026 THROUGH 12/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule will allow use of two rods while angling in specific areas of the Willamette Zone upstream of Willamette Falls that are open to the retention of coho salmon.


Set Select Area Fall-Season Commercial Fisheries

OAR 635-042-0145, 635-042-0160, 635-042-0170, 635-042-0180
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/01/2026 THROUGH 12/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: These rules implement the 2026 fall-season Select Area commercial fisheries in Youngs Bay, Blind Slough/Knappa Slough, Tongue Point/South Channel, and Deep River. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Compact hearing on July 22, 2026.


Federal Actions Implemented for Commercial Groundfish Fisheries

OAR 635-004-0275
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/06/2026 THROUGH 11/06/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule adopts changes previously adopted by the federal government for Pacific Coast Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) commercial groundfish fishery, including, but not limited to adding flexibility to the federal LEFG permit gear endorsements by creating a single limited entry non-trawl permit that will permit vessels to use any legal non-trawl groundfish gear, except for set nets or other entangling nets, to harvest their LEFG sablefish tier limits and groundfish trip limits, and removing the start and end times (hours of the day) for the open dates of the primary tier season.


Columbia River Recreational Fall-Season Salmon/Steelhead Regulations

OAR 635-023-0130
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/01/2026 THROUGH 12/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule sets the Columbia River recreational salmon/steelhead fisheries from August 1 through December 31, 2026. This rule also closes angling in portions of the mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouths of Eagle Creek and the Deschutes River, and that portion of Herman Creek and Lagoon within the Columbia River Zone through September 15.


Set Mainstem Columbia River Fall-Season Commercial Fisheries

OAR 635-042-0010, 635-042-0031
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/03/2026 THROUGH 10/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: These rules implement 2026 fall-season Columbia River mainstem (early-fall gillnet, pound net, and seine) commercial fisheries. The following fisheries are addressed by these rules: Columbia River Early Fall (Zones 4-5), beach and purse seine (Zones 1-3), and pound net (Zones 1-2). Fisheries using seine and pound net gear are associated with the on-going evaluation coordinated with co-managers in Washington via their formal Emerging Commercial Fishery process. 2026 is the third year of an approximately five-year process after which WA is expected to make a determination on legalization of these gear types. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Compact hearing on July 22, 2026.


Authorize Sales for Columbia River Treaty Fall Fisheries

OAR 635-041-0075
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 08/01/2026 THROUGH 12/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: These amended rules authorize the sales of fish caught in Zone 6 treaty fisheries.


Allow Sale of Warmwater Species Caught in Columbia River Treaty Indian Research Fishery

OAR 635-041-0072
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/24/2026 THROUGH 12/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule provides state authorization of sales of yellow perch, bass, walleye, catfish, carp, northern pikeminnow, and suckers caught in a Treaty Indian research fishery in several backwater areas and sloughs of the John Day Pool to reflect recent tribal action to open this fishery.


Adopt Federal Rule for Commercial Pacific Halibut Fisheries

OAR 635-004-0585
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/21/2026 THROUGH 12/18/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: The proposed rule amendment regulates the 2026 commercial Pacific halibut fishery by establishing a third fishery period along with fishery period vessel limits for Oregon state-water fisheries, ensuring and promoting consistency with federally adopted regulations. Through the first two scheduled fishery periods (June 23-25 and July 7-9), total catches are below initial projections, estimated at 52 metric tons (mt). Of the 118 mt quota allocated to the directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery, 66 mt of quota remain unharvested.


Angling and Harvest Regulations in the Umpqua District

OAR 635-016-0500
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/02/2026 THROUGH 12/22/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This rule inserts “wild” into the regulatory language to clarify that bag limit regulations apply to wild Chinook salmon in the Umpqua River basin locations specified.


Refine definition of “Chumming” referenced in 2026 Oregon Sport Angling Regulations

OAR 635-011-0100
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/02/2026 THROUGH 12/28/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule modifies the definition of “Chumming” in the 2026 Oregon Sport Angling Regulation pamphlet.


Authorize Sales in Treaty Zone 6 Commercial Fisheries

OAR 635-041-0076
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/01/2026 THROUGH 07/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule authorizes the sale of fish caught in the following treaty fisheries: Gillnet fishery in Zone 6 (upstream of Bonneville Dam) from July 6 through July 8. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Compact hearing on July 1, 2026.


Angling and Harvest Regulations of Kokanee in the Umpqua District

OAR 635-016-0500
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/01/2026 THROUGH 12/22/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This rule allows for angling and harvest of kokanee in Lemolo Reservoir and Hemlock Lake. Anglers may retain up to 10 per day and there is no size limit.


Modify Columbia River Recreational Salmon/Steelhead Summer Season Regulations

OAR 635-023-0128
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/22/2026 THROUGH 07/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule modifies the start date for sockeye retention in the Columbia River summer season recreational salmon/steelhead fisheries.


2026 Commercial Pacific Halibut Fisheries Federal References Corrections

OAR 635-004-0585
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/23/2026 THROUGH 12/18/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: The proposed rule amendment regulates the 2026 commercial Pacific halibut fishery by establishing fishery allocation, fishery periods, and fishery period limits for Oregon state-water fisheries, ensuring and promoting consistency with federally adopted regulations, and incorporating housekeeping and technical updates. This amendment incorporates federal regulations that were not available at the time of the original filing and corrects a clerical error on a federal reference.


Enact Steelhead Fishery Regulations

OAR 635-018-0500
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/16/2026 THROUGH 09/15/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule reduces the daily bag limit for hatchery steelhead to one from June 16 through July 14 in the lower portion of Eagle Creek and the lower portion of the Deschutes River. It also closes these locations to angling from July 15 through September 15.


Enact Steelhead Fishery Regulations

OAR 635-019-0500
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/16/2026 THROUGH 08/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule reduces the daily bag limit for hatchery steelhead to one from June 16 through August 31 in the lower portion of the John Day River.


Authorize Sales in Treaty Commercial Fisheries Downstream of Bonneville Dam

OAR 635-041-0045
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/16/2026 THROUGH 07/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule authorizes the sale of fish caught in Treaty Indian commercial platform and hook-and-line fisheries downstream of Bonneville Dam in the Columbia River starting on June 16. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Compact hearing on June 10, 2026.


Authorize Sales in Treaty Zone 6 and Yakama Nation Tributary Summer-Season Commercial Fisheries

OAR 635-041-0076
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/16/2026 THROUGH 07/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: This amended rule authorizes the sale of fish caught in the following treaty fisheries: Gillnet fishery in Zone 6 (upstream of Bonneville Dam) from June 16 through June 19; Gillnet fishery in Zone 6 (upstream of Bonneville Dam) from June 22 through June 24; and. Gillnet fishery in Zone 6 (upstream of Bonneville Dam) from June 29 through July 1. Platform and hook-and-line fishery in Zone 6 (upstream of Bonneville Dam) from June 16 through July 31, and Yakama Nation tributary fisheries from June 16 through July 31. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Compact hearing on June 10, 2026.


Upper Klamath Lake Area Angling Regulations

OAR 635-021-0500
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/15/2026 THROUGH 10/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: The angling regulations for Crystal Creek, Fourmile Creek, Fourmile Canal, Harriman Creek, Klamath Lake, Odessa Creek, Recreation Creek, Short Creek, and Thomason Creek are being modified to remove harvest for rainbow trout and the use of bait for all species from June 15 – October 31. Catch-and-release for rainbow trout and flies and artificial lures will be allowed during this time.


Pacific halibut all-depth fishing days added to the Columbia River subarea

OAR 635-039-0085
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/08/2026 THROUGH 10/31/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: The proposed rule amendment provides additional Pacific halibut fishing opportunities during the month of June for the Columbia River subarea as quota attainment is low through the month of May.


Implement Adaptive Management Modifications to the Subtidal Yaquina Bay Commercial Clam Fisheries

OAR 635-005-0290, 635-005-0355
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 07/01/2026 THROUGH 12/27/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: These amended rules will prohibit harvest of commercial subtidal clams Yaquina Bay.


Snake River Chinook Closure

OAR 635-024-0090
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 06/03/2026 THROUGH 08/17/2026 Adam Buell
Summary: Closed for Chinook salmon from the Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.


2026 Pacific Halibut All-depth Seasons Federal References Corrections

OAR 635-039-0085
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 5/12/2026 THROUGH 10/31/2026 Linda Spansel
Summary: The proposed rule amendment regulates the 2026 recreational Pacific halibut fishery by establishing seasons and quotas for Oregon state-water fisheries, ensuring and promoting consistency with federally adopted regulations, and incorporating housekeeping and technical updates. This amendment incorporates federal regulations that were not available at the time of the original filing and corrects a clerical error on a federal reference.


Federal Actions Implemented for Commercial Groundfish Fisheries

OAR 635-004-0275
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 5/11/2026 THROUGH 11/6/2026 Linda Spansel
Summary: This amended rule adopts in-season changes previously adopted by the federal government for 2026 Pacific Coast Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access commercial groundfish fisheries, including, but not limited to, catch limit increases for canary rockfish.


Lower Deschutes River Hatchery Spring Chinook Season

OAR 635-018-0090
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 5/5/2026 THROUGH 9/28/2026 Linda Spansel
Summary: This rule is needed to allow sport harvest opportunities for returning hatchery spring Chinook salmon in the Lower Deschutes River for an approximate two-week period beginning May 5, 2026.


Allow Sales of Sturgeon Caught in Columbia River Treaty Setline Fishery

OAR 635-041-0063
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 3/11/2026 THROUGH 8/28/2026 Linda Spansel
Summary: This amended rule provides state authorization of sales of white sturgeon caught in the winter Treaty setline fishery in The Dalles Pool to reflect recent tribal action to adopt this fishery.


Allow Sales of Sturgeon Caught in Columbia River Treaty Setline Fisheries

OAR 635-041-0063
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 3/2/2026 THROUGH 8/28/2026 John Seabourne
Summary: This amended rule provides state authorization of sales of white sturgeon caught in the winter Treaty setline fisheries in The Dalles Pool and John Day Pool to reflect recent tribal action to adopt these fisheries.


Commercial Crab Late-Season Whale Entanglement Risk Reduction Measures Implementation Date

OAR 635-005-0405, 635-005-0460, 635-005-0480
Temporary Rule Filing Notice 2/16/2026 THROUGH 8/14/2026 Linda Spansel
Summary: These amended rules will implement commercial crab late-season whale entanglement risk reduction measures including a 20% pot limit reduction, requirement for late-season buoy tags, and prohibition on fishing deeper than 40 fathoms on April 1 instead of May 1 to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled in commercial crab fishing gear earlier in the season.


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