Oregon fishing changes

Selected in-season fishing, crabbing, and clamming changes from ODFW. Search by water, species, or rule type, then open the official source before fishing.

39 tracked changes in 9 zones Checked ODFW page dated Open ODFW updates Shellfish safety

Scheduled rule changes

Nearest scheduled changes, including every tracked change on each date shown. ODFW can revise these rules on short notice.

Coastal wild salmon: season caps and basin closures Caps apply on top of every river limit below. Reaching either limit ends retention for that species.

Season caps

These caps apply in addition to each river or basin limit. Reaching either limit ends retention for that species.

Wild Chinook Statewide seasonal cap
2 fish per day, 20 per season
Wild coho Coast-wide seasonal cap
1 fish per day, 5 per season
Check ODFW coastal salmon limits

Wild salmon retention closures

A coast-wide cap does not make every basin open. Check these 2026 closures before applying a daily or seasonal limit.

Open ODFW coastal salmon guidance
Alsea Basin Wild coho retention closedClosed for 2026. Follow the annual regulations for other salmon seasons and limits.
Umpqua Basin Wild coho retention closedClosed for 2026. Hatchery coho rules remain in the annual regulations.
Coquille River Wild Chinook retention closedHatchery Chinook retention is open September 19 through October 18 in the listed mainstem reach.
Elk River Wild Chinook retention closedHatchery Chinook retention is open July 1 through December 31.
Use the zone named in the Oregon fishing guide.
Rule type

Showing all tracked rules.

Expanded fall salmon coverage

Northwest

This digest tracks selected fall Chinook and wild coho limits from the Necanicum south through the Siuslaw, including several Lincoln County rivers.

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Temporary harvest limit

Necanicum River wild Chinook limit

August 1 through November 30, 2026
AreaNecanicum River from the mouth to the Highway 53 bridge at Necanicum Junction, including Neawanna Creek tidewater below the 12th Avenue Bridge
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and five for the period.
TakeawayRecord retained wild Chinook and stop at five for the August through November period.
Full rule details

The temporary rule sets a one-fish daily limit and a five-fish seasonal limit for adult wild Chinook in the listed reach.

From December 1 through December 31, angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon is closed in the listed reach.

Date-specific harvest limits

Nehalem River fall salmon limits

July 1 through December 31, 2026; wild coho retention is limited to Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 9 through October 28
AreaNehalem River mainstem and bay, plus listed reaches of the North Fork Nehalem River
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and five for the July through November period. On listed coho days, one adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayCheck the exact reach and weekday before retaining wild coho, and count retained fish across the listed waters.
Full rule details

ODFW set a one-fish daily and five-fish seasonal adult wild Chinook limit. Wild coho retention is now open three days per week in the lower mainstem, bay, and North Fork reaches.

Angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon closes December 1 through December 31 in the listed upper reach.

Date-specific harvest limits

Tillamook Bay and rivers fall salmon limits

August 1 through December 31, 2026; wild coho retention is limited to Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 9 through October 28
AreaTillamook Bay and listed reaches of the Miami, Kilchis, Wilson, Trask, and Tillamook rivers
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and five for the August through November period, in aggregate. On listed coho days, one adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayTreat the Chinook and coho limits as shared across the listed waters, and verify the coho weekday before fishing.
Full rule details

ODFW set a shared adult wild Chinook limit across the bay and listed river reaches. Wild coho retention is now open three days per week in the lower bay and tidewater reaches.

Angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon closes December 1 through December 31 in the listed waters.

Date-specific harvest limits

Nestucca Basin fall salmon limits

August 1 through December 31, 2026; wild coho retention is limited to Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 9 through October 28
AreaListed reaches of the Nestucca River and Bay, Little Nestucca River, and Three Rivers
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and two for the August through November period, in aggregate. On listed coho days, one adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayCheck the reach and weekday before fishing, and count retained wild salmon across the listed basin waters.
Full rule details

ODFW set a shared two-fish seasonal limit for adult wild Chinook in the listed basin reaches. Three Rivers has a separate October 1 start in the reach from the mouth to the hatchery deadline.

Angling for and retention of all Chinook salmon closes December 1 through December 31. Wild coho retention is limited to three days per week in the lower Nestucca and Little Nestucca reaches.

Temporary harvest limit

Salmon River wild Chinook limit

August 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaSalmon River from the mouth to Knight Park boat ramp and from Knight Park boat ramp to the Highway 18 bridge near milepost 9
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitTwo adult wild Chinook per day and ten for the August through December period.
TakeawayRetain no more than two adult wild Chinook per day, and count fish from both listed reaches toward the same ten-fish seasonal limit.
Full rule details

ODFW set a two-fish daily limit and ten-fish seasonal limit for adult wild Chinook across the two listed Salmon River reaches.

Date-specific harvest limits

Siletz Basin fall salmon limits

August 1 through December 31, 2026 for Chinook; September 19 through November 7 for wild coho
AreaThrough October 6: Siletz River and Bay to the marker about 1,200 feet above Ojalla Bridge; Drift Creek in the Siletz Basin, Lincoln County, to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp; Schooner Creek to Erickson Creek. From October 7: Siletz reach extends to Illahee boat ramp.
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitTwo adult wild Chinook per day and ten for the August through December period, in aggregate. One adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayWild coho retention is open September 19 through November 7. On the Siletz, retain coho only below the Ojalla marker through October 6; the reach expands to Illahee October 7. The three-adult basin limit is shared across the listed waters and both reaches.
Full rule details

Chinook retention is open in the lower listed reaches beginning August 1. On October 7, the open Siletz reach expands from the marker above Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp.

Wild coho retention follows the same October 7 reach expansion and remains open through November 7.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Wild coho retention opens
  2. Siletz retention reach expands to Illahee boat ramp
  3. Wild coho retention ends
Date-specific harvest limits

Yaquina Basin fall salmon limits

August 1 through December 31, 2026 for Chinook; September 19 through October 25 and November 1 through November 7 for wild coho
AreaYaquina River and Bay from the visible jetty tips to Simpson Creek, and Big Elk Creek from the mouth to Bear Creek
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitTwo adult wild Chinook per day and ten for the August through December period, in aggregate. During the two coho periods, one adult wild coho per day, three for the season, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayWild coho retention is open through October 25, pauses October 26 through 31, then resumes November 1 through 7. The three-adult basin limit is shared across both periods and listed waters; it does not reset November 1.
Full rule details

ODFW set the basin's adult wild Chinook seasonal limit and split wild coho retention into two periods.

The tracked wild coho season is not open October 26 through October 31.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Wild coho retention opens
  2. Wild coho retention pauses
  3. Wild coho retention resumes
  4. Wild coho retention ends
Temporary harvest limit

Alsea River and Drift Creek wild Chinook limit

August 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaAlsea River mainstem and bay upstream to the USFS River Edge Boat Landing, and Drift Creek in the Alsea Basin from the mouth to the lower Wilderness Boundary at river mile 10
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitTwo adult wild Chinook per day and ten for the August through December period, in aggregate.
TakeawayRetain no more than two adult wild Chinook per day, and count fish across all listed waters toward one ten-fish seasonal limit.
Full rule details

ODFW set a two-fish daily limit and a shared ten-fish seasonal limit for adult wild Chinook across the listed Alsea River, bay, and Drift Creek reaches.

Temporary harvest limit

Yachats River wild Chinook limit

August 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaYachats River from the mouth upstream to the North Fork Yachats River
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and two for the period.
TakeawayRetain no more than one adult wild Chinook per day and two during the August through December period.
Full rule details

ODFW set a one-fish daily limit and two-fish seasonal limit for adult wild Chinook in the listed Yachats River reach.

Date-specific harvest limits

Beaver Creek wild coho season

November 1 through November 30, 2026
AreaBeaver Creek in Lincoln County from the walking bridge at Ona Beach State Park upstream to the confluence of Beaver Creek and South Fork Beaver Creek
SpeciesWild coho salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day.
TakeawayWait until November 1 to retain wild coho, then stop at one adult per day and three adults for the month.
Full rule details

ODFW opened the listed Beaver Creek reach to wild coho retention for November.

Date-specific harvest limits

Siuslaw Basin fall salmon limits

August 1 through December 31, 2026 for Chinook; September 19 through October 13 for wild coho
AreaSiuslaw River mainstem and bay to Lake Creek, North Fork Siuslaw River from the mouth to Meadows Bridge at milepost 11, and Sweet Creek from the mouth to the head of tidewater
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and five for the period, in aggregate. One adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayWild coho retention is open through October 13. The three-adult period limit is shared across the listed waters. Count retained wild Chinook across those waters as well.
Full rule details

ODFW increased the adult wild Chinook seasonal limit to five and set a 25-day wild coho retention period in the listed reaches.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Wild coho retention opens
  2. Wild coho retention ends
ODFW zone contacts
  • Tillamook North Coast Watershed District Office: (503) 842-2741
  • Newport District Office Annex: (541) 812-8689
Expanded coastal salmon coverage

Southwest Zone

This digest tracks selected fall salmon rules from Coos Bay south through the Winchuck River, plus Coquille bait rules and Umpqua Basin changes.

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Ongoing rule change

Coquille River bait use

Bait allowed year round; smallmouth bass spear harvest June 1 through October 31, 2026
AreaCoquille River mainstem; East Fork; Middle Fork; North Fork; South Fork from its mouth to the USFS boundary near Powers
SpeciesAll applicable angling; smallmouth bass for spear harvest
TakeawayBait is allowed year round in the listed reaches; the temporary spear allowance applies to smallmouth bass.
Full rule details

Bait is allowed year round in the listed Coquille waters. Spears and spear guns may be used to harvest smallmouth bass during the effective period.

Date-specific harvest limits

Coquille River fall salmon season

September 19 through October 18, 2026
AreaCoquille River mainstem from the Highway 101 bridge upstream to the Highway 42S bridge at Sturdivant Park
SpeciesWild coho salmon and hatchery Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day. Hatchery Chinook retention is allowed.
TakeawayWild coho and hatchery Chinook retention are open in the listed mainstem reach through October 18. Release wild Chinook. Keep at most one adult wild coho daily, three for the period, and one wild coho jack daily.
Full rule details

ODFW opened the listed mainstem reach to wild coho retention and hatchery Chinook retention for 30 days.

Wild Chinook retention remains closed in the Coquille Basin.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Wild coho and hatchery Chinook retention open
  2. Listed wild coho and hatchery Chinook retention period ends
Temporary harvest limit

Lemolo Reservoir and Hemlock Lake kokanee limit

May 12 through November 7, 2026
AreaLemolo Reservoir and Hemlock Lake
SpeciesKokanee
Bag limitTen kokanee per day with no size limit.
TakeawayThe ten-kokanee daily limit applies only at Lemolo Reservoir and Hemlock Lake through November 7.
Full rule details

ODFW set a temporary ten-fish daily kokanee limit with no size limit at both waters.

Date-specific harvest limits

Coos Bay and rivers fall salmon limits

July 1 through December 31, 2026; wild coho retention is open September 19 through October 18
AreaCoos River and Bay from the visible jetty tips to head of tide; Larson Slough to Sullivan Creek; Palouse Creek to Elliot Forest Boundary; Catching Slough to Sumner Road Bridge; Kentuck, North, Isthmus, Coalbank and Davis sloughs to their tidegates; Shinglehouse Slough; Pony Slough to Newmark Avenue; South Fork Coos from the mouth to head of tide at Dellwood; Millicoma mainstem.
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitSeptember 19 through October 18: three adult salmon daily, no more than two wild, including no more than one adult wild coho; three adult wild coho for the period; one wild coho jack daily. Ten adult wild Chinook for July through December. Limits apply in aggregate across the listed waters.
TakeawayWild coho retention is open through October 18. The adult salmon daily limit is three, no more than two wild, including at most one wild coho. Share the three-adult wild coho period limit and ten-adult wild Chinook period limit across the listed waters.
Full rule details

From September 19 through October 18, the three-adult daily salmon limit allows at most two wild fish total. From October 19 through December 31, the daily adult salmon limit remains three, with at most two wild Chinook; the listed wild coho retention period has ended.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Wild coho retention opens; adult salmon limit changes
  2. Wild coho retention ends; adult salmon limit changes
Date-specific harvest limits

Floras Creek and New River fall salmon limits

August 1 through December 31, 2026 for Chinook; November 1 through December 31 for wild coho
AreaFloras Creek and New River from the mouth to the Floras Creek Road bridge at milepost 1.5; wild coho reach begins at the BLM boat ramp at Storm Ranch and ends at the Floras Creek and Floras Lake outlet confluence
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon and wild coho salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and two for the period, in aggregate. One adult wild coho per day, three for the period, and one wild coho jack per day, all in aggregate.
TakeawayUse the shorter upper reach for wild coho beginning November 1, and count retained fish across Floras Creek and New River.
Full rule details

ODFW set separate Chinook and wild coho reaches and date windows for Floras Creek and New River.

Date-specific harvest limit

Sixes River wild Chinook limit

Low-flow closure begins Oct 1 July 1 through December 31, 2026; a low-flow closure applies October 1 through November 3 in the listed upper reach
AreaSixes River from the mouth to Edson Creek; the low-flow closure covers Hughes House Boat Ramp upstream to the mouth of Crystal Creek
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and ten for the period.
TakeawayCount retained adult wild Chinook toward the ten-fish limit and check the low-flow closure boundary before an October or early November trip.
Full rule details

ODFW set the 2026 adult wild Chinook daily and seasonal limits for the listed Sixes River reach.

The reach from Hughes House Boat Ramp upstream to the mouth of Crystal Creek closes October 1 through November 3 under the coastal low-flow rule.

Upcoming harvest limit

Hunter Creek wild Chinook limit

Retention season begins Oct 1 October 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaHunter Creek from the mouth to Mateer
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and two for the period.
TakeawayWait until October 1 to retain adult wild Chinook, then stop at one per day and two for the season.
Full rule details

ODFW set a three-month adult wild Chinook retention season in the listed Hunter Creek reach.

Upcoming harvest limit

Chetco, Pistol, and Winchuck wild Chinook limit

September 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaChetco River from the mouth to Nook Creek, Pistol River from the mouth to Deep Creek, and Winchuck River from the mouth to Wheeler Creek
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and five for the period.
TakeawayWait until September 1 to retain adult wild Chinook. Check the water-specific gear rule, and stop at one wild adult per day and five for the period.
Full rule details

ODFW set the same adult wild Chinook daily and seasonal limits across the three listed south-coast reaches.

Additional rules by water

Chetco RiverRestricted gear
September 1 through November 3 From river mile 2.2 to Nook Creek, use fly fishing with a strike indicator or bobber fishing.
Pistol RiverChinook season
May 22 through December 31 The listed reach is open for Chinook salmon. The temporary wild-Chinook limit begins September 1.
Winchuck RiverBank or wade only
September 1 through November 3 gear rule No angling from a floating device. Use fly fishing with a strike indicator or bobber fishing during the listed gear-rule dates.
Temporary angling and retention closure

North Umpqua River steelhead closure

August 10 through November 30, 2026
AreaNorth Umpqua River from the mouth upstream to the marker below Soda Springs Dam
SpeciesSteelhead
TakeawayDo not target or retain steelhead in the listed North Umpqua reach through November 30.
Full rule details

Angling for and retention of steelhead is closed throughout the listed North Umpqua reach.

Temporary harvest limit

Umpqua and Smith rivers wild Chinook limit

July 1 through November 30, 2026
AreaMainstem Umpqua River from the jetties to the North and South Umpqua confluence; mainstem Smith River to Spencer Creek; North Fork Smith River to Johnson Creek
SpeciesAdult wild Chinook salmon
Bag limitOne adult wild Chinook per day and five for the period, in aggregate.
TakeawayCount retained adult wild Chinook across all listed reaches toward the shared five-fish limit.
Full rule details

The temporary rule sets a one-fish daily limit and a five-fish seasonal limit across the listed Umpqua and Smith River reaches.

ODFW zone contacts
  • Central Point, Rogue Watershed District: (541) 826-8774
  • Charleston Field Office: (541) 888-5515
  • Roseburg Umpqua Watershed District Office: (541) 440-3353
  • Gold Beach Field Office: (541) 247-7605
Two-rod allowance above Willamette Falls

Willamette Zone

A temporary two-rod allowance applies in upper Willamette waters that are open to coho retention.

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Temporary gear allowance

Upper Willamette two-rod allowance

August 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaWillamette River upstream of Willamette Falls, including tributaries and flowing waters, where coho salmon retention is open
SpeciesAll game and non-game fish except sturgeon
TakeawayConfirm that the water is open to coho retention and carry a valid 2026 Two-Rod Validation before using a second rod.
Full rule details

Anglers with a valid 2026 Two-Rod Validation may use up to two fishing rods in the listed waters.

The allowance does not apply when angling for sturgeon.

ODFW zone contacts
  • Clackamas: (971) 673-6000
  • Corvallis: (541) 757-4186
  • Springfield: (541) 726-3515
Active angling closures

Central Zone

Temporary closures apply in Eagle Creek and sections of the lower Deschutes River.

1
Temporary angling closures

Deschutes salmon and steelhead closures; thermal closures ended

Deschutes species restrictions: August 15 through December 31, 2026. Eagle Creek and Moody Rapids thermal closures ended September 15.
AreaEagle Creek from 200 feet below the hatchery fishway entrance to its mouth; lower Deschutes River sections between the I-84 Bridge and Pelton Reregulating Reservoir
SpeciesSalmon and steelhead, depending on the Deschutes reach
TakeawayThe summer all-angling closure ended September 15. On the Deschutes, check the reach table: salmon and steelhead restrictions continue through December 31.
Full rule details

The July 15 through September 15 all-angling thermal closures have ended in Eagle Creek from 200 feet downstream of the hatchery fishway entrance to the mouth at the mainline railroad bridge, and in the Deschutes from markers at the lower end of Moody Rapids to the mouth at the Interstate 84 Bridge. Other permanent rules still apply. The separate Deschutes species closures below remain in effect through December 31.

Through December 31, angling for and retention of the listed salmon or steelhead remain prohibited in each Deschutes reach. The end of the thermal closure does not reopen these species.

Deschutes closures by reach through December 31

I-84 Bridge to the upper railroad trestleClosed: salmon and steelhead
August 15 through December 31 Closed to angling for and retention of salmon and steelhead. Boundary: From the mouth at the westbound Interstate 84 Bridge upstream to the upper railroad trestle three miles downstream of Sherars Falls.
Upper railroad trestle to Sherars FallsClosed: steelhead
August 15 through December 31 Closed to angling for and retention of steelhead. Boundary: From the upper railroad trestle three miles downstream of Sherars Falls upstream to Sherars Falls.
Sherars Falls to Pelton Reregulating ReservoirClosed: steelhead and coho
August 15 through December 31 Closed to angling for and retention of steelhead and coho salmon. Boundary: From Sherars Falls upstream to the Pelton Reregulating Reservoir.
ODFW zone contacts
  • The Dalles: (541) 296-4628
  • Prineville: (541) 447-5111
  • Bend: (541) 388-6363
Emergency harvest and trout rules

Southeast Zone

Temporary rules lift limits at three reservoirs and require catch-and-release trout fishing with artificial flies or lures in Upper Klamath Lake area waters.

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Temporary emergency harvest rule

Thief, Wolf Creek, and Pilcher Creek reservoir limits

June 1 through September 30, 2026
AreaThief Reservoir, Wolf Creek Reservoir, and Pilcher Creek Reservoir
SpeciesRainbow trout and bass
Bag limitNo daily or possession limit; no minimum or maximum size limit.
TakeawayThese temporary harvest methods and lifted limits apply only at the three named reservoirs.
Full rule details

Rainbow trout and bass may be taken by hand, dip net, or angling. Anglers with a valid Two-Rod Validation may use any number of rods.

Temporary catch-and-release and gear rule

Upper Klamath Lake area trout protections

June 15 through October 31, 2026
AreaCrystal Creek, Fourmile Creek, Fourmile Canal, Harriman Creek, Klamath Lake, Odessa Creek, Recreation Creek, Short Creek, and Thomason Creek
SpeciesRainbow trout; all species for the gear restriction
TakeawayRelease all rainbow trout and leave bait at home when fishing any listed Upper Klamath Lake area water.
Full rule details

Rainbow trout are catch-and-release only, and anglers may use only flies and artificial lures for all species in the listed waters.

ODFW zone contacts
  • Hines: (541) 573-6582
  • Lakeview: (541) 947-2950
  • Ontario: (541) 889-6975
  • Klamath Falls: (541) 883-5732
  • La Grande: (541) 963-2138
John Day steelhead closed

Northeast Zone

Steelhead fishing is closed throughout the John Day system through December 31. Permanent rules also close salmon and steelhead in the lower reach below Tumwater Falls.

1
Scheduled emergency closure

John Day system steelhead closure

September 1 through December 31, 2026
AreaJohn Day River from its mouth through all upstream sections, including the North and Middle Forks and every tributary
SpeciesSteelhead
TakeawayDo not target or retain steelhead anywhere in the John Day system from September 1 through December 31. Check the permanent rules separately for salmon and other species.
Full rule details

ODFW closes angling for and retention of all steelhead throughout the John Day system, superseding annual booklet openings in several reaches.

ODFW zone contacts
  • Enterprise: (541) 426-3279
  • John Day: (541) 575-1167
  • La Grande: (541) 963-2138
  • Pendleton: (541) 276-2344
Temporary adult Chinook limit

Snake Zone

A three-fish adult Chinook limit, with no more than one wild fish, applies in the Oregon Snake River reach.

1
Temporary harvest limit

Snake River adult Chinook limit

August 18 through October 31, 2026
AreaSnake River from the Oregon/Washington border upstream to the boundary 400 feet below Hells Canyon Dam
SpeciesAdult Chinook salmon
Bag limitThree adult Chinook per day, of which only one may be wild.
TakeawayRetain no more than three adult Chinook per day and no more than one wild adult Chinook.
Full rule details

The temporary rule sets the adult Chinook bag limit for the listed Snake River reach.

ODFW zone contacts
  • Enterprise: (541) 426-3279
Date-specific fall salmon rules and sturgeon closure

Columbia Zone

Fall salmon and steelhead rules change by reach and date; sturgeon retention remains closed from Buoy 10 to McNary Dam.

3
Area-specific salmon and steelhead closures

Columbia sanctuary rules after September 15

Mainstem coho seasons change; Herman Creek stays closed Oct 1 September 16 through December 31, 2026; Herman Creek closure through November 30
AreaEagle Creek mouth, Herman Creek and lagoon, and the Deschutes River mouth thermal angling sanctuaries
SpeciesSalmon and steelhead
TakeawayKeep Herman Creek separate from its lagoon. The creek remains closed to salmon and steelhead through November 30; the lagoon, Eagle Creek mouth, and Deschutes mouth follow mainstem rules, including the September 16 through 30 salmon and steelhead closure.
Full rule details

The summer all-angling closure has ended. Herman Creek east of the peninsula remains closed to salmon and steelhead angling and retention through November 30. The lagoon and the other listed sanctuaries follow their mainstem reach rules.

Salmon and steelhead fishing is closed in all listed waters through September 30. Herman Creek east of the peninsula keeps its separate closure through November 30.

Sanctuary rules from September 16

Eagle Creek mouthClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 16 through September 30; mainstem rules apply through December 31 Follow Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam mainstem rules. Salmon and steelhead angling is prohibited September 16 through 30. Check the mainstem schedule for October and later dates. Boundary: From the mainline railroad bridge northwest to a line from the Oregon-shore marker about 200 feet downstream of Eagle Creek, through red navigation buoy 4, to the Oregon-shore marker about 325 feet upstream.
Herman Creek east of the peninsulaClosed to salmon and steelhead angling and retention
September 16 through November 30 The separate creek closure continues after mainstem coho seasons change. The Youth and Disabled Angling Area west of the peninsula follows permanent regulations. Boundary: East of the peninsula, from the mainline railroad bridge downstream to markers at the mouth.
Herman Creek lagoon/coveClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 16 through September 30; mainstem rules apply through December 31 Follow Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam mainstem rules. Salmon and steelhead angling is prohibited September 16 through 30. Check the mainstem schedule for October and later dates. Boundary: East of a line from the northwest tip of the jetty south to a marker on the Oregon shore.
Deschutes River mouthClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 16 through September 30; mainstem rules apply through December 31 Follow The Dalles Dam to the Oregon/Washington border mainstem rules. Salmon and steelhead angling is prohibited September 16 through 30. Check the mainstem schedule for October and later dates. Boundary: From the westbound Interstate 84 Bridge north to a line from flashing red navigation marker 2, about 1.5 miles downstream, through red navigation marker 4, to the lower South Channel Range B marker about 0.7 mile upstream.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Mainstem coho seasons change; Herman Creek stays closed Eagle Creek mouth, Herman Creek lagoon, and the Deschutes mouth follow their mainstem reach schedules. Herman Creek east of the peninsula remains closed to salmon and steelhead angling and retention through November 30.
  2. Herman Creek returns to mainstem rules Herman Creek east of the peninsula follows Bonneville Dam-to-The-Dalles mainstem rules for December. Recheck ODFW before fishing.
Date-specific seasonal rules

Columbia mainstem fall salmon and steelhead schedule

Columbia coho seasons change by reach Oct 1 August 1 through December 31, 2026; rules vary by reach and date
AreaColumbia River mainstem from Buoy 10 upstream to the Oregon/Washington border above McNary Dam
SpeciesChinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead
TakeawayDo not fish for salmon or steelhead from west Puget Island to the Oregon/Washington border through September 30. Below west Puget Island, keep up to three hatchery coho daily through October 31, subject to the listed subreach rules.
Full rule details

Salmon and steelhead fishing is now closed from west Puget Island to the Oregon/Washington border through September 30. Below west Puget Island, the three-hatchery-coho daily limit continues.

Steelhead must be released through October 31 from Buoy 10 to The Dalles Dam. Upstream of The Dalles Dam, the steelhead release period begins September 1. Wild coho release rules also vary by reach.

Current Columbia River rules as of September 16

Buoy 10 to west Puget IslandHatchery coho only
September 12 through October 31 Three hatchery coho per day. Release all Chinook, wild coho, and all steelhead. Below Tongue Point/Rocky Point, adult coho must be at least 16 inches and jack retention is prohibited through September 30. Boundary: The upstream line runs from Washington marker 39 to marker 41, then to markers 42 and 44A on the Oregon shore.
West Puget Island to Warrior Rock/Bachelor IslandClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 3 through September 30 Do not fish for salmon or steelhead in this reach during the September closure. Boundary: The upstream line runs from Warrior Rock lighthouse to the marker on the piling dolphin at the downstream end of Bachelor Island.
Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island to Bonneville DamClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 16 through September 30 Do not fish for salmon or steelhead in this reach during the September closure.
Bonneville Dam to The Dalles DamClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 16 through September 30 Do not fish for salmon or steelhead in this reach during the September closure.
The Dalles Dam to the Oregon/Washington borderClosed to salmon and steelhead fishing
September 16 through September 30 Do not fish for salmon or steelhead in this reach during the September closure.

Before retaining fish below Tongue Point

  • Find the subreach lineThe Tongue Point/Rocky Point line runs from Rocky Point on the Washington shore through red navigation buoy 44 to the navigation marker at Tongue Point on the Oregon shore.
  • Measure adult cohoFrom Buoy 10 to the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line, retained adult coho must be at least 16 inches through September 30.
  • Release jack salmonJack salmon retention is prohibited from Buoy 10 to the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line through September 30.

Date-by-date changes

  1. Columbia coho seasons change by reach Coho retention resumes from west Puget Island to the Oregon/Washington border with a two-adult-coho daily limit. Release all Chinook and steelhead. Check reach-specific wild-coho release dates and later changes in the official schedule.
Retention closure

Mainstem and reservoir sturgeon retention

Currently active
AreaColumbia River mainstem and reservoirs from Buoy 10 to McNary Dam
SpeciesSturgeon
TakeawayDo not retain sturgeon from Buoy 10 to McNary Dam.
Full rule details

Sturgeon retention is closed.

Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is allowed.

ODFW current Columbia rules WDFW current emergency rules
Active ocean requirements and linked season checks

Marine Zone

ODFW points anglers to current ocean salmon, halibut, and bottomfish pages, and lists standing ocean endorsement and bottomfish release requirements.

9
Ongoing requirement

Ocean Endorsement requirement

Starting January 1, 2026
AreaOcean fishing from beaches, jetties, and boats
SpeciesMost recreational ocean fisheries
TakeawayConfirm whether your ocean trip needs the endorsement before fishing.
Full rule details

Most recreational anglers fishing in the ocean need an Ocean Endorsement.

Standing prohibition reminder

Yelloweye and quillback rockfish

Currently active
AreaAll waters
SpeciesYelloweye rockfish and quillback rockfish
TakeawayRelease yelloweye and quillback rockfish.
Full rule details

These rockfish are prohibited at all times and in all waters.

Standing gear requirement

Descending device requirement

Currently active
AreaOcean vessels fishing for or possessing bottomfish, Pacific halibut, or flatfish
SpeciesBottomfish, Pacific halibut, flatfish, and released rockfish
TakeawayHave a working descending device onboard before fishing these ocean fisheries.
Full rule details

A functional descending device must be onboard, regardless of depth.

Use the descending device to release any rockfish outside of 30 fathoms.

Crabbing and clamming update

South coast mussel harvest closure

In effect since August 28, 2026
AreaCape Blanco to the California border
SpeciesMussels
TakeawayDo not harvest mussels south of Cape Blanco. Check ODA's live status or call (800) 448-2474 immediately before harvesting.
Full rule details

ODFW and ODA closed mussel harvest from Cape Blanco south to the California border because samples exceeded the safety threshold for domoic acid. Mussel harvest remains open from Cape Blanco north to the Washington border.

ODA requires two consecutive samples below the closure limit, taken at least one week apart, before reopening a biotoxin closure.

Crabbing and clamming update

Razor clams

July 15 through September 30, 2026 conservation closure; status checked August 20
AreaOregon coast
SpeciesRazor clams
TakeawayHarvest only between Tillamook Head and Cape Blanco, then confirm ODA toxin closures before digging.
Full rule details

Razor clams are closed from the Washington border to Tillamook Head for the annual conservation closure, open from Tillamook Head to Cape Blanco, and closed from Cape Blanco to the California border.

The Clatsop Beaches conservation closure runs through September 30 and is scheduled to reopen October 1 unless a toxin closure applies.

Crabbing and clamming update

Bay clams

Regulation update as of July 30, 2026
AreaOregon coast
SpeciesBay clams
TakeawayTreat Alsea Bay separately, and confirm current shellfish safety status before harvest.
Full rule details

ODA lists bay clams as open coastwide for marine biotoxins, but ODFW separately advises against harvesting softshell and bay clams in Alsea Bay because of the Eckman Lake toxin advisory.

Shellfish health advisory

Avoid softshell and bay clams in Alsea Bay

Advisory issued September 2, 2026
AreaAlsea Bay estuary, Lincoln County
SpeciesSoftshell and bay clams
TakeawayDo not harvest or eat softshell or bay clams from Alsea Bay while the advisory remains active.
Full rule details

ODFW recommends avoiding harvest and consumption after OHA found cyanobacteria and very high saxitoxin levels in Eckman Lake, which drains into the Alsea Bay estuary.

Saxitoxin can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. This is an ODFW health advisory tied to the upstream lake, separate from ODA's coastwide marine biotoxin status.

Crabbing and clamming update

Crabs

Regulation update as of July 30, 2026
AreaOregon coast
SpeciesCrabs
TakeawayCheck current ODA shellfish safety closures and ODFW crab harvest status before crabbing.
Full rule details

Crabs are open coastwide.

Safety requirement reminder

Shellfish safety checks

Currently active
AreaAll shellfish harvest areas
SpeciesClams, crabs, mussels, and other shellfish
TakeawayCall (800) 448-2474 or check ODA closures immediately before harvesting.
Full rule details

ODFW directs harvesters to call ODA's shellfish safety hotline or check the ODA shellfish closures page before clamming or crabbing.

ODA tests for shellfish toxins at least twice per month when tides and weather allow; closed areas require two clean tests before reopening.

Ocean salmon sport regulations Pacific halibut Sport bottomfish seasons ODFW marine report and alerts ODFW south coast mussel closure ODFW Alsea Bay clam advisory ODA shellfish safety closures Sport crab harvest status map
ODFW zone contacts
  • Marine Resources Program Main Office: (541) 867-4741
Quick scan, not a legal substitute. This digest is not exhaustive. In-season rules can supersede the printed 2026 regulations and change quickly. Check the linked ODFW source before fishing. Open ODFW source