NEWPORT — The Pacific Fisheries Management Council has finalized the 2026 ocean salmon seasons off the Oregon coast.
Recommended salmon seasons are not official until final approval by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, which is expected by May 16, and after the expected adoption by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Friday for waters within three nautical miles of shore.
Conservation objectives for California coastal Chinook, Klamath River fall Chinook, and Lower Columbia natural coho salmon stocks continue to limit the salmon seasons south of Cape Falcon/Manzanita this year, however both the recreational and commercial fisheries are more liberal this year than in 2025.
The recreational Chinook salmon season opened from Cape Falcon to the California border on March 15 and will continue through Oct. 31 from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, which is south of Port Orford, and through Aug. 31 from Humbug Mountain to the California border. The daily bag limit is two salmon.
From Cape Falcon to the California border, mark-selective coho retention is allowed from June 6 through Aug. 23 or until the quota of 47,600 is reached. An all-salmon season will occur from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain for the month of September with a 27,500 non-mark-selective coho quota.
The Oregon ocean commercial troll salmon fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain opened Tuesday and goes through June 30 and again from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 with a 7,000 coho quota during the month of September. From Cape Falcon to the Heceta Bank management line, the fishery will be open July 16-31 for all salmon except coho. The area between Humbug Mountain and the California border is open through April 30 and May 16 through June 17.
Management measures for fisheries adopted can be found here for sport fisheries and here for commercial troll fisheries.
