Meeting scheduled Tuesday in Newport to discuss ocean salmon seasons

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will meet in Newport from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 to hear comments on its three alternative proposals for ocean salmon seasons along the Oregon, Washington and California coasts.

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife staff will review the council’s proposals during the hybrid public meeting at the Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building Auditorium, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive. The final salmon season recommendations will be determined at the council meeting April 8-12 in Portland.

The council has an advisory group that analyzed numerous fishing scenarios for summer and fall 2026 ocean salmon seasons. The spring recreational fishing season was developed last year and began March 15 from Cape Falcon near Manzanita to the California border.

Forecasts for fall Chinook returning to the Sacramento and Klamath rivers this year are higher than last year allowing for improved seasons, the council said in a news release announcing Tuersday’s meeting. Coho forecasts are generally similar to last year, resulting in a range of coho seasons comparable to 2025.

“After several very challenging years, it was nice to be able to consider some improved recreational opportunity, but Klamath River fall Chinook limited our flexibility when framing commercial troll fisheries,” said John North, ODFW’s deputy fish division administrator.

The council’s three alternatives for recreational summer and fall salmon seasons south of Cape Falcon/Manzanita vary by number of open fishing days and area and would allow good coho opportunity beginning in June and extending into September. Improved Chinook fishing opportunities are expected this year along the Oregon coast, with all three alternatives including Chinook retention through October.

Commercial troll salmon fishing from Cape Falcon/Manzanita to the California border in all three alternatives are similar to or slightly improved from last year, with open periods ranging from May through October and coho retention allowed in September.

ODFW said people are encouraged to comment during the April PFMC meeting and that using the PFMC e-portal is the best way to do that.