Marine Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report
April 17, 2024
If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your fishing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Announcements
E-tagging tips for anglers
It's important for anglers to tag their salmon, halibut and steelhead immediately, which means you'll need to know how to navigate the MyODFW app outside of cell phone range. Here are some tips for e-tagging in the field.
For the latest regulations, including in-season changes see the Regulation updates section above.
Saltwater News Bulletins
Be among the first to know about in-season changes! You can subscribe to receive emails and text message alerts for marine topics that interest you. It's easy to unsubscribe at any time. Your contact information will remain confidential. Three different lists of interest to ocean enthusiasts are available: bottomfish, halibut and ocean salmon.
Ocean salmon
The ocean Chinook salmon season (all-salmon-except coho) opened March 15 from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. and will be open through May 15. The daily bag limit is two salmon, except closed to retention of coho. Minimum size limits are 24" for Chinook and 20" for steelhead.
Recommended salmon seasons are not official until final approval by the National Marine Fisheries Service (expected by May 16), and after adoption April 19 by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for waters within three nautical miles of shore.
See the season details here (dates, places and other regulations). To check the quota status, visit the Ocean Salmon Management Program catch index page.
Pacific halibut
Halibut seasons will begin opening in early May. See dates recommended by staff (subject to approval on April 19). More information can be found on the sport halibut page.
Bottomfish
A few reminders:
- Cabezon is currently closed but will reopen on July 1, 2024 with a daily sub-bag limit of one fish and a minimum length of 16 inches.
- Retention of quillback rockfish and yelloweye rockfish remains prohibited.
- Click ‘Regulation Updates' above to see what's new for 2024 or visit the sport bottomfish seasons page.
Port by port reports:
- Depoe Bay: Big swell kept anglers on land most of last week. The boats that went out saw fair catches of rockfish, while lingcod was slow.
- Newport: With poor conditions, and limited windows of opportunity, fishing was slow for both rockfish and lingcod.
Brookings: Fishing effort was slow last week with the unfavorable ocean conditions.
The offshore longleader fishery gives anglers an opportunity to catch more fish and to distribute effort away from nearshore species.
NEW for 2024: The daily bag limit for the longleader fishery is 12-fish per angler. Learn more about the gear and the fishery.
Bottomfish fishing resources:
What can I keep and how many? Keep up with in-season regulation changes.
Know what you've caught with some helpful rockfish identification tips (including online quizzes and video).
Waypoints for fathom lines and other restricted areas.
Shore and estuary fishing
Daily bag limits, seasons and licensing requirements for shore-based anglers are the same as for boat-based anglers.
There are plenty of rocky or sandy fishing sites up and down the coast where shore anglers can drop a line for saltwater fish. Read about how and where
Lingcod and many other bottomfish species are available year-round to shore anglers fishing in rocky areas. A common setup for lingcod is a jig head with a rubber swim bait – it's simple but effective. Also pack a measuring device for lingcod: the minimum legal size is 22 inches.
Surfperch are available in the surf year-round along sandy beaches and rocky shores, with the best fishing (and safest fishing) occurring when swells are small. Learn about ocean surfperch fishing.
Want more opportunities that don't include a boat? Check out the crabbing and clamming recreation report for updates on crabs, clams, mussels and more!
When fishing from shore or inside estuaries and bays, it is important to check the tide. Many fish that swim into estuaries and bays, including salmon, surfperch, and Pacific herring, tend to come in with the tide. Catch of these species is more likely to occur closer to slack tide. Additionally, the accessibility of some areas can be completely dependent on the tide. Do not allow the incoming tide to become a safety issue.
Regulation Updates
Looking for the latest crabbing and clamming updates?
Regulation updates as of February 15, 2024
These are in-season regulation changes adopted on a temporary or emergency basis or adopted after the regulation book was printed. Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
Ocean salmon
Information can be found on the Oregon ocean salmon sport regulations page
Pacific halibut
Information can be found on the PACIFIC HALIBUT PAGE
Staff recommended 2024 Pacific halibut regulation map (pdf)
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will finalize the season dates at their meeting on April 19.
Sport bottomfish
Information can be found on the SPORT BOTTOMFISH SEASONS PAGE
What Can I Keep and How Many Sport Bottomfish Regulations
Reminders
- Yelloweye and quillback rockfish are prohibited at all times and in all waters.
- Every vessel fishing for or possessing bottomfish, Pacific halibut, or flatfish in the ocean must have a functional descending device on board, regardless of depth. The device must be used to release any rockfish outside of 30 fathoms.
For more information contact your local ODFW office:
- Marine Resources Program Main Office (541) 867-4741
- Additional Marine Resources Program Contacts