Who needs an Ocean Endorsement?
- Recreational anglers fishing in the ocean from beaches, jetties, and boats or spearfishing will be required to have an Ocean Endorsement, beginning January 1, 2026. See Figure 1 for the definition of the ocean.
- You do not need an Ocean Endorsement if you are only taking shellfish, like Dungeness crab or clams, from the ocean. Only a Shellfish License is required.
- You do not need an Ocean Endorsement if you are fishing for and retaining salmon or steelhead in the ocean. However, if another marine finfish is retained (such as rockfish, lingcod, halibut, tuna, etc.), an Ocean Endorsement is required.
- Washington residents and non-residents with a valid Washington fishing license who are fishing from a boat within three miles of the Oregon shore north of Cape Falcon (near Manzanita) do not need an Ocean Endorsement. However, non-resident Washington-licensed anglers must land their fish in Washington.
- An Ocean Endorsement is included for free with resident Pioneer, resident Disabled Veteran, and Youth licenses, and will not be required on Free Fishing Weekends.
Infographic: Do I Need an Ocean Endorsement?
Definition of the ocean.
Page 80 - Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations
Figure 1. Maps showing the definition of the ocean. An ocean endorsement is required when angling along coastal beaches and past the visible ends of the jetties, except for the Columbia River (top). An ocean endorsement is required when angling along coastal beaches and past Buoy 10 on the Columbia River (bottom).
How much does it cost?
- The Ocean Endorsement cost is in addition to a fishing license and Combined Angling Tag, if required.
- Anglers can purchase an annual Ocean Endorsement that is valid through the calendar year or a daily endorsement that is valid for a single day.
- The cost is the same for residents and non-residents:
- Annual Endorsement: $9
- Daily Endorsement: $4
Where can I get one?
Why is the Ocean Endorsement important?
- The federal government sets annual catch limits for nearshore fish species that recreational saltwater anglers target, such as rockfish. The Ocean Endorsement will help fund surveys of those species which will provide critical data for federal stock assessments and give modelers more confidence in that data. Higher confidence may result in increased harvest limits and more fishing opportunities.
- As an example, ODFW's 2021 black rockfish survey data was used in the 2023 black rockfish stock assessment and caused the modeled population size, and the resulting harvest limit, to increase. Although ODFW needed to reduce bottomfish bag limits in 2025, more severe cuts would have been needed without the data from the 2021 rockfish survey.
- While ODFW sampling provides estimates on total fishing trips, the endorsement will provide a clearer indication of how many people are participating in ocean fisheries.
How do recreational ocean fisheries contribute to Oregon's economy?
- For the past ten years, Oregon has averaged about 215,000 ocean recreational angler trips per year (as shown in Figure 2) with anglers focusing on bottomfish, salmon, halibut, and highly migratory species like albacore tuna.*
- In 2024, spending from around 216,000 ocean recreational angler trips generated over $50 million in income to the Oregon economy through costs associated with gas, gear, moorage, food, and hotels. This is equivalent to over 560 jobs.*
Figure 2. Number of ocean recreational angler trips from 2014-2024.*
*Numbers are estimates based on ODFW sampling.
Ocean Endorsement FAQ
