New hunting and fishing regulations, changes for fees.
Fee Changes (see fee schedule)
Recreational and commercial fees will increase for most products for the first time since 2020. Like all businesses and households, ODFW has seen a rise in costs due to inflation. For example, the cost of operating hatcheries has increased well above the level of inflation due to price increases for fish food and utilities.
- Recreational fees rise an average of 12–14% in 2026, and 6–8% more in 2028 and 2030, a staggered approach to reduce the need for one large fee increase.
- Still below total inflation since 2020 (25–26%).
- ODFW has reduced staff and programs to help limit fee increases.
New: Ocean Endorsement (More info)
Required for ocean fishing except when taking only salmon, steelhead, or shellfish.
- Cost: $9 annual / $4 daily (for both residents and nonresidents)
- Free for: Youth, Pioneers, Disabled Veterans
- Purpose: Funds essential marine surveys, including for black rockfish.
Special Licenses & Discounts
- Youth Combo License: Still $10 and now includes the Ocean Endorsement.
- Pioneer License: Increases from $6 → $10 and includes all major licenses plus the Ocean Endorsement.
- Senior, Active Military & Veteran discounts remain.
- Resident Disabled Veterans: Free Combo License includes Ocean Endorsement.
- Combined Angling Tag: Higher increase relative to base licenses, to reflect the complexity and high cost of managing salmon/steelhead fisheries.
Strategic Reductions
To keep fee increases lower, ODFW is reducing some license-funded programs, including reducing the number of seasonal and full-time staff and hatchery operations.
Hatchery changes: Hatcheries make up over a third of the fish division's license budget. Many are decades old and in need of significant maintenance to continue operating. Environmental conditions (decreased summer flows, rising water temperatures, wildfire) are also making it more difficult to operate many hatcheries. Given the level of budget reductions needed to address rising costs, cuts to hatcheries could not be avoided without creating budget shortfalls or higher fee increases.
- Salmon River Hatchery: Will no longer operate its hatchery programs but remains open for fishing access and hatchery programs have moved to other facilities (more info).
- Rock Creek Hatchery: Discussions about long-term operations underway with Cow Creek Tribe.
- Oregon Hatchery Research Center: Facility closing due to water/landslide risks; research continues elsewhere.
ODFW received a $20M one-time investment to focus on the maintenance backlog for the hatcheries best suited for future environmental conditions. A third-party review of the hatchery system was completed with input from Tribes and fishing groups which will inform how the money is used. Learn more
About ODFW's budget
ODFW is funded by a mix of Lottery, General, Federal, and License revenue.
Hunters and anglers have long carried the weight of conservation funding and continue to do so under the current budget. About 40% of the budget still comes from hunting/fishing revenue and related federal funds (federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment that are distributed to states).
ODFW is working to diversify funding, so the costs of conservation are shared more broadly. Conservation and management of fish and wildlife is increasing in complexity due to climate change, habitat loss, ESA requirements and increased development. The agency needs stable, diversified funding to protect both game and non-game species.
2026 BIG GAME HUNTING REGULATIONS
What's New: Deer hunting in Eastern Oregon is changing. Hunt names will change and hunts will be organized based on Deer Hunt Areas. The new system reflects actual deer movement patterns based on GPS collar data from over 1,400 mule deer. It allows for:
- More accurate population monitoring
- Better alignment of harvest with herd biology
- Ability to better measure mule deer response as ODFW implements the new Mule Deer Management Plan
Hunters can use the interactive map or other material on the Eastern Oregon deer hunting page to understand what's changing and which hunt includes their preferred hunting area.
2026 SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS
What's New: A new Ocean Endorsement will be required for ocean fishing (except when taking only salmon, steelhead, or shellfish) to help fund important surveys for species like black rockfish. Spearfishing will be allowed in rivers and streams that are open with no limit for bass and walleye. Several new areas in the upper Willamette Basin will be open for coho fishing in fall under permanent regulations. The kokanee bag limit will be separate from the trout limit, 10 per day, open all year with no size limit (unless noted under Exceptions). For other changes, check the regulations or see the proposals page (all proposals were approved the Commission).
Find a Rec Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.