Marine Zone

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Regulation highlights

Ocean Salmon

Seasons and bag limits are announced in April/May. The 2023 ocean salmon sport regulations are now available on the ocean salmon webpage.

Pacific Halibut

The 2023 season dates and regulations are now available on the sport halibut webpage.  Seasons begin opening May 1, 2023.  

Rockfish / Cabezon / Lingcod / Etc.

Information for the 2023 sport bottomfish regulations can be found on the sport bottomfish webpage.

Surfperch

15 fish aggregate of all species per day.

Flatfish

25 fish in aggregate. Flatfish refers to flounders, soles, sanddabs, and California halibut.  

Note: Skates and rays are not “flatfish”. See the 2023 sport bottomfish regulations.

Tuna and other offshore pelagic species

25 fish per day.

Fishing in the Marine Zone

Pacific Halibut 

Halibut can get big – upwards of 100 pounds and almost 70-inches long – making them one of the most popular marine fish. Hauling in these sometimes huge, very flat fish can be back-breaking work, but the reward is a delicious fish large enough to feed more than a few family members and friends. Halibut seasons are announced in February, and fishing generally occurs from May through August, but can last into October. These are quota fisheries that can close early, so it’s important to double-check the open dates before fishing. If you're up for a halibut fishing adventure, but you don't have a boat or halibut gear, there are charter boats in most Oregon ports that can take you out for a day of fishing.

Ocean Salmon 

Before they enter fresh water to spawn, ocean coho and Chinook stage in coastal waters near the mouths of bays and rivers. Ocean salmon seasons are announced in May, and fishing is usually best in July and August as migrating coho and feeder Chinook salmon are readily available. Many of the ocean salmon seasons are based on quotas and may close early, so it’s important to double-check the status of the fishery before fishing. Charter fleets in several Oregon ports offer salmon fishing trips.

Surfperch 

Surfperch are the perfect ocean fish for anglers who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground. These disc-shaped fish can reach up to 15 inches and come in a variety of colors. Fish for redtail and silver surfperch in the surf off sandy beaches. Striped and pile perch congregate near rocks, jetties, docks and pilings in the bays. There is a liberal bag limit for surfperch (up to 15 fish per day including all species). But since we don’t know a lot about surfperch populations, we recommend you keep only enough for a good meal (they are excellent eating) and release the rest.

Rockfish

Ranging in color from black to orange or red, more than two dozen species of rockfish are found along the Oregon coast. Many rockfish species are full-size at about 16 inches (41 cm). Some species, such as black rockfish, hang out in schools while others are solitary. Individuals of some species can live more than 100 years. Rockfish can be caught from jetties, but most are taken by boat in deeper ocean waters. Charter fleets in several Oregon ports offer day-long rockfish fishing trips.