Articles

July 8, 2026

Fishing regulation updates

Adam Buell

Where to fish

How to fish

These updated rules were adopted after the current regulation booklet was printed, and supersede those printed regulations. Always check for regulation updates before fishing.

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The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.

Northwest Zone

Necanicum River

In the Necanicum River from the mouth to Hwy 53 bridge at Necanicum Jct including Neawanna Cr tidewater below 12^th Ave Bridge

Effective August 1 through November 30, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.
Effective December 1 through December 31, angling for, and retention of, all Chinook salmon is closed.

Nehalem River (Mainstem), Bay, and North Fork

In the Nehalem River up to Foss Rd (CC) Bridge (RM 15.1) and in the North Fork Nehalem River from the mouth to Hwy 53 bridge

Effective July 1 through November 30, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained in aggregate for the period.

Effective December 1 through December 31:

Angling for, and retention of, all Chinook salmon is closed.

In the Nehalem River (mainstem) and Bay from the tips of the jetties upstream to the Miami-Foley Road Bridge and in the North Fork Nehalem River from the mouth upstream to the North Fork Road Bridge at Aldervale

Effective September 9 through October 28, 2026, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate

Tillamook Bay - Miami, Kilchis, Wilson, Trask, and Tillamook Rivers

In the Tillamook Bay from the tips of the jetties upstream to Hwy 101 bridges on Kilchis, Miami, Wilson, and Trask Rivers, and Burton Bridge on the Tillamook River, Tillamook River above Burton Bridge, Wilson River (Mainstem) from Hwy 101 bridge to Jordan Creek, Trask River (Mainstem) from Hwy 101 bridge to confluence of North and South Forks, Kilchis River from Hwy 101 bridge to Tilden Bluff Rd Bridge (RM 11), and Miami River above Hwy 101 bridge

Effective August 1 through November 30, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Effective December 1 through December 31, 2026:

Angling for, and retention of all Chinook salmon is closed.

In the Tillamook Bay from the tips of the jetties upstream to the Highway 101 bridges on the Miami, Kilchis, Wilson, and Trask Rivers and upstream to the Burton Bridge on the Tillamook River

Effective September 9 through October 28, 2026, on Wednesday, Saturdays, and Sundays:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

Nestucca River & Bay, Little Nestucca River, and Three Rivers

In the Nestucca River and Bay up to First Bridge (near Beaver), the Little Nestucca River from Hwy 101 to USFS bridge at Dolph, and Three Rivers from the mouth to hatchery deadline and above the hatchery weir:

Effective August 1 through November 30, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

In the Three Rivers from the mouth to hatchery deadline:

Effective October 1 through November 30, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Effective December 1 through December 31, 2026:

Angling for, and retention of, all Chinook salmon is closed.

In the Nestucca River and Bay upstream to the Cloverdale Bridge and in the Little Nestucca River from the Nestucca Bay upstream to the Highway 130 Bridge (MP 1.2):

Effective September 9 through October 28, 2026, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

All other permanent rules for the Northwest Zone, as stated in the current annual Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, remain in effect.

Salmon River

In the Salmon River from the mouth to Knight Park boat ramp and from Knight Park boat ramp to the bridge near MP 9 on Hwy 18:

Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026:

No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period

Siletz River and Bay, Drift Creek (Lincoln County), and Schooner Creek

Chinook Regulations:

In the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek

Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026:

No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Effective August 1 though December 31, 2026:

Chinook retention is allowed from the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek.

Effective October 7 through December 31, 2026:

Chinook retention is allowed from the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek.

Coho Regulations:

In the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approximately 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.), and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek

Effective September 19 through November 7, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

Effective September 19 through October 6, 2026:

Coho retention is allowed from the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek.

Effective October 7 through November 7, 2026:

Coho retention is allowed from the Siletz River and Bay up to the marker sign approx. 1200 feet above the Ojalla Bridge and from the marker sign approx. 1200 ft above the Ojalla Bridge to Illahee boat ramp, Drift Creek (Siletz Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to the steel bridge entering Mennonite Camp, and Schooner Creek from the mouth to Erickson Creek..

Yaquina River and Bay, Big Elk Creek

In the Yaquina River and Bay from the visible ends of jetty tips to Simpson Creek and Big Elk Creek from the mouth to Bear Creek

Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026:

No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Effective September 19 through October 25 and November 1 through November 7, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

Alsea River (Mainstem) and Bay, Drift Creek

In the Alsea River (Mainstem) and Bay up to the USFS River Edge Boat Landing and Drift Creek (Alsea Basin, Lincoln Co.) from the mouth to lower Wilderness Boundary (RM 10)

Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026:

No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Yachats River

In the Yachats River from the mouth to North Fork Yachats River

Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.

Beaver Creek (Lincoln Co.)

In Beaver Creek (Lincoln County) from the walking bridge at Ona Beach State Park upstream to the confluence of Beaver Creek and South Fork Beaver Creek

Effective November 1 through November 30, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

Siuslaw River (Mainstem) and Bay, North Fork Siuslaw, Sweet Creek

In the Siuslaw River (Mainstem) and Bay up to Lake Creek, North Fork Siuslaw River from the mouth to Meadows Bridge at MP 11, and Sweet Creek from the mouth to head of tidewater

Effective August 1 through December 31:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Effective September 19 through October 13, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily jack wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

‌‌For more information contact your local ODFW office:

Tillamook North Coast Watershed District Office (503) 842-2741 (north of the Salmon River)
Newport District Office Annex (541) 812-8689 (Salmon River south to Umpqua Basin)

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Southwest Zone

Coquille River (Mainstem) East Fork Coquille River, Middle Fork Coquille River, North Fork Coquille River, and in the South Fork Coquille River from the mouth to the USFS boundary near Powers

Effective June 1 through October 31, 2026:

Spears and spear guns may be used to harvest smallmouth bass.
Use of bait is allowed all year.

Coquille River (Mainstem)

In the Coquille River (Mainstem) from Highway 101 bridge upstream to the Highway 42S bridge at Sturdivant Park

Effective September 19 through October 18, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period;
The daily wild jack coho salmon bag limit is one fish; and
The retention of hatchery Chinook salmon is allowed.

Lemolo Reservoir and Hemlock Lake

Effective May 12 through November 7,2026:

The daily limit of kokanee is 10 per day with no size limit.

Umpqua River (Mainstem), Smith River (Douglas Co.), North Fork Smith River (Douglas Co.)

In the Umpqua River (Mainstem) from the visible tips of the jetties to the North and South Umpqua confluence, Mainstem Smith River (Douglas Co.) from the mouth to Spencer Creek, and North Fork Smith River (Douglas Co.) from the mouth to Johnson Creek

Effective July 1 through November 30,2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be regained for the period in aggregate.

Coos Bay - Coos River (Mainstem), South-Fork Coos River, and Millicoma River

In the Coos River and Bay from the visible tips of jetties upstream to the head of tide or other landmarks including: Larson Slough upstream to Sullivan Cr; Palouse Cr to Elliot Forest Boundary; Catching Slough to Sumner Rd Bridge; Kentuck, North, Isthmus, Coalbank and Davis sloughs to their tidegates; Shinglehouse Slough; and Pony Slough to Newmark Ave, South Fork Coos River (Mouth to head of tide at Dellwood), and Millicoma River (Mainstem) in aggregate

Effective July 1 through December 31, 2026:

No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

Effective July 1 through September 18 and October 19 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult salmon bag limit is three fish in aggregate of which no more than two may be wild Chinook salmon.

Effective September 19 through October 18, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate,
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate;
The daily wild jack coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
The daily adult salmon bag limit is three fish in aggregate of which no more than two may be wild.

Sixes River

In the Sixes River from the mouth to Edson Creek

Effective July 1 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
No more than ten adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.

Floras Creek and New River

In Floras Creek and New River from the mouth to bridge at MP 1.5 on Floras Creek Rd.

Effective August 1 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate; and
No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate.

In Floras Creek and New River from the BLM boat ramp at Storm Ranch upstream to the confluence of Floras Creek and Floras Lake outlet

Effective November 1 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult wild coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate;
No more than three adult wild coho salmon may be retained for the period in aggregate; and
The daily wild jack coho salmon bag limit is one fish in aggregate.

Hunter Creek

In Hunter Creek from the mouth to Mateer

Effective October 1 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
No more than two adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.

Chetco River, Pistol River, and Winchuck River

In the Chetco River From the mouth to Nook Creek, Pistol River from the mouth to Deep Creek, and Winchuck River from the mouth to Wheeler Creek

Effective September 1 through December 31, 2026:

The daily adult wild Chinook salmon bag limit is one fish; and
No more than five adult wild Chinook salmon may be retained for the period.

‌‌For more information contact your local ODFW office:

Central Point, Rogue Watershed District (541) 826-8774
Charleston Field Office (541) 888-5515
Roseburg Umpqua Watershed District Office (541) 440-3353
Gold Beach Field Office (541) 247-7605

Willamette Zone

Willamette River

Lower Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including Multnomah Channel), the Clackamas River downstream of the Highway 99 Bridge, and the Willamette River (including tributaries and other flowing waters) upstream of Willamette Falls

Effective June 3, 2026 through July 31, 2026:

Anglers with the two rod validation may use two rods in the following locations: Lower Willamette River downstream of Willamette Falls (including Multnomah Channel), the Clackamas River downstream of the Highway 99 Bridge, and the Willamette River (including tributaries and other flowing waters) upstream of Willamette Falls
Species: applies to all game and non-game fish (except sturgeon) when angling is open to hatchery Chinook, hatchery steelhead, trout, or warmwater game fish.

‌‌For more information contact your local ODFW office:

Clackamas (971) 673-6000
Corvallis (541) 757-4186
Springfield (541) 726-3515

Central Zone

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Eagle Creek

That portion of Eagle Creek (Central Zone) from the angling deadline in Eagle Creek (200 feet downstream of hatchery fishway entrance) downstream to the mouth at the mainline railroad bridge

Effective June 16, 2026 through July 14, 2026:

The daily adult salmon and steelhead bag limit may not include more than one hatchery steelhead.

Effective July 15, 2026 through September 15, 2026:

Closed to angling.

Deschutes River

The lower Deschutes River from markers at the lower end of Moody Rapids downstream to the mouth at the Interstate 84 Bridge

Effective June 16, 2026 through July 14, 2026:

The daily adult salmon and steelhead bag limit may not include more than one hatchery steelhead.

Effective July 15, 2026 through September 15, 2026:

Closed to angling.

‌‌For more information contact your local ODFW office:‌‌

The Dalles (541) 296-4628
Prineville (541) 447-5111
Bend (541) 388-6363

Southeast Zone

Thief Reservoir, Wolf Creek Reservoir, and Pilcher Creek Reservoir

Effective June 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026:

No minimum or maximum size limits,
No daily or possession limits for rainbow trout and bass,
Harvest will be allowed by hand, dip net, or angling and,
A person with a valid Two-Rod Validation may use any number of rods.

Crystal Creek, Fourmile Creek, Fourmile Canal, Harriman Creek, Klamath Lake, Odessa Creek, Recreation Creek, Short Creek, and Thomason Creek

Effective June 15, 2026 through October 31, 2026:

Catch-and-release for rainbow trout and,
Flies and artificial lures only for all species.
All other permanent rules for Southeast Zone, as stated in the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, remain in effect.

For more information contact your local ODFW office:‌‌

Hines (541) 573-6582
Lakeview (541) 947-2950
Ontario (541) 889-6975
Klamath Falls (541) 883-5732
La Grande (541) 963-2138

Northeast Zone

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John Day River

In the John Day River from the mainline railroad bridge at the mouth upstream to a marker one-quarter mile below Tumwater Falls

Effective June 16, 2026 through August 31, 2026:

The daily adult salmon and steelhead bag limit may not include more than one hatchery steelhead.
All other permanent rules apply as found in the 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations.

For more information contact your local ODFW office:‌‌

Enterprise (541) 426-3279
John Day (541) 575-1167
La Grande (541) 963-2138
Pendleton (541) 276-2344

Snake Zone

Snake River

In the Snake River from the Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam

Effective June 4 ,2026 through August 17, 2026:

Closed for Chinook salmon from the Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
All other permanent rules for the Snake River Zone, as stated in the current annual Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations, remain in effect.

For more information contact your local ODFW office:‌‌

Enterprise (541) 426-3279

Columbia Zone

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Regulation updates as of July 8, 2026.‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

The following regulations reflect changes or additions to the permanent regulations listed in the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. All other permanent regulations remain in effect. Please see e-regulations.‌‌

Columbia River

Salmon and steelhead

Summer Season (June 16 – July 31)

Astoria-Megler Bridge upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam)

Retention of adult Chinook prohibited.
Retention of hatchery steelhead and hatchery jack Chinook allowed.
Retention of sockeye allowed June 27 – July 5.
- All sockeye are considered adults in the daily limit and must be recorded as adults on the combined angling tag.
Continuing to angle for jack salmon is prohibited after taking the combined daily adult bag limit of salmon and/or steelhead.
When open to sockeye retention, the daily adult bag limit is two salmon/steelhead, but only one may be a hatchery steelhead.
When sockeye retention is closed, the daily adult bag limit is one hatchery steelhead.
Tanner Creek from the mouth upstream to the mainline railroad bridge is closed to angling from June 16 – July 15.
The Columbia River at the mouth of Tanner Creek is closed to angling between the markers 150 feet above and 450 feet below the mouth of Tanner Creek out to the center of the Columbia River from June 16 - July 15.

Columbia River closure at Tanner Creek

Sturgeon

See 2026 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for sanctuary closure areas. All other permanent rules apply. Please see e-regulations.

Columbia River Mainstem and Reservoirs, Buoy 10 to McNary Dam‌

The retention of sturgeon is closed. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed except in the sanctuary closure areas during May 1 - August 31.

Columbia River Zone Thermal Angling Sanctuaries (Eagle Cr., Herman Cr., Deschutes River)

Eagle Creek Mouth (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of Eagle Creek from the mainline railroad bridge northwest to a line projecting from a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 200 feet downstream of Eagle Creek, through red navigation buoy #4, and terminating at a marker on the Oregon shore approximately 325 feet upstream of Eagle Creek.

June 16 – July 14: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.

Herman Creek (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: East of the peninsula, from the mainline railroad bridge downstream to markers at mouth. Note: the Youth and Disabled Angling Area west of the peninsula is not covered here; see permanent regulations for this area.

June 16 – July 14: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
September 16 – November 30: Closed to salmon and steelhead angling/retention.
December 1–31: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.

Herman Creek Lagoon (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: Herman Creek Lagoon/Cove east of a line from the northwest tip of the jetty, south to a marker on the Oregon shore.

June 16 – July 14: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.
July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: Bonneville Dam to The Dalles Dam.

Deschutes River Mouth (Columbia River Zone)

Area definition: The mainstem Columbia River adjacent to the mouth of the Deschutes River from the Interstate 84 Bridge (west bound) north to a line projecting from the flashing red navigation marker #2 located approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the Deschutes River mouth on the Oregon shore, upstream to the red navigation marker #4, then to the lower South Channel Range "B" marker located on the Oregon shore approximately 0.7 mile upstream of the Deschutes River mouth.

June 16 – July 14: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam).
July 15 – September 15: Closed to angling.
September 16 – December 31: See rules for Columbia River mainstem: The Dalles Dam upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam).

COLUMBIA RIVER ACTION NOTICES‌‌‌

COLUMBIA RIVER MANAGEMENT FACT SHEETS

COLUMBIA RIVER INFORMATION

COLUMBIA RIVER DAM COUNTS

Marine Zone

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, an Ocean Endorsement is needed for most recreational anglers fishing in the ocean. Check the Ocean Endorsement page for more information.

OCEAN SALMON

See the Oregon ocean salmon sport regulations page

Looking for the latest crabbing and clamming updates?

PACIFIC HALIBUT

See the pacific halibut page

SPORT BOTTOMFISH

See the sport bottomfish seasons page

What Can I Keep and How Many?

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

Check out the Latest Recreation Report

Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.