Commission meets Dec. 11-12 in Salem

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Thursday and Friday, Dec. 11-12 to set 2026 groundfish regulations and hear an informational briefing on the barbless hook requirement for Columbia River recreational fisheries.

Both a Dec. 11 workshop and Dec. 12 meeting will be in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person participation at the meeting location (4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE) or online participation. The workshop and meeting will also be livestreamed from the Commission page.

Thursday's workshop starts at 1 pm and will cover the topic of predators, prey and landscape scale changes driving populations. No public testimony will be taken during the workshop. Friday's meeting begins at 8 a.m., see the meeting agenda here.

To testify on an agenda item virtually at the Friday Dec. 12 meeting, register on the agenda page at least 48 hours in advance (by Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 8 a.m.). To testify in person, sign up at the meeting.

To testify during the public forum section, submit this form at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Comments can also be submitted by using the link provided with each agenda item (see "Submit written comments on this agenda item Here").

Key agenda items include:

Groundfish Regulations for 2026

Several nearshore groundfish species — like rockfish, cabezon, greenlings, and lingcod — are managed by both state and federal agencies. Key proposed changes for 2026 are:

• Lingcod: The daily catch limit would increase from 2 to 3 fish under the staff proposal, since their populations are healthy and bycatch of yelloweye rockfish (a protected species) is still low.
• Rockfish: The black rockfish harvest guideline for 2026 is slightly higher than last year but remains below levels prior to 2024. Under the staff proposal, the daily limit for marine rockfish would stay at 4 fish all year, with a sub bag limit of 2 canary rockfish.

In 2025, the planned 5-fish summertime limit had to be reduced to 3 fish in September because of high fishing activity and success. ODFW is working with coastal anglers to understand their preferences for managing black rockfish which are the main driver of the general marine bag limit and season. Some are now leaning toward higher daily limits, even if it means a shorter season — which could influence future rules.

A 2023 stock assessment for both black rockfish and canary rockfish resulted in a reduced quota for Oregon's fisheries. ODFW's new Ocean Endorsement taking effect Jan. 1, 2026 will help ODFW collect more data on black rockfish to increase confidence in survey data and hopefully increase the quota; the recent reductions in quota would have been larger but for ODFW assessment data.

Columbia River barbless hook regulations 
The Commission will receive an informational briefing on past and present hook regulations in Columbia River recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries, including considerations for future management. Removing the barbless hook rule could improve angler satisfaction by making it easier to land fish and ensure regulations are consistent between the mainstem and tributaries. However, it could also shorten season length for some fisheries in the Columbia River as handle rates and the incidental mortality rate used to estimate impacts for some stocks would increase.

The barbless hook agenda item is informational only. No public testimony will be taken during this agenda item (though it can be offered during public forum or via email to odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov) and no rule-making on the issue will occur during the meeting. 

12-Year Assessment of the Lower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan 
The Commission will hear a presentation on the 12-Year Assessment, which outlines progress and next steps for recovering salmon and steelhead in the lower Columbia River region — from Hood River to Youngs Bay and the lower Willamette River. Read the full assessment online and send comments to ODFW by Dec. 31 at: Jim.D.Brick@odfw.oregon.gov.

Commercial License and Permit Fees

The Commission will consider approving updates to commercial license fees, which haven't changed since 2016. Due to rising costs and increased demands on the Marine Resources Program and others that manage commercial fisheries, current fees won't be enough to support existing services after 2026. To address this, the Oregon Legislature approved phased fee increases of 12% in 2026, 4% in 2028 and 4% in 2030. The fees will support managing, monitoring and research for Oregon's commercial fisheries, with revenue also supporting OSP in enforcing commercial fishery regulations. Oregon's commercial fisheries brought in $177M in landings into coastal communities in 2024.

Restoration & Enhancement Program

Approve grant funding recommended by the R&E board on projects to improve fisheries, fishing access and hatchery programs and appoint two new members to the R&E board.

Access & Habitat Program

Approve grant funding recommended by the A&H board to expand hunter access to private land and improve wildlife habitat.

Mandatory fish ticket reporting and catch/processor rules

Adopt rules to make reporting commercial landings on electronic fish tickets mandatory and to allow the landing of commercial catch by catcher processors into Oregon. Most commercial fishery data is already submitted electronically.

The Commission may meet in executive session on two matters: 1) pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection, as well as to consult with legal counsel concerning legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed as authorized by ORS 192.660 (2)(h and 2) pursuant to 192.660 (2)(i) which allows the Commission to meet in executive session to conduct review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the chief executive officer of a public body, a public officer, employee, or staff member who does not request an open hearing. Members of the media can attend the Executive Sessions but may not report on anything heard during that session. Media wishing to attend should contact the Director's office at (503) 947-6044.

ODFW provides reasonable accommodation upon request, including assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters, and materials in large print or audiotape. To request accommodation, please contact the Director's Office at (503) 947-6044 (voice) or (503) 947-6042 (fax) at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.