2026 Winter Steelhead validation starting 2025

2026 Rogue South Coast Winter Steelhead Validation is required to target steelhead starting December 1.

Update: Dangerous algae bloom in Barnes Unit

ODFW is urging waterfowl hunters to use extreme caution with their dogs after laboratory results revealed high levels of microcystin in a water sample collected from

Mussel harvest closed Cape Blanco to CA border

Mussel harvesting is closed from Cape Blanco to the California border. 

Spencer creek closes to fishing Sept. 30 to protect salmon

Sept. 30 will be the last day to fish on Spencer Creek this year, as this tributary of the Klamath River will be closed as of Oct. 1 to protect spawning fall Chinook salmon.

Recreation Report

Marine Zone

Recreation Report Regulation Updates

Table of Contents

Recreation Report

Brookings black rockfish
"Personal best, 24 inches" Brookings Harbor, black rockfish
-Photo by Stephan Seable-

MARINE FISHING

 

December 18, 2025

 

Announcements

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.

 

Saltwater News Bulletins

Be among the first to know about in-season changes! You can subscribe to receive emails and text message alerts for marine topics that interest you. It's easy to unsubscribe at any time. Your contact information will remain confidential. Three different lists of interest to ocean enthusiasts are available: bottomfish, halibut and ocean salmon.

Bottomfish

A few reminders

  • 2026 season dates and bag limits will be adopted during the December 12, 2025, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting.
  • General marine species daily bag limit reduced to a 3-fish bag limit per angler beginning September 18.
  • Cabezon opened on July 1 with a daily sub-bag limit of 1 fish per angler as part of the general marine bag limit.
  • There is a daily sub-bag limit of 1 canary rockfish per angler.
  • Retention of quillback rockfish and yelloweye rockfish remains prohibited.
  • Click ‘Regulation Updates' above to see what's new for 2025 or visit the sport bottomfish seasons page.

 

Port by port reports:

The winter weather let up later in the week providing a few good days to fish. Depoe Bay: Rockfish catches were mostly black, deacon and canary rockfishes.. Anglers brought in a good variety of rockfishes. Lingcod catches were good with just under 1.5 fish on average.

Newport: The average catch was just under 2.5 rockfish per angler. Mainly black and deacon rockfishes were caught. Lingcod catch averaged 1 fish per angler.

Charleston: Anglers saw near limits of rockfish, with a good mix of rockfishes landed. Lingcod improved to about 1.5 fish per angler.

Brookings: Anglers landed around 2 rockfish per angler. Mostly black, blue, and deacon rockfishes. Lingcod catch was around 1 fish per angler.

The offshore long-leader fishery gives anglers an opportunity to catch more fish and to distribute effort away from nearshore species. Learn more about the gear and the fishery.

 

Bottomfish fishing resources:

What can I keep and how many? Keep up with in-season regulation changes.

Know what you've caught with some helpful rockfish identification tips (including online quizzes and video).

Waypoints for fathom lines and other restricted areas.

 

Ocean salmon

The ocean recreational salmon fishing season is now closed. Season options for 2026 will be proposed in March.

 

Pacific halibut

The Pacific halibut fishing season is now closed. Season options for 2026 will be proposed in mid-February.

 

Shore and estuary fishing

Daily bag limits, seasons and licensing requirements for shore-based anglers are the same as for boat-based anglers.

There are plenty of rocky or sandy fishing sites up and down the coast where shore anglers can drop a line for saltwater fish. Read about how and where

Lingcod and many other bottomfish species are available year-round to shore anglers fishing in rocky areas. A common setup for lingcod is a jig head with a rubber swim bait – it's simple but effective. Also pack a measuring device for lingcod: the minimum legal size is 22 inches.

Surfperch are available in the surf year-round along sandy beaches and rocky shores, with the best fishing (and safest fishing) occurring when swells are small. Learn about ocean surfperch fishing.

Want more opportunities that don't include a boat? Check out the crabbing and clamming recreation report for updates on crabs, clams, mussels and more!

When fishing from shore or inside estuaries and bays, it is important to check the tide. Many fish that swim into estuaries and bays, including salmon, surfperch, and Pacific herring, tend to come in with the tide. Catch of these species is more likely to occur closer to slack tide. Additionally, the accessibility of some areas can be completely dependent on the tide. Do not allow the incoming tide to become a safety issue.