Oregon ocean salmon sport regulations

2023 ocean salmon seasons

Ocean salmon regulations are finalized in late-April for the “salmon year” that starts on May 16 and concludes the following April. The season regulations that go into effect March 15 of each year are those that were set in April of the previous year. In April, the Pacific Fishery Management Council and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopt additional salmon seasons for the new "salmon year" beginning May 16.

EARLY 2023 SEASON CANCELLED SOUTH OF CAPE FALCON: The recreational ocean salmon fishery originally scheduled to open on March 15, 2023 and continue through May 15, 2023 in ocean waters between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt. off Oregon is canceled due to severely low forecasts for Sacramento/Klamath River Chinook. The Pacific Fisheries Management Council is currently developing 2023 ocean salmon seasons, see the PFMC press release for more information.

Statewide regulations:

• Anglers fishing for salmon and all anglers fishing from boats with a salmon on board are limited to no more than 2 single point barbless hooks per line, and no more than one line per angler.
• It is unlawful to fish for or take and retain any legal species while possessing on board any species not allowed to be taken in that area at that time.
• Minimum lengths: Chinook (north of Cape Falcon) = 22 inches, Chinook (south of Cape Falcon) = 24 inches: coho = 16 inches: steelhead = 20 inches: no minimum length for pink, chum or sockeye salmon in the ocean fishery.
• Refer to the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for descriptions of special marine management areas including closed areas and additional restrictions.

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Other resources:

• WAYPOINTS
• OCEAN SALMON ID GUIDE
• ABOUT YOUR CODED WIRE TAGGED SALMON
• REGULATORY LANDMARK LOCATIONS