Marine Zone

MARINE FISHING

March 5, 2026

Announcements

As of 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

• Visit the sport bottomfish seasons page to see what's new for 2026.
• Retention of quillback rockfish and yelloweye rockfish remains prohibited.
• Cabezon is prohibited from January 1 through June 30.

Port by port reports:

Ocean conditions kept anglers off the water most of last week.

Depoe Bay: Minimal effort was observed last week.

Newport: Anglers landed around 3 rockfish on average. Lingcod was good at around 1.5 fish per angler.

Charleston: No effort was observed last week.

Brookings: Minimal effort was observed last week.

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

Pacific halibut seasons will begin opening in early May. See dates recommended by staff (subject to approval on April 24). More information can be found on the sport halibut page.

Shore and estuary fishing

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

In Oregon, herring come into bays and estuaries to spawn usually between Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day, though run timing has varied in recent years.

• In 2023, the peak biomass estimate in Yaquina Bay was on March 1, with herring spawning between March 8 and March 25.
• In 2024, there were spawning events on March 9 and March 19, with the peak biomass estimate on March 13 in Yaquina Bay.
• In 2025, there were spawning events on March 13, March 26, and April 4-6 in Yaquina Bay.

REMINDER: The limit for herring, anchovy and other bait fish is 25 pounds in aggregate. Bring a bucket and remember to weigh your catch so you don't go over!

ODFW conducted a herring survey in Yaquina Bay on February 26, 2026, and found abundant, dense schools of adult herring in the bay from Sawyer's Landing down to the finger jetties, in the commercial boat basin, and South Beach Marina. Anglers were easily finding success harvesting herring.

In the past, herring have been caught off the south jetty of Yaquina Bay, near the international dock and upriver near Sawyer's Landing. When fishing for herring, please be respectful and give way to the commercial vessels entering and exiting the commercial docks, as the channel is narrow and needs to remain accessible.

If you've never been herring fishing, here are 9 reasons to fish for herring (and anchovies).

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. Register for one of several surfperch workshops listed in the Angler Education Program Schedule.

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.