
Marine Zone
Table of Contents
Recreation Report
Jan. 18, 2023

If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your fishing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Announcements
Steer clear of sea lions on the beach
There are reports of increasing numbers of sick and lethargic California sea lions on Oregon beaches. Many have been affected by Leptospirosis, a contagious bacterial infection of the kidneys, that can pass to humans and dogs. To stay safe, keep yourself and your dogs well clear of sea lions on the beach. Learn more.
For the latest regulations, including in-season changes
See the Regulation updates section above.
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
The new year brings with it some bag limit changes; the general marine species bag-limit returns to five-fish per angler and cabezon are prohibited until July 1. Retention of quillback and yelloweye rockfish remain prohibited. Click ‘Regulation Updates’ below the map above to see what’s new for 2023 and for a link to the sport groundfish seasons page.
The ocean was flat enough for some boats to get out last Friday before the king tides came through. Anglers on the central coast caught at least one lingcod each, while daily bag limits of general marine species ranged from full (five fish) to half-full. The bag limits consisted of mainly deacon rockfish with some black, canary and China rockfishes mixed in.
Out of Brookings most boats came up short of a general marine species bag limit and lingcod (limit 2). Anglers reported a big swell, cloudy water conditions, and a fast drift creating difficult fishing conditions.
The offshore longleader fishery gives anglers an opportunity to catch more fish. At ten in aggregate, the daily bag limit is more than double the general marine species limit, and this fishery helps 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.
Pacific halibut
Halibut seasons will begin opening in early May of 2023. The process for setting the 2023 season is in progress; more information can be found on the sport halibut webpage.
Ocean salmon
The entire coast is now closed to fishing for salmon in ocean waters. The next scheduled opening is on March 15, 2023, for Chinook salmon in ocean waters from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.
Shore and estuary fishing
Daily bag limits, seasons, and licensing requirements for shore-based anglers are the same as 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.
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.
Regulation Updates
Looking for the latest crabbing and clamming updates?
Regulation updates as of Jan. 4, 2023
These are in-season regulation changes adopted on a temporary or emergency basis or adopted after the regulation book was printed. Please see e-regulations for permanent regulations.
Sport Groundfish
Information can be found on the sport bottomfish seasons page
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