Pacific Fishery Management Settles on 2026 Oregon Coast Salmon Seasons, Keeping Whales in Mind

Published 04/19/26 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) - The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) has signed off on 2026 ocean salmon seasons for the West Coast, advancing a package that preserves recreational and commercial opportunities while meeting federal conservation requirements. The recommendations now go to NOAA Fisheries for final approval by May 16. (Photo OSU / Hatfield Marine Scinece Center)

Forecasts for most Chinook and coho stocks are stable or slightly improved from last year, though fisheries must still be shaped around constraints for Washington coastal coho, Lower Columbia River natural coho and tule Chinook, and several protected Chinook and coho populations farther south. No stocks are currently classified as overfished, and Queets River spring/summer Chinook continues to meet “not overfished–rebuilding” criteria.

"Providing meaningful fishing opportunities, achieving conservation and management goals, and ensuring the long-term health of salmon populations and fishing communities are all key priorities for the Council," said Council Chair Pete Hassemer. "For 2026, the Council set fishing seasons designed to offer valuable opportunities for all users while carefully managing the resource for the future."

Taking Killer Whales Into the Equation

The Council also incorporated guidance tied to endangered Southern Resident killer whales along the Oregon coast.

A Chinook abundance threshold of 623,000 fish for the north-of-Falcon area - intended to ensure adequate prey for the whales - will not trigger additional restrictions this year, with 2026 abundance projected well above that level.

“Based in part on information provided by the Council's ad-hoc Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup, the Council amended the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan to address the needs of the whales while providing salmon harvest opportunities,” the PFMC said.

Washington and Northern Oregon (north of Cape Falcon)

Tribal ocean fisheries will again operate under a two-part structure, with a spring Chinook season and a summer mixed-species fishery. Quotas remain steady for Chinook at 45,000, while the coho quota increases to 42,500.

For non-tribal commercial fleets north of Cape Falcon, spring and summer openings will provide Chinook and coho opportunities under quotas of 56,000 Chinook and 19,600 marked coho. These fisheries remain primarily constrained by Washington coastal coho and Lower Columbia River natural stocks.

Oregon Commercial Seasons South of Cape Falcon

Oregon’s commercial salmon seasons south of Cape Falcon will open in a series of spring and summer windows, with opportunities varying by zone. The latter half of April will be open from Cape Falcon to the California border, followed by additional openings through June and July in northern and central Oregon waters. A fall fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain will run September through October, including a September coho opener tied to a 7,000-fish quota.

Sport Seasons

Recreational salmon fishing north of Cape Falcon will open in mid-June and run through September, with quotas of 54,000 Chinook and 102,900 marked coho. South of Cape Falcon, Oregon’s sport fishery opened in March for all salmon except coho, with a mark-selective coho season scheduled from early June through late August or until the 47,600-fish quota is met. September brings a non-mark-selective coho opportunity from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain under a 27,500-fish quota, followed by all-salmon-except-coho fishing through October.

Southern Oregon Outlook

Fisheries south of Cape Falcon continue to be shaped by low Klamath River fall Chinook forecasts and protections for California Coastal Chinook. Even so, improved Sacramento and Klamath forecasts allow for broader access than in recent years. Coho expectations are mixed: hatchery and Lower Columbia River natural stocks are projected higher, while Oregon Coast natural coho forecasts are down from 2025.

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