Ocean Off Columbia Mouth Reopening For 1 More Day Of Salmon Fishing

THE FOLLOWING IS AN ACTION NOTICE FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE, AN INSEASON ACTION FROM THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, AND A FISHING RULE CHANGE NOTICE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

ODFW

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the State of Oregon, the State of Washington, and fishery representatives met today via conference call and have taken the following in-season management action related to the recreational ocean salmon fishery in the area from Leadbetter Point, Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon:

ACTIONS TAKEN:

• Effective 12:01 AM Saturday, August 30, 2025, the recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is open to fishing for salmon. Two salmon per day, no more than one of which may be a Chinook.  All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip. Columbia River Control Zone is closed.
  
• Effective 12:01 AM Sunday, August 31, 2025, the recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is closed to fishing for salmon.  Possession of salmon on board a vessel is prohibited in the Columbia River Subarea.

RATIONALE AND NOTES: The recreational ocean salmon fishery from Cape Falcon to the U.S./Canada border was closed on August 19, as it was anticipated that the coho quota would be reached. Catch estimates through the 19^th indicate 93% of the coho quota has been taken, leaving approximately 3,400 coho remaining. The decision was made to reopen the fishery for one additional day, Saturday August 30, 2025, to allow access to the remaining quota, while also minimizing the risk of exceeding the quota.

Recreational salmon estimates for the Leadbetter Point, Washington to Cape Falcon, Oregon can be viewed online at: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/docs/2025_NOF_Sport_Update.pdf

Visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/salmon/ for more information on Oregon’s ocean salmon seasons and fisheries.

NMFS

Inseason Action #14-15 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, North of Cape Falcon (Recreational), Columbia River Subarea

NOAA Fisheries has taken inseason action in the recreational salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon.

• Inseason Action #14:
  Effective 12:01 AM Saturday, August 30, 2025, the recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is open to fishing for salmon. Two salmon per day, no more than one of which may be a Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip.

           Columbia River Control Zone is closed.

• Inseason Action #15:
  Effective 12:01 AM Sunday, August 31, 2025, the recreational fishery in the area between Cape Falcon and Leadbetter Point (Columbia River Subarea) is closed to fishing for salmon. Possession of salmon on board a vessel is prohibited in the Columbia River Subarea.

WDFW

Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) recreational salmon season open for one day Saturday, Aug. 30 only

Action: Opens salmon fishing for one day on Aug. 30 only.

Effective date: Aug. 30, 2025.

Species affected: Salmon.

Location: Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco).

Rules:

• Salmon fishing is open Aug. 30 only.
• The daily limit is two including no more than one Chinook. Chinook minimum size is 22 inches. Coho minimum size is 16 inches. Other salmon species have no minimum size restriction. Anglers must release wild coho. Columbia River Control Zone is closed except as noted below.

Reason for action: Sufficient catch quota remains to reopen salmon fishing for a single weekend day.  Catch and remaining quota will be evaluated after the opening to determine whether the fishery can be opened for additional opportunity this season.

Additional information: Columbia River Control Zone is closed to fishing for salmon, except open to fishing from the north jetty when adjacent waters north of the Control Zone are open to fishing for salmon or the Buoy 10 fishery is open to fishing for salmon.

Marine Area 1 is closed to fishing for salmon through Aug. 29 and from Aug. 31 through Sept. 30.  Possession of salmon on board a vessel (including in transit) is prohibited when the area is closed to fishing for salmon.

Marine Areas 2 through 4 remain open to salmon fishing and are scheduled to close Sept. 15 but may close earlier if quotas are met.