ODFW---A bright outlook for ocean salmon seasons

A bright outlook for ocean salmon seasons
  April  12, 2013

 PORTLAND, Ore. – The proposed 2013 ocean salmon seasons  announced by the Pacific Fishery Management Council this week include good news for sport and commercial anglers off the Oregon coast.

 Recreational and commercial troll chinook salmon fishing on the central and south coast looks especially good thanks to strong returns to the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. Anglers on the north coast also can expect good returns of chinook to the Columbia River but quotas will be similar to  last year.

 In addition, there will be a two week recreational season for fin-clipped chinook North of Cape Falcon starting early in June.

 “We’re hoping for a season that provides plenty of opportunity for folks to get out on the water and hook a salmon,” said Steve Williams, ODFW deputy administrator for Fish Division. “A solid salmon season could be a real economic shot in the arm for coastal communities.”

 Sport anglers and commercial troll fishermen already have  been fishing along the Oregon Coast south of Cape Falcon, and have been  reporting good success from Newport to Bandon, according to Chris Kern, ODFW  salmon manager.

 “All the signs are pointing towards a very good chinook season,” he said.

 Summary of the Ocean Seasons Adopted by PFMC: 

• North of Cape Falcon to Leadbetter Pt.,  Washington
 
• Recreational season for hatchery fin-clipped  chinook from June 8-21 (8,000
  coastwide quota).


• Recreational season for all salmon from June  22-Sept. 30 with a 2 fish
  limit, of which only 1 can be a chinook and all coho must be fin-clipped.  Quota
  of 37,380 coho with a 9,900 chinook guideline.


• Commercial troll salmon seasons and quotas very similar to last year.
  Seasons will start on May 1 for chinook and July 1 for hatchery coho and should
  continue through mid-September


• South of Cape Falcon


• Sport chinook from Cape Falcon south to Humbug Mt. open March 15 through
  Oct. 31, and from Humbug Mt. to the OR/CA border open May 1 through Sept.
  8.


• Sport fin-clipped coho open July 1-31 (quota of  10,500 coho) from Cape
  Falcon south to OR/CA Border


• Sport non-selective coho in September (Sept. 1-2  and each Thurs-Sat) with a
  quota of 16,000.  Open from Cape Falcon south  to Humbug Mt.


• Commercial troll chinook salmon seasons from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. that
  provides for full fishing from April 1 through Aug.29, and fall fishing with
  weekly trip limits from Sept. 4 through Oct. 31.


• Commercial troll chinook salmon seasons from  Humbug Mt. to OR/CA border
  from April 1 through May 31 without trip limits or quotas, followed by June,
  July, August, and September seasons managed by quota  with daily trip
  limits.

The  regulations adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council this week cover ocean waters from three to 200 miles from the state’s shore. In May, the Oregon  Fish and Wildlife Commission will be asked to consider concurrent regulations for Oregon’s territorial water that extend three miles from the shoreline. Fisheries that begin May 1 will open under temporary regulations. The regulations must also be approved by the National Marine Fishery Service and the Secretary of Commerce.
  
Contact: 
Eric Schindler        (541) 867-0300 ext. 252
Chris Kern             (971) 673-6031
 Jessica Sall         (503) 947-6023

Related Posts:
ODFW---Ice fishing on Diamond Lake
ODFW---Parking permits now required at nine ODFW Wildlife Areas
ODFW---Buy hunting/fishing licenses now
ODFW---Gray whales are migrating along the Oregon Coast
Letter to Editor Eel Lake trade by Bob Main 12-07-2012
Oregon Fish & Wildlife Meeting Subject: EEL LAKE/COQUILLE VALLEY LAND EXCHANGE