The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (ODFW) has adopted sweeping changes to the states sport fishing and big game hunting regulations for 2026 and 2027, marking one of the most comprehensive updates in recent years. Meeting in Ontario on September 12, the Commission voted 5-1 in favor of opening a hatchery Chinook salmon season on the Coquille River for the first time since 2021. The fall fishery will run from September 13 to October 15, between the Highway 101 bridge and the Highway 42S Sturdivant Park Bridge. Anglers will be permitted to harvest two adult salmon per day, with a seasonal limit of three wild coho. This decision is seen as a milestone in the states efforts to restore Chinook salmon runs to sustainable levels. ODFW officials credited this opportunity to years of collaboration with the Coquille Tribe and local volunteers through the Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program (STEP). These efforts have increased hatchery production and led to strong enough returns to allow for a managed sport harvest without compromising recovery goals. Local communities are expected to benefit from the boost in angler participation, which often brings much-needed tourism revenue during the fall season. The Commission also made several updates to fishing rules statewide. One of the more notable changes is the authorization of spearfishing for bass and walleye in open rivers and streams. Agency biologists explained that this regulation is designed to give anglers another tool to help control non-native predators that can harm native fish populations. In addition, the kokanee bag limit was clarified and standardized at 10 fish per day, eliminating the previous confusion about whether kokanee counted toward the daily trout limit. Starting January 1, 2026, anglers will need to purchase a new Ocean Endorsement to target marine finfish other than shellfish, salmon, or steelhead. The endorsement will cost $9 annually or $4 for a daily pass. ODFW said funds generated from this endorsement will support nearshore population surveys, data collection, and more accurate stock assessments. Importantly, the endorsement will be automatically included with Pioneer, Disabled Veteran, and Youth licenses at no additional cost, ensuring equitable access for these groups. On the hunting side, the Commission adopted a significant change for Eastern Oregon deer seasons by restructuring hunts around Deer Herd Ranges rather than the traditional Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). ODFW biologists believe this shift will better align tag distribution with actual deer population dynamics, enabling more responsive management. While most areas remain open to hunting, some boundaries will change, and tag quotas will be adjusted to prevent overharvest in struggling herds and focus hunting pressure where populations are healthiest. This restructuring is expected to take some time for hunters to adjust to, but agency officials say it will improve long-term herd health and provide fairer opportunity across the region. Additionally, the Commission approved an updated Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy. The plan refines core habitat maps and prioritizes threats such as wildfire, invasive annual grasses, and encroaching conifers that degrade sagebrush ecosystems. The updated strategy includes improved population modeling tools, allowing biologists to better predict trends and deploy conservation actions in a more targeted way.