Hunting And Outdoor Sports
Oregon Commission Approves 2026–27 Sport Fishing and Big Game Hunting Regulations
Expanded salmon season and new spearfishing opportunities highlight Oregon’s updated rules
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Ontario, OR
The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted the 202627 Sport Fishing Regulations and finalized the 2026 Big Game Hunting Regulations in a 5-1 vote during its Sept. 12 meeting in Ontario, Oregon. One of the most notable changes is the opening of a hatchery Chinook salmon season in the Coquille River, marking the first time since 2021 that anglers will be able to target hatchery Chinook in this waterway. The Coquille River season will run from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15, with open fishing from the Highway 101 bridge upstream to the Highway 42S Sturdivant Park Bridge near the town of Coquille. Anglers will have a daily bag limit of two adult salmon, which may include hatchery Chinook and coho, with a season limit of three wild coho. This decision follows extensive work by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the Coquille Tribe, and local STEP (Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program) volunteers to improve hatchery operations and restore Chinook salmon runs. ODFW officials have indicated that the success of these efforts is directly responsible for the opportunity to reopen the fishery. In addition to the salmon season, the Commission approved several updates to sport fishing regulations. These include allowing spearfishing for bass and walleye in open rivers and streams with no bag limit, an expansion long requested by anglers who see spearfishing as both a sport and a means to control invasive species. Another notable change is the clarification of kokanee limits: beginning in 2026, anglers will be allowed a daily limit of 10 kokanee separate from trout limits, eliminating confusion caused by the previous bonus bag system. The Commission also finalized hunting regulations for the 2026 big game season. While the meeting primarily focused on fishing, the updated hunting rules reaffirmed season dates, tag allocations, and special permit opportunities for deer, elk, and other game species. No major restrictions were added, but ODFW emphasized continued monitoring of herd health and habitat conditions to ensure sustainable harvest levels. These regulations are scheduled to remain in effect through the 202627 seasons, barring any emergency changes. Another significant decision from the meeting was the implementation of an Ocean Endorsement fee, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The fee will be $9 annually or $4 daily and will apply to anglers fishing for marine species other than shellfish, salmon, and steelhead in ocean waters. Funds generated from this endorsement will support fish population surveys and research in Oregons state waters, providing crucial data for long-term fisheries management.