SALEM, Ore.— Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) set 2026 groundfish regulations during their meeting in Salem today.
The daily catch limit for lingcod will increase from 2 to 3 fish next year, since, in their words, “Lingcod populations are healthy and bycatch of yelloweye rockfish (a protected species) is still low”.
The daily limit for general marine bag limit (rockfish, greenlings, cabezon, etc.) would stay at 4 fish all year in 2026, with a sub bag limit of 2 canary rockfish (up from 1 fish last year). The 4-fish daily limit is necessary due to continued high effort and catch rates for rockfish. In 2025, a planned 5-fish summertime bag limit had to be reduced back to 4 in August and then to 3 fish in September as the popular fishery approached the harvest guideline much earlier than expected.
ODFW says it continues to work with coastal anglers to understand their preferences for managing black rockfish which are the main driver of the general marine bag limit and season. Some are now leaning toward higher daily limits, even if it means a shorter season — which could influence future rules. The black rockfish harvest guideline for 2026 is slightly higher than last year but remains well below levels prior to 2024.
After hearing an informational briefing from staff on Columbia River hook requirements and from anglers in favor of a change, Commissioners directed staff to continue talks with Washington about mainstem hook regulations.
Commissioners acknowledged that changing the rule could impact complex joint fisheries management with Washington and reduce fishing days. They also discussed the timing and staff capacity for an additional workload while staff are involved in ongoing agency priority tasks, on top of day-to-day fisheries management.
Barbless hooks have largely been required since 2013. Some believe that switching to barbed hooks could make it easier for anglers to land fish and align regulations between the mainstem and tributaries. However, it could also shorten fishing seasons due to more fish being landed and retained.
“As commissioners, we seek to understand and respond thoughtfully when constituents bring forth these recommendations,” said Commissioner Labhart.
“I want our constituents to know we heard them— we are having this conversation because we did,” said Commissioner DeFrees. “But this issue isn’t simple.”
