ODFW Announces Umpqua R. Fishing Rule Changes for 2026, Opens North Coast Crab Season
Chinook harvest limits set for Umpqua Basin as Oregon’s commercial crab fishery opens Dec. 31
ROSEBURG / NEWPORT, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced new fishing regulations affecting inland anglers and coastal commercial fishermen, including restrictions on wild spring Chinook salmon harvest in the Umpqua Basin and the opening of Oregon’s north coast commercial Dungeness crab season.
Umpqua River Chinook Restrictions
A temporary rule will prohibit the harvest of wild spring Chinook salmon on the mainstem Umpqua River while maintaining limited harvest allowances on the North Umpqua River during the 2026 season.
From February 1 through June 30, 2026:
Mainstem Umpqua River: Only hatchery spring Chinook may be retained. Harvest of wild spring Chinook, including jacks and adults, is prohibited.
North Umpqua River: Anglers may keep one adult wild spring Chinook per day, with an annual limit of 10 fish.
Both rivers: Hatchery spring Chinook may still be retained.
ODFW said the rule is intended to protect declining wild Chinook populations, particularly in the South Umpqua Basin. In 2025, only 131 adult wild spring Chinook returned to the South Umpqua River, while returns in the North Umpqua were considered average. Forecasts for 2026 indicate continued low returns.
The restrictions are triggered by ODFW’s harvest “sliding scale” under the Coastal Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan, which adjusts fishing opportunities based on run strength. Wild spring Chinook returns in the South Umpqua have been declining for several years, dropping as low as 19 adult fish in 2023.
ODFW continues to work with partner agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, and NOAA Fisheries, to improve habitat and fish passage in the basin. Recent upgrades to a fish ladder in the upper South Umpqua River have helped salmon access cooler upstream waters.
North Coast Crab Season Opens
Along the coast, ODFW confirmed that Oregon’s north coast commercial Dungeness crab season will open December 31, covering waters from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. Fishermen may begin placing baited crab pots during the presoak period starting December 28.
The opening was delayed until testing showed crab met quality standards. Preseason testing conducted December 13 confirmed crab exceeded the 23 percent meat-fill requirement, ensuring a high-quality product for consumers.
The 2025–26 crab season will operate under a fleet advisory, urging vessels to remain vigilant and avoid setting gear in areas where whales are feeding or migrating to reduce the risk of entanglements.
ODFW noted that Oregon’s commercial crab season is routinely delayed or partially opened when necessary to protect the resource and prevent waste.
Additional information about fishing regulations and the crab season is available through ODFW.
Cover image: ODFW, flickr
