ODFW release – TILLAMOOK, Ore. – Recreational fishermen are reminded that reduced bag limits are now in effect for wild adult Chinook salmon in Oregon’s Mid and North Coast bays and streams. Recreational fishermen are limited to one adult wild Chinook per day and five adult wild Chinook in aggregate for the year under temporary rules announced in July by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in response to poor Chinook returns last year and poor returns forecasted again for 2019. “We’re getting a lot of questions about the bag limits for wild adult Chinook in the Mid and North Coast basins,” said Robert Bradley, ODFW district fish biologist in Tillamook. “We want to remind people of the reduced wild adult Chinook salmon bag limit, which is one per day and five for the season.” North Coast basins and mid Coast basins have separate seasonal aggregate bag limits on wild adult Chinook. The North Coast aggregate includes basins from the Necanicum to Salmon River, while the Mid Coast aggregate includes the Siletz to the Siuslaw. The aggregate bag limit applies to adult wild Chinook harvested between Aug. 1 and Dec. 31, except the Nehalem where the seasonal limit applies to fish harvested from July 1-Dec. 31. There are no changes to jack salmon or hatchery coho limits. Anglers are also reminded that no wild coho harvest is allowed this year in coastal bays and streams. Bradley noted that it’s important for anglers to remember that while there is a restriction of one adult wild Chinook per day, the daily bag limit is two adult salmon/steelhead in combination. So, an angler can catch a wild adult Chinook and continue to angle for a hatchery coho or a hatchery Chinook. Additional detailed information about the 2019 about coastal Chinook salmon seasons can be found on ODFW’s website at the following online links: NW Zone https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/northwest-zone SW Zone https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/southwest-zone For more information about hunting and fishing opportunities throughout Oregon, please visit ODFW’s website at www.MyODFW.com
