General Marine Fish Bag Limit Change, May 7

ODFW release – Beginning Monday, May 10, 2021, the general marine fish bag limit will decrease to 5 fish per angler per day. The general marine fish bag limit includes all species of rockfish (yelloweye rockfish prohibited at all times), greenlings, skates, and all other marine species not listed on pages 81-82 of the 2021 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations. For a flier showing the species and bag limits allowed in this fishery, check the ODFW website. Angler effort through late April this year is the highest it has been in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue through the summer months, as people continue to turn to outdoor recreational activities. The bag limit reduction is necessary to protect the season from early closure or further restrictions by reducing the risk of exceeding quotas for several species. Within the general marine bag limit, the one-fish sub-bag for China, copper, or quillback rockfish remains in place, as will the 1-fish sub-bag for cabezon, once cabezon retention is allowed beginning on July 1. The separate daily bag limits for lingcod (2), flatfish other than Pacific halibut (25), and longleader trips/species (10), remain unchanged. A descending device must be used when releasing any rockfish in waters deeper than 30 fathoms, and is strongly encouraged in any depth when signs of barotrauma are present. Bottomfish or halibut anglers encountering yelloweye rockfish, especially in deeper water, are encouraged to move to a different location. For more information on sport bottomfish regulations, fish identification tips, rockfish recompression, and other resources, go to the ODFW website.