Recreational Bottomfish to Close

Copper Rockfish Photo Facebook: Fish Index

(NEWPORT, Ore.) — Oregon’s recreational bottomfish season will close to all species but flatfish as of Sunday, Sept. 17 at 11:59 p.m. due to the annual quotas for several nearshore species having been reached.

After Sunday, Sept. 17, anglers may no longer catch or retain lingcod, any species of rockfish, cabezon, greenling, or other bottomfish, except for flatfish species (sole, flounders, sanddabs and halibut other than Pacific halibut).

Recreational efforts have been higher than anticipated this year, higher than any other year in the last 15 years, and peaked during the month of August. High catch rates, good fishing weather, and fewer other angler opportunities led to more boats and anglers targeting bottomfish this year.

“It’s been a poor salmon season and tuna haven’t really made a strong showing within range of most recreational anglers,” said Maggie Sommer, ODFW. “This increased fishing pressure on bottomfish, and anglers had a lot of success pursuing these species.”

Several ocean fishing opportunities remain available, including:

• Flatfish, such as sanddabs and petrale sole (not including Pacific halibut, which are managed separately) open to all depths starting Monday, Sept. 18.
• Crabbing in oceans and bays
• Nearshore halibut between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt. (until Oct. 31 or until the quota is reached).
• Halibut south of Humbug Mt. (until Oct. 31 or until the quota is reached).
• Tuna, which are starting to come closer to shore on the south coast of Oregon now.
• Ocean salmon, which is open from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. through Oct. 31 for all salmon except coho (beginning Oct. 1, all anglers fishing for salmon or with salmon on board are restricted to inside the 40-fathom line).

For more information on Oregon’s marine resources and fisheries, please see: www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/