Pacific Ocean salmon season closing west of Long Beach Peninsula

Pacific Ocean salmon season closing west of Long Beach Peninsula

Published 2:03 pm Wednesday, August 12, 2026

ILWACO — An unusually intense fishing effort in the waters offshore the Long Beach Peninsula is bringing the local ocean salmon season to an abrupt stop.

The move will intensify bank fishing from North Jetty, which remains open.

For the time being, Wednesday, Aug. 12, is the last day for salmon angling in what the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife calls Marine Area 1 — north of 46° 15’ N and east of 124° 08.667’ W, approximately from the mid-mouth of the Columbia River north, and within approximately three miles of shore.

“Reason for action: Chinook catches have been higher than expected in Marine Area 1,” WDFW said. “Chinook fishing near shore has been particularly effective. Closing this near-shore area to salmon fishing will reduce Chinook catch, increasing the likelihood that sufficient Chinook guideline will remain, allowing for salmon fisheries later in the season.”

WDFW added that the Columbia River Control Zone is closed to fishing for salmon, except open to fishing from the North Jetty when adjacent waters north of the Control Zone are open to fishing for salmon, or the Buoy 10 fishery is open to fishing for salmon. Closure of this portion of Marine Area 1 to salmon angling does not restrict salmon angling from the North Jetty, the agency said.

Salmon minimum size and daily limits on the North Jetty follow the most liberal regulations from either Marine Area 1 or the Columbia River Buoy 10 fishery — from Buoy 10 to the Astoria-Megler Bridge.