NOAA Tweaks West Coast Salmon Fishing Seasons and Limits
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Rule
Summary
Hey West Coast salmon fishers! The government just updated the 2025 commercial salmon fishing rules from the U.S.-Canada border down to Cape Falcon, Oregon. These five quick changes tweak fishing seasons and catch limits to keep the fishery healthy while giving you smart chances to catch more. The new rules kicked in during 2025 and will stay until new updates come along—so keep your nets ready and your calendars marked!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
June 18: Spring season closed north of Cape Falcon
Effective 11:59 p.m. on June 18, 2025, the spring commercial salmon troll season north of Cape Falcon (NOF) was closed and remained closed until the start of the summer season unless superseded. The closure was taken to avoid exceeding the Chinook quota.
May 16: Early-season limits lowered
Starting 2:00 p.m. on May 16, 2025, the commercial ocean salmon troll fishery north of Cape Falcon had an overall landing and possession limit of 60 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday–Wednesday) through 11:59 p.m. on May 22, 2025. Subarea limits were also set or reduced through 11:59 p.m. on June 29, 2025: U.S./Canada border to Queets River 50 Chinook/week (was 100), Queets River to Leadbetter Point 50 Chinook/week, and Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon 60 Chinook/week (was 80).
May 22: Short uptick to 70 Chinook
Effective May 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., the north-of-Cape-Falcon (NOF) commercial troll fishery landing and possession limit was raised from 60 to 70 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday–Wednesday). This higher 70-fish limit remained in effect until superseded on June 5, 2025.
June 5: Large week-limit increases
Effective June 5, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., NOF weekly landing and possession limits were increased through June 29, 2025 to 125 Chinook per vessel per landing week for the entire NOF. Subarea limits were set to border–Queets 100/week, Queets–Leadbetter 125/week, and Leadbetter–Cape Falcon 100/week (all Thursday–Wednesday weeks).
June 12: Limits cut back to 70 Chinook
Effective June 12, 2025 at 12:01 a.m., the NOF Chinook landing and possession limit was reduced from 125 to 70 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday–Wednesday). This reduction remained in effect until superseded on June 18, 2025.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23626, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts; Rescission of Regulations
Starting December 22, 2025, the Department of Labor is canceling rules that protected workers from being replaced when service contracts change hands. This affects companies with federal service contracts and the workers they hire. The change means fewer job protections for these workers, following a presidential order to roll back previous rules.
Next: 2025-23682, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program Amendments
The VA fixed a mistake in the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection program that affected payments for injuries stopping folks from doing daily tasks. This change helps ensure injured service members get the right support for 15, 30, 60, or 90 days after their injury. The new rule kicks in on January 22, 2026, making sure benefits are fair without costing extra.