The landed catch of 6,278 fin-clipped coho is approximately 30 percent of the quota of 20,000 coho. We're seeing a high level of interest and participation in the fishery, and unlike last year, we seem to have good numbers of coho available along most of the coast. However, some anglers are being cited for violating fishing rules. Oregon State Police are giving tickets to fishermen harvesting coho with an intact adipose fin. Some anglers are misidentifying large coho as chinook.
Chinook have a characteristic black lower jaw at the base of the teeth while coho's are white.
The selective recreational fishery for fin-clipped coho will continue on the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday weekly fishing schedule through July 31 or until the 20,000 fish quota is caught, whichever comes first. Thereafter, waters of the central Oregon coast will remain open to angling for chinook salmon seven days per week with special chinook fishery gear restrictions. Another selective recreational fishery for fin-clipped coho opened on July 10 in the ocean waters from Cape Falcon, Oregon to Leadbetter Point, Washington. That fishery is open on Sunday through Thursday through September 30 or until the quota of 37,500 fin-clipped coho is caught. There also is a harvest guideline of 4,300 chinook.