Changes to Rockfish Limits Set in Oregon

FYI

New sport groundfish limits: The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission set new rules for sport-caught rockfish Friday in Salem.

The seven-fish daily limit will remain in place, but only three can be blue rockfish. Blue rockfish are similar in size and shape to the highly popular and abundant black rockfish.

The commission also approved retention of a single canary rockfish (season had been closed since 2004) daily, but banned retention of China, copper and quillback rockfish. Most new limits go into effect Thursday (Jan. 15). The canary rockfish retention won't take effect until approved by federal fish managers in March.

Limits for lingcod and greenling remain unchanged.

I was really hoping they would toss the barbless hook restriction for the Willy.   

Keeping the barbless rule in place is total BS especially since ODFW staff were the ones that recommended going back to barbed hooks. 

I was really hoping they would toss the barbless hook restriction for the Willy.   

Yeah, I saw an article that suggested they were considering this.  Oh well, at least I have the Hobie advantage for this year's springer season.

No retention of Quillback rockfish I can see, but no retention of China's & Copper's? Can someone explain that to me?

No retention of Quillback rockfish I can see, but no retention of China's & Copper's? Can someone explain that to me?

There's so many Chinas out by Neah Bay that their population does not appear to be under any real threat, at least up that way.  That said, I've never caught one out at ORC, so maybe they aren't doing as well off Oregon.

I never understand these types of things... or more accurately, I don't understand why the rules change for sport fishermen. I'm pretty sure it's not people in their own boats raping the china rockfish population. :rollseyes:

Trying to look on the bright side: Anybody know of a good kayak-accessible canary rockfish spot?

I never understand these types of things... or more accurately, I don't understand why the rules change for sport fishermen. I'm pretty sure it's not people in their own boats raping the china rockfish population. :rollseyes:

Trying to look on the bright side: Anybody know of a good kayak-accessible canary rockfish spot?

You can find them at PC. Not a very common catch, but they're there.

I'm pretty sure it's not people in their own boats raping the china rockfish population. :rollseyes:

Trying to look on the bright side: Anybody know of a good kayak-accessible canary rockfish spot?

+1. Wonder when they'll take yellow-eye's off the list? I've seen China's while free diving & they seem to hug the bottom & stay pretty much in their own territory. Not that common a catch on hook & line in my experience.

All the Chinas I've ever caught were not big enough to bother retaining.  Only ever caught one Quill and it too was small. Never caught a Canary.

No retention of Quillback rockfish I can see, but no retention of China's & Copper's? Can someone explain that to me?

There's so many Chinas out by Neah Bay that their population does not appear to be under any real threat, at least up that way.  That said, I've never caught one out at ORC, so maybe they aren't doing as well off Oregon.

There were several in the fish taco donation bin last year.  I caught a large one out of Depoe Bay last year in about 80 fow.