Coho Photo courtesy of Yeckele on Wikimedia
SALEM, Ore. – After record counts for both jack and adult coho at Willamette Falls last year the 2024 run is shaping up to be among the largest in recent history.
As of Sept. 17, nearly 11,700 adult coho have passed Willamette Falls. While it’s still early in the run, this is nearly double the 1991-2022 total run annual average of 6,200. Adult coho counts over Willamette Falls have exceeded 20,000 fish four times since 1991 and this year’s run is on track to top last year’s record of 28,700.
As a result of this robust return, fishery managers have implemented temporary regulations that open angling for coho salmon (hatchery or wild) in some areas that have not been open because coho have not historically been observed there. Two rods will also be allowed for those anglers with the validation.
“The expected robust return should provide good angling in areas that have traditionally supported coho-targeted angling, and the allowance for use of two fishing rods will give anglers the opportunity to improve their odds for these fish,” said ODFW West Region Manager Chris Kern.
The temporary regulations are as follows:
Retention of coho salmon (hatchery or wild) will open from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024 in the following areas:
- Mainstem Willamette River from Hwy 20 bridge in Albany upstream to mouth of Coast Fork Willamette
- Coast Fork Willamette and tributaries
- Middle Fork Willamette upstream to Dexter Dam
- McKenzie River upstream to Leaburg Dam
Season dates for the mainstem Willamette River upstream to Albany, the North Fork Santiam River, and the South Fork Santiam River that are listed as open in the 2024 Oregon Sportfishing Regulations remain unchanged.
Two-rod validation allowed upstream of Willamette Falls in areas open for coho retention:
In areas that are open for retention of coho salmon in the Willamette River basin upstream of Willamette Falls, anglers with a valid 2024 Oregon two-rod validation may fish with two rods including in tributaries and flowing waters until Dec. 31 (except while angling for sturgeon).
These rule changes are effective 12:01 a.m. Sept. 21, 2024, but anglers should be aware that coho seasons in some areas will not open until Oct. 1 or Oct. 15, and use of two rods remains prohibited until the coho season opens in those areas. In areas already open for coho, use of two rods is allowed beginning Sept. 21.
Both hatchery and wild coho salmon may be retained in these fisheries, but daily and seasonal bag limits remain as shown in the 2024 Oregon Sportfishing Regulations. The daily limit for jack coho remains five per day and jacks do not need to be tagged on the combined angling tag.
Visit the Willamette zone regulations updates page to see the updated information https://myodfw.com/recreation-
Coho run history facts:
- Coho salmon were observed in the McKenzie River basin for the first time by biologists in 2023. This was likely associated with the very large 2023 return; the adult coho salmon count at Willamette Falls was the highest on record at 28,700.
- In addition, a record 11,300 jack coho were counted in 2023. High jack counts typically indicate a robust return of adult coho the following year. Ladder counts to date appear to confirm that the 2024 adult coho return above Willamette Falls will be among the highest observed and could easily set a new record high.
- From 1971 through 2008, adult coho counts at Willamette Falls never exceeded the 1971 count of 17,000. The average over that period was only 2,800 – the 2024 count exceeded 2,800 by Sept. 10.
- As of Sept. 17, the count of adult coho for 2024 (11,700) would be the 8th highest return from 1991-2023, even if zero fish passed for the remainder of the season.
