Recreational Fisheries on the West Coast
Saltwater recreational fishermen on the West Coast target a wide variety of marine species.
Overview
Saltwater recreational fishermen on the West Coast target a wide variety of marine species. These include highly migratory species (albacore and other tunas, striped marlin, common thresher and shortfin mako sharks), salmon (Chinook and coho salmon), steelhead, halibut, groundfish (rockfish, lingcod, scorpionfish, greenling, flatfish, and sharks), and coastal pelagic species (Pacific sardine, northern anchovy, market squid, Pacific mackerel). They also include numerous state-managed species like barracuda, bass, bonito, sturgeon, and surfperches. Recreational fisherman also fish for invertebrates such as abalone, lobster, crab, clams, and oysters.
Recreational fisheries are economically, socially, and culturally important. In 2016, 1.2 million saltwater anglers on the West Coast spent roughly $1.8 billion on durable goods and took part in an estimated 5.2 million saltwater fishing trips, supporting approximately 25,000 jobs and $3.0 billion in sales.
On the West Coast, recreational fisheries primarily occur in non-federal waters (0 to 3 nautical miles off the coast) and are managed by the states of Washington, Oregon, and California.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries manage fisheries that occur within federal waters (3 to 200 nautical miles off the coast). Management of these fisheries is separated into four fishery management plans: coastal pelagic species, groundfish species, highly migratory species, and salmon species. Inter-state coordination is also facilitated through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.
The West Coast Region’s Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, along with a Regional Team, works with anglers and fisheries managers on recreational fishing opportunities and stewardship throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California.
Permits and Licensing
- Pacific Highly Migratory Species: Permit required for commercial passenger fishing vessels (i.e., charter vessels) to fish for Highly Migratory Species within the U.S.Exclusive Economic Zone off California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Pacific halibut: Permit required for commercial passenger fishing vessels (i.e., charter vessels) to fish for Pacific halibut in International Pacific Halibut Commission Area 2A, all waters off the States of California, Oregon, and Washington.
- State and Territorial Fishing Regulations: Permits and licenses are required for certain types of fishing within state and territorial waters.
West Coast Recreational Fisheries Policy Implementation Plan
NOAA Fisheries updated its National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy in 2023 to address the changing environment and evolving fishery interests based on extensive public input. A West Coast Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Implementation Plan will help guide our Agency’s actions along the West Coast in support of our revised National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy.
This plan is the latest step in NOAA Fisheries’ continuing commitment to foster, support, and enhance a broadly accessible and diverse array of sustainable saltwater recreational and non-commercial fisheries for the benefit and enjoyment of the nation.
We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about implementing the actions identified in the West Coast Implementation Plan. Please contact the West Coast Region’s recreational fisheries coordinator or a member of the recreational fisheries team listed below.
Resources, Actions & Past Plans
- NOAA Fisheries' National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy
- West Coast Recreational Fisheries Engagement Plan 2019-2020
- West Coast Regional Implementation Plan 2016-2017
Resources for Fishermen
Recent News and Publications
- Recreational Fishing News & Announcements - West Coast
- West Coast Regional Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Summary November 2023
- West Coast Regional Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Summaries 2021
- West Coast Regional Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Summaries 2020
- West Coast Regional Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Summaries 2019
- West Coast-South Regional Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Summary 2017
- West Coast-North Regional Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Summary 2017
Weather and Ocean Conditions
Barotrauma
Ethical Angling and Best Practices
- Practicing Sustainable Recreational Fishing on the West Coast
- Catch and Release Best Practices
- Scaling Back Your Impact: Best Practices for Inland Fishing (PDF, 2 pages)
- Sea Bird Protection and Avoidance
- Ethical Angler Code
- Green Sturgeon Catch and Release
- Sustainable Fishing For Thresher Sharks Video
- Common Thresher Sharks Catch & Release 2010 Study
- Common Thresher Sharks Catch & Release 2014 Study
Related Information
- Potential Deterrence of Pacific Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions
- Invasive Species
- Habitat Conservation on the West Coast
Management and Regulations
Federal Resources
State Resources
California Department of Fish & Wildlife
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Partners
Research and Data
- RecFIN
- Recreational Catch & Effort Statistics
- Fisheries Economics of the U.S.
- California Recreational Fisheries Survey
- Economics
- On the Water Science: California Fisherman & NOAA Scientists
Stay Informed
Stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in West Coast recreational fisheries. Sign up for NOAA Fisheries newsletters and notices by providing your email here. After clicking submit, you can sign up for notifications on specific topics like Recreational Fisheries by expanding the "Regional Updates" tab and navigating to "West Coast Updates" below.
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West Coast Recreational Fisheries Coordinator and Team
A Recreational Fisheries Coordinator and Team coordinates recreational fisheries issues along the West Coast. With leadership from Kelly Ames, Sustainable Fisheries’ Division Manager, and Daniel Studt, West Coast Region Recreational Fisheries Coordinator, the team works with the agency's partners to enhance recreational fishing opportunity through improving recreational fisheries science and data, and facilitating research and implementation of recreational fishing stewardship — or "ethical angling" — practices.
Questions related to West Coast recreational fisheries can be directed to Daniel Studt, or your local representative from the West Coast Recreational Fisheries Team identified below.
- Daniel Studt — West Coast Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Recreational Fisheries Coordinator (Daniel.Studt@noaa.gov)
- Ryan Wulff – West Coast Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Assistant Regional Administrator (Ryan.Wulff@noaa.gov)
- Allyson Purcell — West Coast Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Operations and Policy Branch Chief (Allyson.Purcell@noaa.gov)
- Jeromy Jording — Washington/Oregon (Jeromy.Jording@noaa.gov)
- Anthony Siniscal — Washington/Oregon (Anthony.Siniscal@noaa.gov)
- James Dixon — Washington/Oregon (James.Dixon@noaa.gov)
- Lance Kruzic — Oregon (Lance.Kruzic@noaa.gov)
- Matt Goldsworthy — Northern California (Matt.Goldsworthy@noaa.gov)
- Charlotte Ambrose — Central California (charlotte.ambrose@noaa.gov)
- Joshua Fuller — Central California (Joshua.Fuller@noaa.gov)
- Jake Rennert — Central California (jake.rennert@noaa.gov)
- Charles Villafana — California groundfish (Charles.Villafana@noaa.gov)
- Leif Anderson — Northwest Fisheries Science Center (Leif.Anderson@noaa.gov)
- James Hilger — Southwest Fisheries Science Center (James.Hilger@noaa.gov)
- Melissa Monk — Southwest Fisheries Science Center (melissa.monk@noaa.gov)