Sale of surplus fall chinook & coho salmon carcasses, 2026

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is soliciting sealed bids for the purchase of surplus fall Chinook and Coho salmon carcasses available at ODFW hatcheries between August 1 and December 31, 2026, with bids due July 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM. A portion of fish (100 fish or 5% of estimated surplus, whichever is greater) is set aside for Oregon small businesses, with priority given to businesses operating in counties with unemployment rates above the state average.

Fish will be sourced from Bonneville Fish Hatchery near Cascade Locks and Big Creek and Klaskanine Fish Hatcheries near Astoria. Bidding is structured on a per-fish basis categorized by species, sex (females with eggs-in, males, jacks, and sub-jacks), and grade (Grade 1 or Grade 2). Carcass collection and pickup occur on a notification basis determined by individual hatchery managers, with pickup windows potentially including weekends and holidays.

All bidders must hold a current 2026 Wholesale Fish Dealer License or submit a completed application with the $562 fee, provide a notarized Affidavit of Compliance with Tax Laws, and demonstrate Oregon residency or non-residency status. Successful bidders must deposit 10% bid security within ten calendar days of notification. If an individual bidder's aggregate successful bid equals or exceeds $5,000, a Performance Bond equal to the total estimated bid amount is required. Successful bidders must obtain Commercial General Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate), Workers' Compensation Insurance, and Automobile Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 combined single limit) before performance.

Catch fees of 3.15% of invoiced carcass value plus $0.04 per pound for Restoration and Enhancement fees and $0.04 per pound for OHRC fees apply to all sales, payable by the 20th of each month. Sealed bids may be submitted by mail, drop box, in-person delivery, or email to odfw.bids@odfw.oregon.gov. No public opening or reading of bids is scheduled. ODFW will post preliminary bid results on the OregonBuys System.