Ocean Fishing Vacations on the Oregon Coast

Orcas are some of the wildlife you may see while fishing.

If you want to catch a big fish, then vacation in Oregon during the summer months. The ocean off the coast of Oregon hosts large salmon weighing 20 to 50 lbs. and some even larger. Other types of fish grow even larger. The rocky shoreline and salty water has numerous varieties of wildlife, such as sea lions, seals, orcas and humpback whales to entertain you as you fish. Fishing off the coast of Oregon will create memories for you and your family.

Fish

Both California and Pacific halibut swim off the coast of Oregon. Of the two, Pacific halibut has more restrictions, i.e., you can only fish in certain areas and a strict quota of one per person for a total of six a year is enforced. The season starts in May or June and continues until the state's fishermen reach the maximum amount of halibut permitted for the season. Both the quota and the start date vary each year. The best way to fish for halibut is with a guide. Chinook and Coho salmon season starts in mid June and last into July. Albacore tuna arrive in summer and weigh 30 to 60 lbs. Other fish include sturgeon, surf perch, herring, anchovy, sardine, Cabazon, greenling, ling cod, and rockfish. Occasionally, sharks are caught.

Crabbing and Clamming

While catching big fish trumps crabbing and clamming, you can add one or the other to your fishing trip. Both are available year-round and at most beaches. Dungeness crabs season closes from October 16 to November 30. The best time to crab in Oregon is September through the fall. The crabs contain a higher percentage of meat at this time. As for clams, you can dig for razor clams, littleneck, cockle, butter, geoduck, and gaper. As of 2011, each person can harvest 20 bay clams per day, which includes all of the above species expect razor clams. You can harvest softshell and abalone in addition to the other species. In 2011, you can harvest only one abalone crab per day for a total of five per year. Two different oysters grow in Oregon; the law protects both.

Renting vs. Guides

If you choose to rent a boot and fish on your own, then spend some time familiarizing with the regulations of Oregon. Even if you visited a previous year, the rules change yearly and so do set dates to harvest the certain fish. The rules are extremely strict on some species, limiting how many to catch and where to fish. Some even have strict rules on how many you can have in your possession once you land. Many tour boats leave the docks, taking anglers out to sea in their boats. These guides know Oregon's fishing regulations and will keep you from breaking them. They also supply the equipment you will need.

What You Need

You need to obtain a fishing license for the state of Oregon, which you can do online or at an ODFW license agents or ODFW offices. If you order online, it takes at least 10 days for you to receive it at your home address. When you are on the boat, you need to dress for the weather, preferably in layers. Consider bringing a camera. Depending on whether you rent a boat or use a guide, you may need to bring your own tackle and bait.

References

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Marine Recreational Fishing In Oregon
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Where to Buy Sports Licenses and Tags
• Oregon Coastal Fishing: Fishing Is Great On The Oregon Coast
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Recreational Shellfish Project - Recreational Crab Fishing
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Sport Groundfish - Sport Fishing

Resources

• Oregon State Marine Board: Coastal Boating Guide Safety
• Jeff Merkley: Oregon Coast
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Digging for Bay Clams
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Fishing in Oregon