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Fishing & More: Ocean & Bays |
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Sport fishing, is a popular outdoor recreation activity and Oregon’s Adventure Coast provides outstanding opportunities to land a great catch just about anytime.
Fishermen can venture offshore for salmon, halibut, Albacore tuna and a variety of bottomfish – from lingcod, to rockfish, to flatfish. Charter boat operators can help plan half-day and full-day trips for any size group. (www.bettykaycharters.com; www.prowlercharter.com) And trailer boaters with the right gear and open-water experience can head out to sea or fish Coos Bay from a variety of convenient launch ramps and bay area marinas.
Most Pacific salmon fishing occurs April through November, and sport seasons are regulated for Coho and Chinook salmon by state and federal agencies. Check with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODF&W - links to fishing season information and recreation reports). And also check with tackle and bait shops for local information about specific seasons, catch limits and conditions.
Pacific halibut is a spring and early summer fishery, while Albacore tuna tend to be offshore from mid summer through early fall. Bottomfish are available year around – weather permitting – and a charter trip usually ends with an ice chest full of fish. Check the ODF&W website for bottomfish catch limits.
Oregon’s bay area also offers several unique fisheries; surf fishing from local beaches for striped bass and surf perch and in-bay fishing for White sturgeon. The best information about these fishing opportunities is available from local tackle shops.
Pacific Ocean Fishing
Available Fish: Albacore Tuna, Bottomfish, Cabezon, Flounder, Groundfish, Halibut, Lingcod, Rockfish, Salmon, Sea Bass, Snapper, Sole, Steelhead, Surf perch, Striped and/or Hybrid Bass
Description: The marine daily bag limit for 2008 is six fish (including rockfish, greenling and other marine species) and two lingcod and 15 surfperch. Remember: yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish may not be retained.
In addition, the ocean is closed outside of the 40-fathom line (defined by waypoints) April 1 through Sept. 30 for lingcod; flatfish (except P. halibut during authorized seasons); and rockfish, greenling, cabezon, skates and other bottom-dwelling species.
The 2008 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations are also available from license vendors and ODFW offices. Seasons and regulations for marine fish are available online at www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP
