|
 Marine Fishing:
a Breath of Fresh, Salty Air
Anglers of all ages can enjoy a day of marine fishing with some simple, inexpensive gear and a little knowledge. Feisty lingcod along rugged shores, lively surfperch against ocean beaches and fat rockfish among jetty rocks are just some of the many fine fishes that are at home in Oregon’s nearshore ocean and estuaries. Most marine fish are delicious to eat and easy to prepare. Take advantage of the beautiful outdoor spaces and try your hand at a variety of marine fishing opportunities right now. Don’t forget to check out the Recreation Report for the Marine Zone, too!
|
|
Go fish? You’ll need a license first
It is never too late to get out and enjoy some fishing in the Beaver State. Oregon has plentiful opportunities year-round for anglers of all ages and skill levels. You’ll never forget the thrill of the catch, time spent with family and friends and the picturesque views.
|
|
 DIY Descending Device
Ever reeled in a fish with its eyes bulging and swim bladder protruding from its mouth? That’s a sign of barotrauma. It’s why fishing vessels are required to have a descending device when fishing for bottomfish—and to use it on any rockfish released outside 30 fathoms. Here’s an easy way to make one.
|
 Wayfinding for Ocean Fishing
Don’t get out of your depth and fish in an area that’s closed. Wayfinding will help you to successfully navigate to and from fishing grounds more easily. ODFW has a collection of waypoints and maps to help you understand the regulations. Download the waypoints and maps for future reference.
|
 Longleader Fishing Gear 101
If you haven’t tried longleader fishing, you’re missing a great opportunity to target abundant mid-water rockfish that tend to be larger than the common more nearshore fish you find closer to shore. This open year-round fishery helps you avoid catching yelloweye rockfish, a conservation species.
|
|
Regulation Reminders
Wild Chinook Harvest Changes: Unless otherwise indicated (see Zone pages below), restrictions only apply to harvest of adult wild Chinook salmon and anglers may harvest adult hatchery Chinook salmon until the normal adult daily bag limit of 2 fish has been met. Changes to wild Chinook salmon bag limits vary geographically, and some areas will be closed, due to particularly poor returns, or anticipated low water conditions. See regulation details for the NW Zone and SW Zone, or reference the press release for more information.
Pacific Halibut and Bottomfish Take: The Central Oregon Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain) summer all-depth Pacific halibut season is expanding to be open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Effective Sept. 1, all-depth halibut anglers may retain bottomfish on the same trip. Check out the press release and 2020 pacific halibut sport regulations to find out more and remember to check for any in season regulation changes in the Recreation Report.
Mark Recreational Crabbing Gear: Crabbers are reminded that effective Jan. 1, 2020, all surface buoys used with recreational crab pots or rings must be marked to identify the owner of the gear. More details about the type of identification and when it is required can be found in the press release.
|
|
|
 Rockfish
ID Tips
It's important to be able to distinguish between the most commonly encountered rockfish. Knowing what you've caught and how many you can possess will keep you on the right side of the regulations. Download and keep a handy ID sheet.
|
 Test Your Rockfish Knowledge
Become an expert rockfish identifier after mastering our quiz. Not all rockfish look the same and some are a bit trickier to distinguish. It is important to be good at ID as many of the species cannot be caught or kept at certain depths.
|
 Rockfish Recompression
Learn all about barotrauma. Get tips on what to do (and what not to do) to safely release a rockfish to the proper depth with a descending device. Remember, these devices are required to release rockfish outside of 30 fathoms!
|
|
 Props to friends Frankie, Doug and Will who brought in some keepers out of Florence, OR.
The Beaver State Podcast: Just for the Halibut
ICYMI: There is still time for sport anglers to head out looking for this much sought-after flatfish with that mild-flavored but firm meat that can fetch quite a price as seafood goes. We explore the history of the fishery, how to fish for halibut and some amazing ways to prepare them with ODFW biologist Lynn Mattes, Yaquina Bay Charters captain Shannon Hunter and Local Ocean restaurant and fish market owner Laura Anderson. Note: this podcast was released in May 2020 and shared again now in case you missed it.
|
|
 Tips for Targeting Ocean Coho
Coho salmon can be aggressive and acrobatic – two qualities that make them an attractive target to anglers. Eric Schindler, ODFW ocean salmon project leader, is a consummate ocean coho angler and offers these pro tips for ocean coho fishing.
|
 7 Tips for Catching Coastal Cutthroat
There are cutthroat trout in nearly every stream in western Oregon. Anglers can use their favorite gear to target feisty cutts that live year-round in their native stream, and larger more aggressive sea-run cutthroat that split their time between fresh and saltwater.
|
 Surfperch –
Novel and Fun
Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregon’s sandy beaches, and there are plenty of fish within an easy cast from shore. A great opportunity to fish for all ages and skill levels.
|
|
 From Pond to Table: Bullfrogs?
American bullfrogs are not native to Oregon. They were brought in originally to control bugs and as a food source. They quickly outcompeted native amphibians, and they're known to eat our native Western pond and painted turtle hatchlings.
Today we're taking you fly fishing for bullfrogs, and then we'll show you our favorite way to fry them up. They are very good eating. You can help lower the number of American bullfrogs in your local ponds, lakes and waterways by gigging, fishing, spearing or hand collecting them, and it may help give our native amphibians and reptiles a fighting chance. Plus, you don't need a license and there is no bag limit on this tasty and easy-to-harvest amphibian.
|
|
 Catch Crab with Pots and Rings
It’s the perfect time to go crabbing with crabs tending to have more quality meat in the fall. One of the easiest and most popular ways to go crabbing is with a crab pot or ring. Learn how to crab from a dock or boat with this technique.
|
 Catch Crab with a Rod and Reel
Fancy equipment is nice to have and pots and rings are easy to use. However, bringing a rod along in case a crabbing opportunity should arise never hurts. Learn how to reel in some tasty crab with a simple rod and reel.
|
|
OCRF Grant Funding Available
Deadline to Apply: Oct 21
Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for the second round of OCRF grant funding can visit this website for more information.
The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund is a public-private partnership that supports projects to implement the Oregon Conservation Strategy and connect people with the outdoors. To date, the OCRF advisory committee has recommended funding 8 projects for a total of just over $60,000. The Fish and Wildlife Commission will review and approve the first round of recommendations at their Sept. 11 meeting.
|
|
|
Is Your Fishing Guide
Following the Rules?
Clients pay big money to catch big fish. This includes ocean fisheries where few people have a boat big enough to fish the ocean, and rely on commercial guides or charters instead. Guides and charters are a great option for many anglers. However, not all guides and charters necessarily play by the rules. Learn ways to avoid becoming a victim to this behavior.
|
|
|
Catch of the Month Photo Showcase
This little lady managed to reel in this beauty as the first fish she has ever caught. Congratulations Katina! We can’t wait to hear about and see your next catch.
Want a chance to showcase your awesome catch to other anglers? Excited about your latest fishing trip? Share photos and videos of your catch with the Oregon Department of Fish. Chosen photographs will be displayed in the Catch of the Month spotlight in an upcoming issue of the ODFW Monthly Messenger, ODFW Photo Gallery and may be used in promotional materials.
|
|
|
|
