It is probably easier to go crabbing in Oregon than in any other area of the country. Crabbing is an adventure that can be shared by the entire family whether you have a boat or not. It is easier to drop pots with a boat, but there are always spots along the water that can be reached by dock or overhanging limbs. Hire a local outfitter, though prices vary throughout the year and are not cheap. Often the crab yeild will cover the cost of your trip, with the experience being a bonus adventure.
For this year, Crabbing in Oregon bays was good in July as some larger males start to show up in the catch. During the summer months, recently molted legal sized male Dungeness crabs can be found. Soft-shell males do not have a lot meat and crabbers are encouraged to release soft crabs. There were some good catches in Coos Bay, and the crabbing in Alsea Bay has picked up. Some crabbers were able to catch limits at times. The best months for bay crabbing in Oregon are August through November. Bay crabbing success usually declines after significant rainfall as salinity levels drop.
There are six Areas for Shellfish in Nehalem Bay. Area 1 requires a boat for access. This area is a large mud flat containing mostly softshell clams nd walking can be difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 2 requires a boat for access. As with Area 1, this area contains softshell clams, and walking an be difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 3 again as with Areas 1 and 2, you will find softshell clams though the sand is a little firmer and walking isn't as difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 4 can be reached by either boat or bank/walk-in. Bank/walk-in access is obtained from Nehalem Bay State Park boat ramp area and by walking south. A mix of softshell and purple varnish clams will be found in this area. Here a shovel or clam gun would be best. Area 5 will require a boat for access. This area has a mixture of sand and gravel. Here a shovel or garden fork (heavy tined) would work best for digging. Although softshell clams primarily dominate this area a few butter clams can also be found. Area 6 will require a boat for crabbing. Pots may be set anywhere within this area, using caution to avoid direct placement in navigation channels.
You can find at least five boat launches in Nehalem Bay. Try County Boat Ramp- approximately 1mile north of Wheeler & 1mile south of Nehalem, off Hwy 101 at mile post 46, turn west on Tideland Rd. (not shown on map). Another good one is Wheeler Marina- turn west at city center in Wheeler, next to train depot. (not shown on map). Also try Nehalem Bay State Park boat ramp- 1mile north of Nehalem off Hwy 101, take Necarney Rd to state park and follow signs to boat ramp. Though less conveniet, give Brighton Marina a shot - approximately 3 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47. The Jetty Fishery can work as well - approximately 3.7 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47.
Be sure to get a shellfish license for Oregon crabbing and pay attention to the following restrictions. The daily limit is 12 Dungeness crab, male 5 and " or larger. The daily limit is 24 for red rock crab of any sex. While all bays, estuaries, beaches, tide pools, piers and jetties open all year, the Pacific Ocean is closed for Dungeness crab October 16 - November 30. You can use crab rings, pots, or baited lines to catch Oregon crab.
Bring calipers to measure your catch and ensure the size is adequate. Undersize femail must be tossed back immediately and unharmed. Do not mutilate a crab to avoid determining sex or species or plan to face huge fines and possible imprisonment.
In addition to your Oregon crabbing adventure, you may be interested in digging for clams and muscles. Beach and inlet areas along the coast offer plentiful harvest opportunities and require only shovel and a bucket. Basically, when the tide goes out, the clams or muscles lay just below the surface of the sand. Depending on the type of clam, you may need to dig quickly as they will dive deep within the sand to avoid capture.
Oregon crabbing can be expensive and clamming may be a good alternative while camping on the Oregon coast at one of the many state parks that have excellent facilities. Catch you clams in the afternoon and steam them over your campfire for dinner, with warm garlic butter or a special cocktail sauce.
For this year, Crabbing in Oregon bays was good in July as some larger males start to show up in the catch. During the summer months, recently molted legal sized male Dungeness crabs can be found. Soft-shell males do not have a lot meat and crabbers are encouraged to release soft crabs. There were some good catches in Coos Bay, and the crabbing in Alsea Bay has picked up. Some crabbers were able to catch limits at times. The best months for bay crabbing in Oregon are August through November. Bay crabbing success usually declines after significant rainfall as salinity levels drop.
There are six Areas for Shellfish in Nehalem Bay. Area 1 requires a boat for access. This area is a large mud flat containing mostly softshell clams nd walking can be difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 2 requires a boat for access. As with Area 1, this area contains softshell clams, and walking an be difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 3 again as with Areas 1 and 2, you will find softshell clams though the sand is a little firmer and walking isn't as difficult. A shovel or clam gun would be best to use in this area. Area 4 can be reached by either boat or bank/walk-in. Bank/walk-in access is obtained from Nehalem Bay State Park boat ramp area and by walking south. A mix of softshell and purple varnish clams will be found in this area. Here a shovel or clam gun would be best. Area 5 will require a boat for access. This area has a mixture of sand and gravel. Here a shovel or garden fork (heavy tined) would work best for digging. Although softshell clams primarily dominate this area a few butter clams can also be found. Area 6 will require a boat for crabbing. Pots may be set anywhere within this area, using caution to avoid direct placement in navigation channels.
You can find at least five boat launches in Nehalem Bay. Try County Boat Ramp- approximately 1mile north of Wheeler & 1mile south of Nehalem, off Hwy 101 at mile post 46, turn west on Tideland Rd. (not shown on map). Another good one is Wheeler Marina- turn west at city center in Wheeler, next to train depot. (not shown on map). Also try Nehalem Bay State Park boat ramp- 1mile north of Nehalem off Hwy 101, take Necarney Rd to state park and follow signs to boat ramp. Though less conveniet, give Brighton Marina a shot - approximately 3 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47. The Jetty Fishery can work as well - approximately 3.7 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47.
Be sure to get a shellfish license for Oregon crabbing and pay attention to the following restrictions. The daily limit is 12 Dungeness crab, male 5 and " or larger. The daily limit is 24 for red rock crab of any sex. While all bays, estuaries, beaches, tide pools, piers and jetties open all year, the Pacific Ocean is closed for Dungeness crab October 16 - November 30. You can use crab rings, pots, or baited lines to catch Oregon crab.
Bring calipers to measure your catch and ensure the size is adequate. Undersize femail must be tossed back immediately and unharmed. Do not mutilate a crab to avoid determining sex or species or plan to face huge fines and possible imprisonment.
In addition to your Oregon crabbing adventure, you may be interested in digging for clams and muscles. Beach and inlet areas along the coast offer plentiful harvest opportunities and require only shovel and a bucket. Basically, when the tide goes out, the clams or muscles lay just below the surface of the sand. Depending on the type of clam, you may need to dig quickly as they will dive deep within the sand to avoid capture.
Oregon crabbing can be expensive and clamming may be a good alternative while camping on the Oregon coast at one of the many state parks that have excellent facilities. Catch you clams in the afternoon and steam them over your campfire for dinner, with warm garlic butter or a special cocktail sauce.
About the Author:
Hector Fieshmann is an avid Oregon Fishing angler for over thirty years of experience. Get this free weekly Oregon Fishing Report, courtesy of Wheeler on the Bay.
