- Largest Fishing Port in Oregon, 115 Million Lbs. of Fish and Shellfish in 2017.
- Called The Dungeness Crab Capital of The World.
- Numerous Accessible Clamming Beds with Many Oregon Species Available.
- Boat Rentals, Public Piers and Docks With Easy Access.
- Fishing & Shell-fishing From Piers, Docks, Boats, Jetty, River, Bay, Deep Sea.
- Lots of Attractions, Places to Stay, Eat, Play and Shop.
Yaquina Bay, Newport Bay
Yaquina Bay is one of the three deep draft coastal ports in Oregon along with the Port of Coos Bay and the Port of Astoria. Its not just a commercial and recreational fisherman’s hot spot but a popular tourist location too. For instance, it offers the Newport Aquarium, Nye Beach, Agate Beach, Newport’s Historic Bay Front, Multiple Marinas, RV Resort, Deep Sea Charters, many excellent Restaurants and Hotels to choose from. Here visitors while shopping and eating also stop and watch the loading and unloading of fish processing plants located along the water front. There is something for everyone in Newport!
Yaquina Bay Clamming
This is an excellent place to go clamming. All you have to do is find the Rouge Ale Brewery on the south side of the bridge and your in the right spot. The one thing about clamming under the bridge is you will need a low tide of -1.0 or better. Cockles are easy to rake right under the bridge and gapers are about 100 yards west of there. There is even a public cleaning station set up for you to clean you fish, crabs and clams.
There is another large clam bed east of there. Just follow SE 35th Street out to the bay. It is muddier here but there is a good population of cockle and gaper clams. Don’t take the most western entrance because its a long muddy hike. Follow 35th Street down further until a few hundred yards before the point (here you will see a camper and RV site). Still a muddy hike (a few hundred yards) out on the bay for the best clamming.
There are many other areas, some require a boat, others are not as accessible. You can even find very private and accessible spots but much further inland.
Yaquina Bay Crabbing
You have many options for crabbing but I recommend renting a boat if you can. I’ve crabbed here a lot and have had good results anytime of year when using a boat. I prefer summer and fall because I’m a fair weather crabber and lower rainfall helps keep the bay salty and crabs happy. You can rent boats in two locations; 1) Newport Marina Store & Charter; 2) Embarcadero Hotel.
Shore and Pier Crabbing
With your crab max, ring, or crab pot you have public access right on the Bay Front at Bay Street Pier and Abbey Street Pier. Many people tie there pot to the pier and go and have lunch. I like the the ever popular Rogue Brewery Pier which extends a few hundred yards out into the bay. Dungeness crab are particularly abundant here during summer and fall months, with red rock crab available the rest of the year.
Bay and Deep Sea Fishing
I have only done charter fishing out of Yaquina bay. However, there is much information on the web about all kinds of fish and locations in the area.
All of the piers listed on the map offer fishing as well as the marinas offering charter fishing. I’ve used Newport Marina Store and Tradewinds Charter services and like them both a lot. I also use Depot Bay often because these are all close to where I live. Every time I call one of these charter companies they have been very honest about how the fishing is, which is usually pretty good. Many times I have planned a trip and because of weather they have cancelled or I’ve cancelled because I don’t enjoy rough sea fishing. Unfortunately, two halibut trips and one tuna trip just this year.
Surf and Bar Conditions
I like to watch the surf and bar conditions reports so I know when the seas are calm in advance. Other than that this is about as good as gets fishing the anywhere on the Oregon Coast!
Disclaimer
Information provided is a result of personal experience at each bay or beach location. In addition, local residences providing input and advice, and ongoing information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife websites. Information will change as incoming seas tend to shift and move sand, after that it makes it harder for clams to reproduce. So always check for current beach closures and advisories related to biotoxins, pollution or other human health concerns the same day you plan to harvest. Razorclamming.com is not responsible for the accuracy of this data and the outcome or results of your personal efforts, or safe consumption of shellfish.
Shellfish Safety Hotline
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 800-448-2474
Alt Phone: 503-986-4728