Crabbing in Oregon is a family or friend oriented experience that builds memories that last a lifetime. If you have a boat, then you are far ahead of the game and will be able to drop your pots anywhere you like. If you don't have a boat, then you will need to find docks and overhanging trees, or hire a local tour guide. Hiring a local is helpful in many ways, such as helping to find the best spots, but can also be very expensive.
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.
Get a shellfish license before heading out for Oregon crabbing. Reach the restrictions and note the daily limits with are 12 Dungeness crab, male 5 and " or larger, 24 red rock crab of any sex. Not that most bays, estuaries, beaches, tide pools, piers and jetties open all year, but the Ocean is closed for Dungeness crab October 16 - November 30. Oregon crab may be caught using crab rings, pots, or baited lines (limit 3 rings, pots or lines per person); or by hand, dip net, or rake.
Note that the size is measured in a straight line across the back (caliper measurement) immediately in front of, but not including the points. Undersize and female Dungeness crabs and unwanted crabs must be immediately released unharmed. No more than 2 daily catch limits of Dungeness crabs (24) or red rock crabs (48) may be kept in a trap or live box. Holding devices are prohibited in Pacific Ocean. WARNING: Crabs may not be mutilated so that sex, size or species cannot be determined prior to landing. Mutilated crabs may not be transported across state waters
Oregon crabbing can be expensive and time consuming, while clamming may be wet and cold, but much more affordable. Most beaches and inlets have clams and muscles and to get a big harvest, all you need is a bucket and a shovel. If you're hooked on crab, consider catching the clams and trading them for crab if you don't have the gear for crabbing.
Clamming is especially popular when camping out on the Oregon coast and much easier than Oregon crabbing and there are many state parks with excellent facilities. Imagine steaming your clams over the campfire and dipping them into warm garlic butter, or creating your own 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.
Get a shellfish license before heading out for Oregon crabbing. Reach the restrictions and note the daily limits with are 12 Dungeness crab, male 5 and " or larger, 24 red rock crab of any sex. Not that most bays, estuaries, beaches, tide pools, piers and jetties open all year, but the Ocean is closed for Dungeness crab October 16 - November 30. Oregon crab may be caught using crab rings, pots, or baited lines (limit 3 rings, pots or lines per person); or by hand, dip net, or rake.
Note that the size is measured in a straight line across the back (caliper measurement) immediately in front of, but not including the points. Undersize and female Dungeness crabs and unwanted crabs must be immediately released unharmed. No more than 2 daily catch limits of Dungeness crabs (24) or red rock crabs (48) may be kept in a trap or live box. Holding devices are prohibited in Pacific Ocean. WARNING: Crabs may not be mutilated so that sex, size or species cannot be determined prior to landing. Mutilated crabs may not be transported across state waters
Oregon crabbing can be expensive and time consuming, while clamming may be wet and cold, but much more affordable. Most beaches and inlets have clams and muscles and to get a big harvest, all you need is a bucket and a shovel. If you're hooked on crab, consider catching the clams and trading them for crab if you don't have the gear for crabbing.
Clamming is especially popular when camping out on the Oregon coast and much easier than Oregon crabbing and there are many state parks with excellent facilities. Imagine steaming your clams over the campfire and dipping them into warm garlic butter, or creating your own special cocktail sauce.
About the Author:
Hector Fieshmann is an avid Oregon Fishing angler for over thirty years of experience. Get his free weekly Oregon Fishing Report, courtesy of Wheeler on the Bay.
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