Coastal bay reopen to clamming.  Razor clam and mussel harvesting along Oregon Coast remains closed. (Oregon Department of Agriculture report 10/05/09)

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has announced the reopening of recreational and commercial clam harvesting in all bays along the entire Oregon Coast, from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border.  However, all recreational and commercial razor clam harvesting along coastal beaches remains closed.

Please call the ODA's shellfish safely information hotline at (800) 448-2474 for more details.

Recreational shellfish harvesting status as of 9/24/09 (Reported from ODFW)

The entire Oregon Coast is closed to all mussel and clam harvesting, from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California border, due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning or PSP toxins. This includes all mussels and clams on the ocean beaches, rocks, estuaries, jetties and bays along the entire Oregon Coast. 

Most of the north and central coast has already been closed to mussel harvesting due to elevated levels of PSP toxins. Razor clam harvesting has been closed by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife(ODFW) since July 15, 2009 as part of its annual summer conservation closure. The conservation closure ends October 1, 2009. However, clamming will remain prohibited until PSP levels fall within the safe range.

The consumption of whole recreationally harvested scallops is not recommended. However, coastal scallops are not affected by closure when only the adductor muscle is eaten.

Crab and commercially farmed oysters are not affected by the current PSP toxin closure
 

10th Annual Coos Basin Amateur Salmon Derby Results:

The 10^th Annual Coos Basin Amateur  Salmon Derby which is sponsored by Eel Tenmile STEP, South Coast Angler’s STEP Association and Oregon Fish and Wildlife was held on the Coos River this Saturday Sept. 12^th and Sunday 13^th .  All proceeds go to help the volunteer STEP groups with, Salmon and Steelhead enhancement, education and Habitat Restoration in the local area

With participants from as far away as New Jersey and states of California, Arizona, Idaho, Montana and Washington and all parts of Oregon the derby was a very successful derby which helps to support Salmon Trout Enhancement Programs (STEP) projects at the Millicoma Interpretive Center , the Morgan Creek Interpretive Center and Eel Lake Interpretive site.  The fish were plentiful with 256 fishermen in over 86 boats fishing in the derby. Most boats did not go home empty handed as there were numerous jacks, salmon under 24” caught.  Size of course matters in winning derby prizes and this year’s derby saw a smaller weight size made up of mostly 2 and 3 yr old Salmon.   

Patricia Johnson of Junction City, Oregon earned a $500 prize for first place with her 23.10 lb Salmon., Second place earned Scott Carter of Coos Bay,OR. $250, Third place was David Schall of Lincoln, CA for $150 and 4^th place was received by Mo Rosas of Roseburg, OR.

   
Pictured above: First Place Winner, Patricia Johnson;  Junior First Place, Tristan Messender
and Junior Second Place, Jayce Morgan

Fifth place earned Chris Jared of the Portland area a night stay for two at Lakeshore Lodge in Lakeside. Robert Powers of Eugene took sixth place earning him a Cabela’s Pro Guide 3600 Tackle Bag. 7^th place was Jeremy Hedgpeth of Coos Bay who won a gift certificate from Les Schwab’s and a gift certificate from Bite’s On Tackle shop in Empire  was given for 8^th place to Joe Blisseck of Coos Bay. Leroy Crosier took 9^th place and received a Cabela’s deluxe gear bag and George Cobel of Renton WA came in 10^th place earning him a Gift Certificate from Bite’s On Tackle of Empire in Coos Bay.  

An added addition to the Derby this year was a $100 prize for the largest Coho Salmon which was won by Bill Lucero with a 15.25lb Coho.  

In the junior division 1^st place went to Tristan Messender of Coos Bay, which won him $100.  Second place went to Jayce Morgan of North Bend with a fishing rod and reel from Hennick’s Hardware of Lakeside.  Colin Maloy of North Bend won a rod from Turman’s tackle in Reedsport for his 3^rd place Salmon.  

One lucky or unlucky fisherman depending on how you want to look at it caught a 30lb Salmon but had not entered the derby. He would have taken 1^st place if he had only bought a derby ticket.

The derby was supported by major sponsors,  Douglas Timber Operators,  Menasha/Campbell  Group, Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, Roseburg Forest Products, KCBY, Charleston Marina Complex, Hill & Blaylock, Inc, BNT Promotional Products, Columbia Distributing / Miller Lite, Knutson’s Towboat and Millicoma Logging, North Country Lures and Flies and Umpqua Bank. 

9/16/2009 Update

The 2009 temporary regulations for fall Chinook are now in affect until Dec. 31.

There is a wild Coho fishery in Coos Bay that opened Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30 or until a quota of 1,000 wild Coho has been caught. The limit on wild Coho is one non-fin clipped Coho per day and a total of five non-fin clipped Coho for the season.

See the ODFW 2009 temporary regulations for more details: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/reg_changes/docs/2009_coastal_coho_and_fall_chinook.pdf

2009 Ocean Sport Salmon Season Information

Statewide Restrictions: No more than 2 single point barbless hooks are allowed to be used for salmon or if a salmon has been retained on the boat. No more than one lure or bait allowed when fishing for salmon. It is unlawful to fish for or take and retain any legal species while possessing on board any species not allowed to be taken in that area at that time.

Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain: Season #1: Open June 20 through earlier of Aug. 31 or Cape Falcon to OR/CA Border quota of 110,000 marked Coho. Bag Limit: Three salmon except closed to retention of Chinook and all retained Coho must have a healed adipose fin clip Length limits:  Coho – 16” and steelhead – 20”

Season #2: Open Sept. 1 through earlier of Sept. 30 or 7,000 marked Coho quota Bag Limit: Two salmon except closed to retention of Chinook and all retained Coho must have a healed adipose fin clip Length limits:  Coho – 16” and steelhead – 20”

Notes: Within the Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area salmon angling is limited to trolling only on all depth halibut days.

These links will take you to sites offering you the most up to date fishing information and news:

ODFW Marine Resources Program -  www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/

Northwest Fishletter -  www.newsdata.com/fishletter
 

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