9/3/2010 What about trout fishing?

Question: I used to fish all the time (Northern NY), but have not fished in Oregon at all.  My 3 year old soon is hankering to go, practicing his casting in the backyard – Does my heart good to see. I will probably take him to Empire Lakes, but am unsure what to use for bait for him.  We have some of the small bait – He is sleeping now so I cannot get the name, but they are about 1/3” and ‘mini-marshmallow looking.  Will that work, or are worms better?

Answer: It’s all a matter of opinion. Some days you'll have good luck; some days you won't. 

The baits of choice for many people who fish Empire Lakes are worms, PowerBait and rooster tails. Some people do fly fish near the shorelines. We’re not sure about the mini-marshmallow bait, but try it. There are largemouth bass, which tend to like those plastic devices. You also can catch big trout, small stock trout and at times bluegill and perch. 

If you fish with a worm, use a bobber, put on a light weight and fish on or near the bottom. Are worms the best? Some people think so. The squeamish factor determines baits for some children.

Most people fishing the upper lake pull in trout. Many use worms and PowerBait. PowerBait works well at times, especially at the bottom. When worms and PowerBait fail, cast in a rooster tail. Some people troll. Others float into the upper lake on inner tubes, which is not an option with a 4-year-old.

The upper lake is deeper. The lower lake has more woody debris protruding around the edges. There seem to be more bluegill and perch in the lower lake. Then again, some fishermen will tell you they catch more of the trophy-sized trout in the lower lake. It’s best to take a variety of baits and see what works.

 9/2/2010 Fishing Report

Tuna are close. As of today, boats were reporting tuna at 25 miles out. That’s a good range for sport boats. Charters reported good catches and sold-out trips.

Crabbing has been excellent in the bay by boat, with people pulling in their limits right away mid-week. Dock crabbing is hit-and-miss. Remember, it’s best on an incoming tide.

Salmon fishing on the ocean is weak, but in Coos Bay it’s good – if not excellent. Last weekend, the boat launch in Eastside was full of salmon boat trailers and this weekend should be just as busy. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists reported the best catches in the Coos Bay channel between the McCullough and Chandler bridges.

Don’t forget the 11^th Annual Coos Bay Amateur Salmon Derby Sept. 11-12. Derby tickets are $20. Kids younger than 13 can fish for free. Watch for posters around town. Tickets are available at Englund Marine, Coos Bay Marine, Y Marina and The Bite’s On.

8/26/2010 Fishing Report

Bring your kids to the docks in Charleston and jig for herring, while waiting on crab pots. People around the docks are reporting “huge herring” (8 inches long or so) and lots of them. Matt at Fishermen’s Wharf says it’s an easy way to catch your bait for fishing. Basin Tackle has been outfitting people who’ve reported luck with five or six little jigs off of a mainline. Sardines and anchovies are out there, but not as plentiful as herring. (Fisheries biologists remind you to be sure to toss back juvenile salmon.)

Crabbing has slowed some from last week in Charleston, but divers reported that a lot of juvenile ling cod have moved into the bay. Chinook salmon fishing has picked up slightly. People have had luck trolling from McCullough Bridge up to the casino. Bank fishing is an option at the end of Ferry Road in North Bend.

On the ocean, charters still are reporting excellent bottom fishing off Coos Bay and Bandon. Tuna are within 50 miles and charters have a few seats for Sunday and more openings into next week.

8/19/2010 Fishing Report

Crab on!

Maybe it’s not as thrilling as hooking a salmon, but bay crabbing is mighty good this week. Recreational crabbers reportedly hauled in pots full of Dungeness crab. Fish markets reported a jump in business from sport crabbers who wanted their catches cooked.  For those who don’t have boats, crabbing from the docks has been OK, with a mix of red rock and Dungeness crab.

Bottom fishing still is going strong. Charter boats have been limiting out.

Tuna are in close to shore, close enough for sport boats. Check with the charter boat operators for opportunities to head out to sea. Most trips are booked weeks out. As of today, there were limited seats on a few days between now and September.

The Chinook salmon bite has been improving. Commercial boats are bringing in some fish. There are more boats in the bay with salmon catches reported near the casino and up into the Marshfield Channel. Fishing for surfperch and rockfish has been good near the airport and railroad bridge.

Minus tides are due for the weekend, so it’s a good time to go clamming.

8/12/2010 Fishing Report

Plan to go tuna fishing. They’re within 40 miles of shore and the charter boats out of Charleston and Bandon have been sending people home happy with a lot of tuna. (Betty Kay’s charter Wednesday landed 60 fish.)

In fact, there’s not much else people are talking about in Charleston this weekend. As of this morning, 65  boats were registered for this weekend’s Oregon Tuna Classic out of Charleston. The tremendously popular event supports the Oregon Food Bank.

If you’re not up to fishing for your own tuna or can’t get a seat on the crowded charters, the fish markets have plenty right now.

Bottom fishing still is going strong. Jetty fishing for greenling and rockfish is decent. Most people have been fishing off of Coos Bay’s north jetty. There’s typically too much swell along the south jetty.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported this week that anglers have caught a few Chinook around the bar, but salmon fishing’s still slow. Boats are starting to troll from the McCullough Bridge up the channel toward downtown Coos Bay.

Commercial crabbing season ends Saturday, but recreational crabbing is open year-round. It’s been improving off of the Charleston Marina docks, but there are reports of some crab with soft shells. Tides have been good for clamming, but remember recreational razor clamming is closed due to domoic acid.

8/5/2010 Fishing Report

This is the weekend for halibut. The two-day sports opener is Friday and Saturday. Charters out of Charleston are booked solid both days. There’s also a two-day season Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-21. Betty Kay Charters out of Charleston is planning a trip Aug. 21 – but it’s booked, too. It wouldn’t hurt to check, though, to see if there’s a waiting list. Prowler Charters out of Bandon might still have seats.

Bottom fishing remains the sure bet. This has been a good, good season for bottom fishing. Tuna remain somewhat far offshore. The reports around Charleston are that tuna have moved closer this week, with some fishermen reporting occasional catches about 40 miles offshore. The fish are few and far between, but big when they bite.

Crabbing off the docks has been slow. If you’re diving for fish in the bay, it’s a bit murky out around Charleston. The U.S. Army Corps dredge Essayons is working near the entrance to the bay. Matt at Fishermen’s Wharf was diving Tuesday night and saw quite a few ling cod and black rockfish.

If you’re fishing inland on rivers and streams, you might have some luck hooking trout in the smaller streams. ODFW reports fishermen are having their best luck in the early morning and late evening. Cutthroats have been biting on small streamers and spinners.

Salmon? It’s slow on the ocean and there have been no reports of Chinook being caught in the bay. But they are expected soon.

7/22/2010 Fishing Report

Bottom fishing can’t be beat. Charters from Charleston and Bandon have continued to send people home with their limits in fish. All trips have been selling out, so if you want to go, book well in advance.

That said, over the past week, big winds have forced charter boat operators to cancel a few trips. What’s up with the wind anyway? At times, it’s blown hard in the morning and quieted in the afternoon.  Recreational fishermen who’ve had to stay in the bay, have been catching mostly black rockfish.

The weekend outlook for fishing in the bay is good. Herring moved in Wednesday. They’re good-sized, too, according to Matt at Fishermen’s Wharf. If there’s bait in the bay, there will be more fish. Salmon fishing is slow, despite decent conditions and tuna is far offshore (100-120 miles). Sport boats may get lucky and catch a few in closer to shore, but the commercial boats have followed the tuna wave north toward Newport.

Crabbing is improving from the docks, now that the minus tides are gone. Crabbing in the bay is improving, too. Commercial crabbing has been slow, and that prompted Fishermen’s Wharf to fly in some Maine lobster today to add to its stock. The Crab Shack has some crab, and it’s stocking spot shrimp now, too.

7/14/2010 Fishing Report

Wind is good for ocean upwelling, but not so much for charter boats taking people to sea. Tuesday’s wind kept boats in port in Charleston and Bandon. Charters are booking trips through the weekend. Bottom fishing, when the boats get out of port, is excellent. Early week trips limited out. Call the charters to check on the outlook leading into the weekend.

Rockfish and greenling are plentiful around the jetties. Use sand shrimp near the bottom for greenling and jigs with spinner tails for rockfish.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s weekly report says there have been a few people catching halibut while fishing off the beaches. Matt at Fishermen’s Wharf in Charleston said he’s heard that, too. It’s the smaller California halibut. He suggests using a surf perch rig. Put a weight on the line with a 2- or 3-foot leader. Use sand shrimp or mole crab as bait.

Tuna are about 35 miles offshore, but tackle shops and charter operators say the warm water is north of Coos Bay right now.  Salmon fishing is slow.

Crabbing is slow in Bandon and Winchester Bay, but decent in Coos Bay. That’s prompted folks to head this direction. Recreational crabbers have had luck off the docks and from boats out in the bay. The saltwater has increased in the bay, which seems to be helping.

There are two more days of morning minus tides, so clamming should be good around Charleston and up the bay near Clam Island. Tide books and tips are available at local tackle shops and the marina and RV offices in Charleston.

7/08/2010 Fishing Report

The Charleston Marina parking lot is full of trucks and trailers today. The weather was calm this morning and people are going out for crab, ling cod and bottom fishing.

Crabbing has improved. Reports around Charleston indicate people crabbing off the docks and in the bay have been doing better than those who dropped pots at sea.

Rockfish and greenling are plentiful around the jetties. Watch the waves and weather. The rockfishing charter trips have been limiting out. Fishermen are pulling in a good grade of black rockfish and red vermillion. The ling cod catch has been good, too.

But what about salmon?

The folks at Basin Tackle say salmon conditions are nearly perfect. They watch satellite data, that matches a sea surface temperature image and with a satellite plankton image. Those are aligned, so they’re betting salmon fishing improves. Bait fish like to swim on a cold edge of water. For example, they’ll cruise along a 50-degree upwelling of water, bordering a 54-degree bank. The salmon follow.

Margery at Betty Kay Charters said salmon have been a bit slow to bite. Betty Kay is offering a salmon trip on Saturday.

The warm tuna current has moved farther offshore. Albacore are estimated at 80 to 100 miles out. Charters are running and seats are open.

We’ll have minus tides this weekend, so it’s a good time to go clamming in the bay. Razor clamming is closed due to elevated levels of domoic acid, which is caused by algae blooms. You can check for shellfish harvest updates on the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s web site at http://oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml.

FYI: If you want a break from fishing, the Wild Women of Charleston are hosting a Bring Your Own Picnic for families from 1 to 4 p.m., July 17, at Bastendorff Beach.
 

7/01/2010 Fishing Report 

Don’t let the crowd fool you. There’s still room to park your boat trailer in Charleston if you’re headed out for halibut today or Friday. Commercial boats brought in fish Wednesday, so yes, halibut is in the fish markets for non-anglers.  For sports halibut fishermen, the reports today are mixed.  

Tuna are moving closer to shore. Bandon’s Prowler Charters reported one of its boats catching some tuna about 35 miles offshore.

Bottom fishing still rules. All of the charters say their boats have been limiting out. There still are seats available for the weekend for bottom fishing. They’ll go salmon fishing, too, if enough people sign up. The weather for Saturday looks good. Sunday afternoon is likely to be windy. 

Crabbing in the bay is decent. Dock crabbers have been catching a mix of Dungeness and red rocks crab. Either way, they’re bringing ‘em in. 

Low tide today attracted quite a few clammers to Charleston. Recreational razor clamming is CLOSED from Coos Bay to Bandon, due to elevated levels of domoic acid.

6/29/2010 Fishing Report 

Tuna have been reported about 100 miles offshore. Fishermen in Charleston say Oregon boats have been catching 400 a day, with fish averaging 16 pounds. 

Sports fishermen can hook halibut Thursday and Friday (July 1-2) as far south as Humbug Mountain. Commercial boats will be fishing Wednesday only. If you didn’t schedule a charter or don’t have a boat of your own, local fish markets should have halibut available Thursday and Friday. 

Go to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for information on other openings this summer and rules. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/

6/25/2010 Fishing Report

Charter boat operators say bottom fishing is doing very well. Seats are available, but the season is picking up. The first salmon trips start this weekend, as Coho season opens Saturday. The charters are anticipating a good year. 

Grab your crab pots and bait. Crabbing is good in Charleston from the docks. People crabbing from boats have been doing well, too, this week. Red rock crab are the most plentiful.  

Rockfish and greenling fishing at the jetties still is strong. Use sand shrimp near the bottom for greenling and a plastic twister tail for rockfish. 

Matt at Fisherman’s Wharf was diving in Coos Bay this week and was amazed by the underwater traffic. He reported seeing a lot of black cod, sea trout, cabezon and tons of ling cod, which were fairly aggressive. There is spawn all over the bottom of the bay, which probably explains why Coos Bay is the destination of choice for underwater visitors.  

6/11/2010 Fishing Report

Hankering for some rockfish? If so, this might be the weekend for bottom fishing.  

Charleston’s charter boats have been limiting out on rockfish and catching some lingcod. There are seats open in Bandon and Charleston for the weekend. The weather forecast is mostly good for Saturday and Sunday (67 degrees and sunny, but a bit windy). If the ocean’s not too bouncy, the boats will go. As to Chinook fishing, the boats will go if there are enough bookings and the ocean cooperates. Check with the charters for scheduling. 

Rockfish and greenling fishing around the jetties still is the best option for people who aren’t venturing out in the ocean.  

Don’t forget: It’s free fishing weekend. That means neither adults nor children need licenses to toss hooks in the water. For families, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is sponsoring a kids fishing event at Tugman State Park’s Eel Lake near Lakeside. 

Sturgeon fishing remains slow in Isthmus Slough and up the Coos River. People catching them have reported luck using sand shrimp. 

Crabbing off the docks has been slow, but it should be a good weekend for clamming, thanks to negative tides. FYI, state officials have closed razor clamming from Coos Bay to Bandon due to the neurotoxin domoic acid in the meat. It’s caused when there are red algae blooms and the shellfish eat a lot of it.

6/04/2010 Fishing Report

Charter boats have been doing well with limits on bottom fish. Salmon fishing has been slow for sport fishermen. The fish still are swimming deep. 

Matt at Fishermen’s Wharf in the Charleston Marina went diving this week in the bay and reported seeing a lot of lingcod and black rockfish. 

Sturgeon fishing in Isthmus Slough is slow. Sand shrimp is the preferred bait right now. Rockfish and greenling fishing around the jetties has been good, but be very careful. Pay attention to weather forecasts and the ocean. 

Recreational crabbing is improving for people in boats. It’s still a bit slow from the docks.

5/27/2010 Fishing report

Ocean fish rule right now. Fishermen had luck last week hooking greenling and rockfish along the Coos Bay jetties. Use a jig with a plastic twister tail for rockfish and fish sand shrimp near the bottom for greenling. Keep caution in mind and an eye on the weather if you fish near the jetties.  

Betty Kay Charters reported today that bottom fishing’s been going well out of Charleston. The boats have been catching limits on rockfish. Anglers have hauled in nice, big blacks and vermilion. They’ve also been catching a few lingcod.  

If you’re hankering for halibut, book your seats now. The three-day opener, June 3-5, may prove popular. This will be the last chance to hook halibut if the catch hits the 105,948-pound quota. If not, the state may offer more opportunities. Seatwise, Betty Kay’s June 4 halibut trip is full. There were plenty of seats left for Thursday, June 3, and a few for Saturday, June 5. Bandon’s Prowler Charters halibut trips are mostly full.  

Crabbing is slow in the bay for those in boats or dropping crab pots off the docks. Still, it’s worth a try over the holiday weekend. Use fish, chicken or turkey legs for bait. 

5/20/2010  - Local Report

Stop wishing for a family fishing weekend – just go. Trout fishing in the bay and rivers opens Saturday. Anyone fishing for trout above tidewater must use lures or artificial flies.

Local lakes and ponds are stocked with legal-sized rainbow trout. Worms, small spinners and flies still are the preferred snack.  The hot spot for kids is the Millicoma Pond at the Millicoma Interpretive Center on the West Fork of the – yes, you guessed it – Millicoma River near Allegany. (Kids fishing only.) Call 547-267-2557 to be sure the gate is open.

The 3-day Halibut season continues through Saturday. Charters were nearly booked earlier this week, but it’s worth checking to see whether there might be a few seats open or cancellations. The next window for hooking halibut is June 3-5.

Rockfish and greenling fishing has been good around the jetties. Use a jig with a plastic twister tail for rockfish; fish with sand shrimp near the bottom for greenling.

Sturgeon fishing is very slow, but you can try hooking them with sand shrimp. Crabbing is slow.  Fish, chicken and turkey legs have been the bait of choice. Also, mussel harvesting is closed from Bastendorff Beach at Charleston to the California border.

5/18/2010 - Halibut fishing update 

Halibut fishermen were smiling after the three-day window last weekend. Charter boat operators reported decent landings on a somewhat rough Thursday, but good landings on Friday and Saturday.

Betty Kay Charters out of Charleston reported 10 fish on Thursday. On Friday, fishermen pulled in 22 halibut and Saturday’s catch totaled 18.  

As for this week’s May 20-22 opening, Betty Kay still had seats available for Thursday, but the weather outlook isn’t good. A couple seats were available for Friday and Saturday was sold out. Bandon’s Prowler Charters also reported good halibut catches last weekend and the outlook remains good for this weekend. Prowler’s Saturday seats were full, but there was room for Thursday (weather willing) and Friday charters. 

If you missed out this month on the limited halibut season, there’s one more opening scheduled June 3-5. 

If you go: It’s a 12-hour trip. Bring snacks. Wear shades. Dress for all weather and bring sunscreen.  

5/13/2010 – Local Report

Halibut season is under way today through Saturday. If you didn’t make it to Charleston, there’s still time. Other open dates are scheduled, including May 20-22 and June 3-5. There could be more windows of opportunity if we don’t hit the 105,948-pound quota.  

State fish and wildlife workers recently stocked local lakes and ponds with legal-sized rainbow trout. They’re biting on worms, small spinners and flies. Take the kids to Empire Lakes in Coos Bay.

Fishermen are hooking a few sturgeon in Isthmus Slough, but overall sturgeon fishing has been slow. Sand shrimp appears to be the best bait right now. Reminder: You can’t keep green sturgeon, which are listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Rockfish and greenling fishing has been good around the jetties. Use a jig with a plastic twister tail for rockfish; fish with sand shrimp near the bottom for greenling.

People have been pulling in mostly red rock crab, but overall bay crabbing has been slow by boat and from the docks. Fish, chicken and turkey legs have been the bait of choice. Ocean crabbing has been better. 

Wait for a calm ocean to fish near rocky outcroppings for rockfish and lingcod. The recent rough ocean hasn’t helped surfperch anglers. If you go, make sure it’s an incoming tide and find a beach with smaller waves. Put sand shrimp or sand worms on your line. 

04/27/2010 - Local Report

Local lake stocking will be taking place this week with legal size rainbow trout.  The best thing to use for bait is worms and bright spinners.

Bay crabbing from the dock has been slow and boat crabbing from a boat has been a bit better, but both have been reporting Red Rock Crab as the main harvest.

Rockfish and Greenling bottom fishing has been decent when the swells have been calm. 

Surfperch fishing has been slow with the active high surf.  Anglers are using sand shrimp and fishing when its an incoming tide for the best results. 

03/19/2010 - Local Report

Bay crabbing has been very slow.  Most of the harvest has been Red Rock Crab with very few Dungeness.  Reports coming in with people coming in with about half their allowed limits.

Rainbow Trout stocking has begun in many Coos County Lakes.  Check out the ODF&W website for the most up-to-date stocking schedules.  Anglers are finding success using flies and worms.

There have been reports of sturgeon being caught near the Coos Bay Estuary.  Baits being used are sand shrimp and squid.

02/08/2010 - Local Report

Empire lakes, Tenmile Lakes and Saunders lake are all reporting excellent trout fishing.  Anglers are using bright spinners and worms for the best luck. 

The rivers have been reportedly low and clear, but there are still Steelhead being caught although it has slowed down with these river conditions.  According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife:  "Access to the South Coos River above Dellwood is by permit from Weyerhaeuser Company, and is subject to their rules. Anglers can call the Weyerhaeuser hotline number at 1-888-741-5403 for recorded information on access and permit purchases." 

Recreational crabbing has slowed down in the area, its more been more productive for bay crabbers with boats, with most of the harvest being reported as Red Rock Crab.  Dock crabbing has been very slow in the Charleston area.

Bottomfishing for Rockfish, Greenling and Cod has been decent when the waters have been calm enough to go out. 

01/25/2010 - Local Report

The West fork of the Millicoma river was clear yesterday and the East Fork was clear but with better fishing conditions as one Angler reported.  He stated that he was using a corky and an egg and landed 3 with that combination.  He said that the banks were a little deserted yesterday and reported only seeing about 10 cars up the East Fork.  The angler said that his friend caught a nice 30 incher weighing in at nearly 9 pounds using a bobber and jig set up.  There really needs to be a couple inches of rain to bring some more steelhead up into the river, that fishing has definitely slowed down from last week.

01/15/2010 - Local Report

The East fork of the Millicoma river was reportedly perfect fishing conditions today.  The West fork was also in good shape and got even better as the day progressed.  There were hundreds of fishermen on the banks of both forks most of the day.  Many steelhead were being landed through out the day.  Anglers were reportedly using eggs and corkys or yarn and a corky.  There were some fishermen using a Blue Fox #4 lime green spinner and having good luck with that. 

01/04/2010 - Local Report

Steelhead fishing was reportedly picking up speed today.  One angler's report stated that he was up the East fork of the Millicoma River and hooked three and landed one.  This angler was using drifting eggs with a corky.  This angler saw 6 other fish being hooked this morning.  The waters on the east fork were in perfect condition and the river was being fished heavily from Nesika park on down.  The West fork of the Millicoma was low and clear today.  Crabbing remains excellent in the bay. 

2009 ARCHIVED REPORTS

12/15/2009 - Local Report Steelhead are reportedly being caught up on the East Fork of the Millicoma River, but it has been pretty slow.  The next rain should bring in some brights and there should be a good return this year. Crabbing continues to be excellent both off the dock and in the bay.  Limits are being met and the shells are firm and full. 
11/30/2009 - Local Report Rainbow trout fishing is reportedly excellent in many local lakes.  Anglers have been successful using Powerbait and spinners.  Recreational crabbing and clamming continue to be excellent in Coos Bay.  Limits are being met quickly and the weather has been excellent.  Steelhead season is now open and there are a few being caught in the Coos River Basin.  This should pick up through the month as the best fishing should start about the end of December.  Bottom fishing for Lingcod and rockfish has been reportedly strong.

11/18/2009 - Local Report  Both recreational crabbing and clamming have been excelled in Coos Bay.  The crabbers are limiting out quickly either off the dock or out in the bay with a boat.  The dock crabbers are reporting mostly rock crab and the bay crabbers are reporting reaching limits on Dungeness.  Salmon fishing has continued to slow with very few brights being reported.

11/5/2009 - Local Report  Clamming and Crabbing are both being reported as excellent in Coos Bay.  Tides have been good late evening and the crabs being harvested are hard shelled.  Salmon fishing has slowed down since most of the fish have moved up river.  There are a few being caught at the Coos Bay boardwalk, but most of them are dark.  Empire Lake in Coos Bay was just recently stocked with Rainbow Trout and anglers have been successful using Powerbait and spinners.

10/30/2009 - Local Report  Crabbing inside the bay has been very successful this week.  Sport crabbers are limiting out quickly on Dungeness Crab and the shells have been hard.  Chinook Salmon have been reportedly being caught down on the Coos Bay Boardwalk and in the mouth of Daniels Creek in Catching Slough.  Trout fishing will close in Coos Bay and the rivers on October 31.

10/21/2009 - Local Report  Crabbing outside the bar has now closed for the season.  Inside the bay, crabbing has been slow with very few coming close to their limits.  Bay fishing continues to be slow with a few sea trout, perch and bottom fish being landed.

10/03/2009 - ODFW Report  There have been a few sea-run cutthroat trout caught in Coos Bay. The use of bait while fishing for trout in streams above tidewater is now allowed. Trout season is open until October 31.  Harvest of fall Chinook has slowed down this past week in Coos Bay but there are still plenty of fish to be caught. Harvest this past week has been almost a 50/50 split between jacks and adult Chinook. The best place to fish from a boat is in the Marshfield Channel, Coos River, and South Fork Coos River.  Harvest of Chinook by bank anglers has picked up this past week. A few of the bank fishing area are at the Coos Bay City Boardwalk, the mouth of Catching Slough, the mouth of Daniels Creek, and the upper end of Isthmus Slough near the House of Confusion. The 2009 temporary regulations for fall chinook are now in affect until Dec. 31.  The quota has been met for the wild coho fishery in Coos Bay and harvest of wild coho is no longer allowed. Anglers may still retain fin-clipped coho.

Fishing for rockfish, surfperch, and greenling in the lower Coos Bay estuary has been good. To catch rockfish and surfperch fish near pilings or submerged rock piles and for greenling concentrate your fishing effort near kelp beds for the best success.  The best baits to use are sand shrimp or a jig and twister tail.

The entire Oregon Coast is still closed to recreational mussel and clam harvest due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning or PSP toxins according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Crabs are not affected by this level of toxin and are safe to eat.  Before any shellfish harvest trip, make sure to check the Oregon Department of Agriculture website for any recent shellfish closures recent shellfish closures at: http://oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/shellfish_status.shtml.

Recreational crab harvest inside the bay is good for those with boats and those on the docks. Red rock crabs are the main harvest at the Charleston and Empire docks but there are also a few legal Dungeness crabs being harvested as well. The best time to crab is a few hours before high tide and the preferred baits to use are fish, chicken, or turkey legs.

9/18/2009 - Local Report  Salmon are reportedly being caught in abundance by the Chandler Bridge area on Coos River.   One angler reported that yesterday their boat hooked 12 and landed 8.  There were many boats out and lots of fish being caught in that area. The anglers were using #6 Blue Fox lures (orange) with 2 oz. of lead with a splitter bar.   

9/16/2009 - Local Report Chinook Salmon fishing over the last week has been excellent off Coos Bay near the Channel and Coos River sections of the bay.  Plug cut herring seems to be the bait of choice with most anglers.  Some are trolling with a flasher, and some are not.  Wild Coho are being caught near the McCullough Bridge area.  The most recent ODFW regulations state that 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.  This will run through the last day of November or until a 1,000 landed quota has been reached. Bottom fishing continues to be very active with fishermen reportedly having the best luck with a jig and twister tails or sand shrimp.  There are some great minus tides this week and the clamming has been great.  Make sure to check the tide table section of this website to time your trip for the best time to go.

9/14/2009 - Local Report  Over the weekend, it was reported that Salmon were biting and being landed in the channel in Empire about 10 feet deep.  The anglers were trolling on downriggers using plug cut herring about 3.5 MPH.  Bay crabbing was excellent with most everyone harvesting their limits with hard shelled Dungeness.

9/9/2009 - Local Report According to a local charter operator, the bottomfishing has been spectacular.  Limits were caught on Rock Cod, Black Cod and Snapper and even Lingcod.  Shrimp Flies and Rubber Scampis have been successful luring them in.  Tuna fishing has been excellent since there is still lots of warm water.  Reports of tuna being caught as close at 18 miles out but the majority of catch is out around 25 miles.  Ocean Salmon fishing has been slow, very few being caught.  The river Salmon fishing has been very successful using plug cut herring with or without a flasher.  Ocean and Bay crabbing has been excellent.  The shells have hardened back up and limits are being met on Dungeness.

9/3/2009 - Local Report  Tuna are being fished hard about 30 miles out.  One local angler came in with 18 on his boat today.  Bottom fishing has been great off Simpson's reef and Coho are being caught in the mouth of Coos River.  Coho are reportedly biting on hoochies and flashers.  The ODFW announced that anglers are now allowed to keep one wild Coho Salmon caught inside the river.

8/27/2009 - Local Report  Salmon are being caught at the mouth of the Coos River, using plug cut herring and a flasher.  There have been several landed over the last few days.  Crabbing still remains active on the docks and in the bay, but most of the shells are reported as half full and soft.

8/20/2009 - Local Report  Largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegills in the local area lakes is still decent.  Chinook Salmon fishing has been slow but is expected to pick up in the next couple weeks.  Clamming has been good this week with some great minus tides.  Crabbing has been still going strong for those on the dock and also in the boats.  Shells are getting pretty soft on the Dungeness pulls and on the docks, most pulls are Red Rock crab. 

7/29/09 - Local Report  A few reports from around the Charleston Marina and the Marina RV Park this week that say that the tuna is about 14-20 miles out and the water is warming back up.  The bottomfishing has slowed down a bit in the last week.  The bay and dock crabbing has been good, but the shells are starting to get pretty soft.  Salmon fishing has been active, but very few keepers being reported.

7/21/09 - Local Report  Both Empire and Tenmile Lake trout fishing has been reportedly still active with the weather warming up.  The trout have been averaging between 17 and 20 inches long.  Using a bobber with the bait attached just underneath has been what most people have been using, or trolling with a flasher or worm.  Blue Gill have begun to spawn and are interested in worms on a small jig under a bobber.  One angler said that the fish have been pretty aggressive trying to protect their nests.  Largemouth Bass are also biting using crankbaits, spinners and plastic worms.   Bay crabbing is still doing well, with people harvesting close to their limits.  Most dock crabbers are reporting mainly Red Rock Crab and a few legal Dungeness.  Trout fishing is reportedly open in Coos Bay and the rivers.  Angling is restricted to artificial flies and lures in streams above tidewater.

7/17/09 - Local Report  Ocean fishing has seen rough weather for the last few days but that changed going into the weekend.  Seas and winds have calmed and the fog lifted this morning allowing over 40 sport boats to cross the Charleston bar.  Reports indicate that bottom fishing is fabulous with great catches of blacks and lingcod.   Crabbing and fishing off the docks has been slow with crab catches being predominantly red rock.

7/14/09 - Local Report  The charter fleet reports that tuna fishing has been fantastic!  Yesterday a nine person charter landed 85 nice-grade fish in the 20 lb. range.  They report averaging 50 tuna per day trip.  Expect to find them about 15 to 20 miles off shore at this time.  The charter fleet reports that salmon catches have been spotty but the sport segment indicate that the salmon fishing is great.  They reported limiting out on salmon yesterday and also indicated that bottom fishing is holding up well.  Crabbing and fishing off the docks have also been good.  Thoughts are that local upwelling is bringing food and bait fish closer to the surface making for good catch off the docks.  Hard shelled crabs are still being caught among soft shelled ones indicating that molting is still continuing.

Weekend Summary 7/13/09 - Local Report  The weekend was busy in Charleston, OR with flat and foggy ocean conditions.  Visibility was low and reports indicated tuna was 26 miles off the coast.  One angler reported a Saturday tuna catch of 26 and a Sunday total of 16 all in the 20 to 55 lb. range.  Bottom fishing was good and reports of Salmon catch were high as well.

7/10/09 - Local Report  Tuna are being reported about 20 miles out in 60° water.  Anglers are having luck fishing with cedar plugs.  Salmon and bottom fishing have also been reported as very active with fishermen catching their limits.  Bay crabbing continues to be excellent with reports of full limits with most of the catch still being firm shelled.  A few soft-shells reported, but the ration is about 9 to 1.

7/08/09 - Local Report  Salmon fishing was reportedly excellent yesterday with one group catching 8 fish and only two of those were natives and had to be put back. They were fishing about 10 miles out in 360 ft. waters.  They were using a diver with an apex yesterday which seemed to be working well.    The ODFW Fish Checker reported that she has checked in a lot of Salmon in the last two days.  Recreational Tuna fishing has been excellent as well, although the waters are cooling again and the tuna have headed out a bit further.  The Tuna were reportedly 19 miles out yesterday with one anglers report of 12 fish landed.  Sturgeon fishing at the bottom for the forks of the Coos River continues to be slow.  Many anglers are still fishing the area using squid and shrimp in bait bags with bites being few and far between.  One report came in that near Gardiner on the Lower Umpqua - they are really getting active and many fisherman have been lined up fishing that area hard.

7/07/09 - Local Report  Tuna fishing for recreational and sport fisherman has been very good.  The tuna are now being reported as close as 15 miles.

Weekend Summary and Morning Update - 7/06/09 - Local Report  Bottom fishing was very active over the weekend - many anglers reporting catching their limits even a report of a good sized 24" ling cod.  Black Rock, Vermillion, Coppers and Cabezon were all reported being landed - a very good mix.  One report came in saying that they were trolling jigs for the bottom fish and having luck with the zucchini clones.  Tuna fish were reportedly being caught by recreational fisherman about 20-25 miles out.  Many boats out of Charleston harbor reporting.  Commercial fisherman were also doing very well with their tuna catch.  Bay crabbing was excellent this weekend.  Many people were catching their limits and a few semi-soft shells were reported but most of the crab were firm.  Many Salmon fishermen went out on Friday July 3, but the high winds forced them back in early.  The salmon were slow biting and it was reported that for about every 10 Native caught, one fin clipped was being caught.  So, there was just basically some catch and release happening.  Charter fishing boats were all out and active this last weekend fishing for bottom fish and catching their limits.

Update 7/02/2009 - Local Report  The weather is reportedly better today and winds have calmed down some.  It was reported that 20-30 recreational boats left the Charleston area this morning to go Salmon fishing.  It was also reported that the local charter fishing boats are out.  Halibut season has opened back for for July 2, 3 and 4.  Another report regarding Dungeness crab in the bay reporting that many people were catching their limits yesterday and the shells are still semi-hard.

Update 7/01/2009 - Local Report  Sturgeon are still not biting below the forks on the Coos River.  There have been several boats there fishing that area over the last two days and no one has reported any landings.   Wind and chop continue to slow the recreational fishing.

Update 6/30/2009 - Local Report  The weather conditions continue to slow down the recreational fishing.  The water is very choppy and the winds are high.  Dock crabbing has been very slow with most of the catching being juvenile or female crabs.  There has been a bit of luck in the bay crabbing, but no one seems to be reaching their limits.  The shells are being reported as still firm enough to eat.  Although the tides weren't the best in front of the Portside Restaurant in Charleston Oregon yesterday, there were a handful of diggers that got their limits on gapers.  Several of them also raked in enough cockle clams to fill their buckets.

Update 6/29/2009 - Local Report  Due to extreme wind and the inability for anglers to cross the bar, there has been no recently reported fishing activity.   There has been some successful bay crabbing reported over the weekend.  The Dungeness crab shells are reported being semi-firm. 

Update 6/26/2009 - Local Report Sturgeon Fishing has nearly come to a standstill below the forks on the Coos River over the last two days.  The bait being used is squid and shrimp tied in bait bags (due to the bullheads making off with bait not secured) and it has not enticed the sturgeon to bite.   The Shad are starting to come in and the sturgeon usually follow the shad this time of year.  There are also many reports of sea lions attacking and eating the 7-8 foot sturgeon.  Clamming is great today and the Martha Washington's are in abundance on clam island (north spit area)!  Halibut fishing will be open for three days - July 2, 3 & 4 - according to local reports.  Windy conditions are slowing down local anglers from accessing the ocean.  Please check the weather and water page of this website for links and information on the latest conditions.

Recreational Fishing Update 6/25/2009 - Local Angler Report  Yesterday it was reported that salmon were being caught about five miles out, due west, of the Charleston Oregon bar.  The lures being reported are; pink hoochies down about 15 ft. in 250 ft. waters, and watermelon hoochies down about 100 ft. in 300 ft. waters.    It was also reported that NW on 270° 4-5 miles out in 200-350 ft. waters that salmon are being caught 30 ft. down and the hot lure being used is the watermelon hoochie.  An angler stated that they caught 10 wild salmon before catching three clipped fin salmon - and they are biting!

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