Crabbing in Oregon is probably easier than crabbing in any other area of the country and is an activity that can be shared by the whole family. Typically, you need a boat and drop crab pots in the water, then come back later in the day and collect your harvest. If you don't have a boat or equipment, there are local outfitters happy to take you out and rent the crab pots you will need. Prices vary throughout the year and are not cheap. However, the yield of crab combined with the joy of the outing make it a worthwhile experience.
This year July was great for crabbing in Oregon as the larger males were showing up earlier than usual. During the summer months, recently large moulted summer crabs can be found as well. Keep in mind that the soft shells do not have as much meat and is often best to through them back. Nehalem Bay remains the hot spot on the Oregon coast for crabbing and should continue strong through November, when the rains come and the 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.
Boat Launches Boat launches in Nehalem Bay can be found at five locations. Launch 1 is 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). Launch 2 is Wheeler Marina- turn west at city center in Wheeler, next to train depot. (not shown on map). Launch 3 is 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. Launch 4 is Brighton Marina- approximately 3 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47. Launch five is Jetty Fishery- 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.
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
Digging for clams is a great alternative to oregon crabbing and requires much less equipment and preparation. Beaches and inlet areaas along the coast have big harvests and you only need a shovel and a bucket to get your catch. Wait for the tide to begin going out and then cease the opportunity to have a wonderful meal of fresh clams and muscles!
Clamming is a good alternative to Oregon crabbing while camping along the oregon coast. Nehalem Bay State Park is a perfect example of a park with excellent accomodations for camping and a plethora of clamming and crabbing opportunities. Catch by day, dine at night by campfire.
This year July was great for crabbing in Oregon as the larger males were showing up earlier than usual. During the summer months, recently large moulted summer crabs can be found as well. Keep in mind that the soft shells do not have as much meat and is often best to through them back. Nehalem Bay remains the hot spot on the Oregon coast for crabbing and should continue strong through November, when the rains come and the 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.
Boat Launches Boat launches in Nehalem Bay can be found at five locations. Launch 1 is 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). Launch 2 is Wheeler Marina- turn west at city center in Wheeler, next to train depot. (not shown on map). Launch 3 is 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. Launch 4 is Brighton Marina- approximately 3 miles south of Wheeler off Hwy 101, near mile post 47. Launch five is Jetty Fishery- 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.
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
Digging for clams is a great alternative to oregon crabbing and requires much less equipment and preparation. Beaches and inlet areaas along the coast have big harvests and you only need a shovel and a bucket to get your catch. Wait for the tide to begin going out and then cease the opportunity to have a wonderful meal of fresh clams and muscles!
Clamming is a good alternative to Oregon crabbing while camping along the oregon coast. Nehalem Bay State Park is a perfect example of a park with excellent accomodations for camping and a plethora of clamming and crabbing opportunities. Catch by day, dine at night by campfire.
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.
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