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Zones or Areas

Southwest Zone

The southwest zone includes Umpqua River, Coos Bay, Coquille River, Port Orford, Rogue River and Chetco River‌ - all of which offer shellfishing.

Zones or Areas

Columbia Zone

Shellfish regulations only apply to Columbia River downstream of Tongue Point/Rocky Point line at the mouth of the Columbia River.

Press Release

Oregon's north coast opens to commercial crab fishing Dec. 31

NEWPORT, Ore. – The commercial Dungeness crab fishery opens Dec. 31 from Cape Falcon to the Washington border. Fishermen can begin the presoak period – setting baited crab pots in the water – on Dec. 28 in this area. ODFW delayed opening the north coast until crab in Long Beach…

December 19, 2025

Press Release

ODFW issues bay clam harvest advisory for Alsea Bay estuary

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends people avoid harvesting and consuming softshell and bay clams from Alsea Bay estuary after the Oregon Health Authority issued a recreational use advisory for Eckman Lake in Lincoln County. The OHA issued a July 31 advisory due to the…

August 18, 2025

Press Release

Commercial crab season begins Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border

Newport, Ore. – Oregon's commercial Dungeness crab season opens Dec. 16 from Cape Falcon to the California border, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Crab will be available in time for the holiday season. Oregon will open the north coast to align with Washington once Long Beach…

December 5, 2025

Article

How to buy an Oregon fishing license

You can purchase an Oregon fishing license online or at an ODFW licensed vendor. Here are step-by-step directions for purchasing online.

December 18, 2025

image of an angler holding a 32-inch rainbow trout

Article

How to fish for surfperch

Surf fishing is one of Oregon’s most underutilized fisheries. There are hundreds of places to fish along Oregon’s sandy beaches, and there are plenty of fish within an easy cast from shore.

March 20, 2026

Press Release

Commission meeting Feb 20 in Springfield will consider a petition to modify commercial Dungeness crab fishery rules

Public comment period open; comment via online form SALEM, Ore.—Oregon's Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Feb. 20 at the Lane County Armed Forces Readiness Center, 3106 Pierce Parkway in Springfield. The meeting starts at 8 am and will be livestreamed on the meeting agenda page and at ODFW's YouTube…

January 29, 2026

Article

How to recognize and report poaching on the water

Each year, thousands of fish are harvested illegally in Oregon. Anglers who wait all year for their favorite salmon or steelhead run shouldn’t face reduced opportunity because of poaching. To report poaching call *OSP or 1-800-452-7888

July 31, 2020

photo of oversize sturgeon with head and tail removed

Article

How to buy a license or tag

Directions for purchasing a license or tag online or from a license vendor, for redeeming your Sports Pac voucher, and purchasing a tag after the sale deadline. Buy Online

November 14, 2025

Article

Start fishing, hunting and wildlife watching

Article

How to harvest bait shrimp

Mud and ghost shrimp are popular baits for salmon, sturgeon and other marine fish. Learn how simple it is to harvest your own.

Article

How to make a group purchase in ELS

Creating a purchase group allows you to buy licenses, tags and other documents for family and friends, both online and with agents. After a customer has verified their account, they can be added to a purchase group using their ODFW ID# and the product catalog will reflect the correct products and pricing for each customer in the group. It is important to use customer group purchases as the attestation and acknowledgment is only being made by the customer that is present. Purchase now

November 18, 2025

Article

How to report poaching

An experienced hunter witnessed a mule deer being poached. He was so rattled he forgot who to call and how to report the crime. Here are tips for what to do when you see poaching, then read on for this hunter’s story that bagged him a reward.

November 24, 2020

Article

Shellfish toxins and harvest safety

Razor clams, bay clams, mussels and oysters are filter feeders. They feed on microscopic plants called phytoplankton that naturally occur in ocean and coastal waters. Some types of phytoplankton produce natural toxins. When shellfish feed on these organisms, the toxins are stored in their flesh, yet the shellfish is not affected. But people who eat contaminated shellfish can become seriously ill. Always call the ODA Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before you harvest shellfish or check the Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures web page.

July 22, 2026

Article

Oregon shellfish regulations

Oregon has over 360 miles of coastline -- that's a big sandbox in which to take the family clamming and crabbing. They're open throughout the year and are suitable for everyone in the family. It's fun, it's easy, it's delicious.

January 5, 2024

photo of three smiling women each holding a Dungeness crab

Article

How to fish for crappie

Crappie are scrappy, hard-fighting fish, and with a two-rod validation you can double the excitement of reeling in these delicious panfish. Lucky for us, Oregon has lots of opportunity for crappie, and some of our waterbodies are considered premier crappie fishing destinations!

Article

How to fish for trout

More people in Oregon fish for trout than for any other kind of fish. Anglers can experience a lifetime of varied and rewarding adventures fishing for trout in Oregon’s shaded coastal streams, alpine lakes, urban ponds and high desert rivers.

November 17, 2025

Article

How to hunt waterfowl

Oregon supports diverse waterfowl populations, from sea ducks in coastal saltwater to puddle ducks in the alkali basins of southeast Oregon. You might think you need lots of gear (decoys, boats, a trained dog) to hunt ducks and geese, but you don’t. All of these things are nice but not necessary. All you really need is a hunting license/tag, shotgun, shells and some basic identification skills.

A hunter dressed in camo and a black dog walk down a snowy road

Species and Subspecies

Mussels

Features: Along Oregon's coast there are two species of mussel. Bay mussels ( Mytilus edulis) are bluish-black and grow to about 3 inches in length. California surf mussels ( Mytilus californianus) are brown or black and grow to about 7 inches long. Habitat: Mussels often inhabit boulders in the upper tidal zone so it is best to go looking for them during low-tide. Technique: Wearing a glove, use a twisting motion to pull mussels off the rocks, then immediately pull the "beard" off the bottom, the hairs that previously anchored the shellfish to the rocks. Be sure to check the…