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Article

Hunting opportunities for youth

Mentored Youth Hunter Program allows youth 9 through 15 years of age to hunt without first passing an approved hunter safety education program. It gives unlicensed youngsters an unlimited opportunity to receive mentored, one-on-one field experience and training on the ethics, safety, responsibility and enjoyment of hunting while closely supervised by a licensed adult who is 21 years of age or older and who has a valid license and tag(s) for the dates, area and species being hunted. Register for the Mentored Youth Hunter Program free of charge online (in the youth account) or at any license sales agent where…

July 1, 2026

Article

Where to crab & clam in Siletz Bay

Siletz Bay, located at the south end of Lincoln City, is a very popular destination for beach-goers and clam diggers. Some of the highest density purple varnish clam beds are easily accessed here. Its proximity to the ocean also makes it a very productive seasonal crabbing area

Article

Where to crab & clam in Yaquina Bay

Lower Yaquina Bay is “marine dominated”, meaning there is little freshwater influence, and offers many shellfishing oppurtunities.

Article

Where to crab & clam in Alsea Bay

Just a few miles south of Newport, the town of Waldport is on the shores of Alsea Bay. It is one of Oregon’s estuaries that does not have jetties at the ocean entrance. Strong outgoing tides and ocean swell can make boating near the mouth of the bay more dangerous. Use caution and be prepared if you crab in this area.

Press Release

Commercial crab season delayed

Newport, Ore. – Oregon's commercial Dungeness crab season is delayed coastwide until at least Dec. 16, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Oregon Dungeness crab met both meat and safe biotoxin level requirements; however, the season is delayed as Long Beach, WA crabs have not yet met…

November 21, 2025

Article

Where to crab & clam in Coos Bay

Coos Bay is Oregon’s largest bay. The lower bay (areas from the ocean entrance to the airport) is “marine dominated”, meaning there is little freshwater influence, and offers some of Oregon’s most productive shellfishing opportunities.

Article

Where to crab & clam in Tillamook Bay

Crabbing can be good year-round but the best catches are in the winter. Tidal flats throughout the bay produce lots of gapers, cockles and softshell clams.

Article

Where to crab & clam in the Coquille River

The areas around Bandon, on the Coquille River, have productive softshell beds. The areas near Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge tend to be the most popular. Populations of other bay clams may be found close to the jettys but are mostly subtidal.

Article

Where to crab & clam in Netarts Bay

Clamming is the main attraction in Netarts Bay. The bay is also one of five major crabbing bays in Oregon with good populations of both Dungeness and redrock crab.

Article

Where to crab & clam in the Umpqua River estuary

Umpqua River is one of Oregon's largest estuaries; however, high freshwater influence makes the bay seasonal for crabbing. Softshell clam populations in the Umpqua River are among the highest in the state, and they are large clams. Razor clams can be dug at the North Jetty of the Umpqua, though its a long drive down Sparrow Park Rd. (just north of Gardiner), then South along the beach about‌ 8 miles.

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

Article

Where crab and clam in the Siuslaw River

The Siuslaw River runs past the city of Florence and then flows for 4 miles before reaching‌ the Pacific ocean. Areas west of the 101 bridge feature excellent seasonal crabbing and even some good diving.

Species and Subspecies

European green crab

While recreationally harvesting green crab has been allowed for decades, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission recently increased the daily bag limit to 35 crab. This gives recreational shellfishers an opportunity to help native shellfish by taking more of these invaders home. European green crab are an invasive species in Oregon. While recreational harvest is allowed (35 per day), harvesters must correctly identify these crabs (see below) as they often are mistaken for native species. Green crab: Compete with native crabs for food. Larger green crab may eat smaller native shellfish. May disturb eelgrass beds important to native fishes and…

Article

How to bay clam

Oregon estuaries are rich with many species of clams, although only a few of these species are commonly harvested. Gaper, butter, cockle, littleneck, softshell and purple varnish clams are popularly harvested due to their abundance, size and taste. A wide variety of other bivalve species are found in Oregon estuaries, but not commonly harvested due either to their scarcity or poor taste.

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

Press Release

ODFW takes action to reduce risk of whale entanglements

NEWPORT, Ore. – To reduce the risk of humpback whale entanglements in commercial Dungeness crab gear, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is moving the May 1 "late-season" regulations to April 1 this year. These regulations require commercial crab fishermen to fish in waters less than 40 fathoms, use…

January 23, 2026

Article

Where to crab & clam in Nestucca Bay

You'll find crab areas and softshell clamming opportunities in the southern part of the bay.

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

Article

Where to crab & clam in Nehalem Bay

Nehalem Bay offers both beach and boat access to softshell and purple varnish clam beds.

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