In Oregon salmon run almost year around on one river or another.

First are spring Chinook; they start in March but the best fishing is April and May on the Columbia, Willamette and Rogue Rivers and May and June in Tillamook Bay.

June also has some good summer Chinook fishing in the Columbia.

Next is the fall run on the Columbia, the best fishing in August and early September in Astoria and then closer to Portland later in September.

Fall Chinook inter all the coastal bays in September and last until November.

November and December we do well in the coastal rivers.

There are some serious fly fishers who will fish in March but I would say later in the spring it gets even better.

Many of the rivers that get salmon and steelhead runs do not open until the third week of May to protect the young salmon and steelhead that are migrating to sea.  Most lakes open during the third week of April or are open year-round.

Check out regulations here:   http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/licenses_regs/regulations.asp

Crabbing and clamming don’t always go hand in hand.  You want to have minus tide for good clamming so that the beds are exposed. For crabbing, ideally you want a small tidal exchange so that the current isn’t too great.

You will find the most low tides in May, June and July but twice every month there are minus tides, during the full and dark phases of the moon.

A common saying for crabbing is “any month that ends in a ‘R’ has the best crab.”  The later into the fall the better.  During the summer, crabs are available but it can be hit and miss.  Also, there will be more soft crab in the summer.  A soft crab is one that has recently molted its shell and will not have as much meat.

Nehalem, Tillamook, Netarts, Yaquina, Alsea and Coos Bay are all very popular crabbing spots.  Nehalem, Tillamook nd Yaquina have some piers/docks you can crab from.  Most bays also have boat rental places.

That time frame is ideal for salmon on both the Columbia River and the Oregon Coast.

Tillamook and Nehalem Bays will be heating up (Nearest towns are Tillamook, Garibaldi, Rockaway and Nehalem.  The guys can fish while the girls shop, beach comb or explore.  I would suggest Garibaldi House as a  very nice place to stay. Boat rentals are available at the local marinas on the bays or you could do guided trips.

Fishing on the Columbia R takes place in several locations from Astoria to the Columbia Gorge.  There are a few seasonal closure dates on some sections, but it will all be open for most of September.

If not familiar with the Columbia, a guide is highly suggested because of changing seasons as well as fast water, currents, commercial ship traffic and shallows. Please don’t hesitate to ask any more questions, I’d love to help.

Here are a few great options around the state to visit with good fishing for the boys:

In southern Oregon, Diamond Lake is nice and you can also visit Crater Lake.

On the central/southern Oregon Coast check out Siltcoos Lake.

On the northern Oregon Coast, Fort Stevens State Park is a great option.  It’s rich in history; there is the beach and a lake for shore fishing for bass, trout and perch.

In Central Oregon, check out Crane Prairie Reservoir or Prineville Reservoir.

Newport or Garibaldi are probably your best bet, of course always check conditions and tides forcast before heading out (and fishing regulations). At Newport check out staying at South Beach and in Garibaldi at Barview County Park. Here are a few links for crossing the bar.

There are a few opportunities for fishing the last week of April on the Oregon coast. Sea perch start to move into the bays, the coastal lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow trout by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and there are a few winter steelhead around but it is the end of the run. And yes, if the seas are calm there is charter fishing.

I’m not too familiar with fishing the Umpqua. I’ve personally only fished it for smallmouth bass. But, as a general rule winter steelhead will be picking up in January and last through March. The salmon fishing will be winding down about now.