Free Fishing, Clamming, Crabbing Weekend On Oregon Coast Feb. 19 - 20

Published 02/13/22 at 7:32 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast) – On this particular Presidents' Day Weekend, you can make out like a VIP in the world of really fresh seafood. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) hosts its Free Fishing Weekend on February 19 and 20, where anyone can fish, clam and crab for no cost and without a license, which includes the Oregon coast.

Normally you'll need a fishing / shellfish license or tags to engage in any of these recreational forms of harvesting along the Oregon coast or inland bodies of water, but not this weekend. It's also true for Oregon residents and nonresidents: out-of-state visitors can dig right in as well.

ODFW said all other fishing regulations will apply, as well as any restrictions of clamming or crabbing – which include closures, bag limits and sizes of catch. These can change with the season, ODFW said, so keep an eye on https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/ for any shifts in what's happening with salmon or steelhead.

(Above: Humbug Mountain. Courtesy Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more)

ODFW's Recreation Report has the best on fishing opportunities throughout the state. Beginners to the activity may want to check out Easy Angling Oregon, which is a guide to getting started with fishing. For those living in inland areas like Portland, Bend, Medford, Roseburg or in Lane County, there are lots of nearby options.

Along the Oregon coast, there's not just lots of fishing going on but crabbing and clamming are the hot items, as just about always. MyODFW has all the information you'll need to get into that world, even if you're just “getting your feet wet” for the first time.

“Remember to check ocean conditions and take safety precautions: always clam with a friend and never turn your back on the ocean,” ODFW said.

Major hotspots along the Oregon coast for crabbing are Newport's Yaquina Bay, Bandon, and the 12 Ave. bridge at Seaside. ODFW said with the dry weather, crab are moving back into the estuaries so crabbing could be good.

Currently, crabbing is open in bays, beaches, estuaries, tide pools, piers and jetties along the entire Oregon coast and in the ocean.

Razor clamming is currently closed from Cape Blanco, north of Port Orford, to the California border because domoic acid toxin levels are above the closure limit. However, the state's most prolific area is from Seaside through Warrenton and that area is completely open.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when naturally occurring biotoxins get to levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat. Always call the ODA Shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check their Shellfish page before you go out.

For fishing along the Oregon coast, ODFW said it's best to cast your line around rocky headlands, jetties, nearshore reefs and offshore pinnacles. Catches include rockfish, lingcod, greenling, cabezon and flatfish.

Gilbert Inn

Idyllic Beach Houses

Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Find a Place to Stay

Seaside Lodging
Cannon Beach Lodging
Nehalem Bay Lodgings
Manzanita Hotels, Lodging
Three Capes Lodging
Pacific City Hotels, Lodging
Lincoln City Lodging
Depoe Bay Lodging
Newport Lodging
Waldport Lodging
Yachats Lodging
Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals
Oregon Coast Lodging Specials

Netarts Bay

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Coastal Spotlight

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Oregon Man Struck by Lightning: Active Weather Day Also Produced Funnel Cloud
27 Jun 2026 at 11:23pm
The man was taken to a burn center in Portland. Video of lightning by satellite. Molalla, Clackamas County, Marion County, Wilsonville
Oregon Coast Jazz Party Announces Lineup in Newport - October
27 Jun 2026 at 11:23pm
October 2 - 4 in Nye Beach, Newport. Newport events
Oregon Officials Advice on Fireworks, Leave Them At Home If Heading to State ...
27 Jun 2026 at 11:23pm
Fireworks are banned in all state parks; Sheriffs urge caution. Safety. Astoria events, Seaside events, Cannon Beach events, Manzanita events, Rockaway Beach events, Tillamook events, Oceanside events, Pacific City events, Lincoln City events, Depoe Bay events, Newport events, Waldport events, Yachats events, Florence events, Reedsport events, North Bend events, Coos Bay events, Charleston events, Bandon events, Port Orford events, Gold Beach events, Brookings events. Weather
Absolute Complete Guide to Oregon Coast Fourth of July, 2026: All Towns
26 Jun 2026 at 6:51am
Astoria events, Seaside events, Cannon Beach events, Manzanita events, Rockaway Beach events, Tillamook events, Oceanside events, Pacific City events, Lincoln City events, Depoe Bay events, Newport events, Waldport events, Yachats events, Florence events, Reedsport events, North Bend events, Coos Bay events, Charleston events, Bandon events, Port Orford events, Gold Beach events, Brookings events. Weather
Pirate Invasion, Curry County Fair and Wild Mushrooms Dot S. Oregon Coast Lan...
26 Jun 2026 at 6:51am
Fair in Gold Beach July 23 - 26; Pirates of Pacific Fest Aug 7 - 9; Wild Rivers Mushroom Fest Nov 7 - 8. Brookings events, Gold Beach events
Manzanita in July: History of Oregon Coast's 101 and Pirate-Themed Scavenger ...
26 Jun 2026 at 6:51am
July 9: Scavenger Hunt. July 11: History of Highway. Manzanita events, Nehalem events, Cannon Beach events, Tillamook events
Oregon Coast News Roundup: Dead Whale, Fatal Vehicle Wreck, Arrests
26 Jun 2026 at 6:51am
19th deceased whale this year; fatal collision Yamhill County. Seaside, marine sciences, Gearhart, Newberg, traffic, true crime
Famous Orcas from Alaskan Rescue Effort Pop Up on Oregon Coast, Blowing Up So...
26 Jun 2026 at 6:51am
The pair were stuck in a lake in 2023 and freed by elaborate means. Marine sciences, Newport

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted