When we say that Newport is special, we mean it in every sense of the word. Not only is this one of the most beautiful towns along the Beaver State coast, but it’s also one of the quirkiest. Its relaxed vibe mixes well with outstanding seafood and salty air, and then you’ve got a slightly creepy wax museum, the tallest lighthouse in the state, and some of the best beer you can find. The city started out as a fishing village and the tradition keeps going strong – fishing in Newport, Oregon is a dream come true.
The best thing about the city is that both freshwater and saltwater opportunities are world-class. Rivers and streams are playgrounds of Salmon and Trout, and excellent ocean fishing is just as enticing. If you’re not sure where to begin, keep reading, we’ve got you covered.
Best Fish to Catch in Newport, Oregon
There are a few fish that are the superstars of Newport. Coho and Chinook Salmon are at the top of this list, closely followed by Trout. Then you’ve got your Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod, and even a Sturgeon here and there. Here’s what you need to know before you start fishing.
Coho and Chinook Salmon
As soon as you see Salmon on the list of top catches, you know things are about to get good. In Newport, you can target Coho, Chinook, and Chum Salmon. You can fish for Chinook and Chum from March–October, while the Coho season starts later, lasting from June–September.
Coho (Silver) Salmon is the most popular catch in and around Newport. They’re significantly smaller than their Chinook cousins and usually grow only up to 12 pounds. However, what they lack in size they make up for in their fighting abilities. Cohos won’t make it easy for you to get them into the boat, they’ll fight you every step of the way. This makes them trickier to land, but it also makes the fishing exciting.
Chinook (King) Salmon can grow to be quite large, and while 10–30 pounders are standard, there are 50 pounders in these waters. Not only are they heavy, but they have no problem bringing the fight to you. On top of it all, their meat is absolutely delicious.
Chum Salmon are more of a bycatch, mostly because they’re not very tasty. They’re also lazier than Coho and Chinook, so they’re not that much of a challenge. All three species you can catch when using salmon roe or bright-colored plugs. Trolling and drift fishing are very productive, but so is fly fishing, or spinning from shore.
Rainbow and Other Trout
Trout in all their magnificent shapes and forms are the most beloved species in the state. If you go Trout fishing in Newport, Oregon you’ll quickly understand why that’s the case. An extra perk is that the season is open year-round, but there are strict regulations in place to prevent overfishing.
The most commonly targeted species are Rainbow Trout and their searun counterparts, Steelhead. But that’s not all – Brown, Lake, Bull, Brook, Cutthroat, and Tiger Trout are around too. ‘Bows remain the favorite fish to chase, probably because they’re the most abundant. Steelhead are right there beside them, especially because they can be bigger than freshwater Rainbow Trout.
If you’re wondering what makes Trout so special to Oregonians, the answer is simple – they’re a challenge to find and catch, even for experienced fishermen. Add to that the fact they’re biting even in the depths of winter, and you’ve got the best game fish in Oregon. Fly fishing for Trout is a way of life here, and some of the most exciting battles happen when a strong-willed Trout takes on a fly. Even if you’re a beginner, you should give it a try.
There are many reservoirs and streams where you can look for Trout. Shore fishing can be very good, but fishing from smaller kayaks and row boats gives you the chance to reach deeper sections where these beauties like to hide. Trout respond well to salmon roe and nightcrawlers. If you prefer artificials, try your luck with splashy spoons and spinners.
Halibut
Let’s move to saltwater, where fishing is (if that’s possible) even more exciting, and talk about the favorite local flattie, Halibut. There are two species you can target in Newport – California and Pacific Halibut. Open season for Halis is from May–September, after which keeping them is not allowed from October through April.
In this part of the Pacific Ocean, Halibut can grow to be huge – from 15 all the way to 100+ pounds. California Halis are usually smaller, but they’re good to eat just as much as the Pacific variety. These fish are great for beginners because they take the bait relatively easily and aren’t too eager to fight. Not to mention that Halibut fillets are simply amazing.
Halis stick to the bottom and wait for their prey to come to them (classic ambush predator behavior), so you’ll need to put your offering close to get them to bite. That’s why bottom fishing is the most productive way to get a Halibut on the line. Spearfishing is another fun technique to try out if you’d like to try something new. Live bait works best for Halibut fishing in Oregon, whether it’s mackerel, squid, sardines, or octopus.
Lingcod
There’s no talking about fishing in Newport, Oregon without mentioning the famous Lingcod. These fellas might not be much to look at, but their appeal lies in their numbers and great taste. You can go after them all year, but if you go out in the coldest months (December–March), the bite is on fire.
Lingcod prefer cold water and congregate around plenty of structure. Reefs and rocky bottom at depths of 200–400 feet are their ideal hunting grounds. Chances are you’ll find Lingcod close to spots that hold good Halibut and other deep sea game fish. Bear in mind that these fish lead solitary lives, so don’t expect multiple hook-ups when you get one on the line.
Lingcod have scary-sharp teeth, so use a strong leader to prevent them from cutting your line. Bottom fishing works well to get their attention, and if you’d like to be more active while waiting for the bite, try jigging. This can be especially successful in nearshore waters, around jetties and rocky reefs. Just like any hardwired predator, Lingcod can’t resist live bait, so sand dab, small Rockfish, and greenling are your best bet.
Albacore Tuna
To get a taste of the most fast-paced and exhilarating fishery in Newport, sign up for a Tuna fishing trip. Albacore Tuna have become increasingly popular in previous years, and come summer, you can chase these speedsters in the bluewater. They show up in the offshore waters in late June and stick around until September.
Albacore Tuna off the Oregon coast usually weigh up to 30 pounds. If you think they’re not as fun to catch as their Bluefin and Yellowfin cousins, think again! These guys have powerful strikes and reel-screaming runs – they can swim up to 50–60 miles per hour. Having an Albacore Tuna hit your line and then take off full speed ahead will have you holding onto your rod for dear life. That’s what makes these fish so irresistible to seasoned fishermen.
To get to your Albacore Tuna, you’ll need to travel far offshore, at least 20–30 miles out. The best option for this type of fishing is to hire an experienced crew, who will know where to take you. Trolling has proven to be a very effective method to get Tuna, and the same goes for chumming. Once you get the fish close to the boat, you can use a variety of lures and dead bait to get them to bite. That’s when the fun begins!
And More…
There’s so much more you can catch while you’re fishing in Newport, Oregon. Aside from these five, Rockfish, Black Seabass, and Cabezon are in the cards. You can even find Sturgeon in these waters. Let’s not forget about top-notch crabbing opportunities, especially in the fall and winter. This is when delectable Dungeness Crab are at their best.
How to Go Fishing in Newport, Oregon?
There are different ways you can approach fishing in Newport, depending on what your preferences are. Let’s talk about the most common methods of finding fish in these rich waters.
Fishing from Shore
Shore fishing in and around Newport can take on many different forms. Whether it’s surf fishing or casting a line from a river bank, you have plenty of chances to get something good. The Oregon Coast has a mild climate, so shore fishing is available practically all year.
Fly fishing is the most popular choice for Salmon and Trout anglers. Siletz and Salmon Rivers are particularly popular in the fly fishing community because they boast one of the best Salmon and Trout runs in the area. Needless to say, the action is off the charts.
Surf fishing is just as good. With the likes of Surfperch, Rockfish, Cabezon, Sturgeon, and Salmon up for grabs, you can’t go wrong. Head to Beverly, Nye, or South Beach, and you’ll love the variety of species, as well as the views. Make sure you’ve got longer rods for shore fishing (9–10 feet) and bait like mussels, shrimp, and small crab.
Charter Fishing in Newport, Oregon
When it comes to finding and catching good fish, nothing beats local expertise. This is where Newport fishing charters come in. There are plenty of professional guides in the city whose main job it is to put you on the best action there is.
The first thing you’ll notice about these trips is that most of them are specialized. You’ve got excursions that focus on Rockfishing, Salmon, Trout, and Halibut. These can last anywhere from 5–9 hours. Trips that last longer (10+ hours) take you further offshore, where you can target big game fish and even spend the night on the water, hunting for Tuna.
All this makes it easier to make a choice about what you’d like to fish for and how long. The crew will have the right equipment ready for you, as well as all the advice and guidance you need. Remember to get your license before you hit the water and you’re golden.
Deep Sea Fishing in Newport, Oregon
In Newport, the favorite and most productive way of finding impressive fish is deep sea fishing. The city offers great access to the prolific offshore grounds and anglers know how to make the most of it.
The ocean gets very deep close to Oregon Coast, so you can get to some bluewater reefs even on a standard half day trip. As soon as the depth is over 100 feet, you’re in the zone of big game fish. This is where you’ll need strong heavy tackle to battle Lingcod, Halibut, Rockfish, and Albacore Tuna. The further out you go, the bigger the chances of finding trophy-sized specimens.
Deep sea fishing is the best opportunity to land yourself a nice Tuna in the summer. Just make sure you’re ready for the fast and furious action that’s about to take place.
Newport, Oregon Fishing Spots
As you might imagine, there’s no shortage of noteworthy fishing spots in and around Newport. Here’s a quick overview of places you shouldn’t miss.
- Yaquina Bay: We’re starting off strong. Yaquina Bay is a premier angling spot because it allows you to get on Salmon, Rockfish, Flounder, and Surfperch. Crabbing is also nothing short of amazing.
- Depoe Bay: This might be the smallest harbor in the world, but there’s plenty of fishing to be done. You can target both Coho and Chinook Salmon, and bottom fishing is very good, which means lots of Halis, Rockfish, Flounder, and Lingcod.
- Salmon River: The hint is in the name. Even though it’s on the smaller side, Salmon River will wow you with its Chinook runs in the late summer. If that’s not enough, go out in the winter for a prime Rainbow Trout bite.
- Newport Reservoir: You’ll find this watershed and its perfect fly fishing conditions just north of Newport. The usual suspects here include Largemouth Bass, Catfish, and Rainbow Trout.
- Big Creek Reservoirs: If you’re an avid Trout chaser, then these two reservoirs are the place to be. Rainbow Trout fishing is the name of the game, and what makes the bite so good is the fact that both watersheds are regularly stocked with big ‘Bows.
Newport, Oregon Fishing Regulations
Oregonians know how special their fisheries are and they are set on protecting them. That’s why it’s crucial to know the local regulations before you start fishing, especially if you’re going out on your own.
The first thing you’ll need is a valid Oregon fishing license. There are many different options to choose from, depending on whether you’re a resident or not or how long you’d like to fish. There are also special tags, harvest cards, and permits you might need, so make sure you check it all before heading out. If you’re fishing with a charter, you’ll still need a license, and your guide will help you understand the limits and exactly what kind of license you need.
Fishing in Newport, Oregon – All you could ever want!
Now that you know how diverse and prolific fishing in Newport, Oregon is, it’s easy to understand why this is one of the best fishing destinations in the state. You can take it easy and fish from shore or go for an adrenaline-pumping Tuna hunt – either way you’re going to have a lot of fun and even more fishing photos. Good luck!
Have you ever been fishing in Newport? What are your experiences? Any story or tip you’d like to share with fellow anglers? Let’s talk in the comments.
