NORTH Surfperch Albacore Columbia River to Nestucca Bay Sturgeon MARINE White Sturgeon These Fish Have Dark Blue Backs and Very Long Pectoral (Side) Fins

Home , Nestucca Bay, Nestucca River, Silver surfperch

bottoms.

hook to catch these daytime feeders. daytime these catch to hook Take a friend fishing on this weekend in June in weekend this on fishing friend a Take tions restric and seasons for regulations current See

ezon live around kelp beds and rocky headlands over hard hard over headlands rocky and beds kelp around live ezon Technique: These fish have small mouths, so try a #4 to #6 #6 to #4 a try so mouths, small have fish These Technique: Free Fishing Weekend Fishing Free

- Cab inside). diagram (see rig fish-finder the Use Technique:

ployed on wire or very heavy monofilament leaders. monofilament heavy very or wire on ployed

to detect movement, but kelp and rock greenlings have five. have greenlings rock and kelp but movement, detect to

- de flies shrimp or spoons jigs, herring, large by enticed

e) Squar Black

the eggs after the female deposits them. deposits female the after eggs the

Most fishes have just one lateral line along each side side each along line lateral one just have fishes Most Fact: Fish

gravel bottoms in water 150-500+ feet deep. Halibut are are Halibut deep. feet 150-500+ water in bottoms gravel (Red Flag with Flag (Red Flag) (Red Flag) (Red

Fish fact: Like lingcod and greenling, the male cabezon guards cabezon male the greenling, and lingcod Like fact: Fish

arning W Storm arning W Gale arning W Craft Small Technique: Boat anglers use heavy rods to fish on or near near or on fish to rods heavy use anglers Boat Technique:

2 feet (61 cm). (61 feet 2

over 2 feet (61 cm). (61 feet 2 over Greek for “horse tongue.” “horse for Greek with red spots) with a blue mouth. Both species grow to about about to grow species Both mouth. blue a with spots) red with

and liver because they are poisonous. Cabezon can grow to to grow can Cabezon poisonous. are they because liver and ) is from the the from is ) ( name genus The Fact: Fish Hippoglossus are dark brown (often (often brown dark are fins. black and spots Rock greenling Rock

are nonetheless very tasty. Avoid eating the eggs the eating Avoid tasty. very nonetheless are cabezon

speckling and yellow fins, while males are brown with blue blue with brown are males while fins, yellow and speckling

upper side and white underneath. white and side upper

family with smooth, scaleless skin. Deemed ugly by some, some, by ugly Deemed skin. scaleless smooth, with family

are light gray or brown with orange orange with brown or gray light are Female kelp greenling kelp

tan to dark brown (often with marbling or spots) on the the on spots) or marbling with (often brown dark to tan

This is a red, brown or green mottled member of the sculpin sculpin the of member mottled green or brown red, a is This

are the heftiest of the flatfishes. They are are They flatfishes. the of heftiest the are Pacific halibut Pacific

fishing.

Kelp greenling (male) greenling Kelp

Oregon, in kg) (45 pounds 100 to up weighing Sometimes

let your chest waders fill with water when surf surf when water with fill waders chest your let Don’t ●

ge logs in the surf. the in logs ge lar of clear Stay ●

fishing from beaches or rocks. or beaches from fishing

atch for larger-than-usual (sneaker) waves when when waves (sneaker) larger-than-usual for atch W ●

fishing from jetties. from fishing

sure of your footing and the stability of rocks when when rocks of stability the and footing your of sure Be ●

and very dangerous! very and

Cabezon Greenling

or crossing an unfamiliar bar. Bars can be deceptive deceptive be can Bars bar. unfamiliar an crossing or “bullhead” “sea trout” “sea

all the U.S. Coast Guard when unsure about weather weather about unsure when Guard Coast U.S. the all C ●

Use a life jacket when boating. when jacket life a Use Halibut Pacific ●

stout rod. Alternatively, try using live bait. live using try Alternatively, rod. stout Technique: Use the fish-finder rig (see diagram inside). inside). diagram (see rig fish-finder the Use Technique:

conditions and weather. and conditions

Pacific halibut is NOT managed as a groundfish species. groundfish a as managed NOT is halibut Pacific

6/0 hooks, a 4- to 6-ounce sinker, and 20-pound line on a a on line 20-pound and sinker, 6-ounce to 4- a hooks, 6/0

be aware of changing tides, bar bar tides, changing of aware be

species can live more than 100 years. 100 than more live can species

or 5/0 with bottom the along bait some Bounce Technique:

Whether you’re afloat or ashore, ashore, or afloat you’re Whether out in schools while others are solitary. Individuals of some some of Individuals solitary. are others while schools in out

SAFETY

, hang hang , as such species, Some fishes). most like black rockfish black

and about 3 feet long when 7-10 years old. years 7-10 when long feet 3 about and 15-pound line over sandy or muddy bottom. muddy or sandy over line 15-pound

Fish Facts: Rockfish bear live young (rather than lay eggs eggs lay than (rather young live bear Rockfish Facts: Fish

Fish Fact: Lingcod are about 1 foot long by their first birthday birthday first their by long foot 1 about are Lingcod Fact: Fish worm or mussel) with #2 hooks, a 2-ounce sinker, and 10- to to 10- and sinker, 2-ounce a hooks, #2 with mussel) or worm

Technique: Drift a small jig or bait (such as shrimp, marine marine shrimp, as (such bait or jig small a Drift Technique: (503) 947-6101. (503)

rockfish species are full-size at about 16 inches (41 cm). (41 inches 16 about at full-size are species rockfish

2 and 3 feet (61-91 cm). (61-91 feet 3 and 2

at Salem in Department Licensing the calling by or

spines are slightly venomous, so avoid poking yourself. Many Many yourself. poking avoid so venomous, slightly are spines

(152 cm), although those caught in Oregon average between between average Oregon in caught those although cm), (152 eye on the bottom side then migrates to the upper side. upper the to migrates then side bottom the on eye

the current edition of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations Regulations Fishing Sport Oregon the of edition current the

dozen species of rockfish are found along the Oregon coast. The The coast. Oregon the along found are rockfish of species dozen

(see below). Lingcod may reach lengths of 5 feet feet 5 of lengths reach may Lingcod below). (see greenling Later, they settle to the bottom and flop over to one side. The The side. one to over flop and bottom the to settle they Later,

sturgeon and Pacific halibut. License details are available in in available are details License halibut. Pacific and sturgeon

Ranging in color from black to orange or red, more than two two than more red, or orange to black from color in Ranging

” should not be confused with a a with confused be not should ” “ green-colored A blue. ling on each side of the head) and swimming upright in the water. water. the in upright swimming and head) the of side each on of age, need the proper tag to fish for salmon-steelhead, salmon-steelhead, for fish to tag proper the need age, of

are generally mottled gray or brown, sometimes green or or green sometimes brown, or gray mottled generally are Fish Fact: Flatfishes begin life looking “normal” (with one eye eye one (with “normal” looking life begin Flatfishes Fact: Fish license is required to take shellfish. All anglers, regardless regardless anglers, All shellfish. take to required is license

Lingcod have large mouths and large, sharp teeth. They teeth. sharp large, and mouths large have Lingcod

license to take fish for personal use. A separate shellfish shellfish separate A use. personal for fish take to license Black rockfish Black

(30-61 cm). (30-61 persons 14 years or older must have an Oregon angling angling Oregon an have must older or years 14 persons

(see below) most flatfishes reach lengths of 1-2 feet feet 1-2 of lengths reach flatfishes most below) (see halibut regulation changes before fishing. With few exceptions, exceptions, few With fishing. before changes regulation

in estuaries. Except for for Except estuaries. in and bays of Pacific Pacific flounder starry and to check for inseason inseason for check to and Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations Fishing Sport Oregon

over sandy bottoms near the mouth mouth the near bottoms sandy over catch anglers sand sole sand It is important for anglers to read the current issue of of issue current the read to anglers for important is It

in Oregon by offshore anglers. Shore and nearshore boat boat nearshore and Shore anglers. offshore by Oregon in

are a few of the flatfish species caught caught species flatfish the of few a are and Pacific sanddab Pacific the Oregon State University Extension/4-H Program. Extension/4-H University State Oregon the

flat. are they guess) might one (as and Rock sole, petrale sole petrale sole, Rock

offices of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and and Wildlife and Fish of Department Oregon the of offices

Rockfish Rockfish

Lingcod Lingcod

“sea bass,” “rock cod” “rock bass,” “sea Flatfishes are dark on the upper side, lighter underneath, underneath, lighter side, upper the on dark are Flatfishes “ling” Oregon Angler Education Program, offered through local local through offered Program, Education Angler Oregon

for youngsters to learn to fish are available through the the through available are fish to learn to youngsters for

Sand sole Sand

current regulations (including any made inseason) for size, depth and daily bag limits. bag daily and depth size, for inseason) made any (including regulations current

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Opportunities Opportunities Wildlife. and Fish of Department Oregon

Check your line often for frays caused by contact with rocks. Retention of some of these species may be prohibited. prohibited. be may species these of some of Retention rocks. with contact by caused frays for often line your Check Check Check

fishing supply retailers, charter fishing operators, and the the and operators, fishing charter retailers, supply fishing

venture far from cover, so resist the urge to make long casts away from rocks and jetties unless you are angling for flatfish. flatfish. for angling are you unless jetties and rocks from away casts long make to urge the resist so cover, from far venture

boat access areas. More information can be obtained from from obtained be can information More areas. access boat

worms and other lures. From rocks and jetties, groundfish are often caught during incoming tides. Most groundfish do not not do groundfish Most tides. incoming during caught often are groundfish jetties, and rocks From lures. other and worms

techniques, commonly caught species, and shore and and shore and species, caught commonly techniques,

sand or ghost shrimp, marine worms, squid or herring. Rockfish and lingcod are also attracted to leadhead jigs with rubber rubber with jigs leadhead to attracted also are lingcod and Rockfish herring. or squid worms, marine shrimp, ghost or sand

This brochure includes information about fishing fishing about information includes brochure This

General Technique: See the diagram of a “bottomfish fish-finder rig” inside. Groundfish are enticed by fresh bait such as such bait fresh by enticed are Groundfish inside. rig” fish-finder “bottomfish a of diagram the See Technique: General

marine fish are delicious to eat and easy to prepare. to easy and eat to delicious are fish marine is harmless. is

anglers of all ages can enjoy a day of marine fishing. Most Most fishing. marine of day a enjoy can ages all of anglers are excellent to eat. The meat of lingcod, greenling and cabezon may be blue or green, but it turns white when cooked and and cooked when white turns it but green, or blue be may cabezon and greenling lingcod, of meat The eat. to excellent are

some simple, inexpensive gear and a little knowledge, knowledge, little a and gear inexpensive simple, some

offshore pinnacles. The group includes rockfish, lingcod, greenling, cabezon and flatfish. All of the groundfish described below below described groundfish the of All flatfish. and cabezon greenling, lingcod, rockfish, includes group The pinnacles. offshore

Flatfish Flatfish

sanddabs and flounders soles,

at home in Oregon’s nearshore ocean and estuaries. With With estuaries. and ocean nearshore Oregon’s in home at “Groundfish” and “bottomfish” are terms used for fishes found mostly around rocky headlands, jetties, nearshore reefs, and and reefs, nearshore jetties, headlands, rocky around mostly found fishes for used terms are “bottomfish” and “Groundfish”

rocks: these are just some of the many fine fishes that are are that fishes fine many the of some just are these rocks:

GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH GROUNDFISH

urfperch along ocean beaches and fat rockfish among jetty jetty among rockfish fat and beaches ocean along urfperch s

Feisty lingcod lingcod Feisty along rugged shore, lively lively shore, rugged along What Might Bite? Might What

ANADROMOUS FISHES OTHER MARINE FISHES OFFSHORE Anadromous fishes are those that migrate from the ocean into fresh- water to spawn. NORTH Surfperch Albacore Columbia River to Nestucca Bay Sturgeon MARINE White sturgeon These fish have dark blue backs and very long pectoral (side) fins. Redtail surfperch The meat—whitest of all the tunas—is excellent whether barbecued, Both green and the larger white sturgeon are found in Oregon canned or smoked. Albacore caught off the Pacific Coast are gener- Surfperch are disc-shaped and come in a variety of colors. Redtail waters. Green sturgeon are illegal to retain (at the time of ally 21-30 inches (53-76 cm). and silver surfperch are found mostly in the surf. Striped sea- RECREATIONAL printing). Historical records list one white sturgeon tipping perch, pile perch, white seaperch, and shiner surfperch all live the scales at 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and measuring 20 feet (610 Fish Fact: Albacore may cover 50 miles (93 km) or more per near rocks, docks or pilings in bays. “Shiners” are full-size at 5 cm). Those caught in Oregon, however, usually measure less day, and they are thought to be the fastest swimming tunas in inches (13 cm), other species at 12-18 inches (30-46 cm). than 12 feet (366 cm). the world.Technique: Albacore generally show up 15-200+ miles (28-370+ km) off the Pacific Coast during the summer. FISHING Fish Fact: Surfperch live in large schools and bear live young Fish Fact: Sturgeon may live to be over 100 years old and Anglers use live bait or metalhead plastic or feather jigs trolled up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. spawn only once every 2 to 8 years. at 5 knots or faster. “Hand line” is often used instead of a rod and reel. Some charter boats make albacore trips when the fish Techniques: Some anglers use a #4 to #6 hook secured 24-30 Technique: Both boat and shore anglers use shrimp, smelt or are within range. in inches below a 1- to 2-ounce sinker on 8- to 10-pound line; oth- herring with a 6/0 or 7/0 hook, a 2- to 8-ounce sliding sinker, ers use a fish-finder rig (see diagram inside). Baits include sand and 30- to 40-pound line. Sturgeon dwell on the bottom of and kelp worms, sand shrimp, clam necks, and mussels. Keep deep holes in upper bays. When handling a sturgeon, be Oregon the line close to rocks or alongside pilings. Fishing for redtails careful for the sharp scutes (bony plates) along the sides. Illustrations by Ann Caudle from Pacific Coast Fish © Nature in the surf requires a surf-fishing rig (see diagram inside). Study Guide, 1990. Used by permission. Nature Study Guild Pub- lishers, PO Box 10489, Rochester, NY 14610. See current regulations for size and other restrictions • Area Map Inside • For Further Information Salmon Herring, Anchovy and Sardine Visit the ODFW Marine Resources Program online at www.dfw. state.or.us/MRP. There you will find information about recreational fish and shellfish opportunities. You may also contact the ODFW Marine Resources Program by phone or in person. Consult your local library or bookstore for fish identification guides and books on marine fishing. The “Oregon Boating Facilities Guide” is available free from the State Marine Board in Salem.

Pacific herring Coho salmon References Eschmeyer, W. N., E. S. Herald, H. Hamman. Pacific Coast Fishes. Salmon anglers should know how to distinguish between a chi- These blue-green, silvery or light brown fish are an important Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1983. nook (king) and a coho (silver). See the Oregon Sport Fishing food source for larger fishes, sea birds and marine mammals. Field Guide to Common Marine and Bay Fishes of Oregon. Oregon Marine Resources Regulations for help. Steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout People, too, enjoy such treats as anchovy pizza, pickled her- State University Extension Service, 1984. Program are occasionally taken in saltwater. ring and herring roe. Anchovies may grow to 9 inches (23 cm), Love, R. M. Probably More Than You Want to Know About the Fish- herring to 18 inches (46 cm). es of the Pacific Coast. Really Big Press, Santa Barbara, 1991. Fish Fact: Pacific salmon such as chinook and coho die after Olander, D. Northwest Coastal Fishing Guide. Frank Amato Publi- spawning, but steelhead and sea-run trout often do not. Fish Fact: Pacific herring “earbones” have been found in de- cations, Portland, 1991. posits more than 3 million years old. Technique: Shore and boat anglers use spinners or bait in au- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Techniques: These are schooling fish, commonly caught dur- Marine Resources Program tumn; offshore anglers troll or mooch in summer. Ocean coho ing spawning seasons. Pacific herring, Northern anchovy, and 2040 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365 generally stay in the upper layers of water, while chinook are Telephone (541) 867-4741 Contains sardine are caught in bays with multiple-hook herring jigs. Recycled deeper and are caught with larger plugs (>6 inches), herring, Fax (541) 867-0311 Materials spoons, spinners, or metal jigs. Angling for salmon is restricted Brochure reprinted August 2010 This material will be furnished in alternate format for due to reduced populations of some runs. people with disabilities. Please call (541) 867-4741 (voice) or Did you know? Smelt and salmon have a small, fleshy (503) 229-5459 (TTY) to request. See current regulations for size and other restrictions adipose fin between the tail and back (dorsal) fin.

99540 north marine fish.indd 1 8/23/10 1:58:57 PM

bottoms.

- Cab inside). diagram (see rig fish-finder the Use Technique:

ployed on wire or very heavy monofilament leaders. monofilament heavy very or wire on ployed

to detect movement, but kelp and rock greenlings have five. have greenlings rock and kelp but movement, detect to

- de flies shrimp or spoons jigs, herring, large by enticed

e) Squar Black

the eggs after the female deposits them. deposits female the after eggs the

Most fishes have just one lateral line along each side side each along line lateral one just have fishes Most Fact: Fish

gravel bottoms in water 150-500+ feet deep. Halibut are are Halibut deep. feet 150-500+ water in bottoms gravel (Red Flag with Flag (Red Flag) (Red Flag) (Red

Fish fact: Like lingcod and greenling, the male cabezon guards guards cabezon male the greenling, and lingcod Like fact: Fish

Storm Warning Storm Warning Gale arning W Craft Small Technique: Boat anglers use heavy rods to fish on or near near or on fish to rods heavy use anglers Boat Technique:

2 feet (61 cm). (61 feet 2

are nonetheless very tasty. Avoid eating the eggs eggs the eating Avoid tasty. very nonetheless are cabezon

speckling and yellow fins, while males are brown with blue blue with brown are males while fins, yellow and speckling

upper side and white underneath. white and side upper

family with smooth, scaleless skin. Deemed ugly by some, some, by ugly Deemed skin. scaleless smooth, with family

are light gray or brown with orange orange with brown or gray light are Female kelp greenling kelp

tan to dark brown (often with marbling or spots) on the the on spots) or marbling with (often brown dark to tan

This is a red, brown or green mottled member of the sculpin sculpin the of member mottled green or brown red, a is This

are the heftiest of the flatfishes. They are are They flatfishes. the of heftiest the are Pacific halibut Pacific

fishing.

Kelp greenling (male) greenling Kelp

Oregon, in kg) (45 pounds 100 to up weighing Sometimes

let your chest waders fill with water when surf when water with fill waders chest your let Don’t ●

ge logs in the surf. the in logs ge lar of clear Stay ●

fishing from beaches or rocks. or beaches from fishing

ac fr agrta-sa (nae) ae when waves (sneaker) larger-than-usual for atch W ●

fishing from jetties. from fishing

sure of your footing and the stability of rocks when rocks of stability the and footing your of sure Be ●

and very dangerous! very and

Cabezon Greenling

or crossing an unfamiliar bar. Bars can be deceptive be can Bars bar. unfamiliar an crossing or “bullhead” “sea trout” “sea

all the U.S. Coast Guard when unsure about weather about unsure when Guard Coast U.S. the all C ●

Use a life jacket when boating. when jacket life a Use Halibut Pacific ●

conditions and weather. and conditions

Pacific halibut is NOT managed as a groundfish species. groundfish a as managed NOT is halibut Pacific

6/0 hooks, a 4- to 6-ounce sinker, and 20-pound line on a a on line 20-pound and sinker, 6-ounce to 4- a hooks, 6/0

be aware of changing tides, bar bar tides, changing of aware be

species can live more than 100 years. 100 than more live can species

or 5/0 with bottom the along bait some Bounce Technique:

Whether you’re afloat or ashore, ashore, or afloat you’re Whether out in schools while others are solitary. Individuals of some some of Individuals solitary. are others while schools in out

SAFETY

, hang hang , as such species, Some fishes). most like black rockfish black

and about 3 feet long when 7-10 years old. years 7-10 when long feet 3 about and 15-pound line over sandy or muddy bottom. muddy or sandy over line 15-pound

Fish Facts: Rockfish bear live young (rather than lay eggs eggs lay than (rather young live bear Rockfish Facts: Fish

Drift a small jig or bait (such as shrimp, marine marine shrimp, as (such bait or jig small a Drift Technique:

53 947-6101. (503)

rockfish species are full-size at about 16 inches (41 cm). (41 inches 16 about at full-size are species rockfish

2 and 3 feet (61-91 cm). (61-91 feet 3 and 2

at Salem in Department Licensing the calling by or

spines are slightly venomous, so avoid poking yourself. Many Many yourself. poking avoid so venomous, slightly are spines

the current edition of the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations Regulations Fishing Sport Oregon the of edition current the

dozen species of rockfish are found along the Oregon coast. The The coast. Oregon the along found are rockfish of species dozen

sturgeon and Pacific halibut. License details are available in in available are details License halibut. Pacific and sturgeon

Ranging in color from black to orange or red, more than two two than more red, or orange to black from color in Ranging

Lingcod have large mouths and large, sharp teeth. They They teeth. sharp large, and mouths large have Lingcod