Post by Admin on Jun 10, 2015 2:13:44 GMT
The recreational opportunities listed on the webpage for the Chetco and Rogue River Estuaries are brought to you by wwww.clamdigging.info for the benefit of the members of the Clam Digging and Crabbing Community.
Crabbing ranges from poor to fair from summer to early fall from the Highway 101 Bridge seaward to the shoaling area depending on the amount of freshwater runoff from rainfall and/or snowmelt from the Cascades. Set your crabbing pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed inside the boat basin but set the pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed from the boat docks during the daylight hours. The Port does not provide lifejackets: you must use your own. Jot's Resort does not allow crabbing from their boat dock. We recommend checking with the Port of Gold Beach to make sure which of the port's docks are open for crabbing prior to making the trip. The Chetco and Rogue River Estuaries are comparatively small and it does not take much rainfall to raise the river levels enough to force crabs to move out into the open ocean.
Clam Digging: The bay clams common to Oregon's Bay are not present in the Rogue River in large enough numbers to be of interest to recreational clam diggers.
Rogue River Estuary Click the image of the Rogue River to enlarge it and click it again..
The Rogue River is longest coastal river originating within Oregon, while the length of its tidal reach is one of the shortest. The catch rate for spring and fall Chinook is the highest or any of Oregon’s coastal rivers ranging from low of 2000 to highs exceeding 15000 fish. The Rogue River bar is one of the easier bars to cross.
The Coast Guard maintains a seasonal lifeboat station in the boat basin from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Know your harbor. Familiarize yourself with the conditions at the bar. Click on the Oregon State Marine Board and click on Forms Library Scroll down to Publication for download (Many publications no longer in print). Click on Chetco River Bar Hazards The interactive PDF file webpage describes the navigational hazards that boaters encounter when crossing bar at the Chetco River Estuary.
NOAA's Bar Observation Website for Oregon's Bays. Check the NOAA Bar Observations website for updated closures and restrictions.
Tidal Conditions: The following underlined areas describe some of the dangerous tidal conditions affecting safe boating in the jetty channel or when crossing the bar at the Rogue River Bay as listed on the Web Page for Oregon State Marine Board at www.boatoregon.com.
Shoal water, south side. Along the south side of the Rogue River channel are shoal water and gravel bars. This shoal water breaks to a height of six feet when a swell is running. Many boaters fishing inside the river or trolling between the jetties find themselves set into this dangerous area by northwest winds. If a vessel breaks down in the channel and is not anchored, the northwest wind and ebb tide will set it into this dangerous area within a matter of minutes.
Point of Interest: the shoaling at the mouth of the Rogue River Estuary prior to the construction of the jetties on the Rogue and Chetco would create lagoons in low water years that served a nurseries for salmon smolts and a barrier for salmon migrating up-river to spawn. Today the entrance to the Rogue River Estuary is subject to the shoaling that use to close the mouth of the estuary prior to the construction of the jetties.
Outer end, north jetty. Breakers are almost always present here because of shoal water. When the sea is running from the west or southwest, it is particularly dangerous.
Outer end, south jetty. Breakers are almost always present. Even when it appears calm, there may be occasional breakers 1,000 feet outside the south jetty. When this sea is running from the west or southwest, this area is very dangerous.
The Rogue River channel lies along the north jetty. Under existing conditions, a channel 13 feet deep and 300 feet wide, extending from the ocean to the inner end of the north jetty, is provided. Boaters are urged to use and stay within this channel. The river entrance is subject to frequent shoaling and depth changes. Do not rely on charted depths.
Fishing Inside the Channel. During recent years small boats fish just inside the bar and troll in an area between the north and south jetties. Frequently, there are a great number of boats in this area and they tend to crowd each other. Because trolling is the most frequent fishing method lines can get caught accidentally in a boat propeller. Should this happen the disabled boat should anchor immediately or call for aid. A northwest wind or ebb tide could set a boat into a dangerous area in a matter of minutes.
The Coast Guard maintain a seasonal lifeboat station in the boat basin from June through the middle of September and can be reached on VHF-FM channel 12.
The Rogue reef is located northwest of the entrance to the Rogue River Estuary. The reef offers excellent fishing for salmon and rockfish for most of the year weather permitting. Fish for lingcod and black rockfish in the kelp forest located just north of the bar. The emphasis in the Rogue River Estuary is on Chinook salmon fishing and the redtail surfperch that enter the bay each year.
Redtail surfperch enter the bay in spring. The perch fishing along the south jetty of the Rogue River Estuary has an excellent reputation for consistent catches of redtail surfperch.
Information Report 98-4. Nickelson, T.E. 1998. A habitat-based assessment of coho salmon production potential and spawner escapement needs for Oregon coastal streams.
Information Report 88-1 Chinook Populations in Oregon Coastal River Basins. Description of Life Histories and Assessment of Recent Trends in Run Strengths
Chinook salmon of the Rogue River are famous for the flavor of the spring run Chinook salmon. The spring run of Chinook salmon depend on their high fat content to sustain them until they spawn in the fall.
The Rogue River has both a spring and fall run of Chinook salmon, but it’s the spring run that generates the excitement. Both the spring and fall runs are dominated by 4 year old fish.
The spring run of Chinook salmon begins during the first half of April and runs through May and into June. The best fishing usually occurs during late April through mid May and last into June. Spring Chinook, unlike their fall cousins spend very little time in tidewater. They enter the river as soon as they arrive. The high stream flow of spring is the trigger that initiates the upriver migration. Some Chinook pause briefly at the head of tidewater while others continue upriver to the spawning grounds. The Chinook are reluctant to bite when the water temperature of the river falls below 52 degrees. The spring Chinook’s exception to their fall cousin’s behavioral pattern of tidewater acclamation provides anglers with the opportunity to fish for upriver bright salmon whose flesh is at its optimum quality. The best fishing for spring Chinook occurs upriver from Elephant Rock. Understanding the water conditions is the key to successful fishing. Under normal conditions the color of the water is emerald green and the Chinook swim upriver on the inside of the river bends and the slower moving water below gravel bars or deep holes that is 4 to 6 feet deep. During low water conditions the water becomes extremely clear and the Chinook seek refuge by swimming in the darker water that is 8 but no more than 10 feed deep. When the water is flowing high and is stained or off color the Chinook resume their normal swimming pattern at depths of 4 to 6 feet or shallower.
Spring Chinook on the Roque is a dream come true for the man that makes Chinook salmon dance chasing his spinners. For more information contact.
The most productive fishing is from anchored boats, but fishing from the bank is almost as good. Competition is keen for the best fishing locations. Local anglers often monopolize the most productive locations by anchoring on them for several days at a time. Most boaters double anchor. The primary anchor should be a 40 pound Kedge style anchor. Visiting anglers should arrive early to claim a spot at the most productive location. Attach a buoy to the anchor line and release the boat from the anchor line when a Chinook is hooked. The angler is free to fight the fish returning to the buoyed anchor line once the Chinook has been landed. Anglers fishing from the bank use the same tackle and angling methods employed by anglers fishing from boats. Of course, the ability to move in a boat is a big advantage. Anchor in the shallow water in a manner that positions the boat on the inside of a curve and fish for Chinook salmon from the inside out. Fishing with an anchovy rigged with a single treble hook and fished with a tight spin is a local favorite, but fishing with a Rogue Bait Rig and anchovy combination using the G spot spinner blade in gold and green or gold and chartreuse is the most productive. The Rogue Bait Rig accounts for most of the spring Chinook caught followed by straight anchovy or a Spin–N–Glo sweetened with salmon roe or with a spinner with a hammered gold back and the front painted with 50/50 green and chartreuse spinner blade. Fish these baits with a spreader using a 36 inch leader line and a 12 inch sinker dropper line. Use a heavy enough sinker to keep the bait on the bottom but light enough to walk the bait to the desired location. Usually, sinkers weighing 2 to 8 ounces are sufficient. To be successful present the bait at various depths ranging from 4 to 10 feet depending on water clarity to intercept salmon migrating upriver in the shallow water lane.
The Rogue River Estuary Jetty is one the most popular locations to fish for returning fall Chinook salmon. The Rogue River Estuary is one of Oregon’s smallest deepwater bays and easily becomes overcrowded by anglers trolling for fall Chinook. Chinook salmon begin arriving about the first of August with fishable numbers returning the last half of August peaking in September and running into October. The best fishing occurs early in the run from the Highway 101 bridge seaward as the Chinook salmon move into and out of the bay with the tide awaiting the freshets of the seasonal rains. During the years with heavy snowmelt runoff originating in the Cascades returning fall Chinook forgo their typical fall migration behavioral pattern and migrate immediately upriver, in some years, as early as July. Troll with the incoming tide in the jetty channel along the north jetty from the jetty jaws to the Highway 101 Bridge or with the outgoing tide from the head of tidewater along the north shore towards Jots Resort then seaward to the jetty jaws. The entrance to the Port of Gold Beach in the jetty channel is a deep-water hot spot that produces a lot of fish.
Troll along the north jetty with a plug cut herring, Rogue Bait Rig and anchovy combination or with a rainbow colored spinner with green accents or a spinner with a hammered gold back and the front painted with 50/50 green and chartreuse spinner blade. The Rogue Bait Rig is comprised of a G–Spot spinner blade positioned ahead of beads and slip tied–double hooks and is sold complete and ready to fish at local bait and tackle shops. Tackle shop operators can advise which of the Rogue Bait Rigs is the most productive. The swift current of the Rogue River requires the use of sinkers up to 12 ounces. Attach the Rogue Bait Rig to the top leg of the spreader with a beaded chain swivel. Bait with an anchovy and you’re ready to fish.
Coho salmon enter the bay as early as August, but typically in September peaking in October and running through the first half of November. The best fishing occurs early in the run trolling either a plug cut herring, a Rogue Bait Rig with green and gold blade or a straight anchovy baited to a treble hook, spinners, hoochies or streamer flies against the incoming tide from elephant rock seaward. Troll these baits behind a wire spreader or a diver in the upper half of the water column. Trolling in the bay with rainbow, chartreuse or pink colored spinners or spinner bait combinations are also effective options. Remember Coho salmon prefer bait trolled at speeds from 3 to 5 knots.
Steelhead fishing in the Rogue River Basin
Anglers will find some of the best fishing spots, including many favorite steelhead fishing areas, in 50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Medford. The publication is available on-line and at ODFW offices. An associated Google map with locations and directions also is available on-line.
The Rogue River offers steelhead fishing opportunities nearly every month of the year. Winter steelhead migrate up the Rogue from December through May, followed by summer steelhead from May through November. A strong run of wild winter steelhead is supplemented by releases of hatchery fish in the Rogue and Applegate rivers. Winter steelhead provide a popular fishery on the Rogue River, but do not draw the huge crowds like spring chinook; therefore, anglers can enjoy a little more elbow room. Given the diversity of the rivers within the Rogue Basin, anglers can find water suitable for whatever fishing technique they enjoy.
Returns of winter steelhead to the Rogue River and its tributaries are expected to be near average this winter. With favorable river conditions, anglers should experience good fishing throughout the basin.
Several dams have been removed within the Rogue Basin over the last several years. Savage Rapids, Gold Hill and Gold Ray dams were taken out of the main stem Rogue River. This has greatly improved conditions for all of the Rogue’s native species, including winter steelhead. For anglers, this means more fishable water. In the areas once impounded by the dams there are now new riffles and runs – prime fishing water for winter steelhead. The dam removals also have reduced migratory delay and stress on fish, and improved chances for successful spawning and the likelihood of solid runs in years to come.
Even when winter freshets create high flows and turbid water, anglers can typically still find fishable water on the Rogue between Cole Rivers Hatchery and Big Butte Creek, where the clear outflow from Lost Creek Reservoir makes up most of the river’s flow. Following a freshet, the Illinois River clears more quickly than the Rogue or Applegate Rivers.
Lower Rogue River
Anglers fishing either off the bank or from a jet boat can do equally as well, depending on the flow. Bank anglers will do the best when flows are around 10,000 cfs and dropping, while boat anglers do best when flows get down around 7000-8000 cfs and dropping at Agness.. (Rogue River flows)
Winter steelhead fishing kicks off around Thanksgiving, but really picks up in mid-December. The steelhead run will usually peak sometime in late January, but steelhead fishing remains good thru March or early April. Regulations for the lower Rogue River change on Jan. 1 each year and anglers should review the regulations before heading out.
Plunking a Spin-N-Glo is the technique of choice for bank anglers. Steelhead in the lower river all migrate on the inside bends of the river in about one to three feet of water. Anglers new to the fishery can easily get all the information they need to be successful from watching and talking to other anglers on the gravel bar.
The tough part for boat anglers new to the fishery is appreciating how close to the bank steelhead migrate. Usually, you want to anchor the boat about one boat width from the shore, unless the water is really clear.
Public access is very good from the top of tide all the way to Quosatana Campground, approximately 15 miles.
Running plugs is the number one technique among boat anglers. Boat anglers can launch at any of the gravel bars in the lower river, or boat ramps at the Port of Gold Beach, Lobster Creek Campground or Quosatana Campground.
Middle Rogue River
Winter steelhead normally start to arrive in the area around Grants Pass in late December, with peak fishing in February and March. There is plenty of good bank access along the middle Rogue. Between the city, county and state parks and the federal recreational areas, there are over 20 developed access sites. In addition, much of the land along the river below Hellgate Canyon is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Some of the most productive sites include Valley of the Rogue State Park, Matson Park, Griffin Park and Robertson Bridge. Bank anglers can enjoy success by drifting bait, casting lures, plunking, and fly fishing.
The removal of Savage Rapids and Gold Ray Dams has opened up new floats for boat anglers; however, boaters should be aware that there are several difficult rapids between the Fishers Ferry and Gold Hill boat ramps. The Rogue River Water Trail brochure provides an excellent description of this reach as part of its map of the middle and upper Rogue between Grave Creek and William Jess Dam.
This section of the river also offers good opportunities for fishing from both drift and motorized boats. With boats ramps distributed every three to five miles along the river, there are a lot of options. Techniques favored by boat anglers include drifting bait, casting lures and flies, back bouncing bait and lures, and back-trolling plugs. Side-drifting bait is becoming increasingly popular in the long, slow runs below Grants Pass.
Above the Hog Creek Boat Landing (below Merlin), anglers may keep non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length, one per day and five per year, from Feb. 1 to April 30. Adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead may be kept the entire year.
Upper Rogue River
Winter steelhead are normally caught in the upper river above the former Gold Ray Dam (near Gold Hill) from February through mid-May, with peak fishing activity in March and early April. Because hatchery steelhead returning to Cole River Hatchery supplement a healthy population of wild steelhead, there are a lot of winter steelhead in this section of the river.
Access for bank fishing is plentiful in this stretch. Bank anglers can enjoy good success between the hatchery and the Hwy 62 Bridge, and at public access points such as Casey State Park, Rogue Elk Park, Takelma Park, Denman Wildlife Management Area and Tou Velle State Park.
Drifting bait, casting lures, and back-trolling plugs are all popular techniques. Later in the season, fly fishing can be very productive. Fly anglers can find good water for swinging flies with two-handed rods, as well as places to dead-drift nymph patterns..
Numerous boat ramps allow boat anglers to choose from a variety of popular drifts. The river gets smaller in this upper section, with more defined holes. The area from Cole Rivers Hatchery downstream to Big Butte Creek usually remains fishable when the rest of the river is out of shape due to storm events.
Anglers may keep non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length, one per day and five per year, from Feb. 1- April 30. Adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead may be kept the entire year.
Illinois River
The Illinois River provides an excellent opportunity to fish for wild winter steelhead in a remote and rugged setting. Winter steelhead are available from December through March, with activity usually peaking in January and February.
With its clear water, outstanding scenery, and big fish, the Illinois River is a good destination for anglers seeking a quality fishing experience.
The Illinois River flows out of California into the Illinois Valley, before entering a long canyon leading to the Rogue River at Agness. In the Illinois Valley, private land limits access to the river. In the canyon, most of the land is publicly-owned. Except for the lower three miles, between Oak Flat and the mouth, a lack of developed access points and technical whitewater limit fishing opportunities from a boat. In addition, topography in the canyon makes access to the river difficult in most places, but this also keeps the fishing pressure down.
Anglers willing to make the effort can usually have a beautiful section of river to themselves. The river is full of boulders and ledges that make drift fishing difficult in many places, so casting flies and lures are popular fishing methods. Due to the local geology, the flow in the Illinois can increase rapidly during a storm; however, the river drops and clears quickly afterward.
Fishing in the Illinois River is restricted to artificial flies and lures. Above Klondike Creek anglers may harvest non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length, one per day and five per year, as part of the steelhead/salmon catch limit. Below Klondike Creek anglers may only keep adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead, which occasionally stray into the Illinois River from the Rogue.
Applegate River The Applegate River is smaller than neighboring rivers, and offers good opportunities for wading anglers. Well-defined holes and runs, and a gravel bottom make it easier to fish. The first winter steelhead are typically caught the lower river starting in mid-January, with the fishery peaking from mid-February through the end of the season on March 31. Fishing in March can be excellent.
The river also offers one of the best opportunities in the area to catch winter steelhead on a fly. Swinging traditional steelhead flies and dead-drifting nymph patterns both work well. Fly anglers will find the best conditions when flows are below 800 cfs, but the river can be fishable at higher flows as well. Flow information can be obtained online at the USGS Wilderville Gauge.
Drifting bait works well, and casting spoons is popular.
No fishing is allowed from a floating device, but anglers can us small rafts or pontoon boats to access more water. Much of the river is in private ownership, so anglers must use caution and always avoid trespassing. The National Forest lands on the upper river, Cantrall Buckley Park and Fish Hatchery Park are prime fishing sites. The main stem Applegate upstream to Applegate Dam is open to fishing for adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead from Jan. 1 through March 31. All non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) rainbow trout and steelhead, and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed..
White sturgeon and green sturgeon are common in the Rogue River Basin from tidewater upstream to Agness. White sturgeon enter the Rogue River Estuary in small numbers from February through August. The catch rate averages 20 fish per year. Most of the sturgeon are caught by anglers fishing for salmon. Fish for sturgeon in the large hole underneath the Highway 101 Bridge and in the hole ¼ of a mile upriver from the Highway 101 Bridge. Use mud shrimp, sand shrimp or herring for bait in the bay and sand shrimp, crawdad tails or herring in the river.
Bank fishing access along the Rogue River is fisherman friendly. There is good fishing from the bank off of Jerry’s Flat Road or the north bank road. Jerry’s Flat Road (FSR #33) parallels the south shore of the Rogue River to the community of Agness. The north bank road is accessed through the community of Wedderburn. The most productive bank fishing locations are at the Ferry Hole, Huntley Bar, Orchard Bar, Kimball Creek, Lobster Creek, Kunkleberger Bar and Quosatana Creek. Bank anglers use size 00, 0, 1, 2 or 4 Spin–N–Glos with Mylar wings in Fire Tiger, Grey Ghost or Silver Bullet patterns fished with 24 inch leaders and sweetened with small piece of salmon roe with the sinker attached directly to the spreader. The Rogue Bait Rig and anchovy combination with the G spot blade in green or chartreuse is equally as effective.
Crabbing ranges from poor to fair from summer to early fall from the Highway 101 bridge seaward to the shoaling area depending on the amount of freshwater runoff from rainfall and/or snowmelt from the Cascades. Set your crabbing pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed inside the boat basin but set the pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed from the boat docks during the daylight hours. The Port does not provide lifejackets: you must use your own. Jot's Resort does not allow crabbing from their boat dock. We recommend checking with the Port of Gold Beach to make sure which of the port's docks are open for crabbing prior to making the trip.
Rogue River Estuary Jetty – the fishing for perch in the shallow water channel that parallels the south jetty has the reputation for excellence. Fishing for bass is limited to the deepwater channel that parallels the north jetty.
Rogue River Estuary boat launches are located on the south shore at the Port of Gold Beach and on the north shore at Jot’s Resort.
PORT - Boat Launch
Vessels on trailers can be easily launched using the recently refurbished 3 lane launch ramp that is located in the Port of Gold Beach.
To access the launch ramp drive between the Port Offices and the Post Office toward the harbor.
Launch payments can be put into the lock box located at the top of the launch ramp. Daily launch fees are $3.00 or there is an Annual Launch Permit available at the Port Office. Call or come into the office to inquire about the cost of the permit or to purchase yours.
An improved boat launch with restrooms is located on the north shore at the Ferry Hole. The Ferry Hole is accessed through the community of Wedderburn via North Bank Rogue River Road. Boat launches on the south shore are located at Huntley Park, Lobster Creek and Quosatana Campground. The boat launches located at Quosatana Campground and Lobster Creek are improved ramps operated by the U.S Forest Service. The boat launch located at Huntley Park is an unimproved boat ramp operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The south shore boat launches are located in campgrounds and have restrooms available. There are several unimproved boat launches located in Agness.
Internet Links of Interest for the Rogue River Estuary:
Know your harbor. Familiarize yourself with the conditions at the bar. Click on the Oregon State Marine Board and click on Forms Library Scroll down to Publication for download (Many publications no longer in print). Click on Coos Bay Bar Hazards The interactive PDF file webpage describes the navigational hazards that boaters encounter when crossing the Rogue River Bar.
Click the following link to view the Marine Forecast available from NWS Medford, OR Zone Forecast: Coastal waters from Cape Blanco OR to Pt. St. George CA out 10 nm.
Click on the height of the river level for the Rogue River – At Agnes
Tidal Projections for the Rogue River Estuary at Wedderburn.
Click on the navigational hazards to avoid when crossing the Bar at the Rogue River Estuary.
How to humanly kill Dungeness and red rock crabs is the question my wife wants me to answer. She can't stand to see anything suffer. Striking the Thoracic ganglion with a crab mallet kills the crab immediately. The crab does not suffer as it would if submerged in boiling water and neither does my wife. Killing and backing the crabs prior to cooking them shortens the total time it takes to cook and clean large numbers of crabs.
Click on the following video clip to view a professional crab shaker picking a Dungeness crab. Using this method cuts the time to pick a crab in half.
Additional Information for Crabbing From the Coastal Waters of the Pacific Rim:
Click on the following links for additional information about taking crabs in the Pacific Northwest. Click on ODFW's website crab page or click on Washington State's information on recreational crabbing or click California's information on recreational crabbing. Click on Alaska's comments on Dungeness Crabs and on permits and regulations for SE Alaska. Click on Dungeness Crabs at Netarts Bay. Click on Species Profile for Dungeness Crabs PDF file. Click on Species Profile for Red Rock Crabs to view PDF file. Click on Dungeness and Red Rock Crabs to view information on taking crabs from Oregon's Bays and ocean water.
Recreational Advisories:
Always call the Oregon Shellfish Hotline at (503) 986-4728 or 1-800-448-2474 toll free outside of Oregon before harvesting clams or mussels for messages listing the areas closed to harvesting shellfish due to high levels of marine toxins.
Fish and Shellfish Consumption Advisories and Guidelines In mid July the State issued shellfish advisories for elevated levels of arsenic in soft shell clams and gaper clams. The CDAO does not recommend consuming contaminated clams or fish species of any species. The Oregon Health Authority has prepared a series of asked and answered questions about the soft shell clams taken from Oregon's Bays. Click on Questions and Answers (pdf).
However the purple varnish clams common to most of Oregon's Bays have tested free of contamination from arsenic; and to date the clams have not been contaminated by Domoic Acid or PSP that have closed the Oregon Coast to the taking of razor clams and mussels.
Oregon's Beach Monitoring Program is a part time program that occurs between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September.
Oregon's Beach Monitoring program helps protect people who come into contact with beach water contaminated with elevated levels of fecal bacterium called enterococcus. The program does regular water testing to look for high levels of bacteria and issues a public health advisory when bacteria counts exceed acceptable risk levels.. Beginning in 2017 the EPA has implemented new higher standards to requiring Oregon to issue an alert notifying the public of the health risks.
New Beach Action Value for the 2017 beach monitoring season
The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is beginning a process to adopt a new beach action value (BAV) for bacteria of 70 MPN that will be used as the basis for public health advisories at Oregon beaches starting in 2017. The 2015 and 2016 monitoring seasons will remain unchanged and continue to use the current BAV of 158 MPN.
What type of bacteria? Ocean waters are tested to see if a fecal bacterium called enterococcus is present. Enterococcus is found in the intestines of warm blooded animals, including humans. High levels of these bacteria show there is fecal material in the water and that microscopic disease-causing organisms may be present.
How does the water become contaminated? Fecal contamination can be due to multiple causes near anybody of water. Some of the reasons of contamination are due to: animal feces deposited by domestic animals and all wild animals including beavers, seals, migratory waterfowl and seabirds , swimmers with diarrhea, children not properly cleaned after using the bathroom, the improper disposition of diapers, the vomiting or fecal matter in the water, agricultural and storm water run-off, sewage treatment plant spills, inadequate or the absence of public septic systems, failing or leaking of both public and private septic systems or the improper disposal of boat waste. The list of offending agents is seemingly endless. Do your part it reduce contamination of our waterways.
The Algae Bloom Surveillance program advises the public when a harmful algae bloom has been detected in a lake or river. Not all blooms are harmful, but some species of algae, such as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can produce toxins that can cause serious illness in pets, livestock, wildlife and humans.
Please see the Oregon fish consumption guidelines for more information abut the health benefits of fish and how to make healthy fish choices.
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Crabbing ranges from poor to fair from summer to early fall from the Highway 101 Bridge seaward to the shoaling area depending on the amount of freshwater runoff from rainfall and/or snowmelt from the Cascades. Set your crabbing pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed inside the boat basin but set the pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed from the boat docks during the daylight hours. The Port does not provide lifejackets: you must use your own. Jot's Resort does not allow crabbing from their boat dock. We recommend checking with the Port of Gold Beach to make sure which of the port's docks are open for crabbing prior to making the trip. The Chetco and Rogue River Estuaries are comparatively small and it does not take much rainfall to raise the river levels enough to force crabs to move out into the open ocean.
Clam Digging: The bay clams common to Oregon's Bay are not present in the Rogue River in large enough numbers to be of interest to recreational clam diggers.
Rogue River Estuary Click the image of the Rogue River to enlarge it and click it again..
The Rogue River is longest coastal river originating within Oregon, while the length of its tidal reach is one of the shortest. The catch rate for spring and fall Chinook is the highest or any of Oregon’s coastal rivers ranging from low of 2000 to highs exceeding 15000 fish. The Rogue River bar is one of the easier bars to cross.
The Coast Guard maintains a seasonal lifeboat station in the boat basin from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Know your harbor. Familiarize yourself with the conditions at the bar. Click on the Oregon State Marine Board and click on Forms Library Scroll down to Publication for download (Many publications no longer in print). Click on Chetco River Bar Hazards The interactive PDF file webpage describes the navigational hazards that boaters encounter when crossing bar at the Chetco River Estuary.
NOAA's Bar Observation Website for Oregon's Bays. Check the NOAA Bar Observations website for updated closures and restrictions.
Tidal Conditions: The following underlined areas describe some of the dangerous tidal conditions affecting safe boating in the jetty channel or when crossing the bar at the Rogue River Bay as listed on the Web Page for Oregon State Marine Board at www.boatoregon.com.
Shoal water, south side. Along the south side of the Rogue River channel are shoal water and gravel bars. This shoal water breaks to a height of six feet when a swell is running. Many boaters fishing inside the river or trolling between the jetties find themselves set into this dangerous area by northwest winds. If a vessel breaks down in the channel and is not anchored, the northwest wind and ebb tide will set it into this dangerous area within a matter of minutes.
Point of Interest: the shoaling at the mouth of the Rogue River Estuary prior to the construction of the jetties on the Rogue and Chetco would create lagoons in low water years that served a nurseries for salmon smolts and a barrier for salmon migrating up-river to spawn. Today the entrance to the Rogue River Estuary is subject to the shoaling that use to close the mouth of the estuary prior to the construction of the jetties.
Outer end, north jetty. Breakers are almost always present here because of shoal water. When the sea is running from the west or southwest, it is particularly dangerous.
Outer end, south jetty. Breakers are almost always present. Even when it appears calm, there may be occasional breakers 1,000 feet outside the south jetty. When this sea is running from the west or southwest, this area is very dangerous.
The Rogue River channel lies along the north jetty. Under existing conditions, a channel 13 feet deep and 300 feet wide, extending from the ocean to the inner end of the north jetty, is provided. Boaters are urged to use and stay within this channel. The river entrance is subject to frequent shoaling and depth changes. Do not rely on charted depths.
Fishing Inside the Channel. During recent years small boats fish just inside the bar and troll in an area between the north and south jetties. Frequently, there are a great number of boats in this area and they tend to crowd each other. Because trolling is the most frequent fishing method lines can get caught accidentally in a boat propeller. Should this happen the disabled boat should anchor immediately or call for aid. A northwest wind or ebb tide could set a boat into a dangerous area in a matter of minutes.
The Coast Guard maintain a seasonal lifeboat station in the boat basin from June through the middle of September and can be reached on VHF-FM channel 12.
The Rogue reef is located northwest of the entrance to the Rogue River Estuary. The reef offers excellent fishing for salmon and rockfish for most of the year weather permitting. Fish for lingcod and black rockfish in the kelp forest located just north of the bar. The emphasis in the Rogue River Estuary is on Chinook salmon fishing and the redtail surfperch that enter the bay each year.
Redtail surfperch enter the bay in spring. The perch fishing along the south jetty of the Rogue River Estuary has an excellent reputation for consistent catches of redtail surfperch.
Information Report 98-4. Nickelson, T.E. 1998. A habitat-based assessment of coho salmon production potential and spawner escapement needs for Oregon coastal streams.
Information Report 88-1 Chinook Populations in Oregon Coastal River Basins. Description of Life Histories and Assessment of Recent Trends in Run Strengths
Chinook salmon of the Rogue River are famous for the flavor of the spring run Chinook salmon. The spring run of Chinook salmon depend on their high fat content to sustain them until they spawn in the fall.
The Rogue River has both a spring and fall run of Chinook salmon, but it’s the spring run that generates the excitement. Both the spring and fall runs are dominated by 4 year old fish.
The spring run of Chinook salmon begins during the first half of April and runs through May and into June. The best fishing usually occurs during late April through mid May and last into June. Spring Chinook, unlike their fall cousins spend very little time in tidewater. They enter the river as soon as they arrive. The high stream flow of spring is the trigger that initiates the upriver migration. Some Chinook pause briefly at the head of tidewater while others continue upriver to the spawning grounds. The Chinook are reluctant to bite when the water temperature of the river falls below 52 degrees. The spring Chinook’s exception to their fall cousin’s behavioral pattern of tidewater acclamation provides anglers with the opportunity to fish for upriver bright salmon whose flesh is at its optimum quality. The best fishing for spring Chinook occurs upriver from Elephant Rock. Understanding the water conditions is the key to successful fishing. Under normal conditions the color of the water is emerald green and the Chinook swim upriver on the inside of the river bends and the slower moving water below gravel bars or deep holes that is 4 to 6 feet deep. During low water conditions the water becomes extremely clear and the Chinook seek refuge by swimming in the darker water that is 8 but no more than 10 feed deep. When the water is flowing high and is stained or off color the Chinook resume their normal swimming pattern at depths of 4 to 6 feet or shallower.
Spring Chinook on the Roque is a dream come true for the man that makes Chinook salmon dance chasing his spinners. For more information contact.
The most productive fishing is from anchored boats, but fishing from the bank is almost as good. Competition is keen for the best fishing locations. Local anglers often monopolize the most productive locations by anchoring on them for several days at a time. Most boaters double anchor. The primary anchor should be a 40 pound Kedge style anchor. Visiting anglers should arrive early to claim a spot at the most productive location. Attach a buoy to the anchor line and release the boat from the anchor line when a Chinook is hooked. The angler is free to fight the fish returning to the buoyed anchor line once the Chinook has been landed. Anglers fishing from the bank use the same tackle and angling methods employed by anglers fishing from boats. Of course, the ability to move in a boat is a big advantage. Anchor in the shallow water in a manner that positions the boat on the inside of a curve and fish for Chinook salmon from the inside out. Fishing with an anchovy rigged with a single treble hook and fished with a tight spin is a local favorite, but fishing with a Rogue Bait Rig and anchovy combination using the G spot spinner blade in gold and green or gold and chartreuse is the most productive. The Rogue Bait Rig accounts for most of the spring Chinook caught followed by straight anchovy or a Spin–N–Glo sweetened with salmon roe or with a spinner with a hammered gold back and the front painted with 50/50 green and chartreuse spinner blade. Fish these baits with a spreader using a 36 inch leader line and a 12 inch sinker dropper line. Use a heavy enough sinker to keep the bait on the bottom but light enough to walk the bait to the desired location. Usually, sinkers weighing 2 to 8 ounces are sufficient. To be successful present the bait at various depths ranging from 4 to 10 feet depending on water clarity to intercept salmon migrating upriver in the shallow water lane.
The Rogue River Estuary Jetty is one the most popular locations to fish for returning fall Chinook salmon. The Rogue River Estuary is one of Oregon’s smallest deepwater bays and easily becomes overcrowded by anglers trolling for fall Chinook. Chinook salmon begin arriving about the first of August with fishable numbers returning the last half of August peaking in September and running into October. The best fishing occurs early in the run from the Highway 101 bridge seaward as the Chinook salmon move into and out of the bay with the tide awaiting the freshets of the seasonal rains. During the years with heavy snowmelt runoff originating in the Cascades returning fall Chinook forgo their typical fall migration behavioral pattern and migrate immediately upriver, in some years, as early as July. Troll with the incoming tide in the jetty channel along the north jetty from the jetty jaws to the Highway 101 Bridge or with the outgoing tide from the head of tidewater along the north shore towards Jots Resort then seaward to the jetty jaws. The entrance to the Port of Gold Beach in the jetty channel is a deep-water hot spot that produces a lot of fish.
Troll along the north jetty with a plug cut herring, Rogue Bait Rig and anchovy combination or with a rainbow colored spinner with green accents or a spinner with a hammered gold back and the front painted with 50/50 green and chartreuse spinner blade. The Rogue Bait Rig is comprised of a G–Spot spinner blade positioned ahead of beads and slip tied–double hooks and is sold complete and ready to fish at local bait and tackle shops. Tackle shop operators can advise which of the Rogue Bait Rigs is the most productive. The swift current of the Rogue River requires the use of sinkers up to 12 ounces. Attach the Rogue Bait Rig to the top leg of the spreader with a beaded chain swivel. Bait with an anchovy and you’re ready to fish.
Coho salmon enter the bay as early as August, but typically in September peaking in October and running through the first half of November. The best fishing occurs early in the run trolling either a plug cut herring, a Rogue Bait Rig with green and gold blade or a straight anchovy baited to a treble hook, spinners, hoochies or streamer flies against the incoming tide from elephant rock seaward. Troll these baits behind a wire spreader or a diver in the upper half of the water column. Trolling in the bay with rainbow, chartreuse or pink colored spinners or spinner bait combinations are also effective options. Remember Coho salmon prefer bait trolled at speeds from 3 to 5 knots.
Steelhead fishing in the Rogue River Basin
Anglers will find some of the best fishing spots, including many favorite steelhead fishing areas, in 50 Places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Medford. The publication is available on-line and at ODFW offices. An associated Google map with locations and directions also is available on-line.
The Rogue River offers steelhead fishing opportunities nearly every month of the year. Winter steelhead migrate up the Rogue from December through May, followed by summer steelhead from May through November. A strong run of wild winter steelhead is supplemented by releases of hatchery fish in the Rogue and Applegate rivers. Winter steelhead provide a popular fishery on the Rogue River, but do not draw the huge crowds like spring chinook; therefore, anglers can enjoy a little more elbow room. Given the diversity of the rivers within the Rogue Basin, anglers can find water suitable for whatever fishing technique they enjoy.
Returns of winter steelhead to the Rogue River and its tributaries are expected to be near average this winter. With favorable river conditions, anglers should experience good fishing throughout the basin.
Several dams have been removed within the Rogue Basin over the last several years. Savage Rapids, Gold Hill and Gold Ray dams were taken out of the main stem Rogue River. This has greatly improved conditions for all of the Rogue’s native species, including winter steelhead. For anglers, this means more fishable water. In the areas once impounded by the dams there are now new riffles and runs – prime fishing water for winter steelhead. The dam removals also have reduced migratory delay and stress on fish, and improved chances for successful spawning and the likelihood of solid runs in years to come.
Even when winter freshets create high flows and turbid water, anglers can typically still find fishable water on the Rogue between Cole Rivers Hatchery and Big Butte Creek, where the clear outflow from Lost Creek Reservoir makes up most of the river’s flow. Following a freshet, the Illinois River clears more quickly than the Rogue or Applegate Rivers.
Lower Rogue River
Anglers fishing either off the bank or from a jet boat can do equally as well, depending on the flow. Bank anglers will do the best when flows are around 10,000 cfs and dropping, while boat anglers do best when flows get down around 7000-8000 cfs and dropping at Agness.. (Rogue River flows)
Winter steelhead fishing kicks off around Thanksgiving, but really picks up in mid-December. The steelhead run will usually peak sometime in late January, but steelhead fishing remains good thru March or early April. Regulations for the lower Rogue River change on Jan. 1 each year and anglers should review the regulations before heading out.
Plunking a Spin-N-Glo is the technique of choice for bank anglers. Steelhead in the lower river all migrate on the inside bends of the river in about one to three feet of water. Anglers new to the fishery can easily get all the information they need to be successful from watching and talking to other anglers on the gravel bar.
The tough part for boat anglers new to the fishery is appreciating how close to the bank steelhead migrate. Usually, you want to anchor the boat about one boat width from the shore, unless the water is really clear.
Public access is very good from the top of tide all the way to Quosatana Campground, approximately 15 miles.
Running plugs is the number one technique among boat anglers. Boat anglers can launch at any of the gravel bars in the lower river, or boat ramps at the Port of Gold Beach, Lobster Creek Campground or Quosatana Campground.
Middle Rogue River
Winter steelhead normally start to arrive in the area around Grants Pass in late December, with peak fishing in February and March. There is plenty of good bank access along the middle Rogue. Between the city, county and state parks and the federal recreational areas, there are over 20 developed access sites. In addition, much of the land along the river below Hellgate Canyon is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Some of the most productive sites include Valley of the Rogue State Park, Matson Park, Griffin Park and Robertson Bridge. Bank anglers can enjoy success by drifting bait, casting lures, plunking, and fly fishing.
The removal of Savage Rapids and Gold Ray Dams has opened up new floats for boat anglers; however, boaters should be aware that there are several difficult rapids between the Fishers Ferry and Gold Hill boat ramps. The Rogue River Water Trail brochure provides an excellent description of this reach as part of its map of the middle and upper Rogue between Grave Creek and William Jess Dam.
This section of the river also offers good opportunities for fishing from both drift and motorized boats. With boats ramps distributed every three to five miles along the river, there are a lot of options. Techniques favored by boat anglers include drifting bait, casting lures and flies, back bouncing bait and lures, and back-trolling plugs. Side-drifting bait is becoming increasingly popular in the long, slow runs below Grants Pass.
Above the Hog Creek Boat Landing (below Merlin), anglers may keep non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length, one per day and five per year, from Feb. 1 to April 30. Adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead may be kept the entire year.
Upper Rogue River
Winter steelhead are normally caught in the upper river above the former Gold Ray Dam (near Gold Hill) from February through mid-May, with peak fishing activity in March and early April. Because hatchery steelhead returning to Cole River Hatchery supplement a healthy population of wild steelhead, there are a lot of winter steelhead in this section of the river.
Access for bank fishing is plentiful in this stretch. Bank anglers can enjoy good success between the hatchery and the Hwy 62 Bridge, and at public access points such as Casey State Park, Rogue Elk Park, Takelma Park, Denman Wildlife Management Area and Tou Velle State Park.
Drifting bait, casting lures, and back-trolling plugs are all popular techniques. Later in the season, fly fishing can be very productive. Fly anglers can find good water for swinging flies with two-handed rods, as well as places to dead-drift nymph patterns..
Numerous boat ramps allow boat anglers to choose from a variety of popular drifts. The river gets smaller in this upper section, with more defined holes. The area from Cole Rivers Hatchery downstream to Big Butte Creek usually remains fishable when the rest of the river is out of shape due to storm events.
Anglers may keep non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length, one per day and five per year, from Feb. 1- April 30. Adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead may be kept the entire year.
Illinois River
The Illinois River provides an excellent opportunity to fish for wild winter steelhead in a remote and rugged setting. Winter steelhead are available from December through March, with activity usually peaking in January and February.
With its clear water, outstanding scenery, and big fish, the Illinois River is a good destination for anglers seeking a quality fishing experience.
The Illinois River flows out of California into the Illinois Valley, before entering a long canyon leading to the Rogue River at Agness. In the Illinois Valley, private land limits access to the river. In the canyon, most of the land is publicly-owned. Except for the lower three miles, between Oak Flat and the mouth, a lack of developed access points and technical whitewater limit fishing opportunities from a boat. In addition, topography in the canyon makes access to the river difficult in most places, but this also keeps the fishing pressure down.
Anglers willing to make the effort can usually have a beautiful section of river to themselves. The river is full of boulders and ledges that make drift fishing difficult in many places, so casting flies and lures are popular fishing methods. Due to the local geology, the flow in the Illinois can increase rapidly during a storm; however, the river drops and clears quickly afterward.
Fishing in the Illinois River is restricted to artificial flies and lures. Above Klondike Creek anglers may harvest non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) steelhead at least 24 inches in length, one per day and five per year, as part of the steelhead/salmon catch limit. Below Klondike Creek anglers may only keep adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead, which occasionally stray into the Illinois River from the Rogue.
Applegate River The Applegate River is smaller than neighboring rivers, and offers good opportunities for wading anglers. Well-defined holes and runs, and a gravel bottom make it easier to fish. The first winter steelhead are typically caught the lower river starting in mid-January, with the fishery peaking from mid-February through the end of the season on March 31. Fishing in March can be excellent.
The river also offers one of the best opportunities in the area to catch winter steelhead on a fly. Swinging traditional steelhead flies and dead-drifting nymph patterns both work well. Fly anglers will find the best conditions when flows are below 800 cfs, but the river can be fishable at higher flows as well. Flow information can be obtained online at the USGS Wilderville Gauge.
Drifting bait works well, and casting spoons is popular.
No fishing is allowed from a floating device, but anglers can us small rafts or pontoon boats to access more water. Much of the river is in private ownership, so anglers must use caution and always avoid trespassing. The National Forest lands on the upper river, Cantrall Buckley Park and Fish Hatchery Park are prime fishing sites. The main stem Applegate upstream to Applegate Dam is open to fishing for adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) steelhead from Jan. 1 through March 31. All non-adipose fin-clipped (wild) rainbow trout and steelhead, and all cutthroat trout must be released unharmed..
White sturgeon and green sturgeon are common in the Rogue River Basin from tidewater upstream to Agness. White sturgeon enter the Rogue River Estuary in small numbers from February through August. The catch rate averages 20 fish per year. Most of the sturgeon are caught by anglers fishing for salmon. Fish for sturgeon in the large hole underneath the Highway 101 Bridge and in the hole ¼ of a mile upriver from the Highway 101 Bridge. Use mud shrimp, sand shrimp or herring for bait in the bay and sand shrimp, crawdad tails or herring in the river.
Bank fishing access along the Rogue River is fisherman friendly. There is good fishing from the bank off of Jerry’s Flat Road or the north bank road. Jerry’s Flat Road (FSR #33) parallels the south shore of the Rogue River to the community of Agness. The north bank road is accessed through the community of Wedderburn. The most productive bank fishing locations are at the Ferry Hole, Huntley Bar, Orchard Bar, Kimball Creek, Lobster Creek, Kunkleberger Bar and Quosatana Creek. Bank anglers use size 00, 0, 1, 2 or 4 Spin–N–Glos with Mylar wings in Fire Tiger, Grey Ghost or Silver Bullet patterns fished with 24 inch leaders and sweetened with small piece of salmon roe with the sinker attached directly to the spreader. The Rogue Bait Rig and anchovy combination with the G spot blade in green or chartreuse is equally as effective.
Crabbing ranges from poor to fair from summer to early fall from the Highway 101 bridge seaward to the shoaling area depending on the amount of freshwater runoff from rainfall and/or snowmelt from the Cascades. Set your crabbing pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed inside the boat basin but set the pots outside of the boating channels. Crabbing is allowed from the boat docks during the daylight hours. The Port does not provide lifejackets: you must use your own. Jot's Resort does not allow crabbing from their boat dock. We recommend checking with the Port of Gold Beach to make sure which of the port's docks are open for crabbing prior to making the trip.
Rogue River Estuary Jetty – the fishing for perch in the shallow water channel that parallels the south jetty has the reputation for excellence. Fishing for bass is limited to the deepwater channel that parallels the north jetty.
Rogue River Estuary boat launches are located on the south shore at the Port of Gold Beach and on the north shore at Jot’s Resort.
PORT - Boat Launch
Vessels on trailers can be easily launched using the recently refurbished 3 lane launch ramp that is located in the Port of Gold Beach.
To access the launch ramp drive between the Port Offices and the Post Office toward the harbor.
Launch payments can be put into the lock box located at the top of the launch ramp. Daily launch fees are $3.00 or there is an Annual Launch Permit available at the Port Office. Call or come into the office to inquire about the cost of the permit or to purchase yours.
An improved boat launch with restrooms is located on the north shore at the Ferry Hole. The Ferry Hole is accessed through the community of Wedderburn via North Bank Rogue River Road. Boat launches on the south shore are located at Huntley Park, Lobster Creek and Quosatana Campground. The boat launches located at Quosatana Campground and Lobster Creek are improved ramps operated by the U.S Forest Service. The boat launch located at Huntley Park is an unimproved boat ramp operated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The south shore boat launches are located in campgrounds and have restrooms available. There are several unimproved boat launches located in Agness.
Internet Links of Interest for the Rogue River Estuary:
Know your harbor. Familiarize yourself with the conditions at the bar. Click on the Oregon State Marine Board and click on Forms Library Scroll down to Publication for download (Many publications no longer in print). Click on Coos Bay Bar Hazards The interactive PDF file webpage describes the navigational hazards that boaters encounter when crossing the Rogue River Bar.
Click the following link to view the Marine Forecast available from NWS Medford, OR Zone Forecast: Coastal waters from Cape Blanco OR to Pt. St. George CA out 10 nm.
Click on the height of the river level for the Rogue River – At Agnes
Tidal Projections for the Rogue River Estuary at Wedderburn.
Click on the navigational hazards to avoid when crossing the Bar at the Rogue River Estuary.
How to humanly kill Dungeness and red rock crabs is the question my wife wants me to answer. She can't stand to see anything suffer. Striking the Thoracic ganglion with a crab mallet kills the crab immediately. The crab does not suffer as it would if submerged in boiling water and neither does my wife. Killing and backing the crabs prior to cooking them shortens the total time it takes to cook and clean large numbers of crabs.
Click on the following video clip to view a professional crab shaker picking a Dungeness crab. Using this method cuts the time to pick a crab in half.
Additional Information for Crabbing From the Coastal Waters of the Pacific Rim:
Click on the following links for additional information about taking crabs in the Pacific Northwest. Click on ODFW's website crab page or click on Washington State's information on recreational crabbing or click California's information on recreational crabbing. Click on Alaska's comments on Dungeness Crabs and on permits and regulations for SE Alaska. Click on Dungeness Crabs at Netarts Bay. Click on Species Profile for Dungeness Crabs PDF file. Click on Species Profile for Red Rock Crabs to view PDF file. Click on Dungeness and Red Rock Crabs to view information on taking crabs from Oregon's Bays and ocean water.
Recreational Advisories:
Always call the Oregon Shellfish Hotline at (503) 986-4728 or 1-800-448-2474 toll free outside of Oregon before harvesting clams or mussels for messages listing the areas closed to harvesting shellfish due to high levels of marine toxins.
Fish and Shellfish Consumption Advisories and Guidelines In mid July the State issued shellfish advisories for elevated levels of arsenic in soft shell clams and gaper clams. The CDAO does not recommend consuming contaminated clams or fish species of any species. The Oregon Health Authority has prepared a series of asked and answered questions about the soft shell clams taken from Oregon's Bays. Click on Questions and Answers (pdf).
However the purple varnish clams common to most of Oregon's Bays have tested free of contamination from arsenic; and to date the clams have not been contaminated by Domoic Acid or PSP that have closed the Oregon Coast to the taking of razor clams and mussels.
Oregon's Beach Monitoring Program is a part time program that occurs between Memorial Day in May and Labor Day in September.
Oregon's Beach Monitoring program helps protect people who come into contact with beach water contaminated with elevated levels of fecal bacterium called enterococcus. The program does regular water testing to look for high levels of bacteria and issues a public health advisory when bacteria counts exceed acceptable risk levels.. Beginning in 2017 the EPA has implemented new higher standards to requiring Oregon to issue an alert notifying the public of the health risks.
New Beach Action Value for the 2017 beach monitoring season
The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program (OBMP) is beginning a process to adopt a new beach action value (BAV) for bacteria of 70 MPN that will be used as the basis for public health advisories at Oregon beaches starting in 2017. The 2015 and 2016 monitoring seasons will remain unchanged and continue to use the current BAV of 158 MPN.
What type of bacteria? Ocean waters are tested to see if a fecal bacterium called enterococcus is present. Enterococcus is found in the intestines of warm blooded animals, including humans. High levels of these bacteria show there is fecal material in the water and that microscopic disease-causing organisms may be present.
How does the water become contaminated? Fecal contamination can be due to multiple causes near anybody of water. Some of the reasons of contamination are due to: animal feces deposited by domestic animals and all wild animals including beavers, seals, migratory waterfowl and seabirds , swimmers with diarrhea, children not properly cleaned after using the bathroom, the improper disposition of diapers, the vomiting or fecal matter in the water, agricultural and storm water run-off, sewage treatment plant spills, inadequate or the absence of public septic systems, failing or leaking of both public and private septic systems or the improper disposal of boat waste. The list of offending agents is seemingly endless. Do your part it reduce contamination of our waterways.
The Algae Bloom Surveillance program advises the public when a harmful algae bloom has been detected in a lake or river. Not all blooms are harmful, but some species of algae, such as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, can produce toxins that can cause serious illness in pets, livestock, wildlife and humans.
Please see the Oregon fish consumption guidelines for more information abut the health benefits of fish and how to make healthy fish choices.
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