Coos Bay Crabbing & Fishing (Charleston, Oregon)
Coos Bay is the south coast's crabbing and clamming capital. From the Charleston docks to the lower bay, Dungeness crab and bay clams are the draw, with bottomfish off the jetties and salmon in season. This guide covers the Coos Bay bar, tides, spots and limits.
Best Dungeness crabbing
Drop pots or rings off the Charleston and Empire docks or from a boat in the lower bay near the jetties. Crabbing fishes best on the tide change — check the Coos Bay tide table for the calmest window.
Clamming & bottomfish
Dig bay clams on the big daylight low tides, and fish the jetties and nearshore reefs out of Charleston for lingcod and rockfish.
The Coos Bay bar & limits
Confirm the live Coos Bay (Charleston) bar status before crossing, and check current Dungeness crab size and daily limits plus any shellfish biotoxin closures before you harvest.
Related guides
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