Fishing

Waldport [1]’s recreational raison d’être is fishing. World-class clamming and Dungeness crabbing in Alsea Bay and the Alsea River’s famous salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout runs account for a high percentage of visits to the area. Before commercial fishing on the river was shut down in 1957, as much as 137,000 pounds of chinook was netted in a season.

The wild fall chinook run remains healthy and starts up in late August. Catch-and-release for sea-run cutthroats starts in mid-August, while steelhead are in the river December–March. Crabbers without boats can take advantage of the Port of Waldport docks.

Gene-O’s Guide Service (541/563-3171) calls on four decades of experience to help you reel in salmon and steelhead.

Dock of the Bay Marina (1245 NE Mill St., 541/563-2003) rents and sells crabbing and fishing supplies and can guide you to the best spots.