Can You Catch Lobster in Oregon?

Lobster is a delicious shellfish that many people enjoy eating But can you actually catch lobster yourself in Oregon? The answer is yes, under certain conditions Here’s what you need to know about catching lobster in Oregon

Oregon Lobster Regulations

There are regulations in place for harvesting lobster in Oregon. Here are some key things to be aware of

• You need a license – Everyone age 12 and over needs a shellfish license to catch lobster recreationally in Oregon. Daily and annual licenses are available.

• Size limits – For spiny lobster the minimum size limit is 3 1/4 inches. For slipper lobster it is 5 inches. Lobster must be measured in the water before catching. Undersized lobster must be released unharmed.

• Bag limits – The daily bag limit per person is 1 lobster of each species. There are no annual bag limits.

• Closed areas – Certain protected areas are closed to lobster harvest, including marine reserves and gardens. Make sure you know the boundaries.

• Gear – Lobster may only be caught by hand or using hoop nets, diving gear or pole spears. Traps are not allowed for recreational harvest.

• Seasons – Spiny lobster is open year-round. Slipper lobster season runs August 1 to October 15 annually.

Always check the current Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations for full, up-to-date rules before going lobster fishing.

Where to Catch Lobster in Oregon

A lot of Oregon’s beautiful coastline is home to lobster, but some spots are better than others.

The most productive lobstering is typically found along southern Oregon and the south-central coast. Prime spots include:

• Around rocky reefs and kelp beds in the Brookings area, you can catch both spiny and slipper lobster. Slipper season is best from Cape Blanco to California border.

• Port Orford – Productive for spiny lobster fishing around the reefs. Good access from the Port Orford Heads area.

• Gold Beach – Try reefs and kelp beds for slipper and spiny lobster. Good spots include Nesika Beach and Otter Point.

• Coos Bay – Slipper lobster can be caught along Cape Arago and Sunset Bay. Look for rocky structure.

• Newport – Spiny lobster are caught along the jetties and reefs like Yaquina Head. Slipper lobster are found but less common.

Further north there are fewer lobster. But they can be caught occasionally as far as the Columbia River mouth and Tillamook area.

Best Techniques for Catching Lobster

Using the right techniques will help you be more successful hooking into these tasty crustaceans:

• Hoop nets – Bait a hoop net with fresh fish parts and lower carefully onto rocky reefs in 10-30 feet depths. Leave for at least an hour before bringing up slowly. Works well for spiny lobster.

• Hand harvesting – Don a mask and snorkel or SCUBA gear and search for lobster in rocky crevices and kelp beds. Can work well for both species. Tickle or quickly grab before they retreat into holes.

• Diving – Free dive or SCUBA dive reefs and rock piles. Catch lobster by hand or use a pole spear to take them. Look for movement at openings of dens.

• Cast net – Toss a cast net baited with fish carcasses into promising lobster habitat. Leave for a while then haul back for lobster.

Timing is also important. Early morning and evening tend to be best. Hunt during season peaks in late summer and fall. And time trips for minimal swell and good tides for easiest lobstering.

Cooking and Eating Lobster

Once you’ve caught your tasty lobster, you’ll want to prepare it for eating. Here are some tips:

• Cooking – Boil, steam, bake or grill. Boiling or steaming for 8-12 minutes works great. Split lobster first for faster, more even cooking.

• Handling – Use gloves or tongs to avoid getting pinched by the live lobster. Grab from behind the claws. Dispatch humanely before cooking.

• Removing meat – Crack shells starting from the tail end. Extract tail meat in one piece if possible. Pick out leg and body meat.

• Eating – Many love dipping the sweet tail meat in melted butter. Don’t forget the leg and body meat either. The green tomalley (liver) is delicious too.

• Storage – Fresh lobster meat will keep up to two days in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for longer storage.

Lobster makes for an amazing seafood feast. Follow the regulations, hunt in prime spots during peak seasons, and use smart catching techniques to maximize your odds of lobster success in Oregon. Let us know how your lobster hunt goes! We’d love to hear about your experiences catching this tasty crustacean along the Oregon coast.

Frequency of Entities:
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