PNW Fishing Report: Rockfish Limits, Salmon Runs, and Crab Bonanza on the Oregon Coast

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming to you with your August 30, 2025, fishing report for the Oregon Pacific coast—get ready for a beauty out there today.

The weather is set for top-tier fishing: swells have dropped to around 3 to 4 feet, and winds are variable and light, hovering under 10 knots for most of the day, making it a gentle run offshore. According to the National Weather Service and the Ocean Prediction Center, conditions should hold through the weekend, so it’s a great time for both offshore and inshore trips.

Sunrise was at 6:33 AM, with sunset rolling in at 7:59 PM—plenty of light for long sessions on the water. Tidal flows at Nestucca Bay are mellow: you’ll see a low tide right around 12:17 AM at 1.18 feet, building to a midmorning high then dropping again late afternoon. These moderate swings are prime—expect fish to be active on the incoming, especially near structure and reefs according to the Surfline tide calendar and local forecasts.

Let’s talk what’s biting. Bottom fishing is red hot this week. Dockside Depoe Bay reported both boats limited out on rockfish yesterday, with healthy catches of Lingcod coming over the rails too, plenty of quality fish in that 22-inch range and up. Canary and black rockfish are leading the packs, and don't sleep on the flatfish bite—up to 25 per angler, and there are some really nice soles and flounder in the mix. The daily bag limit for rockfish has just increased to five per angler, so fill those coolers, but remember: yelloweye and quillback rockfish are off-limits at all times.

Halibut fishing is wrapping up with the inshore and summer seasons still open through the 31st. Pressure has been moderate and there’s still time to pull a big one—fresh herring or large jigs tipped with squid are turning the most fish.

On the salmon scene, Buoy 10 near Astoria is still seeing solid action, with both Chinook and coho moving up. Jones Sport Fishing noted daily catches for both species, with most boats seeing a mix—trolling with plug-cut herring behind a flasher has been deadly. If you want numbers, try early before the outgoing tide peaks; that water movement fires up the bite.

Crabbing is steady, holding at solid rates—expect 9-10 keepers per person inside bays and estuaries. Keep your pots baited heavy with chicken or fish frames for best results.

Locals are pulling in modest numbers of Dungeness and a few big reds, so drop pots while you drift for rockfish.

For lures and bait:
- Offshore, the go-to is a large swimbait or metal jig for lingcod and rockfish—give ‘em an aggressive presentation near rocky structure.
- For salmon, stick with green or chartreuse flashers and a natural herring brine, or try a spinner if you notice more silvers in the mix.
- Flatfish are loving sand shrimp or strip baits right on the bottom.

Hotspots this weekend are looking like:
- The reefs off Depoe Bay for rockfish and lingcod—they’re producing limits, and the lingcod are hitting hard-bouncing gear.
- Buoy 10 near Astoria for salmon—mornings are best as the tides start to push, but fish are moving on both ends of the swing.
- Inside Yaquina Bay if you’re after Dungeness crab or just want to tuck out of the wind late in the day.

Final reminders: check your regs for protected species, pack the sunblock, and mind those afternoon bar crossings.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s report. Don’t forget to subscribe and keep those rods bent. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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