If you like
to fish, have we got fish for you. With no run-off pollution or industries
anywhere nearby, fish are clean, wild, and ready for the frying pan.
Pack up your pole and your creel and take your pick of where to cast
your line:
Elk and Sixes Rivers: Both rivers are pristine and the Elk boasts the some of
the best salmon fishing in the contiguous U.S. When the rains start (October
or November), fall chinook salmon and coho salmon (also known as silvers) run.
After Thanksgiving sea-run cutthroat trout (also known as bluebacks) and winter
steelhead lure fishers from near and far. More information on the Elk and Sixes
Rivers on Camping Guide webpage.
Elk River Fish Hatchery: In early June, the Elk River Fish Hatchery sponsors
a free fishing weekend for children 10 years old and younger. Fish caught can
be 10 inches to 9 pounds and include chinook salmon, winter steelhead, and rainbow
trout. Rods, reels, bait, and tackle are provided. Phone 541-332-7025 for exact
date and times.
Garrison Lake: With 130 acres of lake in the middle of Port Orford, everybody
gets a chance to catch their limit. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow
trout, cutthroat trout, and chinook salmon (also known as king or blackmouth)
are plentiful year round. See web page on Garrison Lake for locations of fishing
docks and boat ramps.
Laird Lake: This small isolated lake, on the way to Powers, has been stocked
with trout in the past. Wily and hard to catch, only experienced fishers need
make the trip up the Elk River. Four-wheel drive vehicles recommended. See Camping
Guide for more information on Laird Lake.
The Pacific Ocean: In a kayak, canoe, or rowboat, you can catch bottom fish including
lingcod, kelp greenling, red snapper, cabezon (a rockfish), and black snapper
just waiting to snap up your bait around Nelly’s Cove. Or if you want bigger
fish to fry, charter a boat at the Dock (see Port Orford Dock for more information).
There are more than fifty species of fish in the deep waters off shore.
Port Orford Dock: Fish off the Port Orford Dock or the jetty for smelt, sardine,
herring, bottom fish, snappers, lingcod, halibut, and perch to name a few. Plus
beach fish on the Dock Beach.
Shoreline fishing: Pinkfin perch and serfperch can be caught from any
beach in the area.
You can find Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations handbooks at McNair’s True
Value Hardware, where licenses, bait, tackle and fishing supplies are also sold.
The Dock Tackle Shop also sells 1-day licenses and fishing supplies. For additional
fishing information, seasons, regulations, restrictions, visit the Oregon Fish
and Wildlife website: www.dfw.state.or.us or phone 503-872-5263.
