Oregon Crab Snaring and Crabbing Docks: Map and 2026 Guide
Oregon's big bays are open for crabbing all year, and most ports have public crabbing docks. This guide covers 9 spots from Tillamook Bay to Brookings, plus the 2026 rules, the best months, what to bring, how to rig a snare and what to do after the catch.
Map of Oregon crabbing spots
Tap a spot for species, gear, license rules and directions. Every spot needs a shellfish license if you are 12 or older, including piers and docks. The map opens on the North and Central Coast.
Best spots: Newport's South Beach pier on Yaquina Bay, the Charleston docks on Coos Bay and the Garibaldi pier on Tillamook Bay. Bays and estuaries are open year-round; the ocean is closed Oct 16 to Nov 30. Snares are legal in Oregon. Keep 12 male Dungeness a day at 5¾ in or more.
North and Central Coast
- Garibaldi (Tillamook Bay): a public crabbing pier at the port, about 1.5 hours from Portland. Busy on summer weekends.
- Netarts Bay: boat basin and bank access. The bay is shallow and drains at low tide, so go around high tide.
- Newport (Yaquina Bay): the South Beach public fishing pier is one of the most productive crab piers on the coast.
- Florence (Siuslaw River): designated crabbing docks at the Port of Siuslaw in Old Town. After heavy rain the river runs fresh and crabbing slows.
South Coast
- Winchester Bay: Salmon Harbor has crabbing docks with lots of space, good for families.
- Charleston (Coos Bay): marina crabbing docks with bait, tackle and crab cooking nearby.
- Bandon (Coquille River): the port crabbing dock in Old Town. Best in dry weather.
- Port Orford: a working dock with a hoist. Follow posted hours and stay out of the way.
- Brookings (Chetco River): harbor docks, best during dry spells.
2026 seasons, limits and licenses
| Bays and estuaries | Ocean | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Open year-round | Closed Oct 16 to Nov 30 |
| Dungeness | 12 males a day, 5¾ in minimum. Release all females. | |
| Red rock crab | 24 a day, any size or sex | |
| License | Shellfish license for everyone 12 and older | |
- Gear: up to 3 pieces of gear in the water per person: pots, rings, snares or baited lines, in any combination. By hand or dip net also works.
- Biotoxins: Oregon closes areas for domoic acid. Call the shellfish safety hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before you go.
- Soft shells: release soft-shelled crabs. They have little meat.
Measure every crab. Our Dungeness crab gauge is made for Oregon, Washington and California sizes, and the crab gauge guide shows where to measure.
Best time to go
| Month | Bays and estuaries |
|---|---|
| Aug to Nov | Best Crabs are full and the bays are salty before winter rain |
| Dec to Mar | Good Fish the lower bay near the mouth after rain |
| Apr to Jul | Good More soft shells after molting; sort carefully |
- Tide: crabs move and feed most around slack tide. The hour before and after high slack is best.
- Rain: fresh water pushes crabs toward the ocean end of the bay. After a big storm, fish closer to the jetties.
What to bring
- Rod and reel: 7 to 9 ft medium-heavy rod, reel holding 150+ yards.
- Line: 30 to 50 lb braid, like our 50 lb Super Cast braided line.
- Crab snares: the AirFly 6-Loop Crab Snare for docks and piers. In bay current, the Pro Crab Snare with pyramid sinker holds bottom.
- Castable trap: the foldable castable crab trap casts from the same rod and counts as one of your 3 pieces of gear.
- Bait: chicken, fish carcasses or clams. AirFly dried mackerel bait needs no cooler.
- Crab gauge: the AirFly Dungeness gauge.
- Casting glove: a casting glove protects your finger from braid.
- Spare loops: replacement loops.
- Claw bands: AirFly claw bands keep crabs from pinching in the cooler.
- Shellfish license, cooler, gloves and rain gear.
Starting from zero? The Crab Snare 2-Pack Kit comes with two snares, a gauge, a casting glove and spare loops.
How to set up a crab snare
- Tie on. Palomar knot straight to your braid, or a heavy snap swivel.
- Stand the loops up. Flat or kinked loops do not catch legs.
- Pack the bait cage tight. See our best crab bait guide.
- Set your drag loose enough that a big crab cannot pull the rod off the dock.
- Cast with a smooth lob, not a snap.
New to snares? Our pier how-to post and the full Crab Snare Guide walk through each step.
Technique: docks and piers
Snare
Cast 20 to 40 yards into the channel onto sand or mud, away from pilings where loops snag. Soak 10 to 20 minutes and reel in at a steady speed with the rod tip up.
Rings and pots
Drop next to the dock. Pull rings every 15 to 20 minutes and pull them fast. Pots can soak longer. With 3 pieces of gear, many crabbers run 2 rings and 1 snare.
What to do after the catch
- Measure and check the sex right away. Keep only males at 5¾ in or more.
- Band the claws with claw bands.
- Keep them cool, damp and alive under a wet towel. Not in fresh water or melted ice.
- Check for biotoxin advisories. Throw away the guts and eat only the meat.
- Cook the same day. Many Oregon ports have crab cookers at the docks.
Safety and challenges
- Jetties and bars: stay off wet jetty rocks in swell, and never try a bar crossing in a small boat on a rough day.
- Rain and wind: Oregon weather changes fast. Bring rain gear even in summer.
- Crowded docks: keep your lines together and pull gear when others are pulling.
- Fees: some ports charge dock or parking fees.
- Bait and tackle: use the "Bait shops nearby" button on any spot in the map above.
Frequently asked questions
Are crab snares legal in Oregon?
Yes. You can fish up to 3 pieces of gear at a time, in any mix of pots, rings, snares and baited lines.
Do I need a license to crab from a dock in Oregon?
Yes. Everyone 12 and older needs a shellfish license, including on public piers and docks.
What is the crab limit in Oregon?
12 male Dungeness a day at 5¾ inches or more, and 24 red rock crab of any size or sex.
Is crabbing closed in Oregon in the fall?
Only in the ocean, from October 16 to November 30. Bays and estuaries stay open, and fall is one of the best times there.
Where is the best crabbing near Portland?
Tillamook Bay at Garibaldi is the closest big crabbing bay, about 1.5 hours away. Netarts Bay is nearby, and Newport's Yaquina Bay is about 2.5 hours.
When is the best time to crab in Oregon?
Late summer through fall in the bays, at slack tide around high water, before winter rain turns the bays fresh.
More crab spots
- California crab snaring map: Bay Area, North Coast and Monterey
- Washington crabbing piers and snaring map: Puget Sound and Outer Coast
Questions about a spot? Email contact@airflyfishing.com.
Printable crab maps
North and Central Coast
South Coast
Rules checked against ODFW in September 2026. Always confirm current rules and closures with ODFW before you go. Spot ratings are the AirFly crew's opinion. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.